What if your pet won't switch?

[jrose_lee]

Hi! We just adopted a wonderful 2 year old cat. She is great. However, ever since we brought her home yesterday evening (over 24 hours ago) she won't eat a bite. We are trying to start her off with us raw. We've tried raw beef and raw trout. What if she won't eat? I know this is new to her.

Also, I should mention that she was just spayed right before we got her. Do you think that is why she has no appetite or does she just not like it?

Will she finally just get hungry enough and eat it? I had pictured her being grateful and loving that we gave her "real" food, rather than dry yuck.

Thanks!

[juliebove]

Cats are very finicky. My cat refuses to eat raw. She refuses many kinds of canned and dry foods. I just give her what she will eat and what I think is not going to hurt her. Like cheap foods. She also has stomach issues and can't eat some of the cheaper foods.

I once boarded her for a couple of weeks while we were waiting for our military housing. She refused to eat what they gave her, so I had to go buy some food and bring it in.

[souldanzer]

I don't think I would have an appetite if I had just been spayed, adopted and moved homes, AND switched to a totally unfamiliar diet.

Maybe try giving her the diet she is used to and once she is used to YOU and the new home, introduce some raw food slowly.

Souldanzer

[Pony500]

Sometimes you have to cook for them for a couple of days, then give them meat more and more rare until it's raw. I had to do that with my latest rescue dog, but now of course he's thoroughly enjoying his meals and RMB's. I know cats can be finicky though...

[beckx]

is beef recommended? my guys aren't 100% raw but i usually stick with small animals and fish that they'd actually be able to potentially catch in the wild.

i'd give it time though, she's stressed out, she doesn't need diet changes on top of it. this isn't like when you feed a child raw to start out so they won't know SAD cravings, know what i mean? better for her (and you! diet changes can cause digestive troubles) to take it slow.

glad you gave her a wonderful home. :)

[supergreen]

Try starting with egg yolks. I only say this because one of my friends has a dog that ate regular dog food that would go nuts over egg yolks.

[Ilse W.]

I know this thread was started a while ago, so your cat is probably eating just fine now. For everybody who is bringing home a new pet, it's stressful for the animal, and not eating for a day or two is an absolutely normal response. I wouldn't worry about it. Also, the same holds true for animals as it does for kids...put the food out for them. Sooner or later they get hungry enough to eat it!

[Eva]

Also, the same holds true for animals as it does for kids...put the food out for them. Sooner or later they get hungry enough to eat it!

This made me laugh a little. I think it's true, but with kids I think it's a little more complex than just that!

[Ilse W.]

Well, 38 years ago when I had my first child (in Germany), my pediatrician answered my concern about her eating habits with: "don't worry, she won't starve herself to death".