The ‘Sick Day’ Diet: What to Feed a Maine Coon Who Won’t Eat#

When a 20lb Maine Coon stops eating, it isn’t just a mood swing. It is a medical emergency. Unlike dogs, who can fast for days, a cat’s metabolism cannot handle starvation. After just 2-3 days of anorexia, a Maine Coon’s body starts mobilizing fat to the liver. The liver gets overwhelmed and fails. This is Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease).

According to Feline Husbandry, Fatty Liver kills more cats than the original illness. You must keep fuel in the tank.

Here is the emergency protocol for the “Sick Day.”

1. The “Buffet” Test (Enticement)#

Before you force them, try to tempt them. A sick cat loses its sense of smell (especially with Herpes/URI). If he can’t smell it, he won’t eat it.

• Warm it up: Microwave wet food for 7 seconds. The heat releases the aroma.
• The “Stinky” Options:
  • Meat-Only Baby Food: (Gerber Chicken or Turkey). Ensure there is NO Onion or Garlic powder in the ingredients.
  • Sardines: Packed in water, not oil. The smell is overpowering (in a good way).
  • Bonito Flakes: Dried tuna flakes sprinkled on top.

2. High-Calorie Recovery Pastes#

If he is licking but not chewing, you need density. Calorie Gels (Nutri-Cal): These are sticky, high-sugar/fat gels. Smear a dab on his gums or paw. It provides immediate blood sugar support to prevent a crash.

3. Assisted Feeding (Syringe Feeding)#

If he refuses to eat for 24 hours, you must take over.

• The Tool: An oral syringe (no needle).
• The Food: You need a slurry. Hill’s Prescription Diet a/d or Royal Canin Recovery are designed for this. They are ultra-smooth and calorie-dense.
• The Technique:
  1. Wrap the cat in a towel (“Purrito”).
  2. Insert the syringe into the corner of the mouth.
  3. Squirt a tiny amount (0.5ml) across the tongue. Let him swallow.
  4. Never shoot it down the throat (risk of aspiration pneumonia).

4. Medical Appetite Stimulants#

If home tricks fail, call your vet. Drugs like Mirtazapine (an antidepressant that triggers hunger) or Elura can turn a fasting cat into a glutton in 30 minutes.

Tomlyn Nutri-Cal High Calorie Gel

The emergency fuel every owner needs in the cupboard. A dab on the nose gives a sick cat the energy to keep fighting.

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Conclusion#

In a Maine Coon, anorexia is not a symptom; it is a secondary disease. If your cat has a fever, a cold, or just “the blues,” keep those calories going in. You are saving his liver.

References#

1. Pedersen, N.C. (1991). Feline Husbandry. “Nutrition and Nutritional Disorders,” p. [cite_start]325. [cite: 29, 2150, 2603]
2. Armstrong, P.J. Feline Hepatic Lipidosis.
3. Cornell Feline Health Center. Anorexia.
4. Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat. “Caring for and Grooming,” p. [cite_start]61. [cite: 1563, 1572]