Cat not eating, changed habits

[drspouse]

DCat is 11, neutered male, has been quite overweight but hasn't been eating and has been spending way more time outside, previously he was a bit of a home body and liked to sleep under beds etc. He would always come and see us on the sofa after the kids were in bed but would also look out of the front windows to check everyone in the neighbourhood was behaving themselves. Especially next door's dog.

Last few weeks he's hardly been eating his dry food (he has a feeder plus Felix fish pouches) and has been outside mainly, no coming in for a cuddle. He does go and look for rats in the alley a lot (eww) so we think some of the time he's there.

DH took him to the vet 2 days ago and he's lost half a kilo but the vet couldn't find anything wrong. The vet thought maybe the dry food taste had changed (he is a bit fussy).

Any thoughts or ideas? He's friendly and accepts cuddles when we do see him/he's inside. It's all very worrying. Any totally irresistible dry food to try?

Heartless DD said "if he dies can we get kittens". I was not amused.

My neutered male cat who's about 10 loves Scrumbles dry food for adults and seniors. And he also loves Perfect Fit over 7. Both are chicken flavour. I think Perfect Fit also do an over 11 one.

Hope you find something he likes.

PS My cat is a bit overweight.

Thanks! We might see if there is a fish flavour!

It could well be he's just gone off the cat food??my lot had been eating whiskas 7+for years then one day they just refused to eat it....now switched to sheba sachets and they are wolfing them down. Fussy buggers Lol

My boy was doing this. He'd sniff his food and wander off and came in less. Worked out it was whisker fatigue - overstimulated by his whiskers touching the sides of his bowl whilst he ate. Have swapped for a saucer and he's back to scarfing it down.

Presumably the vet checked his mouth/ teeth? Has he ever had his teeth cleaned/ checked? Both times our female cat has gone off her food she's had dental issues.

Is he weeing and pooping as normal?

Try some treat foods, one of our cats loves raw chicken, the other loves cooked chicken. Both like lick-e-lix and are partial to cheese, a pinch of grated cheese sprinkled on their food often encourages them to eat.

Next step if he continues to lose weight would be blood tests to check liver and kidney function.

The vet says his teeth need taking care of, we got some teeth cleaning treats but should we try to brush them (eek)?

On Zooplus I found a cat teeth cleaning spray. Both DCs say they don't fancy our chances of getting that in his mouth?

That’s exactly what my cat has done. It coincided with the clocks going forward and the warmer weather. She was barely eating. And only one wee in the tray. Sometimes none. She’s an indoor cat so I know she’s not hunting. (She’s a Persian). I charge her food and she’s inhaling it. So I think she’s just being a fussy madam. Although at 2.6kg she’s got no weight to loose.

Whisker fatigue ! Never heard that before. My elderlies also off food but it can happen in warmer weather.

I actually don't know about bowel/bladder because he's a very private cat who roams free. But we got 5 new kinds of cat food today and I've put Dreamies out in the garden to tempt him to come and have a chat.

How old is your child as that attitude is awful . Hope your cat finds something he wants to eat soon and gets back to normal , they are such a worry when they can’t explain what their issue is .

I'd go for wet food, especially for a male of that age. Helps avoid kidney problems and might perk up his appetite. Our vet advised this, and it makes sense. Cats naturally get most of their fluids from food.

Were any bloods done? I would definitely check kidneys, thyroid and for diabetes in a cat over 10 who is inappetant and has lost half a kilo.

Ours actually said he needs dry food for his teeth.
But we'll keep on trying to find both kinds he likes.
No bloods done, we'll see how he goes but that's a good point. He isn't drinking loads (he comes in less often than normal but wet food and water are going down the same amount)

Ah, to be fair my cat only has two teeth left so less of a concern...

I’m surprised they haven’t suggested bloods for an older cat who has lost weight. That said, I also recommend Scrumbles, a little goes a long way. I order them from Amazon.

So far two wet foods and two dry ones have proved preferable to existing food. He's spent the day hanging out on next door's shed roof so I guess it's warmer than our garden!

I also have a cat which has recently lost .3 kg, so I see why you’ve been concerned. Mine is aLao apparently healthy so has not been offered blood tests. I’d like to know of some high calorie foods though.

Mackerel in sunflower oil, and Dreamies, went down well today.

Just thought I'd update - vet suggested changing food and we found a new dry food he liked but the vet also wondered if the dry food was sitting in the dispenser bowl and he didn't like the stale smell.
So he's started eating again but recently DH washed the dispenser bowl and didn't put it back - so DCat ate all his dry food in one go from his mat.
He seems recovered though he has decided to sit on DD dining chair/the dining table/the kitchen worktop possibly to make sure he gets all available food.

Well that's encouraging. Will he eat roast chicken and rice?

Not impressed either by your child's comment. I am afraid.😧

He does like cooked chicken but his favourite is tuna.

How is he now? Mine love tuna also.