When should we start worrying?
July 24, 2019 9:51 AM Subscribe
My child's middle-aged mixed-breed cat is somewhat, but not totally, off her food. For the last few days she has only eaten 50 - 75 % of the food we typically give her (dry, with a few chicken-flavored treats thrown in). She still meows for food in the morning, even though there is food left from the previous day. She otherwise seems exactly the same as when she was cleaning her bowl.
My child wants to take her to the vet, which will be expensive and logistically difficult (child is going off to college in a month, and cat is moving to her step-brother, so this is a short-term problem). I would prefer to wait and see, if that's not cat-endangering, or to try other solutions, like changing the cat's food. But I admit I have no experience at all with animals.
Possibly, but probably not, relevant: cat only moved into my apartment two months ago. Also, child tends not to change the litter very often, and the food is immediately outside the litter box. But cat was eating just fine until a few days ago, and nothing has changed recently.
My child wants to take her to the vet, which will be expensive and logistically difficult (child is going off to college in a month, and cat is moving to her step-brother, so this is a short-term problem). I would prefer to wait and see, if that's not cat-endangering, or to try other solutions, like changing the cat's food. But I admit I have no experience at all with animals.
Possibly, but probably not, relevant: cat only moved into my apartment two months ago. Also, child tends not to change the litter very often, and the food is immediately outside the litter box. But cat was eating just fine until a few days ago, and nothing has changed recently.
Best answer: I’ve had cats for over 30 years, but I am not a/your vet.
I read somewhere about monitoring the “Three As” with cats—Affection, Appetite, Activity. If two of the three are within the cat’s normal behavior, you’re probably ok with waiting a bit. Make sure kitty is also drinking water normally.
That being said— most cats don’t like eating near their litter box, especially if the box isn’t regularly cleaned. I’d change the location of the box or the food just as a part of normal cat care, and encourage regular litter cleaning/changing as well. If kitty starts avoiding the litter box, that can lead to UTIs or even more serious issues.
posted by bookmammal at 10:06 AM on July 24, 2019
I read somewhere about monitoring the “Three As” with cats—Affection, Appetite, Activity. If two of the three are within the cat’s normal behavior, you’re probably ok with waiting a bit. Make sure kitty is also drinking water normally.
That being said— most cats don’t like eating near their litter box, especially if the box isn’t regularly cleaned. I’d change the location of the box or the food just as a part of normal cat care, and encourage regular litter cleaning/changing as well. If kitty starts avoiding the litter box, that can lead to UTIs or even more serious issues.
posted by bookmammal at 10:06 AM on July 24, 2019
A cat not eating can be a big problem quickly.
posted by jocelmeow at 10:59 AM on July 24, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by jocelmeow at 10:59 AM on July 24, 2019 [4 favorites]
I've had cats that were finicky about foods in the past, and I had to switch it up somewhat.
If they're eating some of their food, but not all of it, maybe boost it with some wet food? Do they like wet food? All of my cats just went bonkers over the stuff. I've had the best success with putting out some wet food for my cats twice a day, and leaving out some dry food for free feeding in between mealtimes.
I know that some pet food stores like Mud Bay also give out dry food samples; you can get a few of those, and see what strikes your cat's interest.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2019
If they're eating some of their food, but not all of it, maybe boost it with some wet food? Do they like wet food? All of my cats just went bonkers over the stuff. I've had the best success with putting out some wet food for my cats twice a day, and leaving out some dry food for free feeding in between mealtimes.
I know that some pet food stores like Mud Bay also give out dry food samples; you can get a few of those, and see what strikes your cat's interest.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2019
I would prefer to wait and see, if that's not cat-endangering
Right, what jocelmeow said. If moving the food and water away from the litter box and each other and introducing more tempting eats doesn't work, you'll want to follow up immediately with a vet, especially since it has been several days already. A cat abruptly not eating is an urgent problem. It doesn't take long to develop fatty liver disease. You have a tiny bit of wiggle room right now because she is eating some food.
Jumping around homes is very stressful for cats and can put them off their food, so whoever is caring for the cat will want to watch out for that.
Seconding that wet food, even the cheapo stuff, is far better for kitty's health. It will help prevent expensive urinary, kidney, and pancreatic (read: diabetes) issues down the road.
posted by moira at 1:33 PM on July 24, 2019 [3 favorites]
Right, what jocelmeow said. If moving the food and water away from the litter box and each other and introducing more tempting eats doesn't work, you'll want to follow up immediately with a vet, especially since it has been several days already. A cat abruptly not eating is an urgent problem. It doesn't take long to develop fatty liver disease. You have a tiny bit of wiggle room right now because she is eating some food.
Jumping around homes is very stressful for cats and can put them off their food, so whoever is caring for the cat will want to watch out for that.
Seconding that wet food, even the cheapo stuff, is far better for kitty's health. It will help prevent expensive urinary, kidney, and pancreatic (read: diabetes) issues down the road.
posted by moira at 1:33 PM on July 24, 2019 [3 favorites]
Take the cat to the vet, things go wrong very quickly when cats stop eating.
posted by edbles at 1:48 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by edbles at 1:48 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
Is it very hot? Our cat goes off her food a bit when it's hot.
For me, I'd say that if she's eating 50 - 75% of her food consistently and the weather is hot, I'd wait a few days. As I understand it, just eating less doesn't trigger the same cascade of harm for cats as literally not eating.
posted by Frowner at 5:02 PM on July 24, 2019 [2 favorites]
For me, I'd say that if she's eating 50 - 75% of her food consistently and the weather is hot, I'd wait a few days. As I understand it, just eating less doesn't trigger the same cascade of harm for cats as literally not eating.
posted by Frowner at 5:02 PM on July 24, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: She's still eating, and the meowing "for food" may well be for attention more than for food itself. I wouldn't worry if she's acting overall healthy and is still eating and drinking. My cats' eating definitely fluctuates with the weather.
posted by Lady Li at 8:44 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Lady Li at 8:44 PM on July 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
My cat was a bit off her food (she's 16) but otherwise fine, and I got some high quality, fishy food to mix in with her regular food ( 50/50 so her stomach wasn't upset by it) and her appetite perked right up. YMMV.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:32 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:32 AM on July 25, 2019 [1 favorite]
There's also a whole range of things that could be making your cat dislike eating that are not exactly life-threatening but do mean she is uncomfortable. Top examples here would be teeth/gum issues or intestinal parasites.
Our cats recently went through this and at first I thought it was pickiness (cats do, sometimes, simply refuse to eat the same food they've been eating for months/years). They were eating some, and had energy etc. But it turned out they had a parasite which was likely making them feel uncomfortable/nauseous, thus reducing appetite.
Cats are notoriously bad at showing pain. Its very very difficult to tell if you cat is in pain (unfortunately), so "seems fine" doesn't mean too much with cats.
Of course, it is totally possible that you go to the vet and everything is fine, and I get the expense issue.
I agree with some of the steps above as things you could try first:
* Move the food away from litterbox
* Try new food
* Clean litterbox more (you should do this anyway, as it can also lead to issues)
If you get to a week, having tried some of this, and the cat is still not eating much and seems to be acting unusual, I would definitely go to the vet.
posted by thefoxgod at 7:01 PM on July 25, 2019
Our cats recently went through this and at first I thought it was pickiness (cats do, sometimes, simply refuse to eat the same food they've been eating for months/years). They were eating some, and had energy etc. But it turned out they had a parasite which was likely making them feel uncomfortable/nauseous, thus reducing appetite.
Cats are notoriously bad at showing pain. Its very very difficult to tell if you cat is in pain (unfortunately), so "seems fine" doesn't mean too much with cats.
Of course, it is totally possible that you go to the vet and everything is fine, and I get the expense issue.
I agree with some of the steps above as things you could try first:
* Move the food away from litterbox
* Try new food
* Clean litterbox more (you should do this anyway, as it can also lead to issues)
If you get to a week, having tried some of this, and the cat is still not eating much and seems to be acting unusual, I would definitely go to the vet.
posted by thefoxgod at 7:01 PM on July 25, 2019
Response by poster: We moved the food and water to a different room from the litter box, and the cat's appetite improved immediately. I am after my child to change the litter more often, but now that he's at college that's out of my hands. However, the cat is going to his mom's place, so it won't be my problem any more. Thanks for all your suggestions!
posted by ubiquity at 1:24 PM on August 23, 2019
posted by ubiquity at 1:24 PM on August 23, 2019
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This could be anything: the cat could be having digestive problems, they could be thirsty, the food could have gone funky, they could have decided they don't like that food anymore (it happens). Offering wet food can help narrow down things, and canned cat food is inexpensive. We just use Friskies Prime Filets at home; it's not the Healthiest Cat Food Ever, but our cat likes it.
Dry food is not particularly healthy for cats. Many cats live on dry food, but it's full of ingredients that cats don't need, and they need to drink more water (which they often don't like to do). It's generally recommended that cats have wet food for the majority of their nutrition, with dry food to munch on if they get hungry between meals.
posted by vitout at 10:04 AM on July 24, 2019 [4 favorites]