Older cat not eating

I have an almost 17 year old cat who no longer seems interested in eating. For most of her life I gave her canned food & dry food is always available. About 3 years ago I started adding cosequin to her canned food to help with uti's & doubled the canned food to increase her water intake. About a month ago she didn't seem interested in her canned food so I bought different flavors & that seemed to help a little. About 2 weeks ago, that changed. After talking to a friend, I tried giving her a cut up cheeseburger, tuna, egg, canned chicken, and sausage. I've also started giving her cat milk. She'll drink some of the cat milk but as for the foods, she'll eat a little, but not enough. She's always been little, about 6lbs, but she has dropped down to 4lbs. She doesn't appear to be in pain, I can't feel any lumps, & her teeth seem to be okay. She hates going to the vet & I don't know that they can do anything for her. She also started playing in her water bowl for some reason. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Older cat not eating

Have you tried nutrical or something similar?

The vet can run blood work and see if something is up organ wise... maybe liver or kidney or heart problems? Or maybe her sense of smell, sight or taste is failing... I would take her to the vet, that is a lot of weight to loose.

Message edited 5/19/2013 7:15:24 PM.

Re: Older cat not eating

Re: Older cat not eating

I took her to the vet yesterday. She was given fluids under her skin for dehydration, & a shot in case she wasn't eating due to nausea. The vet had said she could be hospitalized, have bloodwork done, & x-rays as well. However, she felt that it was probably kidney or liver trouble, or cancer, although she couldn't feel any masses. She said none of these possibilities were curable, so I opted not to put her through the tests. I chose not to hospitalize her because if these are her last days, I want her home with me, where she is comfortable. I don't want her thinking I abandoned her in a strange place with strange people & smells. After we got home from the vet, she did eat a little, & she ate a tiny bit this morning. Unfortunately, when I got home from work, she was back to square one, laying on the floor, not eating or drinking. At this point I (& the vet) don't think she's in pain, but when that point comes, I think I need to let her go. She has been a wonderful friend to me these last 16+ years & I don't want her to suffer. This is breaking my heart.

Older cat not eating

I'm surprised they didn't just run some blood work. Kidney failure is a blood test I believe liver failure is too. I agree that I wouldn't hospitalize her either. But I am pretty surprised they didn't just do a little blood work. I have seen dogs live for years in kidney failure with fluids and oral meds. given her age I understand and agree with not running a battery of tests and especially not leaving her in a strange place.

Message edited 5/22/2013 9:04:55 AM.

Re: Older cat not eating

thinking of you and kitty