Persuading cat to eat

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My cat had to have a procedure under GA last Tuesday and stayed at vets until Thursday. He's normally very committed to his food but is now almost completely disinterested in eating. Upshot is I can't give him his meds which require a full stomach before he takes them.

Any ideas? I've tried his regular dry food, different dry food, different wet foods (he's never been a fan, tbh), fresh cooked chicken, tinned tuna, chicken cat sticks and Dreamies. The only thing he has eaten is very small amounts of the last two for 4 days now, and a handful of his regular dry food on Friday - which he's now completely disinterested in.

I've spoken to the vet, and he's going back for a check up tomorrow but I wondered if anyone had experienced similar?

You could try warming some wet food in the microwave for a few seconds. The stronger smell can encourage them to eat (granted not always!).
Assuming all is ok, the vet may be able to give some appetite stimulants.

Oh that's a good idea, thank you. Vet mentioned an appetite stimulant injection but was hoping for alternatives first so will give that a try.

Did the vet give you any of the royal canin post op food? It is apparently laced with crack (or similar) to make it amazingly tempting and tasty. Warning: it ruins cats for normal food.

Ha! And I thought Dreamies were the crack if the feline world. Will ask about it tomorrow

I presume you've tried putting lightly poached chicken, rare roast beef, smoked salmon, and succulent juicy prawns on your own plate, and then not guarded it very effectively?

Chicken livers poached or you can sprinkle catnip on his food.

You could try sprinkle with fortiflora
I bought it to help settle cats tummy but I have noticed if he won't eat his food I sprinkle this on and he wolfs it down!
Hooe your cat Improves.

When ours doesn’t eat we know it’s time for her monthly treatments for worms and fleas. Get well soon to your kitty.

What often works is some of the pate type hi life mixed with warm water until it’s like a runny soup. Mix really well for like 5 mins until it blends in.

We sometimes have to sprinkle a Thrive dried Tuna Treat on Leo's food if he turns his nose up. It's stinky and fishy and he eats whatever we put it on :) x

At the cat rescue I volunteer for we try tinned sardines, even with tomato sauce. Also raw meat.

Another vote for fortiflora, you can sprinkle that on dry food if he prefers that.
The soup type pouches, like felix soup
The little tubular sachet things with creamy filling, lik e lik or similar

Sorry not to have responded sooner but thanks very much for all the suggestions. Lots of ideas here I had never heard of or considered before.

Vet has now given appetite stimulant which should kick in imminently. Apparently his appetite is likely to return with a vengeance, at which point I suspect normal service of wolfing everything in sight will be resumed...

I have a cat who suffers from bouts of anorexia. Normally a tablet of mirtazapine will help with appetite, which I am able to administer at home. Then if he still won’t eat I add water to the royal cain food and syringe it into him. Once he has a bit of food in him he is more inclined to eat himself.