

Likewise, determining what makes your cat the happiest and assessing whether he is still enjoying these things may help you with your decision. Another major factor in my decision to help Jewel over the Rainbow Bridge was that she was no longer enjoying the things that made her the happiest. When Jewel began to decline, I sat down and thought about the things that made her the happiest in life - eating treats, getting to eat a bit of people food with us at dinnertime, and curling up for a comfortable snooze in one of our kitty kubes. Happiness: Is your companion still interacting with you and other family members? Is he experiencing any joy in life? She didn't mind it too much, and I'm sure she felt better after a little grooming assistance. For the last several months of her life, I helped Jewel stay clean by giving her baths with cat wipes. You can help your cat stay clean by brushing her regularly and using cat bath wipes or waterless shampoo made specially for cats. Hygiene: Can your kitty keep herself clean? Cats are very sensitive about cleanliness, but if they are in pain, they may not be able to groom themselves. Cat dehydration can be serious and should be treated right away. Sick cats are at risk of becoming dehydrated, especially if they are vomiting or have diarrhea. Hydration: Hydration is as important as eating is for cats.

If that doesn't work, syringe feeding or getting your kitty a feeding tube may be an option. If your veterinarian rules out nausea or acid reflux, you might want to consider trying an appetite stimulant, such as Mirtazapine or Cyproheptadine. Kitties taking antibiotics sometimes feel nauseous. Is your cat nauseous? Many cats with chronic renal failure also suffer from acid reflux. Talk with your veterinarian about the various options. Fortunately, there are several options to help your cat eat. Refusing to eat is one of the most obvious signs that your cat isn't doing so well. Hunger: Is your cat willing to eat? Have her eating habits changed? Does she refuse to eat her normal food? Will she eat the "good stuff," like treats or human food?
