Expert: mpmaltese@gmail.com ( Marie, Cat foods and Recipes ) e-mail me or write here - 2/2/2010

Question
hi,

I have a 14 months old persian cat male (Not neutered) who seems to have a very thin body under that thick coat. I once read in a book that if you can feel a cat's ribs and hips easily, this means that he/she is under-weight! I feed him royal canin dry food, and I have tried offering him some warm wet food mixed with some cat vita-minerals, but he only sniffs the food and won't eat it. He has always been a thin cat since he was a kitten, but now i think its getting worse. He is an adult cat but has the body of a 7 months old kitten. My female cat has a larger body than he does.
Also, he was diagnosed months ago for Chronic flu. I am thinking thats the reason why he's not eating enough, since most of the times he cannot smell the food.

What can I do to make my cat eat more food?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Blaze,  How about adding some fresh cooked chicken to his diet?  Cook up some chicken breast for him - Make sure you cut it up very small.  Give him 1/4 a cup of cooked chicken 1-2 x per day with his regular cat food.

Also, try leaving some cat treats down for him....HE may decide to eat them.

You can also give him some liver about 1 x per week - Just 1/8 of a cup/ I would cook it lightly.

BEST wishes guys!

Marie Peppers LPN MA