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My senior cat with FIV isn't eating; why is he pawing his mouth?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 14 years and 7 months old | 7 lbs

Our 14 year old cat who has had FIV for 5 years, also has cataracts, is blind was not eating much for 4-5 days, lost weight as a result has been eating Purina Cat Chow since yesterday which he preferred over Hills Perfect Weight he was eating prior as well as soft foods. 2 days ago he wasn't eating much, mostly just licking the soft foods then started eating hard foods again. It might be a sore throat as he was putting his paw on his mouth while eating hard treats, he'll eat that no matter what.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 9th, 2018

This sounds a lot like your kitty has problems with his teeth or possibly severe gingivitis or ulcers in his mouth. If he lets you have a look, inspect his mouth for red spots, a red gum line and severe tartar, especially on the molars or any swelling.
He will likely need a dental cleaning under anesthesia, if he has not had one in the last year or two.
Cats get so called FORL, that is the neck of the tooth often rots underneath the gum and eventually starts hurting. Typical signs would be red gums and some swelling and not letting you have a look at his mouth.
Affected cats often want to eat, go to the food, eat a little and then stop only to return later for more but few bites. Please make an appointment with your vet for an exam very soon. In the meantime feed canned food which will be less painful to eat.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 11th, 2017

    This sounds like Nat could have something called feline oral resorptive disease and/or feline gingivostomatitis. We're not exactly sure what causes these diseases but we think there's a component of bacteria as well as the immune system of the cat. With it the teeth essentially start to get resorbed in the gingiva become very inflamed and painful. However often time the roots can be retained underneath the gumline and cause issues like abscesses in pain. Typically it takes dental x-rays with the pet under general anesthesia to diagnose. It is important that if there are roots they are removed as they will continue to cause pain and infection with your cat. Therefore I do recommend you take him to your veterinarian and discuss this possibility with them as well as what can be done if anesthesia and dental surgery is not an option. This might include steroids, antibiotics and certain diet changes.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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