Old cat only wanting wet food

[loverofdogs]

My old cat is driving us all mad. (I almost put this in AIBI asking whether I would be, for wanting her put down..)

She miaows constantly to be fed, but will only eat wet food. She used to eat the kibble, which was so much easier as it could be left in the bowl for her to graze on. I can only give her small amounts of anything at a time as she sicks it all up if she has too much in one go - she would happily eat a whole pouch in one go but will then suck it all up.

The problem is when we go away. Our neighbour is happy to come in once a day and used to give half a pouch and fill her bowl with kibble. Now that wouldn't work as the cat won't eat the kibble and my neighbour can't be expected to come back to give lots of small amounts.

Has anyone else had an old cat who rejected the dry kibble but you eventually found a brand they would eat? Before I waste my money on yet another.... Or any other suggestions? She's very, very skinny. And a bit senile.

wet food is better for them when they are older, I'd go with it

also I had a cat who meowed constantly for food and turned out she had diabetes so do get her checked (and thyroid)

Her kidneys are probably failing. Very common in older cats and why wet food is advised, as well as making sure plenty of water is available for them.

You need a vet not MN advice I’m afraid. I realise this will not be what you want to hear and elderly much loved pets behave differently but please get an appointment for her.

Sorry to not be more positive and I know it is hard and scary doing vet visits ( owner of two elderly much loved dogs) but please get this looked into, feeding changes in any animal needs professional investigation. I really hope she is feeling better soon.

Similar thing here with our 15 year old girl. We had her blood tested and she had an overactive thyroid. It's managed now with meds and she's a different cat now!
For kibble, choose Hill's Science Plan senior. It's really good for them and ours love it. (Our other cat is 23 and still full of beans!)

Sorry posted too soon.When my cat got like this, we tried medication which she loathed and was very clever about making you think she had taken it when she hadn't.

It bought her a few extra months, but I should have let her go a lot sooner than I did.

Poor wee girl. Agree with above that a vet check is really important. Between teeth, diabetes, thyroid and kidneys it's unlikely that there's not something going on for her so it's vital to get her checked over and treated so she can live her best life.

There are timed feeders available with five sections but that can come after she had her teeth and whatnot sorted out.

Thank you for everybody. When she first stared losing weight 18 months ago we took her to the vet, they kept her in overnight and checked for everything (at vast expense). Told us she is healthy just old. I will try the Hills senior though, and a vet again. Thank you.

When you're away you can also put down a timed feeder for the mini meals during thr day or instead of neighbour altogether. Some have ice pack spaces in them to keep food cold, so you could just ask neighbour to put fresh ones in every day.

Lots of older cats have dental problems and they really struggle to eat kibble. I would make sure she's on a senior kibble - ideally one that's small and relatively soft, so she doesn't have to work too hard to eat it.

Another option that could work is that you feed her kibble mixed with warm water and mashed into a paste so it's easier for her to eat and digest.

But I agree with PP who say she needs to see a vet - it sounds like kidney failure combined with dental pain, but at her age the options will be limited as she won't be able to go through anything too invasive.

When you go away, use a timed feeder (or feeders) to portion out her food so that she can't rush it all and end up being sick.

This is our cat. We have found that we give wet food but when our neighbour feeds she’s less fussy and we buy kitten dry food- whiskas for 1-12 month and it was a hit! Smaller to chew, softer and an all round success. It might work for you too.

As far as food goes, pay a teenager to come round twice a day.
Our older cat no longer eats kibble, but she has always enjoyed miaowing for food, so that's not new.

Ah brilliant, thank you. Timed feeder, kitten food, (or science plan) and vet.

If she'll eat senior cat wet food that'll be better for her than kitten food as they have different nutritional requirements- good luck!

How many sachets a day do other people's cats (who only eat wet food) eat?

Big Kevin Kat eats 400g of KatKin human grade steamed meat a day. I divide it into four seperate meals, reheat it via boiling water, and it keeps him happy for about six- seven hours. It depends on if it's affordable for you. They offer a cheaper trial box, so maybe order one of these first?

Thanks just looked it up. I would consider that, but I'd have to do the same for the dog, he'd be so jealous I think!

Could she be having dental problems? As far as giving her wet food goes, could you get a timer dish that could open several times a day, so the neighbour could fill several sections once a day for her? www.amazon.co.uk/Mate-C500-Automatic-Pet-Digital/dp/B01AUYLVU8/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&crid=2HYISEOJX32FI&keywords=cat+dish+timer&sprefix=timer+dish%2Cpets%2C79&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1648485724&sr=1-4

Definitely, get bloods done at the vets. My OKs girl lost weight slowly over a year or two, but wanted lots of food. She has hyperoidism. Medication really helped. As others have said though, teeth could be an issue if she won't she dry now. Sickness could be a sogn of nausea caused by something like kidney disease. Vet can help with all of these and reduce discomfort with treatment.