Eating patterns - does your cat do this?

[Gaina]

Billy has a good apetite one day, eats quite a lot then not much the next...then he's back to tucking in again. Obviously, with the problem keeping weight on him this worries me a bit, so I am wondering if anyone else's cat does this? He's not unwell, urinating and defecating normally and not drinking to excess so I am wondering if anyone else's cat eats like this.

I know I'm becoming hypersensitive to his every whim in case it's an indication I need to take him back to the vet but I am trying to be rational and think about what's totally normal before getting myself up in a heap.

[angieh]

I am sure that cats generally adapt their eating to various things - I find that Kizzy in particular will eat more when the weather is cold. Pip is not a good indicator however as he will eat whatever and whenever and is far less likely to curb his eating unless the weather is very hot or he's not feeling 100%.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by angieh

I am sure that cats generally adapt their eating to various things - I find that Kizzy in particular will eat more when the weather is cold. Pip is not a good indicator however as he will eat whatever and whenever and is far less likely to curb his eating unless the weather is very hot or he's not feeling 100%.

Thanks Angie,

I'm worried because he's gone from 2.8kg to 2.63 since our last visit to the vet (Oct 25th). I am not sure what a reasonable amount of time is to expect weight gain so I don't know if weighing him again this week is too soon to see a difference and will worry me unnecessarily.

[paulinef2]

My older cat can eat more one day and not so much the next day. Tiger does tend to eat less on days that I am home on a day off.

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by paulinef2

My older cat can eat more one day and not so much the next day. Tiger does tend to eat less on days that I am home on a day off.

Thank you Pauline, that's exactly what Billy is doing. He had some breakfast, then went and sat on his bench in the back porch (he likes it there cos the sun streams in but he's protected from the cold) and after a good long nap he was quite chirpy, and had a good bit to eat (also begging for turkey, which is naughty but reassuring in itself!). He's also having no problem taking tablets in his favourite pate so I know he's feeling ok as long as he's not turning his nose up at his favourite treats.

[Gaina]

I've had him to the vet today and I'm going to post the whole story in my 'Billy Update' thread