Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I have two resident cats, one of which is a nervous 2 year old maine coon. We got a new kitten on the weekend and introduced all the cats yesterday. Since yesterday morning our maine coon hasn't eaten a bite and is more nervous then usual. She's already very thin and I'm getting very worried since she just won't eat but if I take her food bag out she runs to the kitchen. She also threw up a bit of water this morning. Is this a normal reaction to stress? I'm hoping that by tommorow things will have settled down (there has been no fighting or aggression from any of the cats, just a bit of growling from the oldest which is nothing new), but I just want her to eat. Should I be getting worried or just wait a few days to see? Thanks!

Hi,

I recommend confining the new kitten to it's own room for a couple of weeks, if possible. The Maine Coon probably feels more nervous than usual with a newcomer having the run of the house all of a sudden. It's always best to make introductions slow and gradual, starting with total confinement of the new baby.

I wouldn't wait more than another day or so before taking the Maine Coon to the vet if she doesn't start eating. Cats can start to develop liver problems within a few days of not eating and these problems can be very serious. Try offering her something special and see if that stimulates her appetite.

Please keep us updated.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Thanks!

We moved the kitten back to her own room and took our maine coon, Roxy, to the vet this morning. She had started drinking water this morning and the vet said that she seemed to be doing well health wise. She suggested we try to pretty much force Roxy to eat if she wouldn't do it on her own. Unfortunatly she is extremely stubborn but I keep rubbing wet cat food on her mouth so she's forced to lick it. She's not very happy, but what choice do I have? If she still isn't eating on her own by Friday the vet wants us to bring her back in, possibly for blood tests, etc. Gah, I hope she calms down now that the kitten is out of sight again. I feel so bad!

Hi There,

Try offering Roxy some strained meat baby foods (with no onion added). Cats will often eat baby food when they won't eat anything else. This may jump-start her appetite and get her interested in eating again.

I have a multi-cat household myself so I know how trying it can be sometimes.

Take care, and please let us know how Roxy does.

PHKitkat

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm really getting frustrated with Roxy not eating. I brought home baby food, Vita Gravy, and three different type of wet food (which she normally doesn't eat) and she wouldn't take any. So we actually had to force feed her with a syringe. That was fine and she ate a few morsels of a different dry food I bought for her, but that was two nights ago. She acts like she's hungry, runs into the kitchen when we're in there and gets excited when I grab her food bag, but she just sniffs it and walks away. I've offered her three different types of dry as well but she's just not interested. Gah, I don't know what to do with her.

Should I buy another bag of her normal dry food? Maybe that bag is slightly bad or has a different taste then it normally does? I'm at a bit of a loss. She's her normal self, just not eating.

Hi,

I think it's a good idea to get another bag of what Roxy usually likes. I would check the bag and make sure it isn't past the expiration date.

You can also try 9-Lives tuna, or some of the fishy, smelly types of Fancy Feast. Or even try to get a can of Hills A/D from the vet.

PHKitkat

Thanks so much for all your suggestions! Roxy has started eating on her own, albeit small amounts, but she's really back to her normal silly self. We're in the process of very slowly introducing Luna, the kitten, and have been able to bring her out in her carrier and there is no hissing or growling, even from our grumpy cat Clovis. Hopefully by next week she'll be able to really become part of our fur family. Thanks again!