Mary Allen
There are several possible causes of loss of appetite in cats. Toothache, for example, is often noticeable when a cat does not eat anything.
Toothache, gingivitis, and periodontal disease can bother a cat so much that they don’t want to eat anything. Read here how you can tell whether your pet is actually not eating because of aching teeth and what other symptoms there are for dental problems.
Cat Not Eating? Toothache as a Cause
Cats are used to not showing pain too clearly, as it used to be life-threatening for them in the wild if they showed weakness. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize a toothache from the outside. Eating behavior can provide important information. For example, an affected cat may sit in front of its bowl and eat little or nothing.
It is also possible that she sneaks around the bowl, suddenly eats very quickly, and drops food. Perhaps she tilts her head to one side when chewing to protect the painful side, or she suddenly prefers wet food even though she used to eat dry food. The reverse case is also a symptom. Some cats also cry out when they chew with aching teeth. However, food refusal and loss of appetite can also have other causes than a toothache. These are not always harmless, especially when there are other symptoms of illness such as exhaustion, diarrhea, or constipation. Either way, a visit to the vet is advisable if cats do not eat for more than 24 hours.
Other Symptoms of Toothache in Cats
In addition, there are other indications of toothache in cats. For example, your cat may react unusually aggressively if you try to pet its head or chin. If she yelps and might lash out at you, that’s a sign her mouth is hurting. But even a slight twitching back when touching the chin or head is already an indication of pain.
Cats suffering from a toothache also often try to reach the painful area with their paw and rub their face noticeably often. They may rub their head against objects or the floor more often to try to relieve the pain. Excessive salivation and teeth grinding are also important signs. If you manage to look your cat in the mouth, you may notice red gums or tartar and an unpleasant bad breath. Then it’s time to go to the vet!