How to Get a Sick Cat to Eat

 

This past week one of my rescue cats became ill and refused to eat and drink.  His symptoms were a warning sign that something was wrong and made an appointment at the Veterinarian.    While I waited for that appointment, I needed to take steps to get the sick cat to eat.

Cats rely heavily on their sense of smell to stimulate their appetite, so when they have a fever and congestion, eating can become a challenge.

Here are some ways that I encouraged the sick cat to eat.

• Warm up the food: Heating wet cat food slightly can enhance its aroma, making it more appealing.
• Offer strong-smelling foods: Foods like tuna, chicken broth, or baby food (without onions or garlic) can be more enticing.
• Hand-feed or syringe-feed: If your cat refuses to eat, gently offering food on your finger or using a syringe with canned pate food that is mixed with water.
• Try different textures: Some cats prefer pâté-style wet food, while others might like shredded or gravy-based options.
• Reduce stress: A quiet, comfortable feeding environment can make a difference.
• Consult a vet: If your cat continues to refuse food, a vet may recommend appetite stimulants or other treatments.

Cats can develop serious health issues if they go too long without eating, keeping an eye on their condition is crucial.   In my case the rescued cat had a fever and congestion.  The veterinarian prescribed Miratax a topical application for cats only to stimulate appetite, antibiotics for fever and infection.

Feeding Neighborhood Cats

  

Feeding feral and stray cats is something we are accustomed to doing but now that the cost of living has gone up we have found neighborhood cats are showing up at our feeding stations.

 

At first, there were three neighborhood cats from a home that is located 2 blocks away. And now there are 6 neighborhood cats coming to the feeding station.

The cats are well-groomed and all have collars.  We know that they are owned by people with kids and think that they love their cats but just can’t feed them anymore due to the inflation, high gas, energy, and food costs.

The cats arrive in the morning and wait patiently for their turn at the food bowl then they are punctual at 6:30 PM when I fill the evening food and water bowls.  I watched them eat, then followed them and saw that they do go back to their homes.

I sure hope things get better and that the cost of living goes down because honestly, we are in no position to pay for food for all of the neighborhood cats.

 Do you find that there are more cats looking for food in your neighborhood? 

**Last week this cat was so hungry that he was looking for food in my bird feeder. The cat is well groomed and has a collar.  We fed him, and he ate a big bowl of food and drank some water before going back to his home.

Trapping Feral Cats in Parks

Feral cats come from a long line of abandoned house cats. Many of the cats are left in state parks, and in wooded or forested tracks of land.  The house cats that are left in these isolated areas seldom survive as they lack in foraging skills. Some get cat disease, others are hunted by wildlife predators, and a few are injured by fighting with feral cats.  

The fate of an abandoned house cat that is left in a wooded area is many times a fatality; however some house cats survive the harsh terrain and environment.  Woodland feral cats sleep during the day and awake at dusk to forage, socialize and mate. The night provides a safer environment for the cats as they are terrified of humans. 

 Periodically cats will be viewed in the morning hours, they may be seeking food, water or they may be injured.  Trapping feral woodland cats does take skills as one must locate the colony and then bond with the cats.

Locate the Colony

Locate the woodland feral cats in state parks by asking the park ranger if there are any feral cats in the area.    Park officials know if cats have been abandoned or they will know where cats have been viewed. 

Find out if the cats are being cared for by a colony caregiver.  If there is a caregiver then offer your contact information and ask the ranger if they would pass on your business card.  

Tell them that you would like to help care for the cats and trap them for spay or neuter and the necessary medical care. If there is no caregiver then you will need to locate the woodland feral cats.  Go to the location were feral cats have been sited. 

Winter Woodland Feral Cat by Susang6

Survey the wooded terrain with your field glasses.  Look for cat shelters; opening in a rock wall, hallow trees, thickets.  Hike to the area where you viewed the shelters.  Stop 15 to 20 feet away from the shelter and set up a feeding station.   

Set up Cat Feeding Station
Fill a bowl with dry cat food.  Food that is fortified with antioxidants will help in boosting cats immune system.  Fill a separate bowl with fresh water. If cats are viewed lurking in the distance, top the dry kibble with stinky fish flavored wet food like Friskies mixed grill.

Document Cat Activity:

Back away from the feeding station and stop twenty feet away.  Set up camp and watch the feeding station with field glasses.  Wait for woodland cats to appear.  

1. Take photographs of the surrounding area, the woodland feral cats, and write your notes on the cats and shelter.  Document their characteristics, mannerisms, sex, and keep your notes in a binder. 
2. Watch the food bowls; if there are many cats the bowl and water will need to be filled Do this by approaching the feeding station slowly, and do not make eye contact with the cats.  
3. Fill the bowls and then back away from the area slowly.  

If you have completed your journal on all of the cats then you may leave.  However you must return to the feeding station the following day at the same time and set up the feeding station in the same location.  You will do this on a daily basis; it is best to feed cats twice a day; 6am and 6pm.

Bond with Feral Cats

Being a woodland feral cat caregiver is a daily job, these cats become dependent on you for food and hydration.  Soon you will notice that the cats are dependent on you for their food source, they will sit in a line and wait for your arrival, or they will run to greet you when they see you approaching the feeding station.  

The cats may seem friendly, however you must respect them at all times and do not attempt to pet them. If you do so this will scare the cat and the cat will react by scratching you or biting you.  If a cat bites you then animal control will cease the cat and euthanize the cat because it is not vaccinated for rabies or other cat diseases.  Therefore respect the cat and keep your hands away from the woodland feral cat.

Communicate with Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian and inform them that you are a caregiver to woodland feral cats and that when they are dependent upon you that you will begin trapping.  Make arrangement s to bring cats in for sterilization, feline leukemia and AIDS tests, rabies shots, cat wormer and application for cat frontline plus.  Also contact your local cat network, for assistance in a group trapping.

Trapping Feral Cats

Schedule a group trapping for the colony of woodland feral cats.  Omit feeding the cats for 12 hours, however do provide water.  Purchase a medium size live animal trap.  Line the trap with newspaper that is folded so that it fits securely in the trap.  Drop two teaspoons of Friskies tuna canned food in the back of the trap, and  drizzle the juice down the center of the trap (on top of the newspaper) the stinky food will lure the hungry cat into the trap. Next drape a twin size blanket or a fleece sofa throw over the trap, do not conceal the opening of the trap. Spray the inside of the trap; blanket that faces trap interior with Feliway comfort spray.  This formula will help to relax the cat, so that it is not so stressed out.  Set the trap close to the vicinity of the feeding station.   Stand at a distance and watch and wait for the cat to enter the trap and the door to close.  Wait patiently.

When the cat enters the trap and the door closes.  Cover the entire trap with the twin size blanket, this blanket will aid in comforting the cat.  Do not attempt to touch the trap or the cat.  

Move the cat in the trap away from the trap site and place in the transport vehicle, a van is useful when trapping a colony of cats.  Transport cats to veterinarians for medical care.  


Release the cats to the trapping site when the veterinarian tells you it is okay to do so. 

Tips:

• When cats are released to the colony resume feeding the cats at the station.
• Contact cat network in your area and ask for volunteer in your area to help with caring for the cats.
• Rehabilitate kittens for adoption, by socializing them in your home or with the other caregivers.
• Keep a current journal on all of the cats, that way you will know their medical needs and when they will need to be re-trapped for shot updates.