Can ball pythons be easily stressed? I had one about 8 years ago and he didn't do very well, wouldn't eat, and died after we had him for about three months. My roommate at the time had a few cats. Could that of contributed to his feeding problem. At the time didn't know anything about force feeding.
Oh yes, cats would definitely be seen as a predator in the snake's eyes, and it can (and will) put them off feeding.. But, ball pythons are notoriously bad feeders anyway. I know several people who've had ball pythons go over 12 months without touching food.
Yeah I agree with Axe on this one. I have 4 ball pythons and the do go through times of bad feeding. Currently have one not eating.
Well, I'd take the snake to a vet after about 4-6 weeks, and I'd take it to a vet before I started force-feeding, just in case there are underlying problems. If there are other problems, force feeding may sustain the snake, but it won't make the problems (parasites, for example) go away.