6 reasons why your cat won’t eat and what to do about it

Your cat’s eating habits can reveal information about their mood, so it’s important to pay attention to them.

If your cat won’t eat, you’ll need to find out why. Here are some common reasons why cats aren’t eating, along with some advice on how to cheer up your feline family member.

Why isn’t my cat eating?

There are many different reasons why your cat may have a loss of appetite, and if your cat isn’t eating a physical exam may reveal the cause, but blood tests and/or imaging tests such as x-rays or ultrasound may be necessary.

If your cat has a decreased appetite or doesn’t eat for more than a day or two, take him to the vet to find out the cause.

This is considered a medical emergency, and not getting enough nutrition can have a number of serious consequences for your cat.

Here are some possible reasons why your cat might not be eating:

1. Your cat may be sick

Upper respiratory tract infections can cause loss of appetite in cats.

If your cat’s nose is blocked, it may have difficulty smelling food and may stop eating. Wet foodEspecially those with a strong scent.

If your cat won’t eat their usual wet food, try changing the flavour or texture to see if that helps. Sometimes warmed up canned food is a better option for an unwell cat.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian:

Some infections are viral and may not require medication, but bacterial infections may require antibiotics to clear up and help your cat feel better.

Other nasal conditions, such as nasal polyps and tumours, can also affect your cat’s sense of smell and appetite. Nasal tumours can be painful and make your cat reluctant to eat.

2. Your cat may have dental problems

Similarly, many oral diseases can cause cats to stop eating altogether.

Cats can develop painful plaque, gingivitis, and inflammation of other tissues in the mouth, and can also develop cancerous tumors in the mouth.

Here are some clues to look out for:

3. Your cat may have gastrointestinal issues

There are a number of gastrointestinal issues that can cause your cat to lose their appetite, including:

Nausea can also be caused by diabetes or kidney disease (both of which can cause vomiting and changes in thirst and urination) and medications (such as antibiotics and chemotherapy).

A cat that is nauseated may not eat even though they seem interested in food, they may also drool, drop food while eating, and lick their lips frequently.

4. Your cat may have congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure can cause coughing, fatigue and difficulty breathing, both of which can decrease a cat’s interest in eating.

Additionally, medications prescribed for heart disease or new foods can affect your cat’s appetite, especially if the new foods have a different taste or texture to what your cat is used to.

5. Your cat may be recovering from an illness or hospitalization.

Some cats may develop a food aversion after being sick or hospitalized – they may associate certain foods with the stress of being sick or hospitalized and refuse to eat them.

If food aversions occur, it may take some ingenuity and trial and error to figure out what your cat will eat.

Ask your vet about recovery. Emergency Care Dietwhich are foods packed with calories. Feed these meals in small amounts so your cat gets the nutrients it needs to recover.

6. Your cat may be feeling stressed, anxious or depressed

Cats have feelings too, and there can be a number of emotional or behavioral causes for loss of appetite – for example, the loss of a family member can cause some cats to stop eating due to anxiety or depression.

Stress and anxiety can also be caused by changes in the home environment – these changes may seem small, but they can be very stressful for your cat and prevent them from eating normally.

These changes include:

• Construction inside and outside the house

• Adding a new family member

• Resource reallocation (food, water, toilets)

• Social conflicts with other animals in the household

• New smells and odors

Why is my kitten not eating?

Kittens are usually Kittens are weaned onto solid food between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Here are some reasons why your kitten may not be eating:

1. Your kitten may still be learning what he likes to eat

As you start to transition to solid foods, your kitten needs to be exposed to different types and textures of food and learn to like them. If your weaned kitten isn’t eating, the solution may be as simple as changing their dry food or softening their food by adding liquid.

Offer wet and dry food in a variety of textures and shapes (pâté, stew, soup, triangular dry food, round dry food, etc.) You can also make the food more appetizing to help the transition go smoothly, as a cat’s appetite is heavily influenced by its sense of smell.

Always feed your kitten wet food at room temperature or slightly warmer – warming the wet food will enhance its flavour and make it more appealing to your kitten.

2. Your kitten may have an upper respiratory tract infection

Upper respiratory tract infections are not uncommon in kittens and can cause nasal congestion, fever, and loss of appetite due to fatigue. As with adult cats, contact your vet if your kitten is sneezing or has runny eyes or nose.

3. Your kitten may have eaten something it shouldn’t have.

A kitten’s natural curiosity can sometimes get them into trouble. Kittens have been known to eat string, glitter, hair ties, and other objects that can become lodged in their stomach or small intestine – a serious medical emergency.

Don’t allow your kitten to play with any objects that could be edible – surgery may be required to remove the object, so contact your vet immediately if you suspect your kitten has eaten an object or if their loss of appetite is accompanied by vomiting.

4. Your kitten may be intimidated by other pets

While many kittens are outgoing and energetic, some shy kittens may be intimidated by other furry family members while eating, so make sure your kitten has a safe place to eat where they won’t be chased or disturbed by other cats or dogs in the household.

If your kitten won’t eat for more than a day, contact your vet to schedule an appointment – the sooner you can identify the cause, the sooner your kitten will return to normal.

How to feed a cat

Cats are good at hiding When your cat is in pain or unwell it’s important to pay attention to any changes in their habits, especially when it comes to eating.

There are many treatments available for loss of appetite in cats, but treatment will vary depending on the cause.

If your cat has any health problems, he may need:

• Antibiotics

• Surgery (if ill)

• Changes in diet

• Hospitalization and fluid therapy

• Medicines to treat nausea or stimulate the appetite

If your vet has determined that your cat is healthy but just picky, follow these tips:

• Offer your cat food in a variety of textures, flavors and shapes

• Warm up any moist foods that have been refrigerated.

• Only buy the amount of dry food your cat will eat in a month, as some of the food will go stale or spoil if it is opened more than a month.

• Adding a little water or low-sodium chicken broth to dry foods can make them smell better (and therefore taste better)

When to go to the vet

If your cat hasn’t eaten for two days, or your kitten hasn’t eaten for 1-2 days, contact your vet.

All cats, especially Quick action is important because overweight cats can develop a serious condition called hepatic steatosis if they stop eating.

Hepatic lipidosis occurs when the diet does not contain enough fat and calories, causing the body to use fat in the liver for energy. Hepatic lipidosis can be very serious and often life threatening.

If your cat has any of the following symptoms, take him to the vet immediately:

It’s best to stay aware of what is normal for your cat and keep an eye out for signs that your cat isn’t eating so you know when to seek help.