View Single Post
  #2  
Old July 3rd 03, 04:25 AM
Liz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

My guess is that your older cat became anxious with the new kitten and
is eating more (compulsively). Did the weight gain coincide with the
arrival of the kitten?

Some cats will not eat meat and I believe there are three reasons for
this: one, they are not familiar with it. If you make him taste it, he
will likely change his mind. To make him taste it, all it takes is
rubbing the meat gently on his nose and lips. Second, the meat might
contain nitrates or nitrites. These substances are put on the meat to
make it look fresh. Cats will not eat meat if they can smell these
substances in the meat. In Brazil, it is against the law to use them
as they may be carcinogenic. In the USA the same might hold true.
Third, the meat may be even slightly spoiled and cats will usually
refuse it if it is. Grinded meat spoils very quickly. My cats will not
eat grinded meat no matter how hard I try to keep it fresh. I guess
the bacteria come from the machine when grinding. I always wondered
how and how often they clean those grinders anyway.

If the meat is fresh and there are no nitrates or nitrites in it and
your cat still won't eat even after you make him taste it, you might
want to add a tiny bit of garlic or a finely chopped olive. Cats are
probably just like kids. No matter how good something is for them,
sometimes they just won't eat it. You can also try different kinds of
meat.