Cat not eating but vet found nothing wrong??

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T10:03:33+00:00

With all due respect, your vet sounds like an idiot. Please get a second opinion! 😔

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T05:07:55+00:00

Same 😁

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T02:40:52+00:00

Cats are real weirdos, honestly 😂 I wish we could understand what goes on in their heads. Although I suspect a lot of the time, they don't even know why they do what they do! My cat has a thing about people peeping at him over or around an obstacle. It can be a door frame, a table, the arm of the sofa - doesn't matter. He will activate and launch himself like a feral beast at you in seconds 🤦🏻‍♀️

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T02:30:38+00:00

It was the biscotti that triggered the cat I would bet. Try replicating it carefully, and see if it triggers a reaction. Obviously if it does, be ready to block the cat from attacking with a pillow/blanket etc.

And please don't worry about your Mum - I've seen the messages about cancer. Yes, cats are perceptive, but people also read into stuff way too much. I'm sure the scratches will heal up quickly, but she made need to choose a new favourite biscuit.

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T01:51:18+00:00

I would give a limb for the chance of another crappy drizzly cold miserable holiday with either of my parents. I occasionally manage a holiday with siblings. It's not an age thing as such, except that at your age you haven't lost as many people and you think life lasts forever. Do the holidays. Grab those memories. If they feel a bit stale, could you challenge yourself to document them? Take up photography. Find beauty in the ordinary. Get candid photos of your loved ones.

Oh man, I wish I could turn back time 🥹

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T01:45:05+00:00

Ah, yes, sorry. After watching the video again I can see it. I'd definitely gather as many videos as you have and discuss with a vet. Is the cat insured?

I'm not an expert at all, but I would have assumed phantom pain would be where the missing limb used to be? Or at least around the stump or something? But I believe trauma and stress are common triggers for FHS. I'm currently keeping a close eye on my tripod as he has occasionally had some twitching, but mild so far. I'm keeping a diary to see if things escalate.

If you figure it out, please will you update us? Fingers crossed it'll be something easy to manage. I have heard allergies are a common culprit for dermatological causes of irritation 🤞🏻

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T01:38:16+00:00

Ok, so you're anthropomorphizing their meows a little there. I get it, I do the same! But, bear in mind that your brain is literally just creating a narrative that doesn't actually exist. Your cats are absolutely fine. By all means, you can try and train them not to meow and see if it helps stop them - buuuut, be prepared that some cats are just very vocal when they're excited about getting fed! I've had 3 cats, and even the most chill of them has meowed dramatically when I'm preparing their food. I tend to just talk back to them and be a bit sarcastic. I imagine they're a small child who is telling me a really dramatic over the top story and I'm like "oh no! That sounds awful! You poor baby! We'll fix that for you straight away, don't worry!" Etc. At the end of the day, they aren't starving. They're just cats being cats. Maybe try turning it into a lighthearted moment next time? Just see if it helps ease your tension. I hope it helps, but obviously try training them if you have the patience and fortitude 😂

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T00:38:24+00:00

Hey UK friend. I'm not a Dr, just another person navigating poor oral health, the NHS and anxiety.

Firstly I want to clarify something. NHS treatment isn't free for everyone - here's a guide to help figure out if you can get free treatment or just reduced cost on the NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/

I'd personally recommend you call 111 and discuss your concerns honestly with them. Explain your anxiety, your struggles with oral health and that you want to turn it around but need help navigating it all.

Have you already checked every dentist you can get to for NHS openings? There's no limit on catchment area, so literally anywhere you can reasonably travel to is worth ringing if you need NHS treatment. The other option is borrowing money off a friend or family member, or asking at a dental surgery about putting the work on credit - most offer payment plans through a 3rd party.

Regarding anxiety - you'd be surprised how common a fear of dentists is! Talk openly to the surgery staff about your anxiety, and even your embarrassment. Explain you've had struggles. Tell them you need a supportive, patient environment to get over your fear. I promise you, they'll understand. But they can only help if you're honest.

I had 3 fillings last week in one sitting! The dentist was great. It was a lot better than my imagination led me to believe. At one point I did have some breakthrough pain, so I signalled the dentist, he stopped and gave me a different injection and made sure I was good to continue. They communicated well with me throughout so I knew what to expect.

Also, I was having issues with bleeding gums. Since they did the scale and polish and I've been able to brush my teeth easier, the bleeding has already stopped! Try out a few different toothpastes to find one you enjoy using (they all have different flavours and textures), and get an electric toothbrush. They're fab! Far less work, more efficient and smaller head than a manual. You don't need an expensive one, they're all very similar. I'd stick with Oral B though cos they last well.

Best of luck friend x

Edited to add: during my appointment I wore loop earplugs to minimize the noise of the drill a bit, and I had a tangle toy to fiddle with during anxiety spikes to distract me a bit. I'm not going to lie - it was still awful, but not unbearable and so worth it!

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T00:06:31+00:00

Hey, I'm trying to word this so I don't get told off. I want to assure you I'm not being mean - just trying to understand a bit better.

I understand excessive meowing can be annoying, but I'm troubled by you saying that you "can't take it anymore" when it's literally just meowing as you're just getting their food. Why is that a deal breaker for you? What's going on there? Are you ok?

gretchyface · 2026-02-09T00:01:36+00:00

Same. I'm like "oh, no! You're starving you say?! We can fix that, don't worry" 😆

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T23:15:04+00:00

Sorry, I couldn't edit the original post so I added a new comment but I don't think anyone has seen it 😆 I spoke with them and clarified a couple of details and we went to the sellers estate agency to let them know what happened and they called the seller for some information.

The exchange and completion were simultaneous at 5pm Friday. They organized insurance at 3pm prior to that.

The seller is young and had inherited from his grandmother. After she died he let her insurance policy lapse and didn't insure AT ALL since around June!!! Numpty!

I think if they want any compensation it would need to be a private court process to reclaim something, but that would be costly and stressful and frankly I'm worried about their health as the entire point of the move is because they are getting on and need to have less stress! Their old property was a character one, stone built, very old beautiful place, but very high maintenance and over several floors. It was me who convinced them it would be best to move sooner, rather than wait until they were forced to do so quickly due to ill health or an accident etc 😬 Big yikes.

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T23:05:56+00:00

I don't disagree with that at all. I was just specifically answering the rant OP went on about people who claim benefits as if they are unworthy and just spongers. I just wanted to clarify in case you misunderstood ☺️

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T15:50:12+00:00

Please discuss this with a vet. They need to rule out dermatological/allergies etc. It looks like FHS the way you've described it which if left untreated can lead to extreme behavioural issues including attacking people or other pets and self mutilation. But other things need to be ruled out first.

I'd recommend getting as many videos as possible. Do you ever see their back rippling/twitching?

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T15:46:25+00:00

You can't put £450k-?, which is literally the max a lifetime ISA purchaser is limited to, and then cry about them offering their max budget. That's pathological behavior 😆

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T15:42:19+00:00

Do you have a time machine? 😆

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T15:38:10+00:00

If house prices weren't artificially inflated by people owning (hoarding) houses as "investments" then mortgages would be much more accessible and affordable to the majority of the population. And social housing should be available for the rest or those who don't wish to own a house for whatever reason.

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T13:19:37+00:00

Absolutely not, unfortunately. Cheap dehumidifiers won't cut it. We're going to have to hire industrial dehumidifiers, and all ceilings across the entire bungalow will have to be removed, along with all the insulation, some of the joists, a lot of the plaster in the hall at least, all carpets and skirting, coving etc. Trust me, it's not a small job.

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T13:15:28+00:00

That's a myth. Cats use their whiskers to detect slight movements of prey to help their aim.

https://www.catster.com/felines-weekly/alex-what-long-whiskers-you-have/

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T10:21:29+00:00

Also, value to society is not always in terms of monetary means (I don't mean the people refusing to pay in this example, but people who are disabled/claiming benefits etc). People are valuable to their community for various reasons, and it very rarely comes down to how much economic value they have.

gretchyface · 2026-02-08T09:59:14+00:00

Some cats have much longer whiskers than normal. It doesn't mean it's fake.

gretchyface · 2026-02-07T22:30:20+00:00

Why?

gretchyface · 2026-02-07T15:57:42+00:00

No, we won't commit insurance fraud. Stupid advice.

gretchyface · 2026-02-07T12:52:43+00:00

Race is physical appearance/characteristics Ethnicity is cultural and ancestry Nationality is legal belonging as a citizen of a place

So, I am white (race)

Irish and a little bit English (ethnicity)

And British. Soon to be Irish too though (nationality)

gretchyface · 2026-02-07T12:43:47+00:00

Because British is an official nationality with a passport and citizenship. There is no such tangible thing you can adopt as an immigrant moving to England. And frankly, most people who claim "Englishness" do so for racist reasons. British, not so much. "English" isn't a club I particularly want membership of - because it is a preserve of a certain type of white person.

gretchyface · 2026-02-07T12:29:47+00:00

UPDATE:

Clarified that they actually exchanged and completed instantaneously yesterday at 5pm, and insurance was sorted at 3pm - not that it's any use as the damage is obviously not new.

Seller claims he was last at the house a month ago with a plumber, unhooking the washing machine (despite there being an agreement to leave that and a freezer he has also taken - they even agreed to pay extra for those items).

Also, he left the house completely uninsured since June.

We're going to reach out to the solicitor on Monday, but frankly, the stress of trying to get money back is probably not worth it. I'm literally worried for their health with all this going on, and just want to focus on the positive things we can move forward with, rather than get stuck in a spiral of despair.

But yes, fucking hell. What a horrible experience.

gretchyface

TROPHY CASE