When cats get sick, they often don't show signs of illness other than a decreased appetite for weeks! Really sick cats just won't eat anything! You may think your cat is just getting picky when actually the poor cat is sick. Anorexia is all you get to go by as a warning sign that a visit to the vet is a good idea. While at the vet hospital, test's may be run to determine your cats condition. While hospitilized, sick cats often will not eat because they don't like being away from familiar, comforting surroundings. It's a good idea to visit your hospitalized cat often with his favorite treats. If a sick cat is on intravenous fluids during hospitalization, be sure to check if your vet has a nighttime staff. Unless night care is available, your cat will be lonely at night from about six in the evening to about eight or so the next morning. It may make more sense to make arrangements to have your cat spend those hours at home with you in the evening. You can be a good nurse if you set up a little bed near a warm spot. You can give water (2 teaspoons per pound per day) with an eye dropper and hand feed or force feed your cat 2 jars of baby food a day or "A-D," a prescription cat food. Sick cats may not tolerate force feeding at all. If more than 3 days go by and your cat has not eaten anything, it is wise to request assistance from your vet. A feeding tube inserted into the cat's nostril down to the esophagus helps. Another type of more permanent feeding tube can be placed into the stomach. Anorexia complicates your cat's illness, so don't let a sick cat starve himself. Ask your vet!
