Why is My Cat Not Eating?

There are many factors and situations that can contribute to loss of appetite in cats including illness, stress, anxiety, pain, medication, or dietary changes. Although the occasional half-eaten meal is nothing to worry about, loss of appetite is often an early warning sign that something is not quite right. To make matters worse, cats are vulnerable to additional illnesses if they stop eating for long periods, so all changes in food or water intake should be taken seriously. If your kitten has turned their nose up at dinner a few too many times, prompt veterinary attention is recommended.

 

Cats will often experience nausea and dehydration when feeling poorly, and quickly lose their interest in food. A wide range of illnesses can cause a loss of appetite from irritable bowel disease and food allergy to renal failure and cancer. Even a sniffly nose can cause your cat to lose their penchant for prawns. Has your cat started a new medication recently? Certain medicines can taste awful and create an aversion to food. With such diverse triggers, a vet visit is always recommended to help discover the underlying cause. 

 

Stress and anxiety are commonly experienced by cats. They’re very reactive to changes in their routine and environment, often altering their feeding behaviours in response. Causes of stress and anxiety can also be very subtle, so subtle in fact that pet parents may not even notice what is bothering them. Moving a food bowl or litter tray, introducing new pets, visitors, moving house, or even a new cat in the neighbourhood can upset your furry friend. Luckily there are ways to make your moggy feel more confident and get back to their regular dinner times, and your friendly Jollyes vets can help get to the bottom of your pet's worries.

 

A common cause of loss of appetite in cats is pain. Cats respond to pain very differently from humans. Rather than cry out, they will become quiet, change their behaviour subtly, and lose their appetite. Pain can arise from injury, infection, gastrointestinal cramping, or dental disease, among others. Oral pain will prevent your kitten from wanting to eat and they may show other signs such as dropping food, chewing on one side only, or avoiding their kibble.

 

Cats are creatures of habit and notoriously fussy with food! A rapid change in diet can quickly incite a hunger strike, and this can be exacerbated if your kitty has a food sensitivity or irritable bowel disease. Sometimes food changes are unavoidable, and it’s best to perform these slowly, over 1-2 weeks if possible. Choose the right food for your moggy and check out our handy guides to feeding your cat here.

 

This is a very special condition that arises when your cat has ingratiated the neighbours into feeding them! Not uncommon in outdoor cats, excessive smoochy or purry behaviours can ignite the generosity of people in your street meaning that your kitty may have already been next door for breakfast, and a second breakfast!

 

Technically a cat can survive for days without food but they will rapidly experience negative side effects that can cause serious ongoing illness. Skipping a meal here and there is nothing to be too concerned about, however ongoing inappetence should be investigated promptly. As a rule of thumb, any cat who avoids eating for over 24 hours or refuses two consecutive meals in a row should have a check-up at the vet. 

We know that loss of appetite is serious in cats, but what happens if your cat is always hungry and meowing for food? First up, check that kitty is getting the right nutrition. Are they skinny, or overweight? To ensure you are feeding the correct number of calories, weigh your cat and check the nutritional guide on the packet. Getting nutrition right can be challenging, especially if feeding a home-cooked diet. If in doubt, check our guide to feeding your cat here.

If your cat is losing weight, despite their ravenous appetite and correct diet, they may have developed a metabolic disease such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes. A visit to your vet and a simple blood test will help uncover any other medical conditions that may be causing an overactive appetite!

It’s always stressful when your beloved feline loses their appetite and finding the cause quickly is important. If you have noticed that your cat has lost interest in their dinner, reach out to your friendly Jollyes veterinarian who can help get kitty back into their kibble in no time.