cat won't eat

[Roe719]

My 7 year old cat has had problems with his teeth. Two days ago my vet extracted 2 teeth (one was a canine). But several days before this, the cat would not eat and run away whenever he saw me with his food dish. I assume he associated the dish with pain from his bad teeth. He still does not eat and runs away from me. I've tried baby food and even feeding him with a syringe. Because he is still recovering from the procedure I hate to traumatize him again but yet I'm afraid he'll starve himself to death. He hasn't eaten in a week. I have to give him medication (antibiotic and for pain) too but how? Before I would crush the pills and mix them in with his food. But if he won't eat; this obviously won't work. Any ideas?

[Roe719]

Thanks for the advise. My kitty is now starting to eat canned food and I am managing to slip the crushed pills into it without him even noticing. I did have to change his feeding bowl though but it works! Thank Goodness, I was getting very worried. I will have to print out all your suggestions and keep them handy for next time. THANK YOU!

[PrettyKitty1]

....and if the syringe doesn't work, try using an eye dropper. I have noticed that my cat swallows more medication when I use a dropper. Crush the pill and put it in a little cup. Then, with the dropper get some water (don't fill it all the way, just half of it or even less) and mix it with the pill in the cup. Then get the mixture with the dropper and follow Savas' advice on how to give him the meds.

Have you tried getting a different bowl? If he associates the one he has with pain then try getting him another bowl, different color and shape to see if it appeals more to him.

[Savas]

The only thing I can think to do is use the feeding syringe and a milk supplement like kmr milk replacer.

For the antibiotics, mix the crushed pill with as little food as possible. Then flip kitty on his back (as much as you can), place the tip of the feeding syringe at the back of his mouth 9base of the tongue) and squeeze the plunger. This will bypass the mouth entirely (well, as much as can be done when you have a huge plastic syringe in your mouth!).

Do the same with the milk replacer. It will keep your cat going until he's able to eat again. You're going to have to force this issue whether he likes it or not. In the end run, he will forget, and maybe even forgive the rough handling. :)