Cats have a reputation for being picky eaters, but a loss of appetite for more than one day can be a sign of a more serious condition. Not eating can also cause more problems- cats can develop liver disease if they don't take in enough protein, so it is important to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the reason for their loss of appetite.
Only a veterinarian can make an official diagnosis, but here are some medical issues that may cause a loss of appetite:
- Nausea- Signs that indicate nausea in cats include licking the lips, drooling, and backing away from the food dish. There are many conditions that can cause nausea in cats. Your veterinarian can use information from an examination and laboratory tests to diagnose and treat your cat's illness.
- Foreign body obstruction- Cats like to chew on string, hair ties, ribbon, and plants. All of these items can cause an obstruction, which may make your cat lose her appetite. If diagnosed early enough, this condition can often be remedied using endoscopy. If the obstruction is allowed to move into the intestines, your cat may require a more invasive surgery, so it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as you think your cat may have ingested something she shouldn't have.
- Pain- Often cats will stop eating when they are in pain. It is a good idea to check your cat for wounds or other injuries if she suddenly loses her appetite.
- Old age- As cats get older they have an increased risk of developing conditions like constipation, kidney disease, cancer, or heart disease- all of which can decrease hunger. Dental conditions can also cause a lack of appetite and tend to be more common in older cats.
- Changes in routine- Many cats do not like changes to their daily routine, so something as minor as changing the location of the food bowl can cause them to stop eating. Other household changes like adding a new family member (2 or 4-legged), older children leaving for college, or moving to a new home can also be reasons for loss of appetite.
Some things you can do to entice your cat to eat include heating the food (not too hot- microwaves can heat unevenly and cause burns!), hand feeding, feeding soft food, or adding chicken baby food to the cat's normal diet. Remember that these solutions should only be used temporarily until the cat can be seen by a veterinarian. If there is an underlying condition causing the loss of appetite, it is always best to diagnose it as soon as possible.
