Expert: Jessica - 5/3/2010

Question
my tabby cross siamese is a very fussy eater.his moggy brother eats anything but he is very fussy.any suggestions

Answer
Hi Isabel.  Has he been checked out by a vet?  A fussy appetite is usually caused by some kind of physical illness.  It may be that he has some kind of oral disease that's making chewing painful, and even the most tempting foods may be turned down.  Cats can suffer from numerous ailments including gum abscesses, broken and decaying teeth, oral ulcers caused by infection and conditions related to the immune system that cause painful lesions.  

Problems elsewhere in the body can also be responsible for a finicky appetite.  Your vet may want to perform some blood tests to get a picture of your cat’s overall health.  These can check blood cell counts and organ function.  Of special interest may be your cat’s kidney and liver function, since picky eating is often a sign of kidney or liver disease.  There may be special diets and supplements you can give at home if it’s found that your cat is suffering from any kind of kidney or liver condition.  However, the most important thing is to be sure he eats something!  Canned food diets are considered best for these cats, and these are usually most tempting, as well.

I hope all turns out well!

Jessica