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Thanks, guys. Yesterday I could tell she was thirsty, but she won't go get the water readily available to her. I put a little water dish under her head, and she slurped it up. I put another litter box next to her, and she used it multiple times. But she isn't going to the usual place for these things, which is only another 20 feet away. The vet said maybe it's arthritis, but I wouldn't think it'd affect her so quickly. Lilah had blood work a couple of months ago, and everything came back fine.

She goes back to the vet tomorrow to get a urine sample. The vet agreed it could be a UTI, but they couldn't get any urine today and said she's dehydrated. I made "soup" out of wet cat food, and she's eating some.
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Ali, I feel you about your kitty worries. My cat Henrick who is almost 15 yrs. old was recently diagnosed with early kidney disease. We were prescribed a kidney friendly cat food, a kidney powder supplement and are administering subcutaneous fluids weekly.

Henrick has always been finicky as hell when it comes to his food and we have tried several of the kidney friendly foods and he refuses all of them. The powder supplement is a bust too. Even just a tiny bit added to his food and he detects it and won't eat. We can't even mix it with water and give it to him in a syringe cause this powder just doesn't mix well with anything. The only thing we are having some success with is the subcutaneous fluids.

I guess we'll just have to monitor him and let nature take it's course. I mean he has to eat and if he won't eat the food that's good for him, ah well.........We have tried and tried. We have several bags and cans of food that will go unused unfortunately.

So I hope your kitty is doing fine and doesn't have a kidney problem or anything serious like that.
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gladimhere, I have a ginger cat who has "pica", his strange chew of choice is cellophane. Thus whenever I change out an ink cartridge, the new one has to be unwrapped and it's that type of wrapping that he will hunt out. Same with any thing in the kitchen that comes in such type of wrapping.

I tried keeping growing grass in the house, but he and the other cat would mow it down in a matter of minutes, and drag the grass out by the roots. Now I am trying lettuce, but they aren't interested.
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Gershun, I remember when one of our cats had kidney issues, and would also refuse any special foods. But, much to my surprise, he let me needle water under his skin. He would sit quietly during the procedure, but once he got bored, off he would go, the needling coming out and it was like a loose garden hose whipping every which way until I could turn it off.

I also put extra water bowls around the house which got his curiosity, and would move them on a regular basis.
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None of Lilah's tests, including urinalysis, showed any issue. My tentative conclusion is that she became very dehydrated, making her confused and uncomfortable.

From now on, she will get watered down wet cat food daily, and I'll keep monitoring her. She loves it, so that's fantastic. All the posts here about your own experiences with cats not drinking enough water made me realize this is a common thing! Lightbulb moment.

The way she acts the past month makes me think she has some kitty senility, too, and that is a contributing factor in the confusion, avoiding social interactions, and loss of learned behaviors.

FF, I put a couple more water dishes around the house for Lilah. It remains to be seen if she'll use them as intended. Cute story about giving subcutaneous water. 😸

Gershun, I get it about Henrick and being finicky. You're good to do everything reasonable that you can. It is what it is. You and others have really clued me in on what could be happening with Lilah and hydration/urinary issues. I hope daily "soup" helps for now. Thank you. 😽
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Golden, I agree cats need to play! Lilah's always liked hiding away, but I'm going to make more effort to engage her, and it can only be good for her at this point. She's been hiding away all the time lately, slinks under the sofa in 5 inches of space or the back of closets, and stays put all day. I will try some fun tricks to get her up and moving again. 🧡
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Gershun if you have extra cat food that will go to waste please search out your nearest Tip and Neuter people,, they are always looking for donations and are so thankful! Or a food bank,, lots of underserved folks have pets they love and are struggling to feed. It will go to a good and needed cause
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Cats react to change. Depending on the cat, some tolerate it better than others. If they are getting less attention, they might act up.

We have been successful in being second owners of pets who have transferred loyalty. Some pets do better than others. They might mourn their first parent.

My MIL has the best companion cat. We have made sure that the cat loves us too so if something happens, we will be familiar. This cat really helps my MIL, sticks close to her and reminds her to feed her. Peta are good for the mental health of the elderly as well as for caregivers!
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Chicken broth? Hmmm, I wonder.
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Pam, I thought about donating the food but most places will not take food that has been opened. The cans maybe but we have mostly dry food going to waste here.

It's too bad cause I would love to donate it to worthy people who need it.
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I think the cats need it more😀😀😉😉!
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Lol, worthy cat owners I meant to say.
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Gershun, call, I know that many of our rescues and the humane society are accepting any food donations right now.

Putting your name and contact info on the bag may be required.
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Gershun, at the vet's office today, there was a donation bin with different supplies, opened bags of dry food (taped shut), and some labeled Ziplocs of dry food. I have some opened-but-full bags that I'll take to a shelter. I think they'll use them.
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I sent an e-mail to the SPCA in our area asking where we could possibly donate our unused cat food. Hopefully, we can help someone.
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I'll be in trouble if Rocky ever gets kidney issues. She doesn't like wet food and waits till her canned pate dries out somewhat before she eats it. I used to add water but it was pointless. She does drink water separately. Now Pumpkin noisily slurped up the wet cat food with extra water. She loved it. .
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My grandsons found a stray kitten. They cant keep her as their other grandma is allergic. After 3 days I picked her up from their house and took her to my house. I will surrender her to the no kill shelter I adopted my other cats from on the 24th. She is negative for FELV/FIV. She is very tiny but is older than 6 weeks as she has all her baby teeth.

my grandson named her Midnight. He loves animals but can’t have a cat or his other gramma will not visit.

she is an adorable little girl but is not friendly with our golden or my other 3 cats
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SharynMMarie, it doesn't seem fair that your grandson can't have any pets because a visiting Grandmother is allergic.

I understand allergies, I don't do well around dogs, and my sig-other's daughter has 3 dogs. I can't visit but that is ok, they come here to visit. I would never ask someone not to experience the joy of having pets just because I am allergic.
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Well my dog expressed her displeasure at my working by waking up hubs at 3 am ( I had already moved into the spare room because she was smothering me) and she took a giant ( for a 15 lb pup) poo ON the driveway right beside my drivers side door! Luckily I had off today, and hubs told me when we got up. She has NEVER pooped on the drive before,, we have acres for her to use! Guess retirement can't come soon enough for both of us.. LOL She is often a "tick" on my days off..but this is a first!
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My dad loves cats so much he wanted to let our beautiful tuxedo baby out the front door where it could get run over.
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Pamz, isn't it funny how they find ways to tell us they're displeased? After a vet trip, Divo went into my closet to do a big poo. Another time after the groomer, he stood in the middle of my office and peed a big puddle all over the floor.
...
I just wanted to pop in and say Lilah is doing much better at moving around and getting her water. After ruling out medical, I used behavior training with her over the past week. You know, that thing I'm getting my degree in this week. :) She's doing well and better than I've seen her in a long time. She needs more stimulation and prompts -- water bowls everywhere, motivating treats and toys -- and maybe because she's older, too. She's always liked to find a hide-away spot and stay there, but it became extreme. I let it go, thinking she was comfortable that way. No more.

My roommates and I agree she was sick -- crying, not moving, sleeping, and going outside the box for days -- but the cause is unknown. It could have been dehydration, I guess. But she's all better, and I'm relieved.

That is her in my profile pic. 🐱
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Well last night Chloe held it until 530.. so at least for me that is "sleeping in" LOL she made it downstairs and did her job on the marble entry before I even made it down the steps! Then 2 little spots on the kitchen rug. So it may be her new food,, we are going to try mixing it with her old food tomorrow Wish us luck!! and a late evening walk tonight!
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Ali, glad to know Lilah is feeling better.

AND a sincere congratulations on your degree!
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Good news re Lilah -and Chloe.

When Rocky is upset she pees on my bed once - just letting me know I guess. I am rather dreading the transition time at my dds when Rocky will have to be with me. and also the time when she then moves to the condo. Bedroom doors will have to be kept shut. Fortunately the new flooring is waterproof. She will have her own space at night, as she does here. Hopefully she will adjust fairly quickly but I know she will miss the outdoors. I'm going to try her on a harness and leash. There are nice places with vegetation to walk in around the condo.

Ali - Getting your degree is such a great accomplishment!!!
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Ali, really?! It went by so fast! Does it seem that way to you?

CONGRATULATIONS! YIPPEE!
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Ali,
Oh, surprise.
Did we get that right?
Is there a ceremony to get your degree?

That went by so fast!
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Thank you, all. ❤️️

I have one more paper to finish, so I can't personally celebrate just yet. Or, I can take my current 85% in that class and go party the next few days before I'm back at work on Sunday.

I need to stop thinking about that second scenario because it's too tempting. 😆

I'm done for tonight, thank heavens. I'm reminding myself that pain is temporary, but grades are forever. lol

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this journey. It's a huge accomplishment for me. 😌

There is a ceremony, Send, but I won't be attending/walking.
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congratulations ali!!!
🙂🙂🙂🙂
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Prayers for ALL the cats (and Chloe) who need some extra love and care today.

🐦🐇🐱🐶🐿🐾🦙️

🐾


🐾
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My mother always hated cats - I think she was afraid of them. My bother was allergic, so that was a perfect reason to never have one as a pet.
She is now in her early 90s, forgetful in some ways and sharp as a tack at other times...
We adopted a young cat, and weren't sure how she would react when she came to our house for dinner.
She was fascinated with Ruby, and when Ruby jumped up onto the top of her scratching post in the kitchen, my mother responded with a belly laugh and a great smile!
A good memory for us.
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