Stubborn cat will only eat Trader Joe's Tuna

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NadjaAndSam

NadjaAndSam

Member Since 2012
My 15 year old cat recently decided he won't eat ANYTHING unless it's dry food or tuna from Trader Joe's (is it really dangerous for cats to eat it?)
He just had a comprehensive exam last month and health wise he is relatively fine. Since October of last year he no longer needs insulin but last month he was on I.V. fluids for 2 days to flush his kidneys that had some crystals and he had urinary tract infection but he is fine now.
We tried mixing TJ Tuna into other wet foods and he won't eat it.
The vet said he is slightly underweight too.
I'm exhausted. I just lost a cat this past weekend (he lad large cell lymphoma) so between mourning the loss of my younger cat and trying to make this one eat is taking a toll on me.
Any tips are appreciated. Thank you!
 
The main problem with only feeding the Trader Joe's tuna, is it doesn't have the vitamin and minerals your cat needs for continued good health. You do say that your kitty is getting some dry food in addition to the tuna, so that is helping.

Please look at those transitioning tips that member BJM gave you. They were a real life saver for us.

Does your kitty have a cold or upper respiratory infection by any chance? If so, then sense of smell is diminished and your cat may struggle to eat enough.

What canned food was your kitty eating before this recent "hunger strike", picky eating behavior?

Any other changes in the home or perhaps a vomiting episode with the former wet cat food?
 
Deb & Wink said:
The main problem with only feeding the Trader Joe's tuna, is it doesn't have the vitamin and minerals your cat needs for continued good health. You do say that your kitty is getting some dry food in addition to the tuna, so that is helping.

Please look at those transitioning tips that member BJM gave you. They were a real life saver for us.

Does your kitty have a cold or upper respiratory infection by any chance? If so, then sense of smell is diminished and your cat may struggle to eat enough.

What canned food was your kitty eating before this recent "hunger strike", picky eating behavior?

Any other changes in the home or perhaps a vomiting episode with the former wet cat food?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response. It doesn't seem like he has any cold or respiratory issues.
He ate instinct nature's variety for almost 2 years but we would switch it with wellness. About 1 month ago we continued with wellness and added merrick.
I didn't notice any vomiting.
The Last month was very stressful for us because I was dealing with the lymphoma diagnoses of my other cat at the same time Sam has UTI and my other cat passed on this past Saturday. This has been the only big change around here. He became a picky eater shortly before we euthanized Franklin at home. I wonder if he sensed that something was seriously wrong? I noticed the day after frankin passed Sam was very confused. His behavior seems fine now except for not wanting to eat anything else.
 
Are you feeding Trader's Joe Tuna cat food? or Human food?
If cat food does the label say it is complete and balanced diet? If so then it OK from a nutritional standpoint to always feed it by all seafood does have some problems.
 
I should also mention that he will lick the sauce of merrick' cowboy cookout but won't eat the little chunks.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Are you feeding Trader's Joe Tuna cat food? or Human food?
If cat food does the label say it is complete and balanced diet? If so then it OK from a nutritional standpoint to always feed it by all seafood does have some problems.
Click to expand...

I'm feeding him trader Joe's cat food not human. The label does say that it "was formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the aafco cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages"
 
Good, that mean it is nutritionally complete and can be feed all the time. However. here are some of the disadvantages of fish:

You will notice that many of the higher protein diets are fish-based but it is not a good idea to feed fish to cats. Or, at least not as their main diet. Fish can be high in mercury, high in PBDEs (fire retardant chemicals linked to hyperthyroidism), high in phosphorus (not good for older cats' kidneys) and can be very addicting. It is best to feed poultry-based diets to cats.

from:
http://www.catinfo.org/
 
Biggest problem with feeding seafood flavors is cats love it and sometimes refuse to eat anything else as you now know. Dusty got addicted to salmon FF and I couldn't get him off of it until he got sick one time and decided he didn't like it anymore.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Good, that mean it is nutritionally complete and can be feed all the time. However. here are some of the disadvantages of fish:

You will notice that many of the higher protein diets are fish-based but it is not a good idea to feed fish to cats. Or, at least not as their main diet. Fish can be high in mercury, high in PBDEs (fire retardant chemicals linked to hyperthyroidism), high in phosphorus (not good for older cats' kidneys) and can be very addicting. It is best to feed poultry-based diets to cats.

from:
http://www.catinfo.org/
Click to expand...

Thank you. He already has hyperthyroidism and takes medication for it. I will try to be more patient and not give in when he demands food.
 
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