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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Food?
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Question
I have two cats. One short haired calico cat and a maine coon. The calico is about 12 and the other is about 10.
Since we've had them (from kittens) they have both been on not a premium diet, but Friskies canned food as well as well as Friskies Dental Diet, and sometimes maybe a mix of Fancy Feast for canned food and sometimes Fancy Feast Gold dry food.
The Maine Coon never fails to wake me up in the morning to feed her. She did it again this morning. I brought up one of their favorite foods, she licked it a few times and walked away. The other cat I usually have to bring upstairs to the food, the food i gave them yesterday was still looking untouched. I have never seen them do this before.
I didn't think it could be sickness if both of them are doing it. Does weather affect them? It has been really hot and humid outside...though they are indoor cats. I'm worried!
Krista,
Cats are pretty smart when it comes to food. The batch of canned food you got may have been bad or it may have something in it that they instinctively know is not good. Try a different brand and see how they are with it. Give them a kitty treat like some sardines (in oil) or get a tall can of food and mix a can of people tuna in it.
Yes, the weather can affect their appetite, but that is not common. Try getting some good quality dry food, like Iams, and leave a bowl down for them all the time so they can just nibble if they are hungry without them having to eat a heavy meal.
I wouldn't worry yet but if it continues then I would take them to the vet for an "older cat checkup" to check the function of their liver, kidneys, and thyroid. They are at an age that you need to keep on top of their health. Also as cats get into their later years they have different nutritional needs so you may want to speak to the vet about a diet specifically geared towards geriatric cats.
I am including some good links to articles about elderly/geriatric cat care and needs that may be informative for you:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.sniksnak.com/resources/geriatric.html
http://www.messybeast.com/towards-end.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/oldcat.htm
I hope this helps.
Tabbi
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Dear Tabbi
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My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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