Vet reveals 11 potential causes for your cat's lack of appetite
If your cat isn't chowing down on its meals, it might be due to various environmental, medical, or behavioral issues. Here's what you should check and how to help:
Why is my cat not eating?
Look for these possible reasons:
1. Food changes
Cats are famously picky eaters and may reject their meals when you switch their food. Offer some of their old food to see if they'll start eating again.
2. Recent hospital or cattery stay
Cats can develop aversions to food associated with unpleasant experiences. If your cat has recently been in a hospital or cattery, it might be holding a grudge against its food.
3. Changes in the house
Cats are sensitive to changes, and modifications to their environment can cause stress. Building work, visitors, a new baby, or a new pet may lead to a loss of appetite.
4. Vomiting or diarrhea
Upset stomachs are common causes of cats skipping their meals. If your cat has any digestive issues, contact your vet for advice.
5. Dental problems
Cats often keep eating despite dental pain, but they may show signs of discomfort when their molars are affected. If you can examine your cat's mouth safely, check for broken teeth, red or swollen gums, and tartar buildup.
6. Lethargy or behavior changes
Changes in your cat's behavior, such as hiding or becoming aggressive, could indicate an underlying health issue or pain.
7. Inadequate water intake
Cats don't drink much, but an increase in drinking could signal an underlying health problem like diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism.
What to do if your cat stops eating:
1. Offer warm or smelly food
Try warming wet food or offering strong-smelling treats to stimulate appetite.
2. Seek professional help
If you can't find a cause for your cat's lack of appetite or notice symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, difficulty breathing, or changes in urination, consult your vet.
Tips for stimulating a cat's appetite:
1. Warm the food
Warm up wet or tinned food to enhance aroma. Make sure to evenly distribute the heat to avoid burning your cat.
2. Offer variety
Try different flavors and textures to prevent food boredom.
3. Manage stress
Use stress-reducing products like Feliway and create a stable environment for your cat.
4. Check for dental issues
Regular dental care is essential to maintain your cat's oral health. Consult your vet for advice on care and treatment if dental issues are suspected.
5. Improve feeding environment
Select an appropriate food bowl and ensure it's in a clean and comfortable location to stimulate your cat's appetite.
6. Provide mental stimulation
Engage your cat with toys and interactive games to reduce boredom and keep it entertained.
[1] Pascoe-Whitmore, L., & Parr, I. (2020). Cat nutrition. Wiley-Blackwell.
[2] Farver, D. (2016). The pet nutrition handbook. DogWise Publishing.
[3] Tobias, J. B., & Bullard, T. W. (2018). Feline nutritional support. Clinician's Brief, 32(11), 17-21.
[4] Barsanti, M., Cerutti, F., & Marino, M. (2015). The use of pheromones for the treatment of feline behavioral disorders in cats kept in multicat households: a systematic review. BMC veterinary research, 11(1), 226.
[5] Feldman, E. C., & Nelson, R. W. (2015). Canine and feline nutrition: a scientifically sound approach. Saunders Elsevier.
- Despite being a picky eater, a sudden change in a cat's food can lead to its refusal to eat; offering some of its old food might help.
- Cats who have recently stayed in a hospital or cattery might develop a dislike for their food due to past unpleasant experiences.
- Modifications to a cat's environment, such as construction, visitors, a new baby, or a new pet, can cause stress and result in a loss of appetite.
- Digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea are common reasons cats might skip their meals; contact a veterinarian for advice if these symptoms are present.
- Dental problems, particularly affecting molars, may cause discomfort in cats, which might affect their willingness to eat; examine your cat's mouth for signs of dental problems.
- If your cat is lethargic or displays changes in behavior, such as hiding or aggression, it could indicate an underlying health issue or pain.
- Health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism might cause an increase in water intake in cats, which should be addressed with a veterinarian.
- To help a cat regain its appetite, consider offering warm or smelly food or consulting a vet if no apparent cause is found.
- Offering variety in food flavors and textures might prevent food boredom in cats and stimulate their appetite.
- To reduce stress in cats, use products like Feliway and create a stable environment for them.
- Regular dental care is important for maintaining a cat's oral health, and consulting a vet for advice on care and treatment is crucial if dental issues are suspected.
- A clean and comfortable location, as well as an appropriate food bowl, can help improve feeding environments for cats and stimulate their appetite.
- Engaging cats with toys and interactive games can provide mental stimulation, reduce boredom, and keep them entertained, which may, in turn, affect their appetite.
- Proper pet nutrition and care, including mental and physical health, are essential aspects of cat health and wellness, covered in books on pet nutrition and feline health.
- The use of pheromones and stress-reducing products, as well as maintaining a stable environment, are key components of mental health care for cats living in multicat households.
