How to tempt a kitty to eat.....

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lynspop

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Have posted a few times in NL this week about my cat Toby who was quite seriously ill at the end of the week. The good news is that he seems to be recovering now and responding well to the tablets he has. Still no diagnosis of the problem but we go back to vets tomorrow.
My only concern is that his appetite isnt back to normal- he is very interested at feeding times and comes to look in his bowl straight away, but then doesnt eat much at all. Should I just be pleased that hes eating anything (even if it is just licking the gravy off the meat and eating a few chunks) or should i be concerned that he still isnt eating properly?
Its made more difficult by the fact he has a sensitive stomach and usually eats sensitive food from vets but to tempt him, ive been mixing it with a little normal food, but dont want to overdo that incase hes sick.
What treats do you all give your cats that they cant resist? (have tried tuna and chicken but he isnt that interested)
 
Try liver or something nice and smelly. Mince it up really small so its easy to eat. He may take it better off your finger if hes feeling really weak.
 
Ok, will try that today.thanks! He is definitely improving and is much brighter today, but I feel there can only be so much improvement without him eating properly, although the main thing is that he is drinking plenty
 
Its good that he is drinking. Have you tried some cream, just a little bit to whet his appetitie. Cat milk is good for sick pussies and you can get it in most good supermarkets.
 
Mine used to like fish fingers if you took the bread off them and scrambled egg was recommended by the vet. Unfortunately she was finally put down last week but at the ripe old age of 18 and no teeth they were all the things she would eat so might be worth a try? Hope kitty is better now!
 
My elderly cat was ill recently and the only thing I could get her to eat was tiny amounts of shredded gammon, she would sniff the other food but not eat it. After a few days of this she gradually had more and more and was soon back to her normal diet.

Vet told me not to worry too much as long as they drinking, they sometimes 'starve' themselves if under the weather etc.

Hope he feeling better soon.
 
thanks for all your replies! Have just found him stealing the others cats food....so appetite and sense of humour is certainly returning!
he likes cat milk so will pick some up at supermarket today! Am just wary of over loading his stomach as i dont want him to be sick and put strain on himself! Its a vicious circle- particularly when you are a stressed out mum like me!
 
be careful with too much dairy though! its like all treat ok in moderation, but dont overload!

Cats are obligate carnivores, so if you have any smelly tasty meat make it available and see which your kitty decides to say he likes!

Ours used to adore tinned tuna, but you've said it doesn't work...... ours also like red meat! however liver might be ok! nice smelly tasty offal! (ergh from me! lol)
 
My cat goes bananas for tinned tuna or fresh chicken and even if totally off colour will wolf down either. Nothing artificial in them either!
 
Just seen this. Cats rely strongly on sense of smell to get their appetite going. After illness this can be difficult. All the other tips are good but you can try something really smelly. A small amount of sardines heated slightly ... they stink but can kick start a poor appetite and once they start eating properly you are well away.
Warning the rest of your family may walk out because of the smell but who cares as long as your kitty is eating.
 
thanks for all your advice everyone, have been so worried about him and am just so glad he seems to be on the mend. Just want his appetite to pick up! going to supermarket soon so will pick up some smelly foods to try- sardines and liver probably.....
 
Personally would stick to simple food if he's been poorly such as poached chicken or white fish maybe with a little rice, this is what my vet's always advised. If you can get hold of some coley it's perfect because it won't upset his stomach but it stinks while it's cooking, mine always go mad for it!
 
Cats like food at room temperature as it smells stronger to them and is more like the temperature of a fresh kill (sorry if this is a bit yucky at this time in the morning!)

My cat goes bananas for tinned, skinless and boneless wild red salmon, it stinks!

Fresh roasted chicken is also a particular favourite on her list.

I have a sick kitty too and know how you are feeling. x
 
Custardsmum is right not too much rich food just enough to appeal. When my suzy was ill the coley thing worked very well but only the first time.

Good luck I know how I was when Suzy was ill. OH would come into a kitchen full of tempting smells boiled fish,sardines and shredded up chicken scrambled eggs.
Microwave running and then his jaw would drop open as I carefuly removed the crumbs from a fish finger broke it up stirrred in a teeny bit of butter and fed it from my fingers.

I think he was expecting tea from the number of dishes lying around.
 
I second the idea of heating whatever wet food you feed slightly (just 10--15 seconds in the microwave)---it makes it smell much stronger. That's how I got my kitten to finally start eating when he wouldn't come out from under the bed (semi-feral rescue kitten).
 
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