Aa
Sensitive Cat
The first cat my DH and I adopted, Mariska, came from a humane society. We adopted her because she had been in and out of the shelter for 3 years and no one wanted her. She was going to be put down soon if no one gave her a forever home. I went and met her with my sister and my new daughter. She was a very sweet cat so I brought her home. We've had her for 5 years now. She loves my DD and helps put her to bed every night. She also used to try and comfort her when she cried when she was a baby. She is a very nervous and sensitive cat. She always aims to please and licks us a lot. We think she may have been abused.
Whenever we moved she would throw up all her food for a few weeks. She was so nervous. This was not good because we tend to move a lot. The only thing she could keep down was tuna. A couple years ago we decided to adopt another cat. After we got her a playmate she did much better. She doesn't throw up when we move anymore because she has her buddy with her. He's not a very nice cat (he randomly hits us when we walk by him), but he helps Mariska get exercise and they play a lot.
Recently I met one of my neighbors who loves cats. He grabbed Mariska and picked her up. Usually she loves this but she did not like him. He kept joking about taking her home with him and she got mad. She's been on edge since then. She'll watch their balcony (above us) and hiss at them. he also decided to bring his cat down to meet me (without asking) and the cat ran in my apartment and tried to steal my cats' food! My cats were not happy. I ran out of food the other day and had to feed them later than normal and since then she pukes up her food. She'll either eat tuna or a few bits of food spread out. It looks like she's not chewing her food, just inhaling it. I hope she doesn't keep this up for very long! This guy is not allowed near my apartment anymore and I can't wait to move.
Whenever we moved she would throw up all her food for a few weeks. She was so nervous. This was not good because we tend to move a lot. The only thing she could keep down was tuna. A couple years ago we decided to adopt another cat. After we got her a playmate she did much better. She doesn't throw up when we move anymore because she has her buddy with her. He's not a very nice cat (he randomly hits us when we walk by him), but he helps Mariska get exercise and they play a lot.
Recently I met one of my neighbors who loves cats. He grabbed Mariska and picked her up. Usually she loves this but she did not like him. He kept joking about taking her home with him and she got mad. She's been on edge since then. She'll watch their balcony (above us) and hiss at them. he also decided to bring his cat down to meet me (without asking) and the cat ran in my apartment and tried to steal my cats' food! My cats were not happy. I ran out of food the other day and had to feed them later than normal and since then she pukes up her food. She'll either eat tuna or a few bits of food spread out. It looks like she's not chewing her food, just inhaling it. I hope she doesn't keep this up for very long! This guy is not allowed near my apartment anymore and I can't wait to move.
I'll have to disagree a little bit here (I'm a cat food heretic ;-)
I have always fed my kitties tuna-based cat food as an adult (and the occasional treat of people tuna) as part of the regular rotation (I buy 12 different flavors, 1/2 fish based and 1/2 poultry based).
The only kitty of the 9 (April Dancer) who lived less than 16 years, died because of a bad reaction to a medication. The current 4 are 13, 12, 11 and 10.
You may want to try and mix Mariska's tuna with 1/4 of other flavors and then gradually increase the other flavor. Over time, it is good for kitty to have a broader selection.
I have always fed my kitties tuna-based cat food as an adult (and the occasional treat of people tuna) as part of the regular rotation (I buy 12 different flavors, 1/2 fish based and 1/2 poultry based).
The only kitty of the 9 (April Dancer) who lived less than 16 years, died because of a bad reaction to a medication. The current 4 are 13, 12, 11 and 10.
You may want to try and mix Mariska's tuna with 1/4 of other flavors and then gradually increase the other flavor. Over time, it is good for kitty to have a broader selection.
I think she eats fast because our other cat has tried to steal her food in the past (he's not a very nice cat). I've been feeding just a few tablespoons spread out on the counter and she'll chew that. She's doing better now. I've tried giving her other types of fish, like salmon, but she pukes it up. She doesn't like people food, except for cornish hens. Thanks for the info!
hi and welcome to you and your kitties to our forum...we love to share advice and info as much as we can.
first of all what a wonderful person you are to take a chance on this lovely kitty and bring her to a good loving home!!!!
is her weight normal? is she under or over weight? perhaps if she's not over weight you could feed her a little more and less at each serving..she could be inhaling her food so fast b/c she is very hungry(?). both of mine eat just a tablespoon or two at a time so I feed them at least 4x a day..that way they don't eat too much at one meal, if shes eating too fast and too much this 'could' be the reason she vomits it back up.
another thing, DON'T FEED TUNA....not even in cat food. its way too high in mercury even us humans are only supposed to limit our intake. feed other types of cat food fish is ok, but not tuna.
also has she had her teeth checked? kitties can have many dental problems as you can read about on some previous posts...that could be another reason she won't chew her food.
she got scared by the strange person, since she is so sensitive....best to keep her away from what upsets her....I have one like that too, the doorbell rings and he heads for under the bed. some cats just aren't social.
hope this has helped♥
first of all what a wonderful person you are to take a chance on this lovely kitty and bring her to a good loving home!!!!
is her weight normal? is she under or over weight? perhaps if she's not over weight you could feed her a little more and less at each serving..she could be inhaling her food so fast b/c she is very hungry(?). both of mine eat just a tablespoon or two at a time so I feed them at least 4x a day..that way they don't eat too much at one meal, if shes eating too fast and too much this 'could' be the reason she vomits it back up.
another thing, DON'T FEED TUNA....not even in cat food. its way too high in mercury even us humans are only supposed to limit our intake. feed other types of cat food fish is ok, but not tuna.
also has she had her teeth checked? kitties can have many dental problems as you can read about on some previous posts...that could be another reason she won't chew her food.
she got scared by the strange person, since she is so sensitive....best to keep her away from what upsets her....I have one like that too, the doorbell rings and he heads for under the bed. some cats just aren't social.
hope this has helped♥
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cats Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
