A good appetite is a sign of good health, so it’s worrying when your cat eats less or stops eating. Sometimes the cause is simple, like a change of food or a hot day, but loss of appetite can also be a sign of illness. And unlike many animals, cats can become seriously ill if they go without food for too long.
Don’t wait it out. If an adult cat hasn’t eaten anything for 24 hours, call your vet. For kittens, senior cats and cats with health problems, call sooner. Cats that stop eating for a few days can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is life-threatening.
Common Reasons Cats Stop Eating
- Stress: a move, a new pet, visitors, a stay in a cattery or changes in routine. Read more: stress in cats.
- A change of food, or a food your cat doesn’t like. Some cats refuse a new food entirely, especially if it’s introduced suddenly.
- Problems with the food or bowl: stale or spoiled food, a dirty bowl, a bowl that’s too deep and touches the whiskers, or a feeding spot too close to the litter box or a noisy appliance.
- Hot weather: many cats eat a little less in the heat.
- Heat or mating behavior in cats that aren’t spayed or neutered.
- Mouth and dental problems, such as gum disease, broken teeth or mouth ulcers. Read more about gingivitis.
- Nausea and digestive problems, including hairballs, constipation, parasites and inflammatory bowel disease. Read more about vomiting and constipation.
- Infections, such as cat flu, which blocks the nose so your cat can’t smell its food. Read more about cat flu.
- Poisoning or a swallowed object, such as string. Read more about poisoning in cats.
- Illnesses, such as kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and cancer, which become more common as cats get older.
- Pain from any cause, including arthritis or injury.
- After anesthesia, surgery, vaccination or medication: many cats eat less for a day or so.
- Pregnancy and after giving birth: appetite may dip for a short time. Read more about pregnancy in cats.
When to See the Vet
Call your vet promptly if your cat:
- hasn’t eaten for 24 hours (sooner for kittens, seniors and cats with health problems);
- is eating noticeably less than usual for more than a day or two;
- is losing weight;
- is also vomiting, has diarrhea, is lethargic, hiding or seems in pain;
- is drooling, pawing at its mouth or has bad breath;
- seems interested in food but doesn’t eat it, or drops food (which often points to mouth pain);
- is drinking or peeing more or less than usual;
- has yellow gums or eyes.
What You Can Do
If your cat is otherwise bright and you’ve spoken to your vet, you can try to encourage it to eat:
- offer its usual food, fresh, at room temperature or slightly warmed to bring out the smell;
- try a different texture or flavor of wet food;
- use a wide, shallow, clean bowl, in a quiet place away from the litter box and other pets;
- stay calm and spend time with your cat; some cats eat better with company;
- if you’ve recently changed food, go back to the old food and switch more gradually.
Don’t try to force-feed your cat or give appetite stimulants, human medicines or supplements without your vet’s advice. Force-feeding can cause food aversion or inhaling food into the lungs. If your cat needs help to eat, your vet can prescribe safe appetite stimulants or arrange nutritional support.
Picky Eaters
Some healthy cats are simply fussy. To avoid creating a picky eater, feed a complete food your cat likes at regular mealtimes, avoid constantly switching flavors, and don’t fill up your cat with treats and table scraps. Read more: what to feed a cat and how to switch your cat to a new food.
