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Cat is not eating food. What to do?



(June 3, 2010)

Cats are one of the most commonly kept household pets and are highly regarded for their playfulness and affectionate company. Dogs are probably the only more commonly found household pet than the cat. Caring for a pet requires a significant amount of responsibility and can be likened very much to taking care of a child. As with a child, the owner is responsible for the amount o exercise, food and nutrition as well as overall well being of the animal while also training it to be socially acceptable. As a result, taking cat care requires the owner to be tuned in to any medical complications that the animal may be experiencing. A sudden lack of appetite is one of the foremost signs that something is wrong with the animal. However, the cat loss of appetite can be categorized as a serious or minor issue depending on the underlying causes. In the event that your cat avoids any food for a period of over 24 hours, it is highly recommended that you have your local veterinarian take a look at the animal. Some of the most common causes that will result in your cat not eating include stress – borne out of conditions such as relocation, introduction of another pet into the home meaning less attention for the cat or even the simple act of re-arranging the furniture. Cats that spend a significant amount of time outdoors are likely to find another source of food once in a way such as a mouse or even being fed by someone else. Both these instances will more likely than not see the cat avoid the food that you have provided.  

Suffering from an illness is one of the foremost conditions in which a cat will avoid consumption of food for a long period of time. Most of these underlying conditions can only effectively be diagnosed by a trained veterinarian and include conditions such as digestive problems, development of a tumor, kidney disease or even mouth or tooth pain. One of the best methods of getting your cat to eat its food will be to provide it with an appetite stimulant. Some of the more effective appetite stimulants include milk thistle and vitamin B12. While it is easy to dismiss a cat not eating problem as a minor glitch or change of habit for the animal, one should not ignore the signs as they could be an indication of a more serious underlying condition developing within the animal’s body.
Submitted by N M on June 3, 2010 at 04:13

 

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