6 Reasons Why Your Cat Isn’t Eating

Cats need to eat and drink each day to stay healthy. While other animals can get by when they are not eating enough for some time, a cat can get very sick if it stops eating. This is one of the things that not every cat owner knows, which means that being aware of the eating and drinking habits of your cat can be critical. Cats are often quite stoical, which means that it can be hard to tell when they are sick. Your cat’s eating and drinking habits can be the first sign that something is not right with their health.

If your cat has stopped eating, this might be due to something that is simple to resolve, but it can also be an indication of something more serious. Cats are usually hungry when they are healthy, which means that you need to be sure that you do not consider a lack of appetite something to take lightly. Cats who are not hungry are often struggling with something that needs medical attention, but there are instances where your cat might just need a few adjustments to its routine to feel safe eating. If you want to know some more about why your cat might have decided not to eat, you need to keep reading.

cat not eating

Reasons That your Cat Might Not be Eating

Listed below are the top 6 reasons why your cat won’t eat:

1. Food Allergies

When your cat has an allergy to its food, it can learn that eating does not make it feel very good. This can lead to your cat choosing not to eat until their food is changed to something that is a better fit for their needs. Food allergies can also cause things like scratching, sneezing, or even dandruff. Sorting out food allergies can take some patience, but if you find the right food for your cat’s needs, this should make them feel better and go back to eating as before.

2. Anxiety or Fear

If your cat is anxious, scared, or worried about something, they might stop eating. Anxiety and fear can lead to your cat hiding in a quiet place, or your cat might suddenly not want to be touched or interacted with. This fear might be due to a new animal in the home, or it could be related to something outside the house that is causing your cat to be scared.

Your vet can help with your pet’s anxiety, and you might also need to try relocating the food to a place that your cat finds to be more safe and secure. In some cases, the added pet that has joined the family might need to find a new home so that your cat can go back to feeling secure in their living situation.

3. Poisoning

If your cat has eaten something poisonous to them, they might at first just seem not to be hungry. This early symptom can then be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea or worse symptoms. Poisoning is very serious, and it necessitates a visit to the vet right away. If you think that your pet has eaten poison, you will need to be sure that you do not wait to see if they get worse. Poisoning needs immediate attention from a vet, and the less time that you waste, the better.

4. Cancer

Cats that have cancer often just seem to be a bit “off” when cancer first starts to make itself known. This might mean that they are not hungry, or they might just have less energy than usual. If your cat is not acting like it normally does and seems not to be hungry, you should consider a trip to the vet to have them checked out. Cancer has more treatment options when it is caught early, so there is no time to waste when you think that cancer might be the reason for your cat’s lack of appetite.

5. Vaccinations

Cats that have just been vaccinated can sometimes feel a bit yucky. This can mean that they choose not to eat for a while until they start to feel better. Vaccinations should only make your cat feel a little sick for a couple of days. If your cat is no better a few days after it is vaccinated, you should be concerned and talk to your vet. Something more serious could be wrong with your pet if they are not recovering from their vaccinations on a normal timeline. Vaccinations should not make your cat sick for more than a couple of days, so it is a sign of something more serious if your cat is not bouncing back from this kind of treatment.

6. Foreign Body or Obstruction

While it is not common for cats to ingest something that cannot be digested, it does happen. Cats with an obstruction or a foreign body in their digestive system will often need surgery to correct the problem. This is a time-sensitive problem, and your vet will need to perform diagnostics, like take an x-ray, to identify signs of an obstruction. In some cases, the item will pass on its own with some time, but you cannot be sure that this is the best course of action without the advice of a vet.

Contact a Veterinarian if Your Cat Isn’t Eating

In nearly all cases, a cat that is not eating needs attention from a vet. There are only a few things that are easy to resolve that might be causing your cat to stop eating, and you should never assume that something simple is the reason for your cat’s lack of appetite. It is usually a good idea to make sure that your vet has looked at your cat before you assume that there is nothing more serious wrong with their health.

Catching various health conditions that can impact your cat’s health in the early stages is important for successful treatment. Your vet will be able to offer you the diagnosis that you need to get your cat the help that they need to feel better. For more information, or if you need to speak to a veterinarian, contact EVCC by calling one of our locations. Our highly skilled professionals are here for you and your pet when you need us.

 

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