Thin and stubborn

[ParamedFlorena]

If this cat of mine is just being stubborn and selective about food is something I'm not sure of. She's had several cures for worms with no change of weight. I've tried giving her kitty-food with more fat/calories and she spits it out. She can sit and wait for her regular food up to 2 days.

The only thing she eats is regular whiskas dry pellets and half a box of tuna in gel pr week. She drinks water, preferring rain-water. If I try anything else, she refuses. How can she gain some weight? I've tried giving her other kinds of pellets but no luck. I've tried this kitten milk (not regular cow-milk) and boxed foods. She is spending a lot of time out in fresh air but she kills mice and leave them there. If she eats anything else at all it'd be half a slice of cheese and a nugget of ham - that be if she's able to stare the breakfast table to it....
We even try newly pulled fish from the sea but she doesn't even mind. The theory that fish is some of the best a cat can get is not falling well here....

Ideas on what I can do for her?

We're going to have her sterilized. Would that do anything positive about her appetite?

[PrettyKitty1]

Are you sure she is malnourished? When cats go outside they get a lot of exercise. Cats are naturally thin. It gives them less air resistance and more speed to catch food. She is obviously catching stuff...mice, so she is getting a pretty intense work out. If she is still eating, playing and doesn't look sick I wouldn't worry. How old is she? Older kitties lose weight as well even after being fixed and all that.

Like people, some cats tend to be picky and also tend not to be eaters. My cat will only eat his food. Don't you dare give him anything else because you'd be wasting your time. After being neutered he started putting on weight. He is a little fatty now. The vet told me he needed to lose 2 lbs and I've been trying hard: changed his diet to light food, give him more playtime,feeding him 2ice a day and he is still gaining weight, why? because he is an indoor cat and as much as I want to try and give him exercise it'll never be the same. He is actually gaining weight lol but he looks good to me lol.
I guess my point is if your cat goes outside then it is normal to be thin. Too thin isn't good though. At least she is eating. Just wait until you get her spayed. I'll meet you here again asking for ways to make your cat lose weight lol.

Good Luck hun.

[Savas]

No worries. I had a little female that would only eat raw hamburger once. She drove us absolutely nuts. We finally got fed up with looking for excuses to have ground meat around...if I see another sloppy joe, cheesburger, or taco on my dinner plate again, it will STILL be too soon.

I tried giving her other foods and refusing her hamburger and gave up after she didn't eat for three days straight. We ended up just picking up some cheap ground from the butcher for her exclusively. :)

[ParamedFlorena]

At least that made me decide on having her over to the vet for a make-over. She doesn't seem to be bothered by malnutrition and seems to have her senses and instincts intact.

It's not really strange that cats are so easy to love. They have extremely much personality... Ack. Thank you for helping me understand behavior. :-)

[Savas]

Fixed cats will almost always put on weight.

Otherwise, she's an in/outdoor cat, and they tend to be lean and thin. Lots of exercise, etc..

Does she seem healthy otherwise? Finicky cats are a pain to deal with. I'd say that there's a good chance she's got another food source while outside, but that isn't necessarily true. I used to be convinced you could out stubborn a cat with this sort of hing, but I've run in to cases that have proved me wrong.

I would say see how she changes after you get her fixed. It ould mellow her a bit and make your life a lot easier with feeding issues.