What should a sick British Shorthair cat eat? After a cat has undergone a series of treatments by a veterinarian, what precautions should be taken during its recovery process? What dietary issues should be considered?
Sick cats often exhibit lethargy, a tendency to lie down, and dull or half-closed eyes. They become sluggish in response to sounds or external stimuli; the more severe the illness, the weaker the response, and they may even fall into a coma or lose various reflexes (such as the pupillary light reflex). Some may also exhibit the opposite mental abnormality, such as restlessness, circling, biting things, meowing excessively, or mania.
In cats with poor nutrition, the coat is often rough, dry, and lacks luster; they are thin and weak. Healthy cats usually have smooth, lustrous fur and are well-muscled and strong. 
Besides using a thermometer to measure body temperature, you can generally observe a cat's nose; a dry nose indicates a high temperature. Additionally, changes in the temperature of the base of the ears and the skin surface can also serve as a reference for body temperature. When a cat has an elevated temperature, it is often accompanied by thirst, lethargy, sluggishness, and decreased appetite, indicating that it may be sick.
Abnormal postures of cats when standing, lying down, walking, or jumping are also symptoms of illness. For example, cats with limb pain often limp when walking, and have an incorrect posture when standing. When cats have abdominal pain, they often curl up, put their heads under their abdomen, and lie in an unnatural position.
Sick cats are usually given a special diet prescribed by their veterinarian, which differs from their usual food. Cat owners may worry about their cat's lack of appetite, but gentle coaxing can usually encourage them to eat. Try to feed your cat several times a day, in small, frequent meals, at a temperature close to body temperature. Choose easily digestible liquid foods, such as nutritionally rich options like Guden nutritional paste or Guden goat milk powder, which ensure adequate nutrition without burdening your cat's digestive system.
If the cat is very weak and still refuses to eat, a syringe can be tried. If your cat refuses liquid or solid food, try using a spoon, holding the cat's head down and feeding a few drops at a time. When feeding medication with a spoon, hold the cat's head between your thumb and forefinger and then feed the medicine. Allow the cat time to swallow. A syringe must be used when the cat is extremely weak. Liquidize the food before feeding.
