Appetite Loss in Cats

People joke about cats and their finicky eating habits, but it’s actually a serious issue if your cat won’t eat.

Although a refusal to eat is concerning for all pets, it can be more dangerous for cats.

If your cat is not eating, it is a sign that something is wrong. Causes of appetite loss include illness, recent vaccination, change in environment (stress), or just plain fussiness. Regardless of the reason that your cat is not eating, the physical consequences of inappetence can be serious.

Cats who don’t eat must rely on fat reserves for energy, and this fat must be processed by the liver before it can be used. If your cat does not have adequate protein to aid in this processing, fat can build up in the cells of the liver, resulting in a life-threatening disease known as hepatic lipidosis. Though many times this disease leads to liver failure, it can be reversed if caught early enough.

Read on to learn about the causes and treatments of appetite loss in cats.

WHY A CAT WOULD STOP EATING

Change in Environment – The first thing to consider with a cat who isn’t eating is whether there’s been a change in his environment or routine. Cats enjoy living a routine life, and any changes in that routine can result in appetite loss. A change in your daily schedule that has you home at different times or less often than usual, the sudden loss of a family member, moving to a new home, or a new member of the household, either two or four-legged, can be stress-inducing, and your cat may deal with that stress by refusing to eat. Neighborhood cats that are visible to your cat or that he can hear or smell, and sometimes something as simple as changing the location of your cat’s food bowl or litterbox can create stress.

Illness – If a change in your cat’s environment doesn’t seem to be the problem, it would be prudent to make an appointment with your veterinarian, as one of the first signs of illness in cats is lack of interest in food.  This may occur suddenly or perhaps be gradual or intermittent.  Infections, pancreatitis, kidney failure, cancer, and intestinal problems can all cause a cat to stop eating. Less serious medical issues like a toothache can also be the problem. If you notice that your cat is suddenly refusing to eat, you should visit your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.

Vaccination – Vaccinations help to keep your cat healthy and free of disease, but they can also cause side effects, one of the most common being loss of appetite. This side effect is usually minor and temporary, but you should contact your veterinarian if you notice the problem persisting.

Fussiness – Cats are finicky eaters, and they often take a long time to adjust to a new food. Cats have also been known to become bored with the food they’ve been eating. If you’ve recently changed your cat’s food — or if you’ve never changed it — this may be the reason that your cat is refusing to eat.

TREATMENT FOR CATS WHO AREN’T EATING

Treatment for your cat’s refusal to eat will depend on the cause. If your cat is not eating because of an underlying medical condition, that condition must be treated, but your veterinarian may also design a feeding regimen to get your cat eating while they are unwell.

Changes in feeding schedule and food type can sometimes get a sick cat eating again, and many times a tasty canned food will do the trick. When treating more serious illnesses, your veterinarian may prescribe appetite stimulants, implant a feeding tube, or recommend that you feed your cat a liquid diet with a syringe.

If a medical condition is not the cause of your cat’s inappetence, here are three things you can try to restore your cat’s desire to eat.

1. If you’ve found that your cat is particularly enticed by certain food items — such as canned fish or liver — try mixing these in with your cat’s regular food. Only offer these special food items in small amounts, as too much could result in health problems caused by excessive vitamins. Fish oil, tuna juice, soup broth, and cooked eggs are other good options for mixing with your cat’s food. Eventually you should be able to transition to feeding only cat food.

*The Weruva brand of all-natural canned cat foods are made with wholesome beef, chicken, or fish as the base ingredient.  Supplemental nutrients and fresh vegetables are added to ensure a balanced diet that is rich in high quality protein, low in fat and in carbs. These grain-free and gluten-free foods are low in ash, magnesium, and phosphorus with proper moisture levels to promote healthy urinary tracts in cats. They are highly rated and are GMO-free, MSG-free, and Carrageenan-Free (Carrageenan is derived from red algae or seaweeds and is widely used as a binder in a wide variety of foods and healthcare products).

2. You can also try heating up your cat’s food in the microwave before serving it.  You don’t want it too hot to eat, but a little bit of warmth will help release the scent of the food, which may make your cat more receptive to the idea of eating the food.

3. Rotating your cat’s diet among different foods several times a year can help to reduce fussiness, and it can also help prevent the development of food allergies or intestinal issues. When changing your cat’s food, always make the transition over several weeks by mixing the new food in with the old. If you switch foods too abruptly, your cat may refuse to eat.

Try to make your cat’s mealtime a pleasant experience and make sure that he’s in a calm, quiet, comfortable environment.  If he’s hesitant to eat from his bowl, try offering food from a clean paper plate or by hand-feeding him in tiny amounts.

If your cat still won’t eat, take the food away and provide fresh food later in the day. If the food is left to harden and become stale, your cat may learn to avoid it in the future.

If Your Best Efforts Fail…

If despite your best efforts, you can’t get sufficient calories into your cat, alert your veterinarian, who may prescribe an appetite stimulant, a homeopathic remedy, or other medical solution.

It’s important to understand that unlike dogs or humans, cats can’t go for a long period without food and they get very sick very quickly if they are not eating.

To Summarize

Your cat’s loss of appetite may mean something as simple as his dislike for a new brand of food or it may indicate a more serious medical condition.   If other symptoms are present (difficulty breathing, vomiting, lethargy, drooling, excessive thirst), schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.   A physical exam, x-rays, fecal tests and or blood work can diagnosis the problem and a treatment plan can be determined.

Remember that early intervention can mean a better prognosis for recovery and less discomfort for your beloved pet.