Cat Not Eating: Causes and Treatments

Cats are known as notoriously picky eaters. But even though they don't tend to be as food-obsessed as other pets, it is important that your cat eats regularly. Here are some of the most common reasons why your cat may have stopped eating and what you can do:

If you've noticed that your cat isn't eating, it is essential to take action. Cats are very good at disguising pain and discomfort, which might be the only obvious sign that something is wrong. Make sure to consult with your vet, especially if your cat has also vomited or seems to be in pain.

Take action

• Ascertain how long it's been since your cat has last eaten, and try to encourage your cat to eat. Try tempting your feline friend with their favourite foods, such as canned tuna or cooked chicken. Cats usually enjoy smelly foods, so try heating wet cat food or tuna in the microwave until it's room temperature. The stronger smell will make the food more appealing.
• Another option is to try a different feeding regime. If you usually feed your cat a couple of times a day, try feeding little and often. If they're still not showing interest, take the food away. Cats don't tend to enjoy eating food that has been left out for too long.
• If your cat starts eating again, make sure to keep an eye on him over the next few days. However, he still refuses to eat; it's best to take him to the vet for a health check. Inappetience can be due to a variety of reasons, including:

Health issues

There are a variety of health problems that might cause your cat to stop eating. Some of the most common ones include:

Digestive

• If you notice that your cat isn't eating, this might be the first indication that there's a problem with their stomach or another part of their digestive system. These issues could be caused by various things, from parasites to irritable bowel disease to acid reflux. Your vet will able able to advise the best course of action for all of these issues.

Dental

Your cat's teeth may also be causing the problem. Much like humans, cats can develop inflamed gums, can fracture their teeth, and experience all sorts of mouth pain.

• Watch how your cat eats and what foods they prefer. If they're only eating soft food rather than hard, dry cat food or if they're only eating with one side of their mouth, this could indicate that there's a tooth problem. However, tooth problems are often difficult to diagnose in cats, so it is always best to be cautious and take your feline friend to the vet to have their teeth and gums checked over.

Foreign objects

• Sometimes cats eat household objects like string, paperclips and coins, or develop hairballs that they cannot cough up. If this is the case, it will be painful for your cat to eat. Again, the best way to check for these problems is by taking them to the vet.

Behavioural problems

If your vet doesn't think there is a medical issue with your cat, it might be behavioural.

Stress

• Changes in your cat's environment, no matter how small, can often cause stress. Sometimes just moving your cat's food bowl or feeding your cat at a different time may be enough to induce stress in your cat. Try reverting to their usual routine to see if that makes a difference.
• The introduction of another animal into the household could also affect your cat. Make sure that your pets have separate eating, sleeping and toileting areas. Cats are territorial and may not feel safe to eat or toilet with a strange animal in the vicinity.

Diet

Finally, if your vet has given your cat the all-clear, you should then look at your cat's diet. Your cat may have just decided that they don't like that particular food anymore - even if they've been eating it for years! It is worth, however, investigating whether any other factors may be putting your feline friend off of their food:

Change of food

• Firstly, have you recently changed your cat's brand of food? If so, this might be the problem. Cats don't like sudden changes, so if you're planning to switch your cat to a new food brand, you need to do this slowly. Gradually add a little bit of the new food to your cat's existing food each day until you've entirely switched over to the new one.

Food flavour

• If you haven't made any changes to your cat's food, someone else may have! Check the ingredients to see if the manufacturers have changed anything. Sometimes this isn't immediately obvious, but you could always ask the manufacturer.

Food texture

• Similarly, it might be worth asking the food manufacturer if they've changed the food's shape or texture if it's not immediately apparent. It's also an idea to see if your cat prefers crunchy dry food or wet food.

Spoiled food

• Finally, it is also possible that the food has gone off - this can be a particular problem if you leave out your cat's food for them to graze on throughout the day. You should also check the expiration date on your cat's food.

Whatever the reason, if your cat is not eating, it is important to take it seriously. You should always speak to your vet and follow their advice regarding your cat's eating habits.

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.