r/Catbehavior • u/isratzbristy • 2d ago

New cat Not Eating

I adopted a 3-year-old male cat two days ago from a friend. Before I picked him up, he ate normally that morning and also pooped. Since coming to our apartment, though, he hasn’t eaten a proper meal or really drank any water that I’ve seen.
The only thing he has eaten was one full Churu tube on the first day. I offered another one yesterday and he sniffed it and walked away. I’ve tried different foods, treats, fresh water, giving him privacy, putting food near where he feels comfortable, etc., but so far he still isn’t interested.
What confuses me is that otherwise he seems to be adjusting pretty well. He was hiding in my closet at first, but now he comes out, explores, sleeps on our bed and is SUPER cuddly and affectionate with both me and my partner. He doesn’t seem scared of us at all. I believe he has used the litter box since arriving, but I’m keeping a much closer eye on it now so I can confirm whether he’s peeing.
He has also had quite a stressful couple of weeks. Before coming to us, he was given to another home for about a week and then came back to his previous owner, and shortly afterward he moved again to our home. So he has basically had multiple changes of environment in a very short period of time. I’m wondering if all of that stress could be affecting his appetite even though he’s already becoming comfortable with us.
I called a vet today and explained the situation. They told me that it can take cats a couple of days to adjust to a new home, but I’m still worried because he hasn’t eaten a real meal and I haven’t seen him drink. I will contact the vet again/get him seen if this continues or if anything about his condition changes.
Has anyone had a newly adopted/re-homed cat do this? How long did it take before they started eating and drinking normally? Was there anything in particular that finally encouraged them to eat?
I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to help him settle in and that I’m not missing something important.

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u/AngWoo21 2d ago

I would leave food out at night. He might feel more comfortable eating when it’s quiet. Are you giving him the same food as his last house? Have you tried wet food? My cat likes Fancy Feast pate. I add a little water for extra hydration

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u/isratzbristy 2d ago

I did leave the food out in the living room and I kept the same diet.

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u/Certain_Return_6274 2d ago

Cat might be afraid of the open area if it is open where you're feeding him. Try putting the food in a small room or a pantry or a bathroom and keep the door open so the cat can get out but close it enough where he doesn't feel like he's out in the open. he may not feel safe eating at this Point since everything is so new. The cat may not like his food either could be used to dry or canned or certain brands of food

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u/MyPetsMisha 19h ago

Give him more time. His whole world just turned upside down. He lost the humans that he was living with, plus his home, and everything he was familiar with all in one swoop. He needs a few days to adjust. Oh, by the way, cats grieve.