New rescue cat - not really eating

[kernowgal]

My lovely new (well actually quite old, he's 15) puss came home with me yesterday. I started him off in one room with some food and his litter tray and almost as soon as he was out of the carrier he was eating. He also used the litter tray for a wee. He seemed keen to explore so I opened the door and let him find his own way around; he's gradually had a good nose around everywhere.

At the rescue they'd had him on three pouches a day and so I'm continuing with this. He ate the first two pouches slowly over a few hours, and then this morning I gave him a tin of the posh sardine food (Encore?) that they gave me to start me off, and he just wasn't fussed by it. At lunch I gave him another pouch of the chicken that he'd wolfed down yesterday, and he's barely touched it.

He's drinking well and using the litter tray, and is currently curled up on my lap quite happily, but I'm concerned that he's not had much to eat. Though occasional Dreamies have been scoffed instantly. The rescue centre said he liked the more expensive food, hence me buying the same stuff that he'd been eating (Gourmet Perle), but today he's not interested.

Any ideas? Should I just keep an eye on him for a few days? He seems very content!

I would just keep an eye. Mine eats v v little, as in one pouch a day. I split it so maybe try offering half a pouch if he's finding it a bit much and then keep the rest back
Can always add more and it saves you chucking stuff away

Forgot to add if you did want to swap food, natures menu country hunter seems to be loved by the vast majority of cats even my fussy one eats it

Good idea on the half pouch idea - he's not very big (3.6kg) so I was surprised when they said three pouches. He tried a few biscuits yesterday though today seems less fussed.

My main concern is because he's quite skinny, I don't want him to lose any more weight.

Mine is about 4kg and he's just not very food orientated. I think I was over facing him too as he often eats half the pouch now and wants more rather than just walking off
Plus he's settling in so he will take a bit to settle into a proper routine

Thank you, that's really reassuring. I've lived with cats but never had my own, if that makes sense, so I'm learning as I go! The rescue centre said to ring them if I had any worries, so if he's still like this in a couple of days I'll give them a call.

It's good he's out and cuddling so quick, a lot take a week or so to even come out from hiding. Big change so he might just not have much appetite

He's just licked all the gravy off the tuna/prawn stuff I put down! I just put half a pack down for now. It sounds like mashing it all up might work but like you say he might just not be all that hungry at the moment.

I've put a separate plate of biscuits down with plenty of water nearby just in case he prefers those.

Stupid question but are you mashing the pouch/food up when you put it down or leaving it whole?
Mine will only eat it mixed up, if I leave it whole he won't touch it
Some like it warmed up < glares at cat next to me > so I add a touch of warm water to his
It'll work out, he's very new still

I just tried mashing it but to be honest the chunks (allegedly tuna) were really rubbery and refused to be mashed up. It really wasn't very appealing, whereas the chicken one at least looked vaguely tasty. I did it with hot water so with a bit of luck it might soften it a bit and make it more soupy.

He's snoozing next to me again so I think he's alright

I haven't experienced that food so no idea on that! I mash it up with a fork to make it look vaguely appetising
Also a lot prefer their water away from food
Aww clever boy!

If he likes Dreamies he might like the new Whiskas crunchies, which contain Dreamies-type chunks with squidgy stuff in the middle - mine are choosing these over the jelly food at the moment.

He's got a whole new place to explore and a whole new person to cuddle up with. He'd have to be very hungry indeed to choose food over those.

I'd give it a day or two until he settles more.

He ate the remaining meat last night so I put some fresh stuff down today - again gravy all gone but meat still there. So he is eating, just slowly! Now curled up on my lap again - I feel guilty as I need to go out!

Don't feel guilty - you'll return after all!

How are his teeth?

They're funny things. Mine slept for 16hrs the other day then scoffed a full pouch
Today he's not even interested in 1/4 pouch
And he won't eat before 11am

His teeth are fine - think he's got the full complement. The rescue centre had him on Pet Dent, which I've tried to continue - they put it on his paws for him to lick off but if I do this he just flicks it off! So I guess I should smear it on his paws rather than putting a blob on. He doesn't mind me touching his paws at all thank goodness.

He miaows at me for food when I'm in the kitchen then when I put some down he licks the gravy off, has a few pieces and ignores the rest.

I'm used to my ex-housemate's cat, who hoovers up everything you put in front of her (too fast, she then spews it everywhere), so this little guy is proving trickier! They are funny things indeed, I wish I spoke cat

It still might be worth having them checked over on his first meeting with his new vet? He's likely of an age for some dental treatment I think.

I know that Seniorboy is a bit of a fusspot with regard to food though. Smallish, often, varied and fresh are his favoured options.

I've just blended a pack with a bit of warm water to see if that helped, and he's had a bit.

I might ring the rescue centre tomorrow to check which food they had him on.

I'm going to register him with the local vet as they have a monthly installment programme for dental, worming and flea treatment. He was checked by the vet last Friday but they didn't have any concerns.

That's good. Something just to keep an eye on perhaps.

Seniorboy likes his food mushy also - unfortunately, he also likes it tasty so watering down has to be done with caution.

They are tricksy little buggers, eh!

Just had a quick chat with the lass who looked after him at the rescue, and she confirmed that the pouches I've been putting down are the exact same ones he likes. So I think it's more a case of him settling in. I shall persevere!

And overnight he's eaten the two bowls I'd left out, and miaowed for more this morning. Phew.