Building work - cat has stopped eating

[Dolphinnoises]

We are having a new kitchen installed. The work started Monday, and DCat has not eaten a thing since Monday breakfast. We do have previous for this - we took over responsibility for him in November and after he arrived at our house he didn’t really eat much until day 4, but last time he was eating bits and pieces overnight which hasn’t happened this time.

He has thrown up twice, yesterday and the day before on the carpet in the hall/ landing area. He is drinking of water lots just like last time. I was fairly relaxed about it at first but had really hoped he would at least have nibbled at last night’s pouch. At what point should I try the vet and in any case, is there much they can do? You can take a cat to Sheba but you can’t make him eat! The work has another fortnight to go…

Have you tried steak or chicken rather than a pouch? Feeding him well asay from fhe kitchen?

I would shut him somewhere he feels safe away from the work with all his food, water, litter tray etc. Sounds like he’s stressed by the work and can’t escape the people, noise, disruption etc.

I agree.
I would also stock up in feliway plugins - it makes a difference.

Classical music has been shown to soothe cats & dogs, I always play it on fireworks night and it really helps my cat so stick on classic fm for her during the day.

Keep her restricted to one or two rooms while the builders are there with everything she needs.

Tempt her to eat with fresh chicken, ham etc Licky Lix are excellent for calories and most cats love them. Dreamies are about 3 calories a treat too so I'd give her some of those.

Also spend some time sitting with her quietly while builders are in, just chatting quietly and stroking her (if she wants).

I’m off to get some chicken from the supermarket today actually, I woke up thinking about that. The one thing we tempted him with on the first evening was some chicken I’d roasted to eat cold before the work started. Unfortunately the way the house is laid out, the only way he can get out (and I tend to think given the weather is fine he’ll be more cheerful out and about in his territory) is via the area which has been disrupted. But maybe you’re right and I need to create an area for eating / sleeping which is in another part of the house.

When I had building work done I shut mine out all day with food, water, their bed, toys which they ignored in a cheap beach tent! So they had shelter if they wanted it. Might be an option if he likes going out. Put him out before they arrive and bring him in afterwards.

He doesn’t like dreamies or any dried food or any cat treats. He does like all our food usually - on Sunday we had to remove his head from a saucepan containing the remains of our tomato soup. He also tries to eat lasagne like Garfield but we have to keep him away from it in case he eats onion. Keeping him from food is our usual problem!

Lol I thought about suggesting licks of home cooked tomato sauce. I always give my cat a little on my finger when we've had pasta.

She also loves tinned pilchards in tomato sauce so that's an option too.

If you think yours will be happier outside when the weather is nice then I'd escort her through the kitchen twice a day too - just pick her up & carry her.

I have a very neurotic cat who occasionally gets too scared to eat despite our efforts.

Vet for a short course of mirtazepine works wonders and we have a happy hungry cat again.

How long is this work going to go on for? I wouldn’t normally suggest it but like PP has said, you might want to consider drugs to calm him down. Cats who don’t eat can get very sick, very quickly. The other thing you want to avoid in males is urinary blockages.