10 Reasons Your Cat May Not Be Eating

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.

What are the most common reasons why a cat won't eat?

There are numerous reasons cats may start refusing food, but here are 10 common culprits.

1. Changes in environment

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.

2. Disliking food

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.

3. Warmer weather

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.

4. Dental pain

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

5. Digestive system issues

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

6. Underlying medical conditions

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:

• Diabetes

• Cancer

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Upper respiratory infection

• Chronic pain

• Congestive heart failure

7. Foreign objects

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.

8. Certain medications

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

9. Boarding or hospital stays

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.

10. Toxic substances

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:

• Antifreeze

• Ant and wasp killers

• Cinnamon oil

• Citrus oil (D-limonene)

• Cleaning products

• Human medications

• Lavender

• Lilies

• Mothballs

• Paint

• Peppermint oil

• Philodendrons

• Pine oil

• Pothos plants

• Rat and mouse killers

• Tea tree oil

• Tulips

• Wintergreen

When should you talk to a vet about your cat not eating?

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

What can you do to encourage your cat to eat?

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.

How can you help your cat adjust to a new diet?

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.

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