Cat isn't eating like normal I don't think

[andy5898]

My Pebbles last night did not touch her tea, she happily eat cheese and treats when I noticed this but didn't touch her tea. She was in a bit earlier than normal too but she seems ok all be it slightly nervous which is unlike her.
We have had our son born last week would this upset her but he has been at home for the last week so finding it hard to feel it could be that. The other thing is obviously the weather is changing and this morning Pebbles went out at 6.15 and has just come back in and eaten 2 thirds of her breckie and is now sat on the back of the sofa just being princess of all she surveys. Am I reading too much into this is it just it has got colder and she is now beginning her semi hibernation for the winter or should I rush off too the vet worried!

Cheers

[sarie]

Hey, I'd just keep a close eye on her over the next few days - if she goes off her food entirely for any length of time or shows any other signs of illness then I'd take her to the vet but it sounds more likely she's just a little stressed.
The birth of your son is very likely to be affecting her behaviour as it's a big change. My brother's cats appeared to take very well to the birth of their son last year but even so they do sometimes exhibit signs of stress as it's a big change for them to take in and they're no longer the centre of attention.
If she's eating cheese and treats but won't touch her food then chances are she's not feeling too bad as a poorly cat would turn their nose up at treats too. Mine are on and off their food at the moment with the cooler weather.. plus well, they're cats - they like to have the upper hand

I'd just see how she goes and perhaps if you've just had your son then you could get a Feliway diffuser to plug in somewhere to help keep her stress levels down. Don't be surprised if she goes through a few different phases while adapting to the new addition in the house - some days she'll seem absolutely fine but then other days she may seem unlike her usual self. She'll pick up on your stress levels on days when you're particularly tired or have had a particularly rough night and it'll affect her too so just make sure to keep her routine as normal as possible and give her as much fuss as you can find time for and I'm sure she'll be fine

There's lots of advice about keeping your cat happy when you've got a new baby in the house and if in any doubt you can speak to your vet for advice. Certainly although she may hide it well and appear unphased by the baby, chances are any changes in behaviour will be down to this.
There's some good advice here:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-p ... t-new-baby" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Congratulations by the way!

[andy5898]

That's brilliant as we speak she is snoozing in the baby's cot the baby hasn't gone in there yet. But tonight Pebbles has to come out of the cot as our son needs his bed! I plugged in a Feliway this morning then started smelling burning from the diffuser so will get a new one and plug it in.

Feeling better as I can't have my Pebbles worried by my son or daughter especially as Pebbles is still my princess. My daughter adores her although Pebbles will look down on her. I think I may have spoiled my cat a bit before the kids arrived ooops!

[Kay]

it sounds to me from your description as if she had a fright whilst outside yesterday, and that left her a bit shaken for a while, and not interested in her food

[andy5898]

I wondered that yesterday, but off she went striding outside this morning. She plays in a nature reserve over the road from us where people hang around so I wonder if she has not come back through the bushes and got scared by the people. Either way she is purring away and washing me and her so hopefully she will begin to feel a bit better later on.

I have feliway on at the minute so hopefully that will make her feel a bit better.

[Diana]

I agree with the others. Keep an eye on her and if she does stop eating suddenly or is only taking in tiny amounts then get her to the vets. But it's possible the birth has shaken her a bit and usually when cats get stressed, the first thing that happens is their appetite drops.

[andy5898]

I took Pebbles to the vet last night and the vet thinks she has got herself in a fight and has had a bite which has got infected. So she has given her a long lasting antibiotic injection. The vet said if she isn't completely better by Thursday to take her back.
How long normally does it take for antibiotics to kick in, Pebbles looked a lot brighter last night but this morning she still isn't keen on breakfast.

[sarie]

Oh poor Pebbles! The infection will have been making her feel rubbish so that definitely explains it, poor thing.

Mine have had a fair few fights over the years - the antibiotic injections are usually fairly fast acting, mine were back to normal within about 48 hours. I gave mine pain killers too though (Loxicom) so that perhaps made them perk up more quickly. Hopefully she's feeling a bit better in another day or so; cat bites are really nasty things. Give Pebbles a fuss from me!

[andy5898]

I gave Pebbles Loxicam too last night I think I will be giving her another dose this evening. I always have metcam/loxicam at home for such an event. We also have 8 bunnies so metacam is our guiding light sometimes for those lot. Today Pebbles is staying inside curled up in her bed so hopefully she will begin to feel a bit better shortly.