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My cat is not eating or drinking

14 years ago

Yesterday she ate and drank fine but today my cat Yancy has not eaten or drank anything and just layed around all day. She has used the litter box and had solid stools, has not vomitted and is not any warmer than usual. Is this normal? Could she be upset That I won't let her out in the cold?

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Comments (4)

Anne_Marie_Alb
14 years ago
I am sorry about Yancy. There are MANY, MANY reasons why a cat might stop eating. No, I do not believe that her being upset for your not letting her go outside would be a reason. You do not say much about your cat (age, diet, other conditions.. etc.), so it is hard to help. Has this happened before? Will she let you check her out for anything abnormal (including her mouth)?

Anyway, besides taking her to the vet's, I would say, try to tempt her with anything. At least, try to get her to drink something--water, home-made chiken broth (no onions!). Check to see if she seems to be sensitive in some areas.. such as her belly.

Recently, my own cat suddenly stopped eating (overnight), although she did always lick some chicken broth--no vomiting, either--and was obviously uncomfortable being touched in her belly (by the tail). It turned out to be pancreatitis. She is fine now. She never threw up either.

It could be as simple as constipation, a hairball... But I would take her to the vet's, without waiting much longer, especially as the weekend approaches--unless she is starting to feel better, which I do hope!

Anne-Marie
alanbelzung
Original Author
14 years ago
I took her to the vetand he said she has tape worms, a cut on her tongue and infection. I think she got these when she ran out the door 3 days ago because she never finished her bowl and always left some food behind. As for the other two well her eating habbits suggest she got those around that time. The vet gave her a pill for the tape worms and some take home medicine to be given twice a day. Good thing I got my paycheck today or I wouldn't have been able to pay the $100+ bill.
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I have a somewhat similar story I have a tiny 8 week old Boston terrier he is only 3 pounds here is my story my little bit started having runny Poo. But no blood he would play as always this was Tuesday so I watched him for the rest of the day he would eat and go drink his water on his own. I woke ip wensday and got my baby in with the vet she took a sample of his Poo and came back to tell me it wasn't enough but that she thought it was parasites so I leave with a three day wormer and and a antibiotic So we come home and he still plays but is starting to sleep a lot so Thursday which is today I woke up and my little bit was just pretty much lying around he will get up and walk just a little bit and play with a toy for maybe a few seconds but today he will not eat or drink anything at all and when I say that I mean it I have tried everything so I called my vet back and told her that I thought he was a lot worse then he was he threw up 2 times today but not runny poo. No poo at all so I take him back in she gives him a shot for throwing up and says he is okay he just needs to rest I asked for a parvo test and she said to me why do one she couldn't treat him any different way then she is already. I'm in tears have been all day this little man is my life. I have been using a syringe to give him water and just a little bit of chicken soup I also uses syrup just a little tiny bit I put it in his mouth to maybe try and keep his blood sugar from dropping like I said he is only 3 pounds so tiny. He is sleeping right kow so I hope more then anything this little booger wakes me chewing on my face.
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What everyone else said - this is serious, cats not eating for extended periods are at risk of fatty liver, a life threatening situation, so please keep him going on some food, whatever you can get into him - meat babyfood is good, seems to appeal to cats who are nauseous.. . Not sure what you mean by "big" cat - if you mean overweight, then diabetes comes to mind. Now, diabetic cats typically consume tons of water and flood the literbox - did you ever notice that happening? However when ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes, kicks in a cat can become extremely nauseous and lethargic & go off food and water. Can you at least get a simple exam & bloodwork that could rule out some of the more obvious things (such as diabetes)? A good vet should understand about income limitations and offer you some options. Wishing you and your kitty well
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I don't keep any water by the food bowl, for some reason, they just didn't drink from it much. We have a Drinkwell fountain, the cats drink from it a lot, but they also drink a lot from the dogs water bowls. We also have a large water bowl in the office we spend a lot of time in, and they all drink out of it, 2 cats, 2 dogs. DH says they never fight at the watering hole, lol, and its true, they share that big bowl nicely. The main thing seems to be that the bowl is clean and fresh water daily. One of our cats was quite ill when she was young, and the vet had us take a syringe without the needle on it, and shoot water down her throat several times a day. Between that and taking her temp daily, it was an adventure I don't care to repeat. But that cat does drink a fair amount of water on her own since then. I always keep the toilet lid down, too gross to see a pet in there. YUK. The lemon juice idea is great, I often offer my cat a sniff of lemony water or a bite of fruit, they look at it like it's poison. It helps keep begging/helping themselves under control. Good luck, hopefully Jasper will respond to a change.
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alanbelzung
Original Author
14 years ago
She finally started drinking and I saw where she tried some food but only a nibble. Does anybody know if cat formula is good for a cat on antibiotics? Thought that would be an easy way of getting some nutrients in her.
sylviatexas1
14 years ago
You might try mixing a little Karo syrup, warmed & diluted with water, with canned food.

Baby food sometimes will tempt a picky cat, but be sure to get the kind that does *not* have onion in it;
(it really surprised me to learn that manufacturers put onion in baby food...)

Kitten formula probably would work great, just to get her started;
then she'll need more meat of course.

glad she's doing better, & I wish you the best!

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