I put milk on my cats paw and she will not lick it off (please see detail)?

Question

She has had an URI for as long as I've had her (about a week and a half) and she is not eating. When I encourage her, she will sometimes push a bit of food around with her nose, but she doesn't bite or lick any. I've observed when I've put water or milk on her paws she does not lick it off like I've seen other cats do. She will use her front legs to wipe her nose, but she never cleans her legs. Has anyone seen a cat act this way before?

She has a vet appointment tomorrow, for those who I know will just say "go to the vet".

Answer 1

Like humans, many cats and kittens are lactose intolerant. They cannot digest cow's milk properly and they get diarrhea or gastric upset when they drink it. Kittens that become lactose intolerant usually only become intolerant after they are about 3 months of age, so THEIR mother's milk shouldn't cause any gastric upset. If your cat or kitten gets diarrhea as a result of drinking cow's milk, stop giving it milk and it should pass. Some cat owners who have lactose intolerant cats that are 'milkaholics' do occasionally give them lactose free milk. You can find lactose free milk in pet stores. If your cat digests milk without a problem then you can give it the occasional milk treat.



Remember - Cow's milk should never be the primary or regular food source for any cat or kitten since it is missing many essential ingredients.

Answer 2

I am really glad to hear you are getting her to the vet!



When cat's cant smell their food, they won't eat. It would be worth trying some of the smelliest canned food you can find (fish types usually smell the most).



Since you are getting the cat to the vet tomorrow, I'd say the most important thing to concentrate on is making sure she doesn't become dehydrated.



You can check for dehydration by lifting a fold of skin on the scruff of her neck. When you let go the fold of skin should go back down immediately. If it kindof 'tents' up and goes back down slowly, the cat is dehydrated.



If the cat is dehydrated, try to force-feed some water via a syringe (minus needle) through the side of the mouth - expect to get some water everywhere, but you should be able to get some into her.



If she is dehydrated do keep a close eye on her - if you notice any sudden change, you may need to rush her into an emergency vet immediately. Otherwise, she'll get through until tomorrow's vet visit.



A cat not eating for several days can cause serious liver damage - and the vet may recommend force-feeding her to get her eating again, but for the timebeing, just concentrate on dehydration until you get to the vet.



Hope that helps, and best wishes for her recovery!

Answer 3

She's a very sick baby. Make her comfortable tonight. She does need to eat, though. You can take some canned kitten food, mix it with a bit of warm water, dip your finger in it and smear it into her mouth. Be careful not to scratch her mouth with your fingernail. If it seems to be stressing her too much, just try it again later. Continue her antibiotics until they're all gone, unless your vet tells you otherwise tomorrow. If her nose is congested, you can run a humidifier with plain water for her. Ask your vet if you can try Little Noses nasal drops to help. It was recommended by my vet on several occasions, but your vet might have something different in mind for her. Poor little baby... I hope she gets better soon!!

Answer 4

Because she is sick, she has no desire to eat, and no desire to waste energy grooming herself. Her URI is also making it difficult for her to smell her food - and cats eat based on how good the food smells. You can try putting some canned food in the microwave (careful - just 8-10secs will warm up a good spoonfull size) to make it more smelly. If she hasn't had much in the way of food for the last day or so, you will need to force feed her. Mix equal parts canned food and water so that it's soupy and syringe it in slowly. If she's fighting you then stop, its not worth the additional stress to her and you are going to see the Vet soon.

Answer 5

cow milk.... no no for kittens or puppies.... painful gassy diarrhea .. just feed animal food and water... tiny spoon of wet food..keep water available... liquid vitamin drops can be squirted on back of tongue... just to ensure it is getting vitamins... they can have milk allergies..

if you got it from humane society.. they are supposed to watch them for certain amount of days then give em shots and they are not supposed to have parvo.. but you may need to go to vet and make sure.. snotty cold symptoms and not eating or drinking.. sounds like parvo.. if so..its not usually able to survive.. only if caught very early and you spend hundreds at vet and still can not live... just go find out.. if so... humane society should replace your cat.. with a different healthy one ... they are supposed to all be healthy... but they do come in with who knows what diseases... and they try to quarantine them for set amount of time to avoid this....but if it was sick and just was not quite showing symptoms yet. ..then no amount of shots would help it.. so they could have given it shots and readied it for adoption with the best of efforts and intentions and it still had a lurking illness that was missed...

Answer 6

She is just sick and not interested in food right now. I had to force feed a few of mine when ill, before they would start eating on their own. Glad you are seeing vet tomorrow.

Answer 7

maybe shes just no comfortable eating around you right now you said you had her for about a week and a half so just give her time shes shy probably, or just tell the vet tomorrow.

Answer 8

Glad she's going to the vet...poor kitty. Somthing is obviously wrong...hope she feels better tomorrow. My cat Ester says "meww ♥"

Answer 9

yea i had that happen to my cat when i got her, i really didnt do much but i asked my aunt that works with animals and she said to give it time it took her about two weeks before she would really eat... she might not be feeling well or somthing but thats good that your taking her in

Answer 10

you a good mom , your cat is sick and need to see the vet and that what you doing good for you.. she may have a virus my cats just got over it too , have you cat had all her shots she may need a fvrcp shot.

Answer 11

She's not feeling well, just keep loving her. Poor kitty.