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

Original poster

Cat seems a bit off. Any ideas? Photo included

62 replies

HardRockOwl · 03/05/2022 12:48

She's 7.5, in excellent health and eats well. She's always stood behind the kitchen door in the morning for food!

This morning she wasn't there - she was still asleep curled up on the sofa. This is highly unusual. I did a school run and got back and she was still there.

I shook the dreamies and she sat up but didn't come running . She ALWAYS comes running!

She wouldn't eat her breakfast (after I picked her up) so I pulled out the big guns and popped down a fresh prawn and some fresh crab. Tried a piece of roast chicken. Sniffed but wouldn't eat

I've squeezed her all over and nothing is hurting her. I know 100% she hadn't been in a fight .

I wouldn't call her lethargic as such but she's sat there just looking ... depressed? A bit down?

Took her upstairs with me and she is just laying there. Tried tempting with a dreamie . No.

Purrs when I stroke her. I know cats hide pain but I'm not getting a vibe she's in pain.

Now, I didn't have to look after my daughters Ragdoll yesterday which enraged her. We have multiple rooms downstairs so was able to hero then separate at all times but she was hissing away for a little while - could this still be bothering her? I don't think it's likely

So ... do I leave this a while? Not sure I can take her to a vet with the only symptom being ' she seems a bit down and didn't eat breakfast!'

Thanks in advance

Cat seems a bit off. Any ideas? Photo included
OP posts:
Original poster
HardRockOwl · 03/05/2022 12:49

I know the photo is no good to man nor beast but personalising her a bit Grin

OP posts:
zafferana · 03/05/2022 12:51

Hmmm I'd probably call the vet for advice. I'd guess that she isn't feeling well. No cat I've ever met has refused to eat because they're furious, particularly ones that are normally greedy!

HairyFeline · 03/05/2022 12:52

My cat hunched up like that when he had pain. He had a long illness and as soon as he sat like this and refused food I’d take him to the vet as it was a sure sign he wasn’t feeling well. He wouldn’t squeak or meow or anything on palpitation of his tummy at the vet either. Maybe worth a trip to the vet, OP.

Maydaysoonenough · 03/05/2022 12:53

Imo you are being played. She knows your affections drifted and you are being punished with The Silent Treatment...

QuebecBagnet · 03/05/2022 12:54

When my cat was sat hunched over it was kidney issues but I guess any pain could be similar

fantasmasgoria1 · 03/05/2022 12:55

Every cat I have ever had has had off days where their behaviour differs from their norm.

prettyteapotsplease · 03/05/2022 13:01

I think you should heed your instincts, if puss seems off colour, not themselves, there's always a reason why.

Original poster
HardRockOwl · 03/05/2022 13:22

She looks a bit hunched I know but she isn't really tbh

Hmm. Yes, it's an instinct thing so I'm out in meetings for another hour or two and then I'll try her again. This time with cat soup!

Thanks so far for advice

OP posts:
Original poster
HardRockOwl · 03/05/2022 13:24

Just spotted all the typos in my original post! Hopefully you got the drift!

OP posts:
Beamur · 03/05/2022 13:29

Is she still drinking?
I would trust your instincts. Ring the vet and maybe make an appointment for tomorrow. If she hasn't eaten for 24 hours and seems subdued I would want her checked over.
Some illnesses - like kidney issues can make cats feel nauseous and therefore disinterested in food.

KimWexlersPonyTail · 03/05/2022 13:30

Maybe toothache?

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 03/05/2022 13:32

That position just looks like standard cat loafing to me.

I'd probably give it 24 hours and see if she gets over it.

KirstenBlest · 03/05/2022 13:33

A photo is compulsory @HardRockOwl , she looks like DCat, and he is good at refusing food unless he's demanded it and has one mean resting catty face

DCat is clingy when ill.

Is she looking a bit disshevelled and is her fur rough?

Moppincraxy · 03/05/2022 13:34

I might be reading too much into the photo but when my cat is in pain the fluffy bits above her eyes stand on end more than usual and your cat looks the same.

She might still be injured. I suspect you didn't squeeze her too hard, not wanting to hurt her. The vet would do a really thorough prod and poke. I would make a vet appointment if that was my cat.

SheAndHerAreWomen · 03/05/2022 13:36

Please take her to the vet. Our cat was 'off' and it turned out he'd been hit by a car but didn't have any visible injuries - he was just really sad and not eating etc.

BigUpAllOfUshereOnMN · 03/05/2022 13:38

You could check her mouth for any signs of infection

GingerFigs · 03/05/2022 13:45

She could be feeling a bit off and her hunched position could be that, or she's feeling a bit chilly, a bit huffy. It's not an unusual position BUT you know your cat and I'm a firm believer in that if you've noticed something then that's because something is different.

Keep an eye on her and as a precaution I'd probably ring the vets and ask for an appointment for tomorrow as a fallback if she still seems off.

It could be so many things ranging from nothing to serious. Is she drinking / peeing / pooping?

lljkk · 03/05/2022 13:46

When our cat was ill last year, this is how he presented the day before we realised how ill. I'll never know if we could have saved his life if he went to vet sooner : the vet said that was unlikely. Anyway, if I had my time again, I'd probably still wait 24 hours after this stage before assuming something was wrong.

GingerFigs · 03/05/2022 13:47

I'd also listen to her breathing, check her respiratory rate, check the colour of her gums, see if she feels cold.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/05/2022 16:26

She needs a vet appointment. If it’s bad enough her behaviours changed it’s bad already.

Toddlerteaplease · 03/05/2022 16:30

Definitely go with your gut and get a vets appointment. Cats mask very well. Refusing their favourite treats is a red flag for me.

AWOL66 · 03/05/2022 16:38

I learned their pupils can get bigger if in pain and they can want to be around you a lot or go off and hide. Loss of appetite tells me there's definitely an illness but only a vet can say if it's a passing bug or more serious. I hope she feels better soon💔

Ormally · 03/05/2022 16:43

Second the question about whether she is drinking/swallowing.

When one of mine was like this, a long time ago now, the vet thought a wasp had stung her inside the mouth. She was hunched over like that and slightly dopey, but not wanting to eat.

Retrievemysanity · 03/05/2022 16:48

Ours went like that when we got our second cat a few months ago. Wouldn’t even look at me! She was ok after a couple of days but I knew that was definitely the problem. If she’s not in any obvious pain, can walk normally and is drinking, I’d see how she is tomorrow and then call the vet if no better.

Dynamicsloth · 03/05/2022 16:54

Please take her to the vet. My cat developed Chronic Kidney Disease without obvious symptoms and it was only picked
up with a pre dental blood test. He is only 6.

I hope it’s nothing but it might be something seriously wrong.

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