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Meow Mix
updated: Oct 04, 2012, 11:45 AM

By Edhat Subscriber

My 5 year old Persian cat stopped eating 3 days ago (obviously she hasn't used the litter box either). Any thoughts? Other than not eating she seems fine.......

UPDATE: Persian Cat not eating: Thanks for all the responses. I took her to the vet yesterday....she doesn't have very good teeth and her gums looked infected & she also had a temperature. He gave her a shot of antibiotics & said to see if she starts eating again. I neglected to say that she is an indoor cat & therefore didn't eat anything bad. She's on special food ($$) and has both dry & wet. She still is not eating this morning so I guess it's another trip back to the vet.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 327243	2012-10-03 09:31 AM
Vet. Now.
COMMENT 327245	2012-10-03 09:32 AM
Isn't this breed prone to serious hairballs?!
COMMENT 327249	2012-10-03 09:35 AM
oh no! please get your cat to the Vet ASAP! this is now an emergency! cats can starve themselves to death. they won't eat, which causes kidney failure which means.....not good news... good luck to you and your kitty!
COMMENT 327258	2012-10-03 09:50 AM
Check behind the couch for piles of empty cans of tuna.
COMMENT 327265	2012-10-03 09:58 AM
seriously, get your cat to a vet today!
COMMENT 327269	2012-10-03 10:07 AM
Has she been outside? Maybe she caught a rat or something and has been using an outdoor litter box - but if she's an indoor cat, definitely take her to the vet! And I'm not one to take an animal to the vet unless it's pretty serious!
COMMENT 327271	2012-10-03 10:09 AM
My cat did that for a few days too... but now she is fine. As long as she is still drinking water I think sometimes cats get overheated and don't want to eat! It's been hot!
COMMENT 327275P	2012-10-03 10:10 AM
I agree with 243: vet! Now!
COMMENT 327284	2012-10-03 10:31 AM
Our persian died of a hairball.
COMMENT 327291P	2012-10-03 10:40 AM
Please take your kitty to a vet STAT! Cats can be very stoic, and can seem "fine" until they are in serious pain and near death. I've never heard of a cat not eating because it was "too hot."
COMMENT 327306	2012-10-03 10:59 AM
Please let us know how your kitty is, after you take her to the vet. I'd like to hear an update! I hope she's well!
COMMENT 327312P	2012-10-03 11:05 AM
Please, get her to the vet immediately!! Cats are very good at hiding illness. And please, give us an update so we can stop worrying.
COMMENT 327318	2012-10-03 11:22 AM
If you bought her from a breeder then you may be in for heartache.
YIN YANG	2012-10-03 11:43 AM
Another "Vet, Now." Hope you've already left to go to one. Sure, she could recover. She could also die. Would love an update, good luck.
COMMENT 327327	2012-10-03 11:45 AM
Is she drinking, maybe out of any standing water? Is she going out side and maybe eating at the neighbor's? Have you changed what you've been feeding her lately? Why did you wait 3 days before starting to worry?
COMMENT 327345	2012-10-03 12:22 PM
A cat not eating can be a symptom of kidney failure but not eating does not cause kidney failure it causes liver failure. Their liver does not have the protiens needed to process stored body fat which causes it to fail. There are plenty of reasons a cat would stop eating and most require veterinary care. Have you tried feeding wet food or something more tempting? If your cat is refusing all food it could have a physical or emotional ailment. Anything from a bad reacion to vaccinations to changes in its environment. Most vet office visits start at around $50, well worth it to figure out what is wrong with her. As a side note, if you have an animal you know is sick and you do not provide veterinary care you could be cited for animal abuse.
COMMENT 327384	2012-10-03 01:41 PM
Vet! if you haven't already--we just lost our sweet baby to a stomach tumor--vet,vet,vet!
COMMENT 327418P	2012-10-03 03:13 PM
Hairball, too the vet, now.
BLUEB	2012-10-03 05:21 PM
Please keep us updated on what happens with your kitty.
ROGER DODGER	2012-10-03 05:33 PM
I'd like to know if the cat is ok also..
NATURE BOY	2012-10-03 05:33 PM
What's wrong with what MSSB said? Unless i missed something that was deleted. Her comment above was fair & level-headed.
NATURE BOY	2012-10-03 05:55 PM
Please excuse my earlier deleted comment. I only meant to convey that, in cases where a pet (or any other person/animal) whose life is potentially in danger, that it's best to get the opinion of a professional, rather than a group of non-professionals. I hope i've stated it more eloquently this time.
YIN YANG	2012-10-03 10:12 PM
Agreed, natureboy. I doubt we'll be getting an update. I know I'm part of that, but still... 'nuf said.
COMMENT 327626	2012-10-04 07:18 AM
Try Chinese food...
COMMENT 327631	2012-10-04 07:31 AM
Well, if he/she is listless, take to the vet. I know my cat (med long hair, black Bombay mix?) always KNOWS how to tell me when he's not feeling well. He will try to sit in my lap, on my desk, anywhere I am, he will bug me until he gets my attention. And he has been eating a LOT less that last few days as it's been so hot, and he's just been sleeping during the day (which is normal for cats) ...but he goes out at night, still drinks a lot of water, and is for all practical purposes, normal. I think it could be just a hot weather thing...but then my cat has a few extra pounds and at other times eats like a pig, so I don't worry about him. I agree to temp him with other stuff...although cats don't typically like to change their diets. My cat has been turning down his favorite treats (Greenies) this week also...weird, but not critical. Also, he could have a dental problem. Cats can get teeth issues...maybe try some soft stuff?
UPONTHEHILL	2012-10-04 08:31 AM
Please let us know what the vet says. It is very worrisome!
COMMENT 327662P	2012-10-04 09:01 AM
for Persians or any other long haired breed, daily grooming to remove shedding hair is not only a kindness to the animal, but can be a life-saving daily routine. Every cat should be groomed because they get a FREE MASSAGE if done properly. My cat begs for twice daily sessions with Kong's 'Zoom Groom'. Easy Peasy.
ANDY	2012-10-04 09:08 AM
576 ....I totally agree with you. Get thee to a vet and please let us know how it turns out.
COMMENT 327707P	2012-10-04 10:32 AM
Vet immediately. The cat family tries not to display symptoms if they can at all help it, so this is probably an emergency.
COMMENT 327742	2012-10-04 11:09 AM
You were right to take her to the vet. An animal not eating is a red flag. Our black cat of 7 yrs must have had some Persian in him, because he developed polycystic kidney disease, which is genetic and incurable. Breeders are supposed to sonogram all their Persian offspring looking for this and not breed the ones that have it, but it's not a perfect system. It was a terrible, slow death. Didn't eat any of the tasty foods I bought. During the last month, he ate only one rat he caught and 2/3 of a chipmunk. We probably should have put him down sooner, but that is so hard to do. He was a great cat with a life cut short by the disease. If it is polycystic kidney disease, and she continues to not eat, when she starts to crouch quietly instead of sprawling out, I'd advise you to euthanize her. I now understand that means they'r in pain. Good luck Maybe it's something that can be treated.
COMMENT 327775	2012-10-04 12:05 PM
Lost my kitty (17) in January. Had bad breath thought it was a tooth thing. Went to Dr. Smith @ Casitas Pass Road. 684-8665. Kindest people!!! He explained everything. Kidney failure and it wasn't anything I could have done different/sooner. Didn't try to soak me for some$$$. I think it's 85% cause of death? Yotties are next in line:( I brought him home, we all said our goodbyes... one of the best experiences of my life. We made it count.
COMMENT 327776P	2012-10-04 12:09 PM
Thanks for the update, hope your kitty is on the road to recovery soon
COMMENT 327779	2012-10-04 12:21 PM
408-There was no hostility in my response. I abosultely hold pet owners responsible. Who else is in control of the situation? I am not sure why you would take offense to someone holding a pet owner responsible for their pets. Any animal that does not eat or eliminate for three days should be seen by a vet. This owner did the right thing but it seems further action needs to be taken because teeth issues in a five year old cat are not normal and will certainly effect its quality of life.
BULLSEYEB	2012-10-04 02:02 PM
I agree that teeth issues in a 5 yr old cat are not of the norm. From what you have described of your visit, I think your vet should have addressed this a little more. If you feel the need for a second opinion, please think of taking your pet to Cristine Sellers, DVM @ The Cat & Bird Clinic. 569 - 2287 I have no connection to them other than my cats have all been treated by her for the last 23 years. She is wonderful! Good luck to you and your kitty. Please let us know how this progresses.
COMMENT 327827	2012-10-04 02:23 PM
no litter box...but is she trying to go in places she normally doesn't? That's a sign of kidney/bladder infection. (they associate the pain of urinating with the litter box, and therefore try to eliminate anywhere "but" the litter box. Males are more susceptible, but females can get them too if they eat too much dry food. (but there is stuff you can put on their paws that they lick off that works really good) ...and does she "like" the special food? I know my cat is very particular and doesn't like most foods...and if someone prescribed him a "special" diet, we would all be in trouble. Maybe try something different, and see if it's a flavor phase she's going through. My cat does it...he likes two things...one more than the other, but out of the blue he will stop eating one altogether, and want the other one. He really only likes the cheap dry food, but it's not good for him, and I desperately try to get him to eat wet food for his urinary tract's sake...but it's tricky. Cat's are finicky.
COMMENT 327843P	2012-10-04 02:54 PM
To the OP: Please don't do what I did, and let your cat die by the inch. I listened to advice from a savvy cat and dog owner. She said to allow nature to take its course (cat was 13 years old). Horrible advice. Margie, of "House Calls" is a vet, if it comes to that, who will come to your house and euthanize your beloved pet. I hope your cat is okay, though. She is too young to be suffering from bad teeth.
COMMENT 327895P	2012-10-04 04:28 PM
Surprisingly, young cats who haven't been given the proper food or dental care can have bad teeth. When I was a shelter volunteer we got a bunch of cats from a hoarder and there was an older kitten with bad teeth. The important thing in this case is that the cat get immediate vet care.
MTNDRIVER	2012-10-05 08:49 PM
I'm hoping for another update on the condition of this cat. Did the OP take the kitty back to the vet a second time? Please let us know how things are going.
KIANA	2012-10-07 12:16 AM
Janice Garrett @ the Cat Doctor on De La Vina is very good. I have (4) cats and I take them all to her. 805 899-8101. I hope your cat is doing better and I know how upsetting it can be when one of our pets has something going on. I hope you let us know what happened.

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