Conference misery::feline

    Baby food will sometimes perk up an appitite. Even if a cat is on K/D,
    a little bit is all right for them.
    
    Deb

    My kitties aren't eating that well either.  A couple of weeks ago
    they had mild diarrhea and then consipation.  For that, I have been 
    giving them a couple of drops of olive oil with their food.  They 
    don't seem to be sick, but if it continues I'll probably end up giving 
    the vet even more of my money.
     
    I went to the Pets store in Nashua by Home Depot and bought brands
    of cat food that I don't usally buy.  It helped a little, but I'm 
    still scraping uneaten cat food into the bin, while those little
    con-artists weave around my feet asking for food.
    
    I think they are just bored with the winter and want to go out hunting,
    but it's too cold right now.

    Sorry this is coming a little late but I just read about your concern.
    My cat had, upon occassion, lost his appetitie too and at one point 
    stopped eating altogether.  Watch them carefully...if they lose
    strength or become disoriented they may have a virus.  Viruses can
    travel airborn and effect your cats without warning.  Also, a terrific
    place to pick up these viruses is at the "Vets Office"!  That is where
    my cat was exposed.  I took him in for a Rabies update and two days
    later he was deathly ill.  We spent the next 3 weeks nursing him back
    to health.  Because he was very old, he never fully recovered.  As a
    result I have vowed that in the future (when I have a pet) I will
    always ask the Vet to clean the examining table "Before" my pet sits on
    it.  I had to spoon feed my cat both water and food until he was
    better.  It did work.  Once he had the taste of food in his mouth, he
    started eating a little on his own.  I hope they are doing better by now.
    Good luck. 
    
     
    

    
    Hmmm....
      If the cat went in for a Rabies check (I'm guessing it received an
    injection) and ended up with a virus is it possible that it was a
    reaction to the Rabies vaccine, since Rabies is a virus?  Make me
    wonder...
    
      Glad all is well now!
    
    MaryAnne

    It could be either one, vaccine or office visit.  You can actually 
    spray and wipe the surface while you wait.  If you are put in the room,
    ask for the disinfectant.  Spray it on but don't wipe it off until 
    you know the vet is coming in the room. Most disinfectants require
    a minimum of 10 minutes to be effective and longer is better!
    Also, don't put your animal down in the waiting area or on anything
    that is used by numerous animals (scale, counter etc.)  Some
    people even leave their animal in the car until it is time.
    Karen

    Would you consider making your own cat food from scratch? The cat will
    love it and you will know exactly what is in the food you are giving
    them. Your cat might have a hairball which takes up space in the
    stomach thereby reducing the amount of food they can eat without
    reducing their appetite. Cats are like you and me, if you go to a
    resturaunt and get a bad meal what are the chances you will go back?
    Maybe the food you are feeding them had a bad run. Hope they get
    better.

    Hi -
    
    Poppy's not eating. It's not that she's not hungry but she doesn't
    seem able to eat. Lack of appetite has never been a problem for
    this cat. 
    
    It started Monday when I fed her some Science Diet Feline Light instead
    of her usual Iams Less Active. She promptly threw up and, about an hour
    later, tossed the rest of the food. She ate a little Iams later in the
    day but none of the food I gave her at bedtime. 
    
    Yesterday, she didn't eat her Iams, and there were a lot of chewed
    up pieces around her bowl. I tried hand-feeding her last night, and
    she seemed to have trouble either chewing or swallowing the food. She
    managed to break it up in her mouth but then spit it out. She did eat
    some sliced turkey. 
    
    I checked her teeth and didn't see anything wrong. I also felt all
    around her teeth, gums, and mouth, and nothing seems to hurt. I would
    know if it did, because Poppy's a terror when she's in pain. 
    
    Same thing this morning, although she did seem to swallow a little
    food. But she seemed to give up in frustration after a few pieces.
    I ran out to the store at 7 am and got some Fancy Feast turkey,
    which she was able to eat with no problems. 
    
    Since I don't think it's her teeth, the only thing I can think of
    is that the vomiting on Monday irritated her throat, and it's hard
    for her to swallow. She doesn't have any other symptoms -- no fever
    and she's purring and playful as usual. 
    
    Any thoughts?
                                              
    Thanks,
    
    Kate
    

    Just as a rule of thumb, if you change the food, you should do so
    gradually; so if Poppy was eating Iams's, you need to mix a little
    Science Diet in until gradually it is all science diet.
    
    Deb

Both cats were eating normally in a few more days.  I don't know what their 
problem had been, but I did three things:

  1.  I moved a fairly new ficus tree to another room with the door shut

  2.  I reinstated spring water after being lazy that week and filling 
      their weekly dispenser with tap water. (which I know I have done
      in the past once in a while with no side affects).

  3.  I discontinued experiments (that had been just for a few days and 
�      in very small quanitities) of the new Iams lamb and rice "natural" 
      food.    


The ficus tree is back in the living room with no affects.  

I might try #2 and #3 again separately and observe closely.

    Kate, 
    
    Based on your description of Poppy's problem...it truly sounds like
    the problem is either related to teeth or sore throat which would
    make it difficult to swallow.  I know when Van Gogh had all his
    teeth problems...he could eat wet food fine, but would always try
    to chew the dry...but spit it out!!!
    
    I'd give it another day...and if you don't see a change in the
    eating...I think it's time to visit the vet.
    
    Sandy

    I'm happy to report all is back to normal. By Wednesday night, she
    was eating dry food and wailing about being hungry. 
    
    I didn't think the small amount of Science DIet I tried would have
    that drastic an effect! I only gave her about a tablespoon to see
    whether she liked it. A lesson learned.
    
    Thanks for all your advice. Poppy rarely gets sick, and when she does,
    I really worry.
    
    Kate