10 year old Bengal Cat Eating for the 10,000

[ShelleyAK]

Hello,

I'm going to go to the vets but I would like some useful advice if anyone can help.

I have a 10 year old female Bengal cat. She was born with caterax in both eyes and was the runt of the litter, hence still looking very kitten like. People quite often think she's a year old, bless her!

Anyhow she is eating us out of house and home. She's always been a hungry cat, and on our plates while we eat but over the last couple of weeks it's got unbearable. To the point where I have to shut her out while we eat with our 2 year old daughter. She'll fight with the dog over leftovers, the dog backs down. I'm feeding her, as we always have, with one pouch of whiskas a day with dried biscuits down all day to graze on.

We are really worried about her as sometimes she's sick after food too, with what just looks like clear liquid.

Looking forward to any helpful advise xxx

[SamanthaCat]

I agree with both comments actually and think getting her tested would be beneficial since it is a clear change in behavior, which is always a sign of something.

But I also agree that she isn't getting enough food. I use pouches too (they are the same as cans, depending on the brand). I use two foods - Wellness, which I get in small cans, and Natural Balance, which I get in pouches. They aren't the best out there, but they are in the top I would say. Many foods are insufficient and contain too many carbs and not enough protein. Cats are obligate carnivores and are meat-only eaters and so even food that sounds good (say, it has veggies and whole grains) are not meeting a cat's needs (you want grain-free). So meat should be the main ingredient (meat over fish). I would say that she needs at least two pouches a day - one in the morning and one at dinnertime. I do have dry food for grazing (I know it's not great), but my cat only nibbles it because she gets what she needs through the good wet food.  Another issue with dry over not wet food is that cat's don't get enough moisture/water with a dry diet.

So, that said, I think providing more wet food will help, but I also think she should be checked out.

Good luck!!  

[opus88]

Its the DIET she is on....whiskas is a horrible food, one of the worst on the market, she is NOT getting enough protien!!!! I absolutely stand behind that too. Your Vet will run tons of tests that will ring up your bill, I strongly suggest you wait another week....in the meantime get a different food. I will tell you what type
-look for one that lists meat, such as chicken, beef, vension...whatever as the FIRST ingredient on the can...yes cans
-get a variety that is GRAIN FREE...there are many, but you have to go to a pet store not a grocery store or Walmart
finally - NO MORE biscuits!! this is literally like feeding candy to a kid instead of good food...NO

I had this happen to one of my boys a few years ago, I had changed foods to what was supposed to be a superior brand....Vet ran many dollars worth of tests and nothing showed, so he suggested I try another food...even tho I argued this was one of the supposed best on the market....changed anyway as a last resort....took only a few days for him to be back to normal and not screaming to eat constantly...

cats are carnivores and need most of their diet to consist of good quality meat....

I don't know the brands avail in the UK so you will have to hunt for yourself...

If after a few days to a week if she hasnt' drastically improved than YES do get her checked for hypothyroidism for sure. but by reading the diet she is now on I strongly suggest trying that first.

all the best

[CML2014]

Hi Shelley,

Sounds like it could be Hyperthyroidism--common in elderly cats----YES 10 is going on Senior.

Please have her tested , there are meds for this condition. I have a little runt also who is 10 and looks like a kitten.  I am happy to see the Runts getting a good life, LOL!

Let us know how the little darling makes out.
CML