Am I Being Played?

That Sake is ill with a mouth infection is well documented.  The Monday before Labor Day I took her into the vet because she seemed to just barely eat over the weekend, although it did not feel like her weight was down (it was not.)  She objected strongly to being crated for the trip to the vet, and when she said "aaah" (hissed), the vet said her mouth did not look as bad as it had. 

Since then, her eating habits have not varied much:   She eats a little at meal time.  When I am not home during the day, I do not know what she does, but she does not show up at meal time as if she is very hungry, sniff the food, and leave. She may or may not show up at meal time.  Because she prefers her food fresh, I wait until she shows up to put it out, and she usually eats something, even if it is a small amount of something.

She has been getting chicken, and eating at it  She has stopped eating beef liver, but continues to get chicken liver, which she eats at.  Haiku likes chicken liver, too.  I discovered Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Liver, http://www.fancyfeast.com/gourmet-cat-products/ and the cheddar meals.  She really goes for the Gravy Lovers Chicken and Liver.  Which makes sense, since I am giving her chicken and chicken liver. I add the cheddar meal for variety.  Sometimes she chows down. Sometimes, no.  But I know Taki and Haiku have started invading her space on the dining table and sharing in her foods.

Sake has been grooming more.  She also has been more active, chasing around the house, asking to sit in the garage.  She hisses at Taki when Taki tries to invade her space while Sake is eating (when she was really sick, she just walked away.)  She is also asking to eat on the kitchen floor with the other cats, and not away from them, as she had before.  And, if she is interrupted while she is eating, she is not easily frightened off, as she had been for a while.

She is still matted, and not as fluffy and chunky as she had once been.  But, I think she is doing better. We will be going on 4 weeks since we have been to the vet. This is good. But in the past, her eating as turned off, as if a switch was thrown, which could happen any time.

But, she is doing better.  She woke me at 5:30 this morning, so I fed all the cats before I went back to sleep.  At about 7:30, everybody wanted treats again, and they got them.  About noon, I sat down to eat lunch. Sake joined me on the dining table, checked out what I had, did not want what she had, but after I finished lunch, she ate.  She did the same thing at dinner time tonight. (She does not usually get to sample what I have.  Haiku will eat right off my plate, even if it is inappropriate for a cat (too spicy), but Sake does not.) So, I am not sure this delaying action is all about. Today, I fed Sake 5 times. She ate some every time. And during the week, when I am at work, most of the chicken and chicken livers have been disappearing, along with some of the canned food she likes.  

I hope she is better.