If you’ve noticed that your cat isn’t eating as much as usual, or more worryingly, turning down food completely it can indicate an underlying health condition, many illnesses affect appetite.
Or perhaps you know the reason behind your cats reduced appetite, for example, maybe they’re recovering from surgery, have a known medical condition or you’ve moved house and they haven’t quite got used to their new territory, nonetheless it’s still important to keep an eye on things. Continue reading to learn some of the common causes for a loss of appetite, when it’s time to call your vet as well as discovering some helpful tips to encourage your cat to start eating at home.
When to see your vet
Before we look at reasons why your cat may not be eating normally, and how you can encourage them to eat, it’s important to know when to book an appointment with your vet.
If you are worried, it’s always best to seek the advice of your veterinary team. Not only to put your own mind at rest but to make sure there’s nothing serious that needs prompt treatment. You should contact your vet if your cat: has not eaten for more than 24 hours, they seem in pain or has difficulty eating or swallowing, they aren’t drinking, they are vomiting, have diarrhoea, are lethargic or have other concerning symptoms.
Loss of appetite is more serious in kittens, cats with underlying medical conditions or elderly cats. If your cat is obese or overweight don’t think that they have “reserves” and can manage without food for a while – actually, this can put them of higher risk of liver complications.
What causes cats to stop eating?
There are many possible reasons why a cat may develop a reduced appetite (hyporexia) or stop eating altogether (anorexia), and some of them could be signs of an underlying health problem. If your cat’s appetite has changed, your vet is the best person to seek advice from because not eating can be a symptom of so many different diseases. During a consultation, your vet can chat with you about any other symptoms you’ve noticed, give your cat a thorough check-up, and if needed, run some diagnostic tests.
Dental disease
A commonly seen health problems in cats (and dogs) – one study showed that 15.2% of cats in the UK are diagnosed with periodontal disease every year. Often, dental disease is quite advanced before a cat will stop eating completely but pain can cause difficulty eating, a reduced appetite/ fussy eating or a preference for softer foods. If you notice your cat drooling, dropping food, eating on one side of their mouth or suffering from bad breath (halitosis) it’s a good idea to book a dental check.
Medical conditions
Kidney and liver disease are just two diseases that can cause your cat to feel generally unwell, sometimes nausea will also lead to a reduced appetite. If your cat has already been diagnosed, their treatment pathway may include medication and prescription diets. Some cats will turn their nose up at prescription diets but below are some tips to make this food more appealing.
Infections
Just like people, cats can go off their food when they’re unwell. Respiratory infections such as cat flu can cause a runny nose and eyes, a sore throat and mouth ulcers, these symptoms along with a loss of small and taste further diminishes their appetite.
Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhoea can cause a reduced appetite
However, while it may seem simple, your cat may be at risk from dehydration so it’s a good idea to ask your vet for advice. If you know they have eaten something potentially toxic/poisonous or something that could cause an intestinal blockage such as the string off a meat joint then seek veterinary advice straight away.
Mobility problems
If your cat has arthritis, mobility problems or they are recovering from surgery make sure they can easily, comfortably reach their food. Crouching down to eat might be uncomfortable or they might struggle to jump up if usually fed on a windowsill or worksurface. If they need to wear an Elizabethan collar post-operatively they may need some human help to manage this especially whilst they get used to it.
Stress or anxiety
Cats can be sensitive creatures and don’t deal with stress well. Common causes of stress for cats include welcoming new pets to the home or problems associated with a multi cat household, conflict with a neighbouring or feral cat, moving home, and changes of routine and loud noises such as fireworks.
Other factors
Cats can be fussy eaters and may dislike a change in diet or certain flavours, they may also get bored with the same food for too long. If your cat adventures outside consider if they are being fed a neighbour, or several neighbours! It’s also not unusual for different family members to feed the cat without realising they’ve already eaten. Some detective work might reveal they aren’t polishing off their meals with gusto because they are already full.
Top tips to encourage your cat to eat.
If a medical condition has been ruled out by your vet, there are several strategies you can try at home to tempt your cat to eat, even small adjustments can make all the difference.
The environment and food location:
Cats can be sensitive to their surroundings; placing their bowls in a quiet area away from doorways, high traffic areas, loud noises or appliances and away from other pets so that they feel safe and relaxed can help. Also make sure that food bowls and litter trays are kept well apart: cats don’t generally like to eat and drink in the same place.
Food bowls
Even if your cat has eaten out of the same bowl for a long time without problems, if they’ve gone off their food consider if the bowl style and location are optimal. A cat’s whiskers are incredibly sensitive and using small or deep bowls whereby their whiskers are constantly brushing the sides can cause overstimulation or “whisker fatigue“: many cats will prefer shallow, wide bowls for this reason.
Make sure bowls are cleaned at least daily and rinsed thoroughly to remove lingering detergents and smells. Ceramic bowls and saucers are easier to clean and less likely to harbour detergent smells compared to plastic and using a non-slip feeding mat can help prevent bowls sliding around.
Warming food
Gently warming wet food can make it more palatable and enhance the smell and flavour, make sure it’s lukewarm not hot and don’t reheat it. Stir it through to break up any clumps and make sure the temperature is even throughout. However, if your cat is nauseous sometimes stronger smells can deter them from eating so if they seem worse when trying warmed food keep to room-temperature (especially if taking food from the fridge).
Variety
Cats can be finicky eaters so you could try different flavours / protein sources e.g. fish, chicken, rabbit as well as different texture such as chunks in gravy / jelly or pate style foods. Dry food can be moistened to enhance palatability or mixed with wet food. Human food such as tuna (in water, not brine), tinned pilchards or sardines and cooked chicken or fish can also be tried to stimulate appetite in the short term. However, if your cat is being fed a prescription diet or has allergies, always check with your vet before trying different foods.
Although variety or a change of diet might help, beware of offering lots of different foods, a buffet selection could overwhelm your cat making them even more selective. If your cat is eating but only small amounts, speak to your vet about the suitability of an energy dense prescription diets, these have more calories and nutrients in smaller portions.
A note on changing foods
if your cat has recently been prescribed a prescription diet they may turn their nose up at first, a gradual introduction can improve acceptance. Try mixing in a small amount of the new food with the food they usually enjoy and slowly increase the percentage of the new diet over 7-10 days. Work with your vet if you’re having trouble; depending on your cats’ individual treatment plan your vet may recommend an alternative brand or there may be another solution (such as phosphate binders for cats with renal disease). Of course, it’s important that your cat eats something, but for some health problems such as diabetes, urinary tract disease or renal disease the diet can play a key role in the treatment plan.
Hand feeding
Some cats like to be hidden away when eating whereas other love a bit of fuss and will eat with some gentle encouragement. Hand feeding or stroking your cat whilst they’re eating can be helpful depending on their personality and temperament
Feeding time
Some cats will prefer to graze rather than eating big meals especially if they aren’t eating well. However, don’t leave food down all day – it’s better to offer small, frequent meals throughout the day. This way food will be fresh and more appealing and you can monitor how much they are eating (or not eating) more accurately.
Comfort and TLC
A little TLC goes a long way to helping your cat feel better. Respiratory infections can cause runny, sticky eyes and blocked noses. Gently wiping their faces clean with warm, damp cotton wool will help them feel more comfortable, help them breathe and smell their food more easily. If they aren’t grooming themselves and they are amenable to your assistance, gently brushing their coats and wiping their faces to keep them clean and comfortable can also help them feel better.
A few don’ts when tempting your cat back to the food bowl.
Of course you want to do everything you can to help your cat regain their appetite there are a few things to avoid…
Don’t force feed
Don’t try putting food into their mouths and don’t syringe food or water into their mouth. This is likely to be aversive and stressful but there is also the risk of choking or aspiration pneumonia. You run the risk of being bitten.
Avoid milk
Many people think cats love a bowl of milk, however, most adult cats are actually lactose intolerant. Plant based milks are also not suitable for cats so it’s best to make sure the water in their bowl is fresh or seek advice from your vet on the use of oral rehydration solutions. If your cat isn’t drinking it’s best to contact your vet.
Don’t feed human food for too long
Foods such as tuna flakes or some bits of cooked chicken can be really useful as a topper or mixed through cat food to encourage eating. If you’ve managed to encourage your cat to eat again with human food, don’t rely on this alone as a long-term solution as it may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Human food can be high in salt and some foods we eat are toxic to our pets.
A final note on encouraging your cat to eat at home…
If your cat continues to refuse food for more than 24–48 hours, if they’re eating less than usual or they have an underlying medical condition or you’re worried contact your vet. Prolonged inappetence can cause further health problems and delay recovery
Every cat is different, and what works for one may not work for another. You know your cat best so keep an eye on them, make any adjustments you feel make work for your cat and contact your veterinary team for individual, tailored advice.
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