Hi Kerry,
I've found with Quintapus, its not always WHAT I feed him, but
HOW. He is a CRF cat (not felv), and just getting them to eat can be a
trial. BUT, I've found that these have helped:
1) When he looks interested in the food, but licks his lips and
backs off or runs away.....its most likely sour belly and 1/4 of a
Pepcid A/C, once or twice a day (CHECK WITH VET FIRST) wrapped in a
treat and poked down his ol' gullet will have him hungry and eating
within 1/2 hr.
2) With cats, its often the food receptical..not the food. If
they got nauseous after eating then they may not only associate that
food with making them sick, but the bowl. I have a varity of bowls,
different sizes, and colors for Quintapus now.
3) For some reason, Q likes to be fed with a spoon rising the
food in the bowl (held over not out of the bowl). Canned food is so
important to replace moisture in their bodies, but many cats don't
like to get their whiskers, lips, noses in it, so eating it off the
edge of a spoon seems to be agreeable. (Some days Q insists on a blue
plastic spoon as opposed to a metal spoon -???- I have NO idea why??)
4) Raising the bowl above cat's armpit level. Just like with
big dogs, I believe some cats get reflux if they have to dip their
heads below their knees to eat. Raising the bowl helps the food stay
down as the next bite is taken. (with suggestion #3 this is very easy
to do)
5.) Liquify the canned food. Add water and mash until it looks
like a thick broth...many cats don't like to chew their food and prefer
to drink it instead. This also helps to keep them from becoming
dehydrated.
6) Warm it for 10 or 20 seconds before feeding. esp. after
adding water...helps to spread/blend the flavors and gives it a
different consistancy.
7) Feed several small meals a day in addition to leaving food
out all the time....ex. dry can be left out, canned - feed special.
8) For older cats...often arthitis gives them a hard time of
it...and they are SO stoic they won't let you know. Cosequin added to
the food works for most after about 2 weeks, BUT for some reason,
Cosequin and a treat for arthitis called "HIP CHIPS"
has my Q not only playing again but eating with vigor as well!!!!!! I
give him about 10-15 pcs. a day in addition to his cosequin and have
been SO pleased with the results.
I hope some of this works for you!
T
MacKenzie, Kerry N. wrote:
> Hi everyone
> Vet did tests on Levi yesterday, I'll get results tomorrow (he has
> decreased appetite, was scratching a lot when I made the apptment,
> doesn't play any more and sits in one spot, away from the others,
all
> the time now).
> He used to be the fearless leader, and the most active. Loved
playing too.
> Now he even lets me stroke him...which I want to be thrilled
about,
> but I'm afraid it may be due to his feeling poorly. (I quite miss
his
> batting me!)
> Thanks again for all yr ideas last week by the way re the
> scratching---the humidifier seems to have decreased his
scratching.
> Vet checked him and says she is not concerned. Thinks it is
dryness.
> Now I need to get him eating again...as of yesterday, he doesn't
seem
> to want even his favorite foods (tho i suppose that could be due
to
> stress of having to be ca!
ught, and then pinned down, and tested.)
> He didn't even jump down from his perch for the broiled chicken OR
the
> dry Wellness food that he always totally adored.
> He's only a little thing---very bony, unlike the others--and I
don't
> think he can afford to lose more weight.
> He is NOT dehydrated---what a relief. (I was dreading having to
chase
> him every other day.)
> Vet mentioned Valium as appetite stimulant, but she did allow that
I
> might want to look at other ideas first (she didn't offer any!
Think
> she was indicating I should check with you wonderful guys--which
of
> course I was going to do anyway.).
> I note catnip and baby food from previous emails that I filed. I
will
> certainly try these but would welcome other ideas too that anyone
has
> had success with.
> Thanks!!!
> Kerry
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