hungerstrike
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betts
hungerstrike
My cat is on a hungerstrike. Ever since I fed her some mackerel as a treat she no longer wants her regular dry food (ever since I adopted her in Dec 02 I have only fed her dry cat food, so this is a first for us). We are currently having a standoff, since I won't give her anything but her regular food, and she barely eats at all. Should I give in? What should I do?
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kate & kobi
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:50 pm
- Location: California
Re: hungerstrike
How long has it been since she has eaten her regular food? And what are you feeding her? She'll probably come around, but if it's been more than a day or so, I'd be worried...
Re: hungerstrike
How much IS she actually eating? If only a nibble or two a day, you can't risk this, cats can develop severe liver failure in a matter of 3-4 days or less if anorexia or insufficient food intake occurs.
It could be that she might be more interested in canned. Try the same brand you've been feeding, only in canned form. She may view this as a special treat and may prefer it to the dry.
In any event, if she has not eaten a normal amount within 4 days, it's time to get her examined by your vet immediately. She may actually be ill from another reason altogether, unbeknownst to you, and you may be mistaking it for a food aversion relating it to the mackerel treat. Cats do not go on hunger strikes, you need to rule out a potential health problem.
It could be that she might be more interested in canned. Try the same brand you've been feeding, only in canned form. She may view this as a special treat and may prefer it to the dry.
In any event, if she has not eaten a normal amount within 4 days, it's time to get her examined by your vet immediately. She may actually be ill from another reason altogether, unbeknownst to you, and you may be mistaking it for a food aversion relating it to the mackerel treat. Cats do not go on hunger strikes, you need to rule out a potential health problem.
..........Traci
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betts
Re: hungerstrike
Thank you both for your respsonse. I immediately gave her some wet food, which she ate, and I will take her to the vet tomorrow. I am also in the middle of a move, so I think this must be upsetting her aswell.
Re: hungerstrike
Please do keep your appointment, since you mention the move, you need to know that moving/relocation is the number one cause of feline hepatic lipidosis (stress of the move, changes in environment, hectic routine), I can't stress this enough, make sure she is thoroughly examined by your vet, tell him you are in the middle of a move, and keep an eagle eye on her eating/drinking habits, her attitude and activity level, etc...and if anything unusual occurs, no matter how slight, back to your vet immediately.
..........Traci