What Is Whisker Fatigue And Is It Real
You may have heard either from your veterinarian, news reports, or pet product manufacturers about something called whisker fatigue.
Theres actually a lot we still dont fully understand about cats whiskers .
While the thought of tired whiskers sounds kinda silly, it is something that maybe you should put a little thought into if you have a feline that tends to be very sensitive. Why? Because it is a problem that can potentially make your cat act completely different.
Some of the issues it can cause are poor appetite, mood changes, and changes in behavior. All of these things cause additional stress to your cat.
Generally, people think of whiskers as a physical trait of cats. We often relate to it as we do facial hair or beards. But they are so much more complex than a beard!
Whiskers, or vibrissae, are specialized touch organs that help mammals in a number of ways. Cats, for example, have 100200 nerve cells per whisker. As the whisker comes into contact with an object, the cat translates that sensory information to help build a description of their environment, like whether a space is too narrow for them to safely pass through.
Simply put, whisker fatigue occurs when these highly sensitive vibrissae are repeatedly over-stimulated. This can happen with repeated hits to the sides of a food or water bowl, causing discomfort, desensitization, and stress.
Over enough time, this can cause the following:
What To Do If Your Cat’s Not Eating & How To Get Her Appetite Back
Meal time is important, so it can be worrisome if your cat stops eating. Here’s what to do if your cat suddenly stops eating, from trying to find out why to when to call the vet.
Cats have a mind of their own. Its no surprise that this is equally true when it comes to how much they eat, what they eat, and when they eat. But if your cat does suddenly stop eating, pay attention as it could mean serious issues if the food refusal continues. It may just be that they dont like the food they once enjoyed, but it could also mean a more serious health issue.
Whether your cat is acting normal or is more lethargic than usual, you should investigate what might be causing the hunger strike. Here are some ideas to help you figure out why your cat has stopped eating, what might convince your kitty to start eating again, and when it might be time to make a phone call to your vet.
Caring For Your Sick Cat
Sick cats should be kept indoors with a litter tray if they are allowed to roam free they may not come back! Never give your cat your own medications many are poisonous to cats. If your pet is ill, always consult your vet. The following information is intended only to assist you in caring for an animal that is undergoing veterinary treatment.
What to do if your cat is;being sick or has;diarrhoea
In young or elderly cats the risk of dehydration is greater and tummy upsets can be very dangerous. Consult a vet as soon as possible. Any pet that has been vomiting for more than 24 hours should see a vet.;If your pet is vomiting and unable to keep food down, you can try missing one meal, although still allow access to water. Then, offer a teaspoonful of boiled skinned chicken or white fish, such as cod or coley. If this is tolerated, give a little more after two hours. Keep this diet going for a couple of days, then gradually mix with normal food. For pets with diarrhoea don’t skip a meal, but feed as outlined above. Consult your vet if diarrhoea persists for more than two days or if your pet seems dull or weak and does not want to eat.
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Why Won’t My Senior Cat Eat
- As cats age, their appetite and eating habits are seen to reduce. They often lose interest in the food that they previously loved and seem reluctant to consume the same amounts that they may have when they were younger. Whilst this reduced appetite generally is not something to worry too much about and can be supported by feeding a high-quality meat-rich nutritional offering, if they are not eating well and starting to lose weight, then their situation is now worrisome. Ensuring your senior cat suffers from no disease or underlying illness is especially key for older cats, so speak with your veterinarian if you start to notice sudden changes in their eating habits. Dont forget to also check their dental health. Because there’s a high prevalence of dental disease in all cats, by the time they become a senior they may be suffering from very poor oral hygiene that causes a reluctance to eat.
- Increasing the amount of wet food that your senior cat has is also important in helping with food consumption. As cats age, they are more predisposed to dehydration. Ensuring that your cat has enough water throughout the day by boosting it with some wet offerings is key. It also helps reduce the risks of constipation which may have further reduced the urge to eat.
Can I Get Sick From Drinking The Same Milk As My Cat
It is unlikely that you will get sick from drinking the same milk as your cat.
If you dont realize that your cat drank from your glass of milk until its too late, you dont have any reason to be worried.
You will not get sick from drinking the same milk as your cat, even though it may not be pleasant. Your cat may have just eaten, so you may taste some hints of the tuna breakfast your cat just ate.
Even though you do not get sick from sharing milk with your cat, it is a habit that you probably dont want to begin with your furry friend.;
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How To Get A Sick Cat To Eat
The first step in the process is determining why a cat is no longer eating. Sometimes you can figure this out by remembering that most cats hate change. Anything different in the home could be responsible. Visitors, new pets, different foods, a new cat bowls, an altered schedule, a different feeding location you name it and it might be to blame. As much as is possible, return your cats diet and environment back to what is normal for him or her and see what happens.
If this doesnt work or you are noticing other worrisome symptoms, it is time for a check-up with your veterinarian. Virtually every disease that cats can get has the potential to turn them off their food.
The fix may be straightforward. For example, a cat with dental disease will usually start eating again once doing so isnt painful anymore. Sometimes, however, we need to encourage a cat to eat while we figure out what is wrong or wait for treatment to take effect.
While I have just said that cats hate change, it is possible to get them to eat by tempting them into trying something new so long as that something is darn near irresistible . Try buying a few types of canned food in different flavors. Place some on a small plate and warm it slightly. If your cat shows no interest, try adding a little fish oil, chicken broth, tuna juice, or cooked egg.
Dr. Jennifer Coates
Train Your Cat To Stay Away From Food
Although it may be difficult, you can also train your cat to stay away from peoples food and drinks.
The best way to do this is to feed your cat at the same time that you eat.
Your cat will be busy eating and not be concerned with the food that you are eating too. Its an annoying extra step when all you want to do is have dinner, but it is a safer option.;
It can be frustrating to change your ways to avoid your food being sampled by your cat, but most of that is due to your cats instincts to find food.;
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My Cat Has Had An Operation Do I Need To Make Him Eat
Just like humans, when cats are seriously unwell or if theyve just been through a surgical procedure, they often dont want to eat once theyve returned home. While this isnt too surprising, it can cause major issues for your beloved pet.
Cats that dont eat because theyre feeling unwell will become even more unwell and weak due to lack of food. Eventually, your cats body will begin breaking down its body tissues to produce energy so that it can function. This, in turn, slows down healing, so your pet takes much longer to recover from their procedure.
Eating is vital in the recovery process since lack of food causes malfunctions of the immune system, leaving your pet susceptible to infections. If your pet doesnt eat, it can also alter the way in which its body responds to prescribed medications. This, too, can cause other health issues. Therefore, encouraging your sick cat to eat is essential for their ongoing well-being and swift return to good health.
What Do You Do When Your Cat Stops Eating
We have already listed some techniques above on how to boost your catâs appetite but hereâs a quick summary to it. Tweak the wet food of your cat to entice him to eat again. A tuna or cold wet cat food can be hated in the microwave for a few seconds to enhance its flavor. Or, you can also offer your cat some canned tuna, canned chicken, or canned kitten food, to boost the appetite of your pet. Try to experiment by choosing different shape, texture, or flavor of food to increase your catâs interest in food.
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What To Feed A Cat That Won’t Eat
Talk to any cat parent and they will often testify as to their cats finicky eating habits, especially their likes and dislikes. Paying attention to your cats bowl not only gives you insight into how they are feeling overall, but it also enables you to monitor their wellbeing. Should a cat stop eating for any reason, it can quickly become a serious health issue.
A refusal to eat is a concern for all pet parents, but for cats, this situation is especially dangerous.
When an animal does not eat enough nutrition to obtain all the calories they need, their body instead relies on utilizing its fat reserves as fuel. Should a cat stop eating for a period, rapid weight loss will commence. During this process, their body activates the liver to converts the stored fat into energy and relies on sufficient supplies of protein to help them achieve this. With a cat who has stopped eating, their bodys protein supplies are quickly exhausted resulting in their liver becoming overwhelmed by all the fat. This results in a dangerous condition known as hepatic lipidosis, which can lead to liver failure.
How To Prevent Illness In Cats
Many owners underestimate the importance of routine veterinary;care for cats. They may wait several years to bring their cats to the vet for check-ups. Worse, they sometimes wait until their cat is sick. It’s understandable that people would want to avoid putting their cats through;the stress of a veterinary;visit. Some cats become very anxious or even aggressive at the vet. Rather than waiting, try to find a veterinary practice that is less stressful for your cat. Many feline-friendly practices are out there, some even cat-only practices. Alternatively, you may consider finding a mobile vet who can come to your home. Many cats do better in a familiar environment.
Annual veterinary exams are essential for cats. Senior cats can benefit from biannual check-ups and routine lab work. These visits give the vet an opportunity to examine your cat when he appears healthy. The vet may find minor abnormalities on the exam that indicate a minor problem before your cat gets really sick. Early detection might mean you and your vet can take action before the illness becomes serious.
You can also keep your cat as healthy as possible by feeding a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help your cat avoid obesity and a wide array of other health issues. Many vets recommend wet diets high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Be sure to use routine parasite prevention as recommended by your vet. This can prevent fleas, intestinal parasites, and other parasites from making your cat sick.
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Eye Drops And Ointments
Bathe any discharge from the eye. If you are right-handed, use the index finger and thumb of your left hand to hold the eyelids open. Animals have strong eyelid muscles so you will need to be firm.
- ;Hold the medication in your right hand, and bring it towards the eye from the side
- ;If you are administering drops, put one drop right into the eye, being careful not to touch the eye itself
- With an ointment, squeeze a little out of the nozzle to start with, position over the eye, and squeeze again to lay a trail of ointment over the actual surface of the eye. Be careful not to touch the eye with the nozzle.
- Do not let your pet rub the eye but do give a treat!
When To Seek Veterinary Care
Many of the potential reasons for your cat to lose their appetite are serious medical concerns. Your vet can help to determine the cause and best plan of treatment.
The reasons why your cat has stopped eating can vary greatly, but despite the cause, it’s important to bring your cat to your vet if it lasts more than 24 hours. It’s also extremely important to monitor and contact your vet if they are not drinking or are displaying other symptoms or behavioral changes.
If you are concerned about your cat’s loss of appetite, please contact our Bartlett veterinary clinic today for more information or to book an appointment.
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How To Get A Cat With Pancreatitis To Eat
Its no cakewalk for your cat to suffer from pancreatitis. Feline pancreatitis is hard to diagnose in its earliest stages. Its a disease of the pancreas where the body starts to digest its own tissue.
Sounds scary, right? For a cat, it can be a painful experience. Pancreas are responsible for producing digestive enzymes and insulin in cats. Its located between the intestine and the stomach. Even though theres no established cause of pancreatitis.
The inner symptoms are swollen and inflamed pancreas. The visible symptoms are loss of appetite and lethargy. If your cat is sick, look for these signs.
If your cat has pancreatitis, its very likely that she isnt eating like she used to. Or at all! Its a difficult road ahead to get your cat to eat food. And also to increase her appetite so she eats food on her own.
Having said that, I hope these tips will help you feed your cat. Make sure the treatment of feline pancreatitis is ongoing. And that you have spoken to the vet about encouraging your cat to eat healthy cat food.
This begs the following question.
Offer Them Tuna Or Chicken
Tuna or chicken can be extremely powerful when it comes to encouraging a sick cat to eat. While tuna and chicken should not be a part of your cats daily diet, these items can certainly be used when its time to pull out the big guns and get them to eat! Canned tuna and chicken have a potent smell that causes cats to run toward their food bowls and can be tasty enough to encourage a sick cat to dive in.;
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Add Food Toppings And Enhancers
There are some ingredients that are known to be irresistible to felines, and when you add them to their food, they could really help to persuade your picky pet to eat.
Parmesan cheese is one excellent addition to your kittys meal. Simply grate a little and sprinkle it over their dish before serving. The cheesy, salty flavor often piques even the most reluctant cats appetite and interest.
Nutritional yeast powder is another great enhancer to get your pet to notice their food. With its nutty, cheesy flavor, it can prove irresistible to your cat and, as an added advantage, its packed with B vitamins that benefit your four-legged companions health.
How Long Can My Cat Go Without Eating
Like people, cats can go longer without food than water. Cats can survive for about two weeks without eating but only three days without drinking. The longer your cat goes without proper nutrition, however, the weaker they become, so it’s important to contact your vet if you suspect they haven’t eaten in a day or more. They will be able to diagnose the cause and hopefully get your cat back on track to eating regularly.
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Your Cat Wont Eat Tips And Reasons Why
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Food! Glorious food! So scrumptious and luscious! For people, food is the essence of life and can rekindle our souls. Having meals with others is a huge social activity. It helps strengthen our relationships and allows us to become closer to others.
This same feeling translates when we are feeding our cats. We want them to eat and to enjoy eating. So when they dont want to eat or seem picky about their food, we as humans struggle with that.
So why is it cats cause us such heartache about eating? Are their palates so refined that we cant suit them? If youve ever dealt with a cat that seemingly refuses to eat, you are certainly not alone in sometimes feeling a little crazed and helpless. As for the theory about cats just being picky, its somewhat true, but theres a lot of nuances.