08/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2024 15:42
Key takeaways:
Cats refuse food for many reasons, such as changes in environment, a dislike of their food, and dental pain.
When a cat stops eating, it's important to rule out underlying issues such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer.
Take your cat to the veterinarian if they don't eat for more than 24 hours. Cats can develop serious health problems if they don't eat for 2 to 3 days.
Your cat may be eating normally one day, and then, seemingly overnight, they may lose interest in meal time. If your cat starts refusing their food, it can be stressful and scary, especially when you don't know what caused the sudden change.
While a change in environment or food preference may be the reason your cat won't eat, a loss of appetite can also be a sign that they're not feeling well and need medical attention. So the quicker you're able to pinpoint the cause, the quicker your cat can start feeling better.
There are numerous reasons cats may start refusing food, but here are 10 common culprits.
Toxic plants: Cats who ingest something toxic may lose their appetite. Did you know all of these plants and flowers are poisonous to cats?
Cats and diabetes: Like people, cats can get diabetes. Here's everything you need to know if your cat is diagnosed with the condition.
Litter-box woes: If your cat has stopped using their litter box, here are some common causes to consider and what you can do about it.
Research suggests that stress caused by changes in environment can lead a cat to show signs of sickness, including a decreased appetite. A few examples of changes that can prompt this response are:
An inconsistent feeding schedule: This might mean a change in who normally feeds the cat or what time they're getting fed.
A change in caretaker: Having a pet sitter for even a few days can make a cat not want to eat.
Moving to a new home:Relocating can be stressful for a cat and cause them to lose their appetite.
Getting a new pet: There are professional guidelines for slowly introducing new pets to a household, because it can put strain on a cat.
Changing the furniture: Even something as small as moving around furniture may be enough to throw off a cat's routine.
Cats are sometimes picky eaters. If your cat is not eating but is otherwise acting normally, it may be the food. They might not like the flavor, texture, or odor, for example. Some cats also prefer their food to be room temperature or warmer, so they may reject it if it's too cold.
If you've switched foods recently and notice your cat has stopped eating, it could be that they don't like the new food. It may be helpful to consult your vet or follow guidelines on how to gradually transition your cat to new food.
Some cats tend to eat less in warmer months than in colder months. So if you're heading into summer, the weather might be to blame.
Dental diseases affect 50% to 90% of cats over 4 years old. And these dental issues can cause pain or discomfort while eating. If the pain gets too bad, your cat may eventually not eat at all.
Other symptoms of dental disease in cats can include:
Changes in behavior, such as withdrawal or aggression
Swallowing food whole or dropping food
Swelling in the face
Weight loss
Sneezing and/or runny nose
Often, loss of appetite is the first sign of a digestive problem. This is true for a range of digestive issues, from irritable bowel disease (IBD) to pancreatitis and parasites. Along with loss of appetite, other symptoms of a digestive issue in cats can include:
Drooling
Diarrhea
Constipation
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Besides a range of digestive issues, many other health conditions can lead to a lack of appetite in your cat.
Examples of medical conditions that can lead to loss of appetite are:
If your cat eats something they shouldn't, it can get stuck in their gastrointestinal tract. As a result, your cat may stop eating. Common culprits include:
Thread
Rubber bands or hair bands
Ribbon or tinsel
Small toys
Sometimes, an object won't be able to make its way through a cat's digestive tract. If this is the case, the cat will most likely need surgery to remove the object. Other times, an object will pass on its own, but it may cause stomach upset and loss of appetite.
Some medications can reduce a cat's appetite. This is a common side effect of medications such as:
Antibiotics like amoxicillin and doxycycline
Blood pressure medications
Antidepressants like amitriptyline
Diuretics like furosemide
Opioid pain medications like buprenorphine
Cats who need to spend time away from home in the hospital or who are put in boarding facilities may not eat. Being away from the safety of home during an overnight stay is a serious disruption to a cat's routine.
Cats who eat something toxic may lose their appetite, along with having other symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Examples of common household items that are poisonous to cats include:
Ant and wasp killers
Citrus oil (D-limonene)
Cleaning products
Mothballs
Paint
Peppermint oil
Pine oil
Rat and mouse killers
Tea tree oil
Wintergreen
If your cat hasn't eaten in 24 hours, seek veterinary attention to rule out potential health issues. For a kitten, seek help if they haven't eaten in 12 hours. It's important to remember that cats can encounter serious problems if they don't eat for 2 to 3 days.
If your cat isn't eating regularly and has vomited more than once in a week, that's another reason to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. This could indicate a serious medical problem that needs attention, especially if your cat also has any of the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Blood in their vomit
Low energy
Weakness
Drinking more than usual
Peeing more or less than usual
If you've gone to the vet and ruled out underlying health issues, here are a few tips to encourage your cat to eat:
Entice them with foods that they normally like or sprinkle treats on top of their food (with the approval of your veterinarian).
Monitor your cat closely to figure out if there's something you're feeding them that they don't like. Cats can develop food aversions.
Keep yourself and your pet calm during feeding time.
Slightly warm their food to make it more fragrant or offer them foods that have a strong smell, such as fish or chicken.
Feed your cat in a quiet environment.
Make sure your cat's food bowl is far enough away from their litter box.
If you're transitioning your cat to new food, here are some tips:
Take it slowly, gradually increasing the proportion of new food based on how your cat accepts it.
Be patient during the process. Your cat needs adequate daily calories, so substitute in their old food when needed.
Consider combining the new food with a vet-approved flavor enhancer, such as low-sodium tuna broth, to entice your cat to eat.
If your cat is not eating but is otherwise acting normally, it may be because they don't like their food or are still adjusting to a new food or flavor. Many cats also prefer their food to be room temperature or slightly warmer.
Some cats eat less in the hotter summer months as part of a normal, seasonal change in appetite. Some research suggests cats may eat about 15% less during the summer compared to cooler times of year.
Yes, here are some home remedies you can try to encourage your cat to eat:
Give your cat only one food option at a time.
If you're trying to switch your cat to a new food, go slowly. Start by mixing the new food with their regular food, and gradually increase the proportion of new food every few days.
Try giving your cat foods with strong odors, such as tuna.
If you feed your cat canned food, try mixing in warm water or warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Feed your cat in a quiet area where they feel safe and confident.
Keep your cat's daily feeding times consistent so they get used to a routine.
Use shallow bowls that are easy for your cat to eat from. Some cats also prefer ceramic bowls over plastic.
Try hand-feeding your cat.
Just remember that if your cat hasn't eaten anything for 24 hours, it's best to take them to the veterinarian. Cats can develop serious health issues if they don't eat for even a couple of days.
There are a number of reasons cats stop eating. Common causes include warmer weather, underlying health conditions, and certain medications. In some cases, cats simply develop an aversion to their food or need time to adjust to a new food.
While the cause may be as straightforward as disliking their food, it's still important to take a trip to the veterinarian if your cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours or more. A vet can rule out any underlying health concerns and give you tips on how to encourage your cat to start eating again.
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