How to get a (potential) anorexic cat to eat? Help please.

  This is an old pic of of my little darling Oscar, circa 2005, but he remains the same today, until yesterday, that is...

When we got a new vet on 2 Jan this year - a 'best practice' if never there was one - Oscar's new vet referred to him as 'anorexic', to which I took immediate offense.  He is a slimline Siamese, but he can can control his weight with ease, eating up to three pouches of cat food per day, with what seems like hollow legs.

But I also remember one of Thatcher's thoughts: it was good to have an added half-stone to cover you when ill, as an adult human being.  I subscribe to that theory, especially given a New Year's Eve party I went to in my early twenties.  Many there, including me, admired one girl's figure.  But when the party-food salmonella infestation hit, she was the one who was in hospital for a week or so, on a drip.  She had no reserves to call on.  But that's an aside.

Oscar does not have reserves and it only takes a day or two, max, for him to look truly anorexic.  And this is him now.

I picked him up from boarding at the vet's on Friday, only to be told he was on anti-biotics for a digestive condition that appeared that very morning. I've delivered his favourite pouch, each evening since then, only to find he's not interested.  Today he got fresh cooked chicken breast and ate a bit, but he's still looking very skinny and is definitely off his food, still.  He's not been himself and to me, now, he does start to look anorexic.

He's been quiet and sleepy, which I hope is his way of dealing with a stomach upset.  But I do feel for him and want hin to eat again, as I've seen him weak, tired and falling over - something I've not seen before - albeit he is now 13.5 yrs.

How can I tempt him to eat again?  He does love his food, but I have to curtail him on red meats as he has a loss of kidney function.  It was bland roasted chicken tonight and thankfully, he ate quite a bit - with his tablets ground down to powder and mixed in.

Any creative suggestions out there?  All are welcome.

I only want the best for Oscar, the apple in my eye.  Please help if you can, he needs creative minds beyond mine...

Thank you.

Comments

[Eathen Richardson]

You might want to try Liz Barton (http://abbaadonai.elbvc.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=DLG) who works with animals like this. You could probably contact her via email. Its hard to see a cat you love sick, hope things work out well for you.

[crimeficreader]

Thanks Helene. We had to go to the vet again yesterday and Oscar is now on bland food, mainly chicken. Odd for a cat, but he's not a fish lover (unless it's on my plate). But he does love his chicken fortunately! Although still not 100%, his appetite has returned. But the naughty old boy is still not drinking enough, so I have to administer fluids by way of a syringe - not easy and very messy!

[Helene]

Hello!
I've been reading your blog for some months now as a crime story and cats lover.
I'm terribly sorry to hear about Oscar's health troubles. My cats have always been like me: fat and stubborn... Have you tried some tuna tin? That's always been a treat for my cats. I also buy sometimes some Hill's Scienceplan adult or senior chicken "croquettes" bags. My vet told me it was good for cats. They also have some pouches.
I really hope Oscar's health will improve soon.
Take care.
Helene
PS: Ithink it's not a comment so I'm not sure it has its place here. I'm sorry.