Symptom · Cats
Cat not eating: what it means and when to call the vet
A cat that has not eaten for 24 hours should see a vet. Cats that stop eating can develop a serious liver condition (hepatic lipidosis) within a few days, especially if they are overweight.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Dental pain
- Stress — a move, a new pet, a change in routine
- Nausea from kidney disease, infections or medicines
- A blocked nose (cats eat by smell)
- Pancreatitis or other illness
- A change of food they dislike
What you can do at home
- Offer a favourite food slightly warmed to boost the smell
- Keep food and water away from the litter tray, in a quiet spot
- Never try to starve a cat onto a new diet
What the vet may do
- A full examination including the mouth and teeth
- Blood tests
- Anti-sickness medicine and appetite stimulants
- Tube feeding if the cat has stopped eating for days
Prevention
- Change food gradually
- Yearly check-ups with dental examinations
- Keep your cat at a healthy weight
The details
Dogs can skip a meal without much concern; cats cannot. When a cat stops eating, the body moves fat to the liver faster than the liver can process it. This is hepatic lipidosis, and it can become life-threatening in a few days. It is why vets take a cat’s loss of appetite seriously even when nothing else seems wrong.
A cat that eats a little but less than usual for a few days, or is losing weight, should also be checked.
Questions owners ask
Is cat not eating an emergency?
Usually it is not an emergency, but your pet should see a vet within 24 hours. Go now if you see: not eating and also not drinking; vomiting, breathing fast or open-mouth breathing; hiding and very quiet, or crying in pain; yellow gums or eyes; a male cat straining in the litter tray.
What causes cat not eating?
Dental pain; Stress — a move, a new pet, a change in routine; Nausea from kidney disease, infections or medicines; A blocked nose (cats eat by smell); Pancreatitis or other illness; A change of food they dislike.
What can I do at home?
Offer a favourite food slightly warmed to boost the smell. Keep food and water away from the litter tray, in a quiet spot. Never try to starve a cat onto a new diet.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts