My cat is not eating

[ozzie girl]

She has been going to the food dish, sniffing and walking away. Sometimes she takes a bite, maybe 2. I tried two different hard food products, thinking that she didn't like the one she had. That didn't help.
I know she has been drinking water, I checked her litter box.

She's been doing this for the last 2 weeks or so. Every one says she'll eat when she's hungry. But I'm getting worried. She's starting to look thin to me. I do believe in bringing pets to the vet when they're sick, but I just can't swing it now.

I was going to go to the store and get her some soft canned food. I'm also thinking that maybe she has a hairball or her teeth are hurting?

I wish I knew what was going on. Any thoughts on what I can try?
She just jumped up on my lap and is looking up at me?

[Chezza]

Hi ozzie girl, welcome to the forum..Ok, has she been wormed??
How old is she??
Is she desexed??

It might be a "Good" idea to take her to the vet, just to get a full health once over, to make sure she has not any problems, EG, enternal probs, blood groups, ETC..
All that..There may be something that only a vet can tell you..It rules out any other worries...

As far as the hairball goes, if its hurting her, then all the more reason to get her to a vet..She relies on you so much to take care of her, she cant do it herself...

When thats done at least you know shes fit and strong and healthy.
Then you can rest in that. She may be a fussy eater, or she may be lacking something in her diet, thats why a vet check is ESSENTIAL..

Hey shes worth it.

[punkazzneon]

I would agree to take her to the vet whenever you can. My cat kitty is very old and started to stop eating. She grew very thin and next thing I knew, she started to use the bathroom without even getting up or squatting. She had a bacterial infection and a problem with her kidneys. The antibiotics are helping and she's eating again.

I've heard from friends where their own kitties would stop eating and it was due to a rotten tooth. To be realistic though it could be any number of reasons. If she hasn't really eaten in 2 weeks, I wouldn't say that she'd eat when she's hungry. Sounds moreso that there is a lack of appetite altogether. Is she spitting up or throwing up at all?

[Mary_NH]

a cat can develop fatty liver disease in just 48 hours of not eating.
I wouldn't let it go another day w/out a checkup. If it's something like a dental infection, left untreated it can affect the kidneys. Could be thyroid which left untreated can also affect organs.
All of these things are easily taken care of - and I hear you on the cost!!! I just paid off a vet bill for my oldest cat cause i was getting worried about her so had a blood panel done (she's fine - I was paranoid). So I understand that - but as already stated your kitty depends on you for good health. She's trying to tell you something

[punkazzneon]

If at all possible you could always ask your vet if you can pay off large debts in payments. I've had to do so for a cat that required surgery before. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford it at all x.x

[sunset05]

Welcome to the forum ozzie girl.

I would also suggest taking her to the Vet. It could be anything and hopefully you could work out a payment plan with the Vet's office.

Let us know how she is. I hope she is okay.

[vene]

and welcome! You can also try low cost vets from shelters and clinics. I know our local SPCA has low cost clinic days and so do the feral cat focus groups.