| There can be can be many reasons why your cat | | | | before feeding to let them come back to room |
| won't eat. The first thing I would check is to make | | | | temperature. Most cats won't eat food from the |
| sure she isn't sick. Check with your vet to find out | | | | fridge (unless it something like chicken or fish). |
| how to check your cat's temperature. If your cat | | | | Some cats don't like changing foods. After introducing |
| has been vomiting or regurgitating its food, a trip to | | | | some tinned moist cat food to Tikki and Cassie, I |
| the vet is advised. | | | | bought a different brand of what appeared to be |
| If a medical reason has been ruled out, you need to | | | | healthy cat food which was on special. Both cats |
| investigate further to find out why your cat doesn't | | | | refused to eat it. Perhaps I should have tried mixing it |
| want to eat. Has something happened to upset its | | | | in with the other food to get them used to the new |
| routine? Have you had visitors to stay? Even | | | | taste. I am lucky in that I live in a small town and |
| something as simple as repainting a room could | | | | was able to change it for the brand they prefer. |
| change the way the room smells and be off putting | | | | Since changing from a dry cat food diet to additional |
| for your cat. If your cat is not eating, with will | | | | moist cat food at night, my cats, especially Tikki, tell |
| become lethargic, just like we do. If your cat stops | | | | me in no uncertain terms when it is tea-time, even |
| eating and drinking for more than two days, a phone | | | | first thing in the morning. They still have dry food |
| call to the vet is advised. | | | | available for grazing during the day. They will also |
| Is the bowl that contains the cat food small or light? | | | | meow piteously and ask to be fed even after being |
| I recently started feeding my cats small portions of | | | | fed by my daughter. More than once I have been |
| tinned food from the tin. Tikki in particular, would | | | | caught out by opening a new can only to be told |
| push this tin around the room to make sure she got | | | | they've been fed. Who said cats aren't intelligent! |
| all the food out. Cassie, on the other hand, would | | | | If you are still having trouble getting your cat to eat, |
| delicately eat the gravy, and some of the meat | | | | it may be necessary to experiment with different |
| without moving the container. It didn't take me long | | | | types of cat food. These can include grain free, |
| to start putting the food into a small bowl. Not only | | | | high-fibre, low-protein cat food (check with your vet |
| was it easier for the cats to feed from, it stopped | | | | first) or raw cat foods. As cats are carnivores, animal |
| the very annoying sound of a tin being pushed across | | | | proteins should constitute 30-40% of their diet. Why |
| the floor for half an hour or so! | | | | not try mixing some special treats such as cooked |
| Because Tikki is the alpha cat in our house, it is | | | | chicken or commercially available cat treats into their |
| necessary for them to be fed in separate places. It is | | | | food. As they start eating the treats mixed in with |
| also necessary for me to 'stand guard' to make sure | | | | the food, you'll be able to reduce the amount of the |
| Tikki doesn't take over and eat Cassie's food. | | | | treat. I wouldn't go overboard with the cat treats as |
| If the feeding bowl in your house is near where a | | | | not only can it become expensive, you don't want |
| dog eats, or near a noisy appliance such as a washing | | | | your cat to expect this every time it is fed. You |
| machine or dishwasher, this could also be a reason | | | | could also try giving your cat, a special treat after it |
| for your cat not eating. On the other hand, some | | | | has eaten. I'm sure most of us have 'bribed' our |
| cats are just finicky and will wait until a room is | | | | children with ice cream or some other treat if they |
| empty before eating. | | | | eat their vegetables. |
| Cat food that has been left out overnight, or in hot | | | | Be aware that older cats or cats with sore gums or |
| weather, may smell and taste unappetising to your | | | | teeth can find dry food difficult to chew. For these |
| cat. It is also worth noting that cats tend to eat less | | | | cats will be necessary to feed them moist cat food. |
| in warm weather. Some natural cat food can also 'go | | | | Just like humans, cats occasionally go off their food |
| off' fairly quickly. Raw cat food will also attract more | | | | so if you find your cat not eating for a day or so, |
| flies and ants than dry cat food. If you store | | | | don't be too worried. If it goes longer than this, |
| leftovers in the fridge, take them out an hour or so | | | | check with your vet. |