Day4 of a long sit and one of the cats continues to hide and hasn’t eaten a morsel. Cant leave food down, because the other cat will eat it. Tried all the usual, such as cat music and meowing on utube. Any suggestions please?
Can you try separating the cats so that the more timid cat can eat without interruptions?
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Hi @alpem
This can happen with new people around a cat can feel insecure and won’t eat. I agree with @Elle in that you need to try and make the food available so the cat can eat and it maybe late at night, through the night while you’re not around. Can you perhaps leave the food in a room with the cat and shut the door for 30 minutes to see if it’ll eat?
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If the cat hasn’t eaten anything for 4 days I think you need to contact the owner and or the THS Vet help line for urgent advice.
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@Silversitters is right. 4 days can be dangerous for the cat. Please contact the HO and a vet. The cat may be freaked but may also need nutritional support at this point to survive. Two or three days ago cats should have been separated for a bit until the shy cat came out and ate.
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Especially if the cat isn’t drinking.
Please try, as other suggested, to separate the cat in another room
Cat music and meowing?? Didn’t even know that was a thing.
Do you know where the cat is hiding? Can you bring the food and water to the cat ie under the bed, couch etc and close the door so they have some quiet peace from you and the other cats (and youtube) and see if they will take a nibble. If they have treats they can’t resist that’s always a good starting point to remind them they are hungry. But yes definitely also tell the owner, they might have tips around what the cat really likes and can have as an ice breaker eg chicken or mince or something
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My understanding is that 3 days without eating is dangerous for a cat so I would definitely ask the owner for suggestions. Did they leave you vet info? Maybe check with them.
We have kept the owner informed. The cat has a history of hiding, but we are the first sitters through THS, neighbours used to do it.
The HO sent us a voice recording today. Worrying times. Thanks for your help
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We have tried that. At the moment we have one upstairs and one downstairs. As was the case much of yesterday. It makes it more problematic that the shy cat isnt a big eater at the best of times! Thanks for your suggestion. I may ask the HO if we can introduce a cat calming spray. Need a miracle x
@alpem during all sits members have unlimited access to a free 24/7 Vet Advice Line. Members can find the number on their dashboard and call it for expert advice from veterinary nurses, anytime, anywhere whilst on a sit.
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The HO told us at start of sit that if cat didnt eat for 3 days, not to worry. Of course we did and tried our best yo coax it to eat and stop hiding.
Looked after loads of cats and this is first time it has happened. Will d
Speak with HO later and suggest vet visit. Thsnks for your advise
Is the cat drinking water? That is more important than eating, though eating is very important. If the cat isn’t on a special diet, I suggest something really enticing, like sardines mixed with wet food. Sardines stink, so they are what I use to trap stray cats. Second choice is tuna. Most cats love the super-cheap, junk, wet food (In the US that would be Friskies, 9 Lives, Meow Mix, etc). He might eat that, which is better than nothing.
If you can get Gerbers baby food (this or the other flavors: Gerber 2nd Foods Turkey & Gravy Baby Food - 2.5oz : Target), most cats can’t resist it.
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We believe the cat is drinking water, due to the amount of urine in the litter tray and the fact that it still looks healthy.
Tried him with tinned tuna tonight, but he wasnt interested. Going to advise HO in morning that he needs to see a vet as an emergency. As in, today.We have tried our best. He now lets us stroke him, albeit in his hiding places, but he still hasnt eatrn a morsel. Bless him. Thanks for your advise x
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@alpem what was the advice from the vet helpline ?
We didn’t use vet helpline, but told the HO we needed to take cat to the vet. The HO thought that would be too stressful. Thankfully, a neighbour came in while we made ourselves scarce and fed the cat a hearty meal both this morning and evening. However, the cat continues to hide. At least the cat is now a guzzler, so after 7 years its feline brother, will no longer be able to steal its food! Thank you for your support.
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UPDATE: day 6 and cat has just eaten his first meal for us. So relieved. It wasn’t ideal a neighbour having to come in, but looks like we have turned a corner…
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Also not your fault! And cat parents know their cat’s behavior can be unpredictable. The fact that you remained in contact with them, showed concern and dealt with the issue is great. As a cat person, I say, “Whatever it takes!”
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Thanks for the update @alpem . That is a relief 
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Thank you x
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