{"id":1676,"date":"2017-05-29T06:00:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-29T06:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=1676"},"modified":"2017-07-10T15:05:26","modified_gmt":"2017-07-10T15:05:26","slug":"loss-of-appetite-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/loss-of-appetite-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Loss of Appetite in Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Appetite Loss in Cats<\/span><\/strong>
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People joke about\u00a0cats\u00a0and their finicky eating habits, but it\u2019s actually a serious issue if your cat won\u2019t eat.<\/p>\n

Although a refusal to eat is concerning for all pets, it can be more dangerous for\u00a0cats.<\/p>\n

If your cat is not eating, it is a sign that something is wrong. Causes of appetite loss include\u00a0illness,\u00a0recent vaccination, change in environment (stress), or just plain\u00a0fussiness. Regardless of the reason that your cat is not eating, the physical consequences of inappetence can be serious.<\/p>\n

Cats who don\u2019t 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\u00a0liver failure, it can be reversed if caught early enough.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn about the causes and treatments of appetite loss in cats.<\/p>\n

WHY A CAT WOULD STOP EATING<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Change in Environment\u00a0\u2013 The first thing to consider with a cat who isn\u2019t eating is whether there\u2019s 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\u00a0stress-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\u2019s food bowl or litterbox can create stress.<\/p>\n

Illness\u00a0\u2013 If a change in your cat\u2019s environment doesn\u2019t 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.\u00a0 This may occur suddenly or perhaps be gradual or intermittent. \u00a0Infections,\u00a0pancreatitis,\u00a0kidney failure,\u00a0cancer, and intestinal problems can all cause a cat to stop eating. Less serious medical issues like a\u00a0toothache\u00a0can also be the problem. If you notice that your cat is suddenly refusing to eat, you should visit your\u00a0veterinarian\u00a0to rule out any medical conditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Vaccination\u00a0– 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.<\/p>\n

Fussiness\u00a0– 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\u2019ve been eating. If you\u2019ve recently\u00a0changed your cat\u2019s food\u00a0— or if you\u2019ve never changed it — this may be the reason that your cat is refusing to eat.<\/p>\n

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TREATMENT FOR CATS WHO AREN\u2019T EATING<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Treatment for your cat\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Changes in feeding schedule and food type can sometimes get a sick cat eating again, and many times a\u00a0tasty canned food\u00a0will 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.<\/p>\n

If a medical condition is not the cause of your cat\u2019s inappetence, here are three things you can try to restore your cat\u2019s desire to eat.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0If you\u2019ve found that your cat is particularly enticed by certain food items — such as\u00a0canned fish or liver\u00a0— try mixing these in with your cat\u2019s regular food. Only offer these special food items in small amounts, as too much could result in health problems caused by\u00a0excessive vitamins.\u00a0Fish oil, tuna juice, soup broth, and cooked eggs are other good options for mixing with your cat\u2019s food. Eventually you should be able to transition to feeding only cat food.<\/p>\n

*The Weruva brand of all-natural canned cat foods are made with wholesome beef, chicken, or fish as the base ingredient. \u00a0Supplemental 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).<\/p>\n