When a cat is sick, it is important to monitor their food and water intake so that you know when intervention is necessary. Here are some tips on what to feed a sick cat:

• Lean meats: Vets recommend giving lean meats, like chicken and tuna, to sick cats. Beef, lamb, and eggs may be rich in protein but are too fatty.

• Wet food: Every serving of wet food contains about 110–130 millilitres of water, which is important for hydration. Wet food for sick cats should have soft, meaty chunks in jelly or light gravy for easy digestion.

• Soups and broths: Homemade chicken soups or bone broths, minimally seasoned, provide adequate hydration and energy to sick felines. Avoid buying ready-made soups because they may contain too much salt, harsh chemical preservatives, and flavor enhancers that are harmful to cats.

• High energy, highly digestible food: Encourage your cat to eat small, frequent meals of a palatable, high energy, highly digestible food. Warming food to body temperature often makes it more appealing. Some sick cats can be encouraged to eat more by hand feeding.

• Fluids: Fresh water should be available at all times. If your cat stops eating, she will need to have additional fluids. Fluids can be administered by mouth using a syringe. Your veterinarian will give you specific instructions on how much and how often to administer fluids.

• Human food: Plainly cooked fish, poultry, beef, or lamb can be fed to sick cats. Cut the meat into small pieces and add a small amount of water to make it easier to eat. Plainly cooked fish is also worth trying. You can poach some white fish like cod.

It is important to note that some human foods can be toxic to cats, so it is best to consult with a veterinarian before feeding them anything new. Additionally, if your cat shows no interest in food or is experiencing other worrisome symptoms, it is time for a check-up with your veterinarian.