Vacation Blues

[spunkadelic]

I recently went on vacation to my sisters house, and unfortunately was not able to take Maui with me (she has three cats of her own). I still live with dear old Mom and Dad and they agreed to feed him and feed the bird as well.

They did feed him, everyday just like I told them to. They never once saw him eat and they didnt' hear him munching at night like he usually does.

When I came home on Sunday he was estatic. I know they say that animals don't really love you (they are "uncapable" of love) or miss you when you're gone, but I really think Maui was depressed that I had "left" him!

I could feel his ribs (slightly mind you) and I could never do that before. I can feel the spine from his shoulders down to his lower back (but not to the tail). I know they fed him because my parents won't let an animal starve - but could he have been so 'upset' that I wasn't there that he didn't eat?

Is there anyway I can convince him to eat? He hasn't eaten since I got back yesterday, either. Wait. I take that back. He's chowing down now - but what could have made him loose two pounds? (he was 14.1lbs, when I came home he was only 12lbs)
And why would he have stopped eating when I was gone?

[CatDad]

I think our animals are very aware when we are not around because we have left for more then a work day and it is possible as a way of pouting they can stop eating.

A kitty that we had would stop eating for a day or so after we left, even though a friend of ours came over and feed her and spent time with her. A puppy of my parents would stop eating all together when they left on vacation. I was not longer living at home, but I was at there house enough that the puppy new me really well, and I still had to cook the puppy meals so she would eat, sometimes. Just a couple of examples. Also if the kitty healthy they will eat when they are hungry.

So your kitty not eating is not a real suprise, since he missed you. I am suprised that happened since it sounds like he is around your parents alot. However, animals can have there favorite humans.

Losing 2 pounds is a bit of a suprise, especially after only 2 days and I would be inclined to take him to the vet or at least call the vet and talk to them. I am, of course a real worry wart.

I am happy to hear that he started to eat, but I would still keep an eye on the weight.

As I put in most of my posts on kitty health and behavior subjects, I am not expert by any means, and take my advice for what it is, an educated guess.

[Craftlady]

I agree the losing 2 lbs in two days needs a call to the vet just to make sure everything is ok.

I know our furry kids get upset and wont' eat or if they do they barf it back up. I cat sat for several years a gang of 3 (outdoors/indoors) and whenever mom/dad went out of town for couple days to week esp near holidays, I would find food barf down sidewalk of the apartment complex for first couple days they were gone then they were ok when they saw me come on regular basis (2 x a day).

[Barbara]

I am sorry to hear Maui lost that much weight. Are you sure he lost it in such a short time - then he definitely should see the vet. But on the other hand it would be good if he didn't gain it because 12 lb is better for him regarding his size.

I also am sure that your parents feeded him. If he just had been hungry he would have shown you very quickly that he needed food

The other thing: Of course he loves you. And of course they have favorite humans. Don't believe what somebody tells you. Believe in what you feel

[spunkadelic]

I was gone for an entire week, not two days though. So for an entire week he didn't eat. He's happily munching on food since I've been home (and the treat canister is his new best friend, lol, he's mad I only give him three a day).

The last time I went to the vet (to get his yearly shots), he said that my cat was in the 'normal' or 'acceptable' weight portion. He was not fat and he was not overly thin. When I got Maui he weighed 5 1/2 lbs, that was four years ago. He has no worms, and everything is fine except for his teeth which I have made an appointment to have them cleaned and the vet said there were no abnormalities there to keep him from eating.

I guess he was just depressed. Not only that, but he's 7 now so I should start feeding him the cat food designed for mature adults - maybe it's due to his age that he's loosing weight?

[Randi]

Sorry to hear Maui missed you so. After reading your posts, I'm pretty sure that's the reason. Glad to hear he's munchin away again.

When Fister goes to a pension, he often doesn't eat much for the first few days. One time he had a terrible "holiday" - at a VET's place of all! When we came back after a week, he'd lost nearly a kg. and had a scratched nose (cat fight) AND a cold. We were SO MAD!! I'm pretty sure, the vet hadn't seen him all week, when we rang to come and get him, the vet said: "He's already in the box, ready to go" - We found that very hard to believe, and it turned out to be a completely different cat! We found Fister eventually, hiding under a sofa.

[spunkadelic]

They had the cat already in the box before you got there? That's horrible! I wonder how long that poor kitty sat in there and it wasn't even your baby! I would have been mad too.

Poor little Fister *pats his head*

Maui has had experiences like that. My whole family went away to my sister's wedding in August, we left the bird and the cat HUGE BOWLS of food and I (secretly) had a friend from work checking on them (mom didn't want anyone, but I wanted to make sure they were okay).

Well, our house is up for sale and Maui's litter box is in the bathroom we never use, under the sink (it's his own private toilet). We have a mesh curtain that he walks through (he likes his privacy) and can go. He's not allowed in the back bedroom - there is no a/c back there, and this being Florida it would not be good. He's also not allowed out into the garage when we aren't here - so we left notes for that, and I told my Mother we should make a sign not to close Maui's bathroom door.

It's happened before that they've closed it on him (he didn't mess the house for THREE WHOLE DAYS). But they must have been there early in the week and the door was closed when we got home. My friend, of course said he was sick (he had just found out he had Mono...of course my luck!) and couldn't have made it over. Poor Maui.

But that's still not as bad as what happened to your poor Fister! I feel bad for him.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Edwina has a very special way of expressing her unhappiness when we travel. She poops in the dining room. Always.

Cats don't like any change in routine!

[Randi]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
Cats don't like any change in routine!

You can say that again!!!

Uhh, Fister better not meet Edwina, she'll teach him bad habits, and then Fister will teach her how to howl loudly in the middle of the night in your bedroom.