Should I be concerned?

[Wanda]

Hi Traci and all,

As you know Dolly was spayed, got her shots and annual checkup and although there were a few scary moments all turned out well. She is in great shape, playful, has a beautiful shiny coat and all seems well. The problem which may not be one is her eating habits have changed almost completely. I have tried several different brands even tried the adult purina, but she will only eat the purina kitten chow. I asked her vet earlier on and of course he said to tempt her with other smelly food ( at that time she was hardly eating at all) and that was when I felt like something maybe off with her smell but he just kind of dismissed it as something that will pass. She is eating really good, but I want her to get the nutrition she needs and not sure she is. I just wanted to know what you all think, if its not a problem then I can stop worrying. Wanda

[Traci]

I don't think it would be too unusual for her to prefer the kitten food at this point, so soon after delivery. I'd give it at least a month or so to allow her hormones to get back into order. If your vet gave her a good bill of health and she has not lost any weight post-spay, then try not to worry too much.

Can you refresh my memory, does she prefer canned or dry food? You could start there,...offer her whatever type she is most accustomed to, mix it with whatever you've been tempting her with, and slow wean her off the "mixer" so that eventually she is back on her normal diet.

An example: If she likes Purina adult dry, try mixing a spoonful of Purina canned into it (although Purina Pro Plan would be a better option than regular Purina). If she likes it, continue to do that for a week or so and slowly reduce the canned. For canned, try salmon, ocean fish or tuna flavors.

Remember, the more you tempt her with, the more likely she may be to develop a food aversion. Try to keep the brands and types to a minimal during this stage of getting her interested in one food only.

[Wanda]

Thanks Traci, I feel better. She did lose some weight after being spayed, at first it was really difficult to get her to eat anything, then talking to Davet and vet, I tried getting anything smelly and at one point even using my hand to fan it up her nose and then she would eat it, but now she is eating well again and has gained the weight back and maybe even added a couple, lol. After delivery her tastes changed, she loved canned the best before but now will not touch it only maybe to lick the juice sometimes, she liked her dry ok but I was feeding the kittens the dry purina kitten chow and she took on to it and thats where we're at. She will still go to cabinet where I keep her canned and meow for it and get all excited but then won't eat it. She will still eat her pounce and other treats on occasion but not as often. But like I said looks and acts perfectly healthy. Oh yes, I have tried the mixing so far to no advail but will try again. Wanda

[Traci]

Since she only licks the juice from the canned, this might indicate she prefers another texture.....you can try a canned version that is smooth throughout, as opposed to canned with chunks of meats, etc. Iams canned, for example, is smooth throughout, whereas something like Fancy Feast is chunky, has bits and pieces of different texture.

Assuming she has no oral problems, no diseased teeth, gingivitis, etc?

You could be on to something about her not being able to smell, could even have developed a mild upper respiratory infection at the time...in which you could try warming up the food or simply adding warm water to it.

If you do come to a resolution with this, stick with it and try not to mistake her "needing" this or that, for an attention-getting scheme. If she's getting an adequate amount each day and shows interest in whatever food she's now eating, try to keep everything else at a minimal. It would be good to get her off the Purina and onto a more premium food, adult maintenance.

[Wanda]

I will get her some iam's this weekend, I have looked everywhere in this small town for it and couldn't find it, but noticed the other day that wal-mart has started carrying it. It was fancy feast she had been eating and now will not so sounds like you are on to something. I will be careful not to let her take me in, but of course she has me in the palm of her paw. The vet did give her a very healthy report, but I wasn't there so I don't know if he checked her mouth but wouldn't that be a part of the annual check-up? Or would I have to ask him to specifically? Thanks again, Wanda

[Traci]

Checking the mouth is part of the normal exam...we look for broken/diseased teeth, ulcers, gingivitis, look at and under the tongue, roof of mouth, etc.