Why do cats cry out when eating?

Cats can be characterful and vocal creatures, often alerting their owners when they are hungry, wanting to go outside or even when they want a door opened for them. Cats use vocalisation as a way of communicating to each other as well as the humans around them to convey many different wants and needs. But what does it mean if your cat is crying out while they are eating? 

Pain 

One of the first reasons a cat may cry whilst eating is if they are finding it painful. Cats are famously stoic animals and hide pain and discomfort well, often not showing any signs until the issue has progressed significantly. 

One of the most common causes of oral pain in cats is dental disease. This can come in many forms from inflammation of the gums to something called resorptive lesions. Cats may also get fractured teeth where occasionally, the sensitive inner part of the tooth called the pulp cavity can become exposed and painful. Teeth may also become wobbly and your cat might start to chew preferentially on one side or drop their food. Cats have delicate jaws. It is possible for them to sustain injuries to the jaw or throat which make eating uncomfortable.

Dental disease

Dental disease is unfortunately a condition most vets in general practice will see on a daily basis. It can be caused by poor oral hygiene which is more likely in older animals, infectious disease or even a cats genetic make up (flat-faced cats such as Persians can be more likely to develop dental disease due to tooth overcrowding). If your cat has dental disease, you may notice other symptoms; such as bad breath, pawing at the mouth, hypersalivation and reduced appetite. Plaque, which is a mix of bacteria, saliva and food can build up on the teeth, forming tartar. This can be seen as a hard brown coloured coating. This can then result in inflammation of the gums surrounding the tooth, also known as gingivitis. You may notice your cat has red or bleeding gums if they have gingivitis. 

Tooth resorption is a condition frequently seen in feline patients where the hard outer material of the tooth breaks down, leading to hole-like lesions in the teeth. As you can imagine, this condition can be very painful as again the sensitive part of the tooth containing the nerve can become exposed. Sadly, the complete picture of why these lesions occur isn’t known, but it is thought that poor oral hygiene can play a part. The only treatment for resorptive lesions is for the affected teeth to be extracted under anaesthetic. 

Prevention of dental disease

You can help to prevent your cat getting dental disease by regularly brushing their teeth with a specially designed cat toothbrush and toothpaste. If this isn’t possible, you can try applying a dental gel onto their gums to reduce the build up of plaque and soothe inflammation. Feeding your cat a good quality diet can also help prevent dental disease. Dry food can be more abrasive on the teeth. And the chewing motion can aid in breaking down some of the plaque built up on the teeth. Regular vet checks are vital in picking up dental disease early; which can be done at your cats yearly vaccination appointment.

Stress 

Another reason cats may vocalise during meal times is stress. Your cat may be stressed while chowing down if they feel threatened or if they are guarding their food. Are there other cats or animals in the household that your cat may be giving a warning? It is important to reduce stress as much as possible for pet cats living at home. This might mean introducing Feliway pheromone diffusers or making some simple changes to their environment. 

It may be worth discussing possible stressors with your vet practice as the vet or nurse may be able to direct you to the best course of action for these specific problems. If you have more than one cat, make sure each one has their own secure area where they can hide and get space from others if they need to; as well as having at least one litter tray each if they use one. 

What should I do if my cat has started crying when eating?

If you have noticed a change in your cats eating habits, or if they have started to cry out while eating, you should make an appointment with your vet. They will be able to thoroughly examine your cats mouth. (This may need to be done under anaesthetic or sedation if not possible while they are conscious). And they will look for any potential causes of irritation or pain. They will also be able to advise on other possible causes and whether further investigation or treatment is needed.

Further reading:

• Smaller breeds of dogs are more likely to have problems with their teeth and gums – here’s 5 simple ways to keep your small breed dog’s teeth healthy and clean
• Why does my horse try to eat birds?
• Do dental diets for cats work?
• How do I know if my cat has started puberty?
• How can I tell when it is time to put my rabbit to sleep?

• My cat’s just not eating, so why does my vet want to refer them?