Ask Your Cat Question. Cat Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Cat Question?)

Need help for a cat that's not eating

Sent to Cat Experts August 09 10:25 PM

My cat is 18 and she's literally skin and bones. She hasn't been eating much at all lately, and today she's been laying in the same spot since early this morning. She hasn't gotten up to eat, drink, go to the bathroom, or anything. What can I do to help her?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
August 9 10:33 PM (7 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

 Older kittys run into so many health problems but the main one is kidney failure. If you can get her to eat and drink thats the main thing. If she's not eating or drinking she will get dehydrated and her kidneys will shut down. Try something like babyfood or fancy feast. Also there's a prescription diet you can get from your vet called A/D and its good for calories and cats find it fairly tasty. If she doesn't start eating or drinking by tomorrow then I would take her into your vet. Sometimes just giving her some fluids under her skin to hydrate her will give her that boost so her appetite will pick up. You can also ask your vet about giving some Vitamen B in the fluids and that will help give her some energy and stimulate her appetite.

Good Luck!



Let me know if you have any other questions
Good Luck &
Best Fishes
Picture
ZooCVT -- Certified Veterinary Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 120 Cat Accepts
23 + years of experience w/ sm. animal, fish, exotics, orthopedics, ophthalmology and zoo medicine.
Answer
August 9 11:14 PM (40 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

 Hello,

Indeed an older cat requires much care and attention. Here's my advice:

  1. Hydrate as much as possible. Oral hydration solutions, such as sports drinks, work fine, or you can get Pedialyte at your local drugstore. You can coax your kitty to drink some, or help her with a syringe or spoon.
  2. Offer soft food, sucha as Hill's prescription a/d, baby food, or boiled chicken chopped into small pieces.
  3. Get a high calorie energetic food supplement, such as NutriStat. These come in a tube, like toothpaste, adn you can give small amounts, directly into her mouth, that will provide her with calories and energy. Use recommended amount on the label.
  4. Take her to a vet as soon as possible. My advice is to get a complete blood count as a first measure, but your vet will be able to advise you on the most suitable course of action after a complete physical.

Best Regards,



Dr. Monika List, DVM
Reply
August 9 11:27 PM (13 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
Rejected Critter doctor's Post. Reason Given: Sorry, it's a good response, but I meant to close the question after the first response I got. My mom said we'll take her to the vet's first thing in the morning. Sorry again!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care