A pet parent may wonder, “What caused this change in appetite in my cat?” when their cat refuses to eat. In addition to refusing to eat, a cat may exhibit other undesirable symptoms such as weight loss, depression, and vomiting.
Furthermore, a cat’s appetite can be lost unexpectedly due to a variety of factors. To begin with, it is critical to understand that treating an anorectic cat should always center on identifying and treating the underlying cause.
My Cat Refuses to Eat: Problem Chart
| Stressful Changes | Particularly, the stress of routine may, by and large, prompt an aversion to food. |
| Illness and Conditions | To be noted pain, fever, metabolic disorders, and upper respiratory infections, can surely instigate anorexia. |
| Diet Alteration | A point often overlooked, while alterations in a diet may lead to, they can also potentially help in treating, anorexia. |
| Foreign Bodies | The first thing to remember if an oral foreign body becomes stuck inside of a cat is to seek medical assistance. |
| Painful Eating | A consultation with your Veterinarian is ideal for checking out your pet’s mouth, give him/her dental cleaning and a thorough examination. |
| Recently Vaccinated? | Generally speaking, after a vaccination, a cat can show injection side effects, which may include fatigue and loss of appetite. |
| Food Flavor, Food Shape, Texture, Food Spoilage | In essence, cats are susceptible to being particular to food. As a result, try feeding a different flavor, texture, or shape of food. |
How-to Help: Cat or Kitten Won’t Eat
- Note Medical, Dietary, and Environmental History: List any recent factors.
- Check Medication Side Effects: To see if they produce nausea and vomiting.
- Visit the Veterinarian: Ask for a full physical examination of your pet, including oral, thoracic, abdominal, rectal, and retinal.
- Food Change: Ask your Veterinarian whether semi-moist, canned, or dry cat food is best for your feline.
- Add Toppers: All’s fair when tempting an anorectic cat.
- Warm-up Canned Food: In detail, warm the food in the microwave to therein make the smell more titillating.
- Offer Kitten Food: Loaded with protein and more fat, on the positive side, kitten food is flavorful.
- Add Catnip: Consider adding catnip, an appetite stimulant, particularly on top of the food.
- Try Serving Cold Cuts: To point out, poultry is a food that mimics what a cat eats in the wild.
- Change the Bowl’s Location: Specifically place the dish separately from other pets.
- Give your Cat B12: By all means, try augmenting the appetite of your anorexic cat by offering a water-soluble B12 supplement.
- Offer Small Meals Frequently: Above all, provide smaller portions than usual more often.
- Clean Water Dish: Ultimately, cats prefer drinking water from clean surfaces.
Cat Won’t Eat: FAQs
QUESTION: Can dietary changes in a cat cause, as well as treat, appetite loss?
ANSWER: Yes, and another important consideration is changing your pet’s food. Consider the flavor as well as the moisture content, for example. To summarize, carefully check the food’s nutrient composition and relocate the feeding location.
Is it necessary to consult a veterinarian about anorexia in a cat?
ANSWER: A vet can quickly resolve more serious issues and help a pet parent understand why their cat or kitten is refusing to eat.
QUESTION: Is it normal for a sick kitten to fast or not eat?
ANSWER: When a cat does not eat, his or her body turns to protein storage. Essentially, the liver of your cat must convert the stored fat into energy. When protein levels are low, however, a cat’s liver will not process fat. At this stage, a kitten is vulnerable to hepatic lipidosis. In conclusion, if a kitten refuses to eat, it should be taken to a veterinarian.
QUESTION: Is it true that all kittens are picky eaters?
ANSWER: When a kitten refuses to eat, a pet parent should look into the cause of the anorexia.
| Cat won’t eat + Symptoms = Visit the Veterinarian |
| – Prolonged seclusion |
| – Vomiting |
| – Difficulty swallowing |
| – Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing |
| – Drooling |
| – Pale gums |
| – Coughing |
| – Bad breath |
Wondering about Dry Cat Food Calorie Count? Check it out on our latest post!
