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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Elderly cat 'crunching' when eating

25 replies

TheGratefulWitchCried · 28/04/2021 20:02

Hi, I wondered if anyone has ever experienced this before. My girl is 17 years old and is understandably showing signs of age. She was born feral and unhandled until rescued at about 4 months old. I adopted her at 7 months and she's always been a very nervous, scaredy cat 🙀 She loves a lap and some fuss, on her terms, but has never tolerated being picked up, it terrifies her, causing panic (I have the scars to prove it )
For the past few weeks she's started making a 'crunching' noise when she's eating her wet food, different brands have made no difference.
I know the obvious answer is a trip to the vets but it traumatises her so much I wouldn't be surprised if she had a heart attack before we got there. She still seems content and happy so I'd rather avoid stressing her more if at all possible.
Has anyone else ever experienced their cat making a crunching/grinding noise when eating? Ian idea of what we're looking at before we go through the stress of capturing her and transporting her to be pinned down and examined?

Picture because I know it's a requirement

OP posts:

TheSpottedZebra · 28/04/2021 20:07

I think it's a sign of tooth pain. I could be wrong but it is probably a cause for concern and for you to consider the vet.

HOWEVER she is 17 and gets stressed so actually I'd wait up carefully. Could you video it and ask the vet for a video consult? Maybe they'd prescribe painkiller. Or perhaps it would not be possible the vet seeing her? It's a tricky one, and you need to consider what it right for her and not just for an average cat.

She's very lovely BTW and clearly loves that spot!

MamaWeasel · 28/04/2021 20:10

In ferrets, i know that grinding teeth is a sign of pain, so I would hazard a guess that there is something amiss with your cat's teeth.

TheSpottedZebra · 28/04/2021 20:16

'wait it up carefully' was obviously meant to read weight it up carefully...

TheSpottedZebra · 28/04/2021 20:17

Ffs autocorrect- WEIGH

5zeds · 28/04/2021 20:19

I think teeth too. What about asking the vet for something to relax her for the trip?

gwhizz75 · 28/04/2021 20:19

Our cat did this when he had problems with his teeth/gums. When the vet cleaned them, they said he’d had some food impacted in a little gap, so I’m not sure if he was trying to get it out.

It was like a grinding noise, as you describe, and his jaw looked like it was moving side to side.

So I agree with previous posters, sounds like some sort of dental pain. I know it’s stressful taking them to the vets when they hate it so I feel for you (and your cat!) but dental issues can be a sign of something more serious so I think it’s worth getting checked out to put your mind at ease. Most likely it is something straightforward but worth checking.

Will she let you take a look? Can you lift her lip and check if her gums look red around her teeth?

Original poster

TheGratefulWitchCried · 28/04/2021 20:30

A video could be a good call, if the vet would look at it, we've thought of a phone call but just don't think I could really explain it. A video could help.
She doesn't seem concerned when eating, but obviously they can hide pain. I don't want her to suffer (of course), but it's a balancing act for her, at 17.
If they could give a painkiller that would be great, though giving tablets is another matter! Her ladyship will only consume them if crushed and mixed with fresh prawns

OP posts:

saffysue · 28/04/2021 20:30

I can't help I'm afraid but just wanted to say what a gorgeous girl she is. She looks so soft and ripe for a cuddle.

I hope you get it sorted easily.

Original poster

TheGratefulWitchCried · 28/04/2021 20:33

Sorry, lots more answers while I posted that reply.

I'll try to have a look at her gums, and try to call the vet tomorrow about possible video / calmer / other advice and see what they say

OP posts:

gwhizz75 · 28/04/2021 20:35

Just to add - we had a phone appointment first with the vet, before we took the cat in and they did know what I meant when I said he was crunching/grinding when eating. I was worried they wouldn’t understand what I was describing too! But yes, a video would be another option.

Azerothi · 28/04/2021 20:36

@saffysue

I can't help I'm afraid but just wanted to say what a gorgeous girl she is. She looks so soft and ripe for a cuddle.

I hope you get it sorted easily.

This, absolutely this. She's lovely.

Original poster

TheGratefulWitchCried · 28/04/2021 20:38

Old lady helping me work

OP posts:

Furries · 29/04/2021 02:14

Aww, she’s gorgeous! I agree with pp’s - if you can get a video of her doing this and arrange a phone call with the vet then that would be a good starting point.

TaraR2020 · 29/04/2021 02:35

Would your vet do a house call?

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 29/04/2021 05:23

Our 13 yr old lad was crunching when eating wet food in February, after several visits for antibiotics & anti inflammatories he had an op scheduled for a full mouth clearance as they suspected lost tooth was causing imbalance in the jaw & the grinding was due to bite pressure changing; when they operated last month they only needed to extract 6 teeth & did a scale & polish.

After a week he was back on wet & dry food (rather than the cat ‘soup’ blended mush we had to give him as he was losing weight), he is much happier & back to beating up the dogs which he hadn’t done in months lol!

We sent ours video of the noises but they did need to see him in person too, our vets have been fab during the pandemic & he was probably calmer without me flapping during the consultation!

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 29/04/2021 05:24

By the way, OP, you have a wonderful moo cow cat! She’s a beauty.

Original poster

TheGratefulWitchCried · 30/04/2021 09:57

Since posting this a couple of days ago she's really gone downhill. Her back legs are giving way and she's barely eating, just lying on her blanket sleeping. She's booked in at the vets tomorrow at 12 for what I suspect will be her last visit. I know it's the right thing to do, but I'm in bits.

OP posts:

shoofly · 30/04/2021 10:00

Am so sorry to hear this

Ostryga · 30/04/2021 10:03

So sorry to hear this op, but you are giving her such a gift of not letting her suffer.

Hope you’re ok

summersolstice43 · 30/04/2021 11:42

Oh OP you poor thing. Your little old lady has the most loving owner though, she knows shes had a good life. I hope everything works out and its not serious

TheSpottedZebra · 30/04/2021 17:03

Oh no

Your love for your lovely girl came across in the OP and other posts, so of course you will do what is right for her.

It's a really tough time. Take care x

Original poster

TheGratefulWitchCried · 30/04/2021 19:50

Thank you all for your lovely comments, she passed away peacefully this afternoon, on her favourite blanket. I'm relieved she didn't have to go through the trauma of a trip to the vets, she was at home in her safe place.

OP posts:

MamaWeasel · 30/04/2021 19:52

((((Hugs))))

summersolstice43 · 30/04/2021 20:07

Sending you lots of love and hugs. I cant imagine how hard this is for you.

TheSpottedZebra · 30/04/2021 20:56

Very sorry for your loss. I'm glad that she - and you - was spared a trip to the vets.

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