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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: Our Persian cat
is about 10 years old and in good health. However, for the last two weeks,
she’ll only eat a spoonful of canned food. I believe we’ve tried every
brand there is, and now she even refuses table food. At night, she does
eat a little dry food. And it seems she drinks less water, too. What do
you think about this? — E.S., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: The question should
be: ‘What do I think about you?’ Regardless of how well meaning you happen
to be, you’re not paying attention to what your kitty is trying to tell
you. Please, see your vet. I doubt your cat is as healthy as you suggest.
Feline vet Dr. Danise
(cq) Martinez, of Orlando, Fla., concurs. "I’m concerned about the
health of any cat who is eating fine but then for seemingly no reason
loses her appetite. And I’m even more worried about cats who also can’t
be enticed by table food, and who drink less water. By the way, if a cat
eats too little food, this can potentially create other physical problems
as well." It’s impossible to determine from your letter what might
be wrong with your cat. The possibilities are too numerous to mention,
and the problem may or may not be serious.
Martinez does recommend
complete blood work, as well as a thyroid profile. If all checks out,
it’s possible your kitty’s problem is behavioral. But that’s unlikely;
cats who "train" their owners typically accept table food, and
will eat at least their choices of moist food. What’s more, even the most
finicky of cats isn’t likely to drink less water.
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