Why Has My Cat Stopped Eating? Recognize The Signs

There can be a lot of reasons to question why my cat has stopped eating? They must rely on their fat storage for nutrition when animals do not consume sufficiently. It needs to be absorbed by the liver before accumulated fat can be used for food. This phase requires sufficient protein supplies.

With fast weight loss in a cat that stopped feeding, the protein storage is quickly depleted, and all the fat overwhelms the liver. This results in an unsafe disorder that can lead to liver disease, known as hepatic lipidosis.

A cat’s lack of appetite can also be due to any illness, but as soon as you find a difference in your cat’s eating patterns, contact your veterinarian as quickly as possible. The sooner you address this problem, the quicker you can do something that can help your cat.

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Why Has My Cat Stopped Eating?

Let’s find out why has my cat stopped eating? First of all, visit a veterinarian if you find that your cat’s appetite has diminished with time or whether your cat has started eating unexpectedly.

A cat who does not feed for a day is not a big deal. Cats can stop eating if they are nervous, have separation anxiety, or have emotional stress. It is not a veterinary problem whether a cat loses a meal or does not eat for a day.

If you put the food down and your cat puts its nose up and goes away, your cat may not have an appetite yet. If your cat returns later in the day or eats the next day, no action is required. You should only consider sending your cat to the vet if the behavior lasts for more than 2-3 days, and here are several explanations why:

Hepatic Lipidosis

A pet that does not eat for a prolonged time is a significant medical problem. Cats must eat on a semi-regularly basis, unlike dogs or humans, who can go days or even weeks without eating. Otherwise, they will experience a severe liver disorder called hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease.

When a cat’s body is starving, the liver metabolizes fat deposits in the body for energy. However, cat liver is poor at metabolizing fat, causing a buildup of fat cells of the liver. Hepatic lipidosis can contribute to liver disease or death and is one of the most frequent liver conditions seen in domestic cats.

If your cat has been reluctant to eat for longer than 2-3 days, make a veterinarian consultation promptly to prevent the production of possibly lethal lipidosis in the liver.

Now that we know how critical it is for your cat to eat daily, let us discuss some of the explanations why cats avoid eating.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Anything that makes your cat sound ill or nauseous will make your cat run from food. There may be something happening in your cat’s urinary tract that doesn’t make it feel good. A partial list of gastrointestinal problems that can result in a cat not eating includes:

Parasites in cats, like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms
Inflammation arising from inflammatory bowel disorder, pancreatitis, or colitis
cancer
Ingested foreign objects like strings, toys, or hair ties

Vomiting, coughing, weight loss, and flatulence are more likely to arise in a non-eating cat with gastrointestinal issues.

Dental Disease

Oral problems that are unpleasant can contribute to a cat not feeding. Inflamed gums, damaged teeth, oral ulcers, and abscesses of the tooth root can cause the cat to stop eating. Cats may also experience a disease called cervical line lesions, close to cavities in humans.

Experts theorize that lesions of the cervical line are attributed to an auto-immune disease that eats away the teeth and induces oral discomfort from damaged teeth or exposed cavities of the tooth pulp.

Kidney Disease

Kidney illness is a frequent cause of a cat not eating. There can be kidney failure in older cats, making a cat feel ill enough to stop eating. Cats drinking a lot with kidney failure will pee a lot and lose weight.

Diet Change

A cat can stop eating when you switch food brands. Cats may establish exact food tastes, and if you transition food suddenly, they might just avoid it. To prevent this, slowly mix the food for 4-5 days before your cat changes to a new diet.

Although several explanations may explain why a cat won’t eat, paying attention to your cat’s eating preferences and eating habits. Consult your veterinarian promptly if you find your cat not feeding for more than 2-3 days.

Why Has My Cat Suddenly Stopped Eating Wet Food?

Your cat suddenly not eating wet food can be contributed by a couple of things, but it may be that your cat only likes a particular brand of wet food or it could be that it’s too cold.

When held in the refrigerator, wet food will lose its delicious scent, and your cat won’t eat anything it can’t smell. Microwave chilled wet food for a couple of seconds so that it hits room temperature, and hopefully, it can tempt your cat to eat again.

The Cat Stopped Eating Dry Food But Eats Treats?

If your cat stopped eating dry food, it may be the water and not the food at all. Dry foods is, well…dry and require more water consumption to quench their thirst. Dehydration can deter your cat from eating. Keep a clean water bowl or maybe consider using a water dispenser for cats. This will make life easier for you and will encourage your cat to drink more.

You can also try blending dry food with a few of their favorite treats. This might encourage your cat to eat dry food again. Also, dental conditions such as gum disease, missing teeth, or odontoclastic resorptive lesions may render it painful to eat dry food. If this is the case go see your vet immediately.

Act Quickly If Your Pet Stops Eating

Contact your veterinarian if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of health conditions may be responsible, including kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, infections, or a more serious disease called hepatic lipidosis(fatty liver syndrome). This disease is unique and fatal to cats. Immediate action is required.

Conclusion

Remember that a total stoppage of food may have disastrous effects on your cat’s health. So, even though you’re struggling to convince your cat to follow a diet recommended by your veterinarian, never starve your cat to eat a certain kind of food.

Veterinarians can prescribe medication that serves as appetite stimulants or can recommend syringe-feeding a liquid diet to your cat in more severe cases. It’s important your cat continues to get the calories its body needs, so nutritional support and hydration will be required.

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