Cat Stops Eating

A cat stops eating and drinking may seem strange and bothersome to an owner who is used to having that feline friend begging for food and stealing normally. But cat loss of appetite is not always a sign of illness, as just like their human counterparts they can have their good and bad days. Just pay attention and you’ll soon figure out if it’s just the heat getting to your cat or some other problem.

If your cat is just as active and alert than it usually is and shows no other signs of illness, then they are not very likely that there’s anything the matter. Very often cats that are allowed to wander around are fed by neighbors or even hunt and eat their own prey, like birds or mice, and may sometimes even scavenge on garbage. This behavior would quite naturally affect your cat’s appetite at home. Although these behaviors can be troubling there’s little you can do if your cat roams free, but the cat not eating food is at least not a cause for worry. You also need to keep in mind that just as the weather affects us, it also affects your cat, and there is bound to be a loss of appetite in warm weather.

At the same time if a cat stopped eating then it could be symptomatic of some illness, so if it does persist it would be wise to get the cat to a vet. If you notice any other symptoms of illness then don’t attempt to wait it out. An injury or abscess in the mouth and gums often causes a loss of appetite, so you could examine the cat’s mouth. This would also be a minor problem that your pet can solve quite easily. Cat appetite loss for a prolonged time or accompanied with other symptoms should be addressed promptly however, and your vet would be able to make a diagnosis. Some of the common causes of cat appetite loss include anorexia, which may set in once the cat stops eating, as the increase of stomach acids and simultaneous drop in blood sugar does cause nausea and uneasiness, which in turn reduces appetite. A cat that is unwell due to an infection or ailment may also not eat because of the discomfort it is in, or because of a loss of smell. Certain medications can also cause nausea that will again diminish the cat’s appetite.

Some other possible causes of a cat not eating include tooth decay, injury or trauma, chronic pain, even stress and anxiety, or hairballs.