I have just adopted a rescue cat, three weeks ago, she is 4 years old very sweet and affectionate and has settled in well, BUT, she really is eating very little. I have tried her on dry food and wet food, but she doesn't seem very interested, to the point where it is beginning to bother me. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can tempt her to eat, at least a reasonable amount a day? I have had cats in the past but never had this problem before. I have kept her indoors since I got her and will do for at least another week, will she perhaps get hungry once she is allowed outside?

It may just be that she is taking a while to settle in or that you haven't found out the right food for her yet. I would consider getting her checked at the vet though to make sure there is no other reason behind it. Have you checked her mouth and teeth to make sure there is no soreness?? Is she drinking OK?

Lou
X

As Lou has pointed out it may be worth a quick vet check up on her teeth /mouth to check all is okay there. If all is okay would suggest trying really strong smelling foods such as sardines/pilchards or tuna.

It is worth noting that our vet once told us (as we were concerned about one of our cats who just never seemed to eat much) that an egg cup of a good dried food is more than enough to maintain an average cat all day. She may just not be a big eater. Do you leave a bowl of dried food out for her all day? It may be she is a "grazer" - just having the odd nibble when she is feeling peckish.

__________________
Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

thanks for the input on this little madams problem, I have just tried her with James Wellbeloved food and she dived right in!! It would seem that was the food she was being fed on at the rescue place (pity they didn't tell me that to start with) So all's well that ends well as to the water drinking, she will drink out of the kitchen sink....but not out of a bowl, still, as she long as she takes in some water I can put up with that.

So thanks again.

You can get a water fountain that simulates a tap but is quite expensive and needs socket near where you want to put it