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Cats/Cat won't eat one week now
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Question
I rescued a male feral teenager from an airport parking lot. I had been feeding him and finally was able to pick him and place him in a cage. I brought him home and released him in our house. It's been nearly one week and from what I can see this little guy has not eaten. I'm not certain he's drinking. We tried several types of food: hard, wet, stinky, cream... still just hiding and will not come out and eat. What do we do? Is this life threatening?
Debi,
Yes, this is a potentially life threatening situation. Cats that haven't eaten for more than a day or two are at serious risk of developing liver (and other organ) failure. This cat should see a vet immediately if you think that he hasn't eaten in a week or so in order to find out what's happening with him that's causing him not to eat. Contrary to popular belief 'stray' and 'feral' aren't interchangeable terms, strays are generally abandoned pets while feral cats are generally born outside to stray or feral mothers which means that they generally don't get the handling and socialization that they need in order to become confident and comfortable with being handled by people. If this kitty is a true feral then the stress he's undergone as a result of being handled by people and brought indoors could potentially be at the very least a contributing factor in his lack of appetite, at worst it could be the actual cause of his unwillingness to eat. In the event that this kitty is examined by a vet and the vet says that he's truly a feral kitty (as opposed to a fearful stray) the best course of action will vary based upon what the vet's medical findings are - if the kitty has gone into liver failure he may be past the point of treatment and euthanasia might be the most humane option for him, if he shows no signs of organ failure and he's found to be healthy then vaccinating and neutering him so that you can release him where you found him would likely be best for his overall psychological wellbeing. In the event that this kitty does have to be put to sleep for one reason or another I'd be more than happy to offer a supportive ear if you need someone who understands to listen. If you have any further cat related questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me again - I will do my absolute best to help you and your feline friends out.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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