Cat Health: Not Eating

There may be times in your cat's life that he stops eating. With cat health, not eating can be a minor issue or a serious issue, depending on the underlying cause. Sometimes the cause may be more evident than others, and when your cat refuses to eat for more than 24 hours it is best to have him evaluated by your veterinarian.

One reason that your cat may not be eating is stress. Just as stress in humans can lead to loss of appetite, the same can happen in cats. Changes in the home, such as moving, bringing another pet into the home, or even rearranging the furniture can be stressful to your cat, who is a creature of habit. If your cat is not eating and any of these things have occurred, it may be that your cat needs some extra tlc from you to encourage eating. If you have brought a new pet into the home, your cat may need to be slowly introduced to the new pet, and feeding may need to take place in a separate room for awhile until your cat adjusts to his new housemate.

Stress may also be caused by conflict with another cat. Cats are very territorial creatures, and if your cat spends some time outdoors, territorial disputes may occur. This can be a bit more difficult to address, as you only have control over your cat and to solve the problem you may need to confine him indoors. While this may seem unkind, indoor cats live much longer than outdoor cats as they are protected from many dangers and potential health risks. Cats can live very happy lives being strictly indoors.

Another reason your cat may not be eating is if it has found food elsewhere. Again, this is most likely to happen with cats that spend time outdoors. They may have caught a mouse, or they may be getting food from another household.

Being the finicky creatures that they are, your cat may not want to eat if you have changed his food. If you need to change his food, it is best to initially mix his old food with his new food and slowly increase the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount old food. Do this over a couple of weeks. This is also best for your cat as an abrupt change in his food can upset his delicate system.

The most serious reason your cat has stopped eating is due to illness. Usually if this is the case there will be other symptoms present, such as being withdrawn, lethargic, and irritable. An ill cat will often seek out a secluded place, such as a closet. An ill cat may not be drinking water normally as well. If you suspect your cat is ill or if more than 24 hours goes by without eating, then you need to take your cat in for an evaluation by your vet. There are a variety of health issues that may lead to loss of appetite, including an infection, a digestive problem, a tumor, kidney disease, or tooth or mouth pain. Your veterinarian can diagnose the problem and determine the best course of treatment for your ill cat.

Your cat may need an appetite stimulant. These include medications and / or supplements. Ones that work well are Milk Thistle, Vitamin B12, diazepam, oxazepam, and periactin. However, never give your cat a medication or supplement without the advice and supervision of your veterinarian, as you can endanger your cat's health. Cat's have very delicate systems and may be especially sensitive to certain things.

A cat health not eating problem should never be ignored. Pay attention and notice any changes in your cat's environment and behavior. For the sake of your cat, never let the problem continue for any length of time without consulting with your veterinarian.