Feline Assisted Feeding

**Twinkle** · 08-17-2008, 05:48 PM

As everyone in this category knows, I had a scare with my 14 year old cat, Little Girl. She was diagnosed with Slight Viral Infection. Although all of her blood tests and x-rays and temperature were normal, I have had to assist her feeding (twice per day since Thursday) which is getting increasingly distressing for both of us. She is also eating 85g (a very small can) every day. I am getting increasingly frustrated because I have been trying to tempt her with everything I know to get her to eat more. Has anyone been through anything like this?

**tina150** · 08-17-2008, 07:16 PM

I had something similar, my poor kitty had kidney disease and we pretty much had to force feed him at the end. I know it's hard, but keep trying

Unfortunately, my kitty only made it a month later

I still miss him

**Darlene** · 08-17-2008, 07:46 PM

Aw, I'm sorry. I was hoping she'd start eating but like my cat who was older it just may be time...It gets to the point where you start thinking, what quality of life does our much loved pet have? We put our cat to sleep maybe 2 months ago and I know the hopeless feeling you are going thru. Big hugs. What does the vet say? :hug:

**Twinkle** · 08-17-2008, 07:54 PM

I have to phone my vet tomorrow with an update. One of the most frustrating things is that there is nothing to indicate a disease. Everything is normal except for her not eating!

**napswithkats** · 08-17-2008, 10:04 PM

Crazy cat lady here saying try baby food from a jar... specifically Veal with Broth. Also, here in the USA we have something called Nutri-Cal which is a high calorie dietary supplement for cats (comes in a tube like toothpaste, you squeeze out a bit on your finger, open the cats mouth and put on the roof of the cats mouth like peanut butter if they won't lick it off your finger or off their nose.) Ask your vet if this is sold in Canada or call the company at 1-800-267-5707 or try their website at tomlyn.com.

Has the vet checked the cat's teeth?....it may hurt to eat. Has the vet run a full thyroid panel? Checked the urine for infection or crystals? Have you checked the kitty for any unusual lumps, bumps or abcesses? Please insist that your vet keep looking for an answer.

Please don't give up! I recently had to force feed my kitty with pneumonia for almost 2 weeks. (He recovered ...I'm still a wreck! LOL!)

**Twinkle** · 08-18-2008, 06:45 AM

I'm off to the States today (a pre-planned trip). I will be looking for Nutri-Cal and for baby food (without any onions). I looked here at the baby food and it doesn't list whether it has onions in it so I'm hoping food in the States will be clearer in what's in it.

Thanks everyone!

**Ceashels** · 08-18-2008, 08:34 AM

My Mom dog sat a 15 yr old girl that was "assisted" during meal time. It wasn't easy for her. She did find though that the dog ate more of the baby food on her own. Which helped a lot. There wasn't anything wrong with the dog, she just didn't eat enough on her own to stay healthy.