Why Is My Cat Not Eating?

 

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Why Do Cats Stop Eating?
• What to Do
• Treatment
• Prevention
• Frequently Asked Questions

A cat that suddenly stops eating is often a sign of a more serious problem. Although cats are known to be picky eaters, refusing to eat is not normal. If your cat won't eat and has skipped several meals or gone a day or two without food, you should take action. Not eating can cause additional problems for your cat. While there may be things you can do at home to help your cat regain their appetite, veterinary intervention may be necessary. Here's why your cat is not eating and what you should do about it.

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Why Do Cats Stop Eating?

While your cat might not like the food you're offering, a lack of appetite is often a symptom of an underlying issue. Cats may stop eating if there's something stuck in their stomach or intestines or if they aren't feeling well because of an underlying disease or infection. Your cat's lack of eating can also be a sign of pain or discomfort. Even stress can affect a cat's appetite. Regardless of the cause, it's a significant concern if your cat stops eating.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory problems can affect your cat's sense of smell or ability to breathe leading to a loss of appetite.1 Upper respiratory diseases may clog your cat's nose and eyes with discharge resulting in a temporary loss or restriction of sight and smell. Lower respiratory tract diseases may affect your cat's lungs causing them to have difficulty breathing. These respiratory issues may be caused by bacterial or viral infections that require basic care, but they might be as complicated as cancer. Regardless of the severity of the respiratory issue, if the disease keeps your cat from being able to breathe easily or smell food, your cat may decide they don't want to eat.

Digestive System Issues

Problems with the stomach, intestines, pancreas, or other parts of the digestive system may cause a cat to stop eating. Your cat may vomit, have gas, diarrhea, or abdominal pain alongside digestive issues. But usually, a decrease in appetite will be one of the first signs of a digestive system problem. Conditions include gastroenteritis, acid reflux, tumors, an imbalance of intestinal bacteria, parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, and other problems.

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Foreign Bodies

Some cats like to eat things that they shouldn't or may swallow hair that develops into hairballs, all of which may become stuck in the stomach or intestines.2 A foreign body stuck in your cat's gastrointestinal tract is referred to as a gastrointestinal obstruction, or GI obstruction. A GI obstruction won't let food pass through the digestive tract and therefore your cat may vomit and most likely stop eating. Some foreign bodies can pass through your cat's system and may cause temporary GI upset or lack of appetite, but others may require surgery to be removed.

Dental Disease

Diseased or painful teeth and gums can cause a cat to stop eating.3 Cats can fracture their teeth, develop resorptive lesions on their teeth, develop inflammation of their gums, form dental abscesses, and experience other dental issues that cause oral pain. Just like people, your cat may not want to eat if their mouth hurts. However, dental issues may be difficult to diagnose in a cat, and your veterinarian may need to sedate or anesthetize your pet in order to evaluate the problem.

Stress

Stress and anxiety can cause a cat to lose their appetite, just like in people. There are several reasons why cats become stressed. A change to the home environment is often the culprit, such as moving house, conflicts with other pets, or even having a baby. In addition, certain noises may scare your cat, such as construction, fireworks, and thunderstorms.

Food Flavor

Cats can be particular about their food. A cat may eat one flavor of the same brand but completely reject a new flavor due to preference. A sudden rejection of food may occur if food manufacturers change flavors and ingredients without any obvious signs on the packaging—your cat may take notice and rebel. On the other hand, some cats prefer a variety and will get bored with the same food flavor over time.

Food Shape or Texture

Your cat can also be sensitive to certain shapes and textures when it comes to food. Some cats like triangle shapes, others like round shapes, and others will only eat crunchy dry food or canned wet food. Some are even picky about the consistency of wet food; they may prefer chunks in gravy over pate (or the other way around).

Food Spoilage

If you give your cat expired or spoiled food, they may not want to eat it. Check the expiration date on the food and ensure it has been stored properly. At the very least, give it a sniff to see if it smells rancid.

Tip

Did you know that dry cat food can become stale or rancid? Vitamins and fats can erode if the food isn't properly stored. Keep food in its original bag for a good reason. The bag may have a special barrier to keep food fresher for longer. To ensure the food's best freshness, put the original bag in a sealed container and place it in a cool, dry environment. For best results, use opened bags of dry food within two to three months.4

What to Do If Your Cat Won't Eat

If your cat has stopped eating their normal food, check to see if there's a recall on that particular brand and formula. This is another reason to keep your cat's dry food in the original bag so you can check the bar code. Sometimes a cat can sense that something is wrong with their food and won't eat it. If you offer new food and your cat still won't eat, then it's time to contact your veterinarian.

When cats stop eating, they can quickly develop hepatic lipidosis by going without food for a few days. This disease is often referred to as fatty liver disease or fatty liver syndrome and it can be fatal if left untreated. And it occurs more often in obese cats.5 This is the main reason why it's so important to make sure your cat keeps eating, especially if they're overweight.

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Treatment for Loss of Appetite in Cats

Since cats may stop eating for a number of reasons, the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will do a physical examination and may recommend lab tests and imaging, such as X-rays or an ultrasound. Your cat's treatment plan will be based on these results.

Depending on the reason why your cat has stopped eating, you may be able to coax your kitty to start eating again. However, it’s not normal for a cat to stop eating if their food has not changed, so a trip to your veterinarian is essential to rule out medical reasons. 

• If an upper respiratory disease has caused your cat to be congested and unable to smell food, your vet may recommend at-home treatment to help clear your cat’s nasal passages. This may involve nebulizing your cat in a steamy bathroom or placing saline drops in the nostrils. This breaks up the nasal discharge and helps your cat breathe easily so they can once again smell food.
• Tweak your cat's wet food to entice them to eat again. Try heating up cold wet cat food or tuna for a few seconds in the microwave. Or, offer your cat canned kitten food, canned tuna, or canned chicken to whet your pet's appetite.
• Experiment by choosing a different flavor, texture, or shape of food to feed your cat.
• Make cat food from scratch. Your cat may prefer the fresher ingredients in a home-prepared recipe. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before offering a home-cooked diet to ensure that it is properly prepared and not lacking essential nutrients. 
• Check to see if the flavor of the food your cat has always eaten has recently changed its formula or ingredients. The information may be listed on the packaging as "new and improved flavor." Or, contact the food company and ask. You may need to find a new favorite food for your cat.

Vitamin B12

Ask your veterinarian about vitamin B12. This vitamin is often depleted in cats with digestive issues. There are over-the-counter, cat-specific oral forms as well as injections that your vet may administer. It's a harmless, water-soluble vitamin that can potentially increase your cat's appetite.

How to Prevent Loss of Appetite in Cats

You may not be able to prevent the underlying conditions that cause cats to stop eating, but you can take steps to keep them interested in their food. Store cat food indoors in a cool, dry area. Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity, which can impact food quality, safety, and nutritional value. Whenever possible, keep dry food in its original bag inside a sealed container.4

Cats may lose interest in their food if they sense it's getting stale or rancid. To keep dry food fresh, try to buy bags that last no more than two to three months. After that time, the food may lose its freshness and even begin to go bad. Wet food is best when consumed within a few hours. It should be discarded once your cat loses interest, but don't leave it out for more than 24 hours.

Routine wellness visits are essential for all cats. These checkups may enable your vet to detect a health concern before it affects your cat's appetite.