Cat having problems with eating

[bananaskin123]

We have a farm cat who is now approximately 14 years old. She has always been a little and often eater but is a good mouser and often finds her own food. However over the last few weeks she seems to have trouble swallowing. I've tried every brand of cat food to try and tempt her, she'll try a little and then walk away. She quite liked the soup food (think it was Sheba) but even then ate very little of it. When I 've watched her its as though she has problems swallowing. She looks really fit and well, bright eyes, shiny coat etc.

I've spoken to the vets as I made an appointment for Monday but she did a runner when she saw the cat carrier and didn't return until after they had closed! We have an appointment on Friday but wondered if you had any suggestions of what we can give her to encourage her back on to her usual diet. Vet nurse suggested it could be a lose tooth but we'd have probably seen blood, which we haven't or as she is quite old it could be something more worrying. I have no way of persuading her to open her mouth.

Anyone any ideas please.

That sounds a lot like tooth issues to me as well.

What about sardines in oil, or prawns? They usually prove irresistible.

Is there a room or building that you could persuade her into that you could keep her shut inside, so she doesn't escape again? They are blighters for running away as soon as they see the cat carrier aren't they?

At 14 she should have had her teeth sorted at least twice by now, she probably has horrendous gum disease and agonising dental pain.

You would not necessarily have seen any blood there can be no noticeable symptoms and cats are very good at hiding pain.

I took by cat to the vet last year when she was 18 and she suddenly went off her food and even though she has regular dental checks she had a completely rotten tooth right at the back and an enormous dental abcess. I had not noticed anything even though she is always on my lap, she didn't have a swollen face or anything, I was horrified because I'm so careful about her teeth.

I think it sounds like a tooth issue too, I think trying softer foods might help, and cooked chicken or tinned tuna always goes down well for ticing them to eat here. I hope she gets sorted and cooperates for you!