Monday, August 24, 2015

Anxious Day

Having pets, one is always wary of their health. This weekend, Josie gave me cause to worry. Saturday, she didn’t eat anything. My Chubs’s appetite is less than it was, and she is choosier regarding the flavours she consumes. But I can usually count on her to show at least an initial interest. She may then turn away after sniffing something, if it is not a variety to her liking.

Saturday morning, I woke to find several cats on the bed, helping me sleep in. Josie was one of them, which is not unusual. What was unusual was that she remained on the bed even after she knew that I was preparing the beasts’ soft-food breakfast. I brought her a dish of what was on the menu, but she was less than enthusiastic about it. She didn’t even smell it, which is a bad sign. I returned a few minutes later with some Fancy Feast ocean whitefish, which the Great White always enjoys - but not on this occasion. I knew something was amiss.


I generally do nothing in such cases at first. I wait and see if the cat comes around. Dinner brought the same story, as did snack-time four hours later. Josie spent the whole day lying in the same spot on the bed. I was concerned now. I didn’t want her to go for long without eating. Her weight notwithstanding, a cat cannot starve for more than a few days without incurring damage to her internal organs. We were a ways away from that time, but nonetheless, I was thinking of having to force-feed Josie, which I had never done. I would see what Sunday brought.

Fortunately, whatever my Chubs suffered on Saturday had passed by the next dawn. She had a good appetite on Sunday and consumed her normal amount of soft-food for breakfast. I watched with relief as she then waddled over to the hard-food bowl and ate there, too. I didn’t mind. Josie was back to her old self.


I suspect this was a matter of an upset stomach, perhaps a headache, or whatever minor ailment puts a cat off her food. Humans have such days; I’m sure cats do, as well. Even so, the moment one of mine acts unusually - too many trips to the litter-boxes, sitting down oddly, refusing to eat - I start worrying, and thinking of possible causes. I know this is better than ignoring what may be symptoms of something dangerous, but it can be exhausting. I went to bed Sunday night relieved but tired. And Josie lie down beside me, her stomach full. Thank goodness.

12 comments:

  1. it is hard....they can't tell you what is going on so you are left to wonder and hope it isn't serious...

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  2. The human is always nuts when I do something different, especially if I am off my food! It's good that Josie is back to normal again :)

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  3. Thank goodness indeed! I swear they do this to us just to put us in panic mode. I'm glad she was back to her normal self quickly; fingers crossed that continues now. Purrs and peace.

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  4. I am glad that Josie was better by the next day. Since Flynn became ill he has 2 or 3 off days every week. I know it is due to his hyperthyroidism and the fact he can't be medicated for it, and I am prepared for it, but that doesn't stop me worrying one bit. Very often he will eat nothing at all during the day but then will eat through the night and I am very relieved to see 2 empty or near empty dishes in the morning.

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  5. That's good news, John. I know what you mean by 'worrying.' It's all-consuming and exhausting. I'm so happy she's ok. Deb

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  6. It's at times like those that I REALLY wish cats could talk so they could tell us what's going on with them.

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  7. We're glad it was just something temporary and Josie is eating again. We do stuff like that too and it worries the mom so much.

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  8. We're glad Josie was better the next day. Mom Paula worries all the time if we aren't acting like ourselves.

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  9. Glad to hear Josie is feeling better. I suspect you are right - it was likely some sort of tummy upset. I so agree it would be wonderful if they could tell us how they are feeling. Sure would go a long way to relieving our anxiety as pet parents.

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  10. I can relate! My elderly Buddy does this kind of thing from time to time. Just looks miserable. Then the next day he's back to normal. Sure can be stressful. Glad to hear Josie is on the mend, now you can stress about other stuff!

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  11. Josie, we have had and are still having, internet issues ( since last weekend) we are late with our get well wishes, but we are happy non the less you are back to your ole self ~~~~

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  12. I agree totally. I fret constantly over my kids health. I would rather be proactive than miss something and have them suffer for my ignorance.

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