There are a variety of reasons why your cat may not be eating. These can include mild causes like nausea or an upper respiratory infection, moderate causes such as dental issues or digestive illnesses, or severe conditions like cancer.
The bottom line is - if your cat is eating less and otherwise acting normal, you should still call your vet. If your cat is eating less and has other symptoms as well, a visit to the ER is in order. In this article, we’ll explore some of the possible causes of cats not eating. Read on to learn more and narrow down what may be going on with your feline friend.
Common reasons your cat isn't eating
Listed below are some milder causes of why your cat may not be eating their food:
Cat may simply dislike the food
Could you have a finicky feline? The most common cause of a cat losing interest in food but acting normally otherwise is simply that she doesn’t like the food. If it is new food or if she has been eating the same food for a long time, she may decide to be picky about what she eats. This is normal—but it can be frustrating!
Respiratory infection can lead to cat's refusal of food
Cats, just like humans, are less likely to want to eat when they can’t smell their food, so a stuffy nose can contribute to loss of appetite. Take your cat to the vet if she shows any symptoms of illness, including a fever, lethargy, runny nose, or watery eyes.
High outdoor temperatures can make a cat not want to eat
Sometimes, if it is very hot outside, cats may lose interest in eating due to these high temperatures. This problem can affect indoor and outdoor cats alike, but it should resolve itself over a short period of time.
Environmental changes and stress
Cats can be sensitive to changes in their environment, and stress may cause some cats to eat less or temporarily lose their appetite. Moving to a new home, bringing a new pet into the household, or even a significant change in their owner’s work or daily schedule can be stressful for a cat.
Providing a quiet, comfortable place to eat and keeping their routine as consistent as possible may help. If your cat’s appetite does not return or they develop other symptoms, contact your primary care vet.
Age-related changes
As cats get older, changes in their senses of smell and taste can make food less appealing, which may cause them to eat less. Older cats may also experience dental problems or other age-related health conditions that affect their appetite.
If you notice your senior cat eating less than usual, don’t assume it’s simply a normal part of aging. Your primary care veterinarian can help determine whether a medical condition is affecting their appetite and recommend ways to encourage them to eat.
When your cat not eating becomes more concerning
These reasons are more cause for concern. Set up a vet appointment if you suspect one of the following causes:
Dental disease can show as cat avoiding eating food
Cats who have mild, moderate, or severe dental disease may act normally until it’s time to eat. Then, they may suddenly lose interest in food, especially if they are only given dry food. Cats with dental disease may prefer to eat wet food. Talk to your vet about dental treatments and cleaning for your cat.
Cat may not want to eat if they have stomach or digestive illness
Stomach and digestive illness such as bacterial infections, viruses, and inflammation disorders can all cause a cat to stop eating. If these illnesses are not very serious, however, your cat may not show other signs and may continue acting normally despite being sick.
Pain can be a reason why your cat is not hungry anymore
Pain can cause cats to stop eating fairly quickly. Although pain itself may be a moderate cause of this symptom, keep in mind that pain is a symptom, too. You should work with a vet to determine what is causing your cat’s pain and what can be done to help.
Stress and anxiety can lead to cat's refusal of food
Stress and anxiety may cause your cat to stop eating. If your cat is anxious or stressed in specific instances, you may be able to just wait for her to go back on her food again. If she is often very afraid, however, she may need medication to regulate the problem.
Medication side effects can make a cat refuse to eat
Cats who are taking medications either short-term or long-term may suffer from nausea and an upset stomach as a side effect. If your cat isn’t eating for more than a couple of days, you should consult a vet.
When your cat not eating is an emergency
These reasons are more serious, and all require a trip to the emergency vet:
Feline cancer can lead to lack of appetite
Cancer is not uncommon in cats as they age, unfortunately. Cats who appear to be very sick and also lose interest in their food may be suffering from one of many different kinds of cancer. However, if your cat is behaving normally other than her decreased interest in food, chances are good she is not dealing with cancer—although you should certainly talk with your vet to rule out this risk, regardless.
Kidney, heart, and liver disease
Cats who have diagnosed kidney, heart, or liver disease and are on medication to manage the symptoms may lose interest in food. You should consult your primary care vet as soon as possible to talk about additional or alternate medications to preserve appetite and quality of life.
My cat is not eating: Understanding related symptoms
A cat who isn’t eating may show other symptoms at the same time, and these combinations can provide important clues about what may be going on. The following are some common questions about a cat not eating along with other symptoms - and when those signs may warrant veterinary care.
My cat is not eating but also vomiting
Vomiting along with a loss of appetite can be a sign of anything from gastrointestinal upset to a more serious problem, such as a foreign object or intestinal obstruction. If your cat is repeatedly vomiting, cannot keep food or water down, or seems weak or uncomfortable, they should be evaluated by a vet as soon as possible.
My cat is not eating and has diarrhea
A cat who isn’t eating and also has diarrhea may have a gastrointestinal illness, infection, dietary issue, or another underlying condition. Diarrhea can also cause dehydration, which can become more serious when a cat isn’t drinking or eating. If your cat isn’t eating and has frequent or watery diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, or other changes in behavior, they should be evaluated by a vet.
My cat is not eating or drinking
Not eating or drinking can quickly become concerning, particularly if it continues for more than a short period of time. Cats who aren’t taking in fluids can become dehydrated, while a lack of food can contribute to weakness and other complications. If your cat has stopped both eating and drinking, especially if they seem unwell, they should be checked out by a veterinarian.
My cat is not eating and has stopped pooping and peeing
A cat who isn’t eating and has stopped pooping or urinating may have a serious problem such as an intestinal obstruction, severe constipation, dehydration, or a urinary blockage. The inability to urinate is an emergency and can be life-threatening, particularly in male cats. If your cat is straining in the litter box, producing little or no urine, or has not urinated, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
My cat is not eating and is very lethargic
Loss of appetite combined with significant lethargy is more concerning than either symptom alone. It can occur with infections, pain, dehydration, organ problems, and other serious conditions. If your cat is unusually weak, difficult to wake, or barely responsive, seek emergency veterinary care right away.
My cat is not eating and is sleeping a lot
Cats naturally sleep quite a bit, but a noticeable change in their normal behavior can be a sign that something is wrong. If your cat is sleeping much more than usual, is difficult to rouse, or isn't interested in normal activities in addition to not eating, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
My cat is not eating and hiding
Cats often hide when they are stressed, but hiding can also be a sign of pain or illness. If your cat is suddenly hiding more than usual and has also stopped eating, pay attention to other changes such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, weakness, or changes in litter box habits. A sudden change in behavior combined with appetite loss warrants a veterinary evaluation.
How long can a cat go without eating?
While a healthy adult cat may technically survive for several days without food, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to wait that long. Cats can develop serious health problems when they stop eating, including hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), especially if they are overweight. The underlying reason your cat isn’t eating is also important - appetite loss can be caused by anything from dental pain or nausea to illness, infection, or an intestinal obstruction.
If your cat has stopped eating, don’t wait several days to see if they start eating again. Contact your veterinarian to figure out why your cat isn’t eating and whether treatment is needed. If your cat is also vomiting, extremely lethargic, having trouble breathing, showing signs of pain, or not urinating, seek emergency veterinary care as soon as possible.
How to get a cat to eat their food
If your cat suddenly stops eating, you can try offering their favorite food or a small amount of a strongly scented, highly palatable food like cooked chicken or turkey with no seasoning, or a small amount of tuna packed in water. Offer small portions in a quiet, comfortable area and make sure fresh water is always available.
These foods may help tempt your cat to eat, but they shouldn’t replace finding out why your cat isn’t eating. Cats may refuse food because of nausea, dental pain, gastrointestinal problems, stress, or an underlying illness. If your cat continues to refuse food, contact your veterinarian. They can help determine what is causing the appetite loss and recommend treatment to safely get your cat eating again.
Contact VEG ER For Pets if you have concerns about your cat not eating
As you can see, most of the potential causes of cats not eating but acting normal otherwise are nothing too serious. Many cats can recover completely from whatever is causing this problem and get back to eating their food soon. Even if your cat does need some help from the vet to recover, most of these problems are easy for cats to bounce back from.
In more severe cases, however, it is always important to work with your regular vet as well as a high-quality emergency vet for your cat’s health needs. Contact VEG if you are concerned about your cat not eating. We have locations all over the country with emergency vets who are available 24/7 to help you and your pet. When you come to VEG, our team will get to the cause of why your cat isn’t eating and you can be assured that your pet will get the proper care they need.
