Why Cats Stop Eating
Even in normal times, cats are often picky eaters.
But if they are confused, frightened, or ill, they can stop eating alltogether.
Some Things To Try
- Handfeeding
Sit with your cat. Talk to her. Pet her.
Pick up a little piece of food and
offer it to her.
- Offer special treats
- "wet food" (canned or pouch, instead of dry kibble)
- the cat's favorite food
- "people" tuna
- cheese (in small amounts)
- milk or cream (in small amounts)
- Warm food
Warmed food usually has a stronger smell, and smell is a key to making a cat want to eat.
Warmed food may be more attractive to a cat.
- Mix foods together.
- Tasty liquids
- water from "people" tuna cans (packed in water) -
Avoid tuna packed in vegetable broth (may contain onions).
Tuna packed in oil may work.
- clam juice
- low-salt chicken broth -
Avoid those made with onions.
Avoid bouillon (too salty).
- low-salt beef broth -
Avoid those made with onions.
Avoid bouillon (too salty).
- sprinkle some catnip on the food
- make sure that the food is fresh
Would you be interested in eating dry kibble that has been sitting out in a bowl for two days?
Drugs
There are some drugs that can help stimulate a cat's appetite.
The last time that I took a cat to the vet for not eating,
the vet expressed a lot of faith in Diazepam (Valium).
He said "I've seen cats wasting away and near death,
who crawled to the food bowl after a dose of Diazepam."
If you have exhausted
Some Things To Try,
get professional help,
which might include these drugs:
| trade name |
generic name |
use in humans |
Rx? |
comments |
| Valium |
Diazepam |
relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension |
Y |
may cause liver problems |
| Periactin |
Cyproheptadine |
antihistamine |
Y |
|
| Serax |
Oxazepam |
antianxiety |
Y |
|
| Dalmane |
Flurazepam |
sedative, panic and anxiety disorders |
? |
|
Syringe Feeding
If your cat won't eat on her own, you might resort to syringe feeding.
Basically, liqufied food is placed in a large syringe or turkey baster,
and squirted down the cat's throat.
Only do this if your cat won't eat on her own.
more TBD
Feeding Tubes
TBD