Hi
Our 5yo female cat is lethargic and has not been eating her normal amount of food; this state of affairs has been going on for about a week now. She's an outside cat and lives in an area with a sizeable feral population. She approaches us as if she wants to eat in the same way that she normally does, but when the food is placed in front of her, she takes only a few mouthfuls (we've noticed she mostly tends to go for either the gravy or jelly content, although she did eat a few biscuits last night). We can tell that she wants to eat, but something (an infection from a feral cat, discomfort caused by swallowing?) is preventing her from doing so.
In addition, her fur is starting to look a little disheveled, and she's taken to lying down in the front garden, rather than returning to her secret hiding place as she normally does.
Does anyone have any idea as to what may be causing this, and are there any remedies, OTC or otherwise, which would alleviate this condition? Could anyone recommend any short-term solutions (cat milk, for example) which would ensure our cat is receiving her necessary nutrition? Ultimately, of course, we will need to take her to the vet but unfortunately that's easier said than done (and another story).
Very many thanks in anticipation.