Many cat parents worry when their cat won’t eat. If your cat stops eating or isn’t eating much but is still purring and acting normal, they may be just getting meals elsewhere. This is especially true if they’re an outdoor cat, they may be good hunters, or you could have neighbours that sneakily feed your cat!

So you can get to the bottom of why your cat's eating much, or not at all, our advice guide is here to help you with all the information you need.

There could be lots of reasons why your cat's not eating, they could be a picky eater, might not be eating due to pain or an underlying health issue. Cats that aren’t eating and are also lethargic and sleeping a lot or lose weight should always have a check-up at the vets.

It's important to seek veterinary treatment if your cat hasn’t eaten for 3 days as this can result in serious liver problems. Even if your cat's not eating much but acting normal, a visit to your vets may uncover something. Treatment of any underlying health problems will usually improve your cat’s appetite, but nutritional support may be needed until they’re back to normal.

Why's My Cat Not Eating or Drinking?

It’s common for cats with dental disease to stop eating because of pain or discomfort with their teeth or gums. Kidney disease is another common cause of cats not eating much. Both problems are often seen in older cats. Make an appointment with your vet if your cat isn’t eating or drinking and is very weak.

Cats with upper respiratory problems or tummy issues will often be off their food. They may be feeling sick, have a fever and are generally unwell. If your cat is on medication, this can affect their appetite too. As soon as they feel better, they’ll be back to their food bowl.

Cats can be fussy eaters and cats not eating or drinking can also indicate an emotional issue. Your cat may be feeling anxious or stressed about something. A new addition to the family, a new cat in the neighbourhood or any change in their environment can put cats off their food.

Something you think is small, like a change in diet can also be the reason for cats not eating. Remember to make gradual changes if you want to change their food.

What is Hepatic Lipidosis?

Your cat’s refusal to eat can lead to a serious liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis (or fatty liver disease). When a cat isn’t eating, even for a couple of days, they’ll break down the fat stores in their liver to provide energy. If this happens too quickly, the liver can be overwhelmed, and fat accumulates affecting liver function.

Overweight cats are more at risk as they have more fat that can be broken down. Affected cats may have vomiting and diarrhoea, are weak, sleep a lot and have jaundice. If your cat seems unwell or if you notice any signs of liver problems, contact your vet as soon as possible. The condition can be life-threatening.

Do I Have an Anorexic Cat?

Anorexia is defined as lack or loss of appetite or voluntarily eating. So, if your cat’s not eating much and losing weight, they may be anorexic. Monitor their body condition and weight loss and try to entice your cat to eat by giving them small amounts of tasty food.

If you’re unsure if your cat is getting the correct amount of food, check on the food packaging or ask at your vet. Anorexia can be down to a variety of reasons and an anorexic cat will need nutritional support at the vet surgery.

How Can I Get My Cat to Eat?

If your cat’s not eating food but eats treats, make sure the treats are healthy. Some cats may not be able to resist some boiled chicken breast or try switching from their usual dry food to a wet food which may be easier to eat.

Always check with your vet if you want to give your cat a homemade diet. And never try to force feed or syringe feed your cat as food aspiration is a danger. They may also develop a food aversion if they associate a particular food with being ill.

Feeding your cat can be tricky if they’re off their food. To tempt your cat to eat again, here are some suggestions:

• Feed small portions of their favourite cat food
• Warm the food to body temperature
• Add water to make the food easier to eat
• Put the food onto a dinner plate
• Feed them at the same time as your mealtimes

If your cat has stopped eating because they’re stressed about a change in their environment, move their food bowl to another area. Cats can be put off eating if there’s a new cat entering their garden. Place the food bowl in a quiet location away from the window or door and well away from their litter tray.

If your cat's not eating much but acting as usual, don’t leave it longer than 3 days before taking your cat to the vet. If your cat has already been diagnosed with a health condition, is old or in poor condition, it may be best to ask your vet for advice sooner. Your vet will check your cat’s body weight and body condition score and may take some blood tests.

Your cat may need an oral or injectable appetite stimulant or have a feeding tube inserted to deliver the nutrition they need. If your cat has stopped eating, it can be down to a variety of reasons so always ask your vet for advice.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - http://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.