Fostering a Siamese mix and Oriental mix

Question
I have just taken in 2 adult cats, both age 6. 1 male and 1 female. They are both not eating, or drinking. The female will come out to you and purr and want to be loved. The male however wants nothing to do with getting to know us.
Im with a non-profit rescue and took these cats in, to save them from being put down.
I need help in understanding how I can make them want to eat, anything OTC I can try, etc. I have attempted strong smelling foods to entice them (cheese, tuna, wet cat food), and nothing has worked:(

Also, is their skin and fur suppose to be so tight on their bodies, they have been like this since I have picked them up. Their whole backs are not elastic at all?
Please help me, I think for once, Im in over my head...!!  

Answer
Hi Kim.  Siamese and Orientals are the greatest in my book.  However, they are, by nature, extremely sensitive to change.  It's very common for them to refuse food for the first 2 or 3 days.  But if they aren't forced to eat soon, they lose appetite altogether and become dangerously anorexic.  If you are on day three or later, you will need to force feed them.  You can use a syringe and meat baby food (be sure there's only meat and broth or water - no starch or onion powder).  Baby food is 90% water and isn't enough to nourish them, but keeping their bellies feeling full will help prevent anorexia until they settle in.  As they get used to their new surroundings, they should begin taking food on their own.  Continue to offer them tuna, canned food, etc., until their appetites are strong.  I won't try to fool you, this is a challenging time.  But you'd be amazed.  Sometimes just when it seems they'll never adjust, they suddenly decide to come around.

Orientals are very svelte and muscular.  Their bodies are taut, and you will not find that they tend to have much of a fat cover at all in a healthy cat.  In fact there is normally so little fat that bones are easily seen and felt.  To the average person, the ideal Siamese is going to appear starved.  This is normal as long as the muscles are strong and easily felt.  However, if the skin is tough and tacky, it could indicate they're dehydrated.  They should have a little fatty area between the shoulders.  Gently lift this skin.  It should return to its natural position at once.  If it is slow to return or it stays tented, the cat is quite dehydrated and should really see a vet for fluids under the skin or intravenously.