Help, My Cat Won’t Eat Anymore! Reasons? How To Encourage A Cat To Eat?

If a cat suddenly leaves its food, you should definitely keep an eye on it. Loss of appetite indicates that something is wrong. In this article, you will learn why your cat may not be eating, how you can stimulate your cat’s appetite again and when a visit to the vet is necessary.

If the cat suddenly stops eating and only sleeps, the alarm bells should ring. Because refusing to eat can quickly endanger your cat’s life. Here you can find out what you have to watch out for, what can be behind it when your cat does not eat, and when it is time to go to the vet.

Cat does not eat – these are possible reasons

If your cat is no longer eating, is only sleeping or is showing other symptoms of illness such as exhaustion, weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting, it is time to act. Visit your vet as soon as possible and have your cat checked over. However, there can be many reasons why a cat does not eat, we have summarized the most important ones here:

• Cat ate too many treats.
• She has already eaten a mouse or a bird.
• Cat is fed somewhere else.
• Bowl is not clean.
• Feeding place was cleaned with a harsh cleaning agent, which the cat finds very unpleasant.
• stress with other cats
• To be alone
• move
• Grief
• Circumstances have changed (e.g. birth of a child, suddenly locked door, new person in the life of the cat owner.)
• Stress from visiting the vet
• Too little movement
• Outside temperature (Cats generally eat less on hot summer days.)
• cat has grown old
• Kittens eat less than adult cats.
• castration.

Is something wrong with the feed?

Your cat smells the food but doesn’t eat? As strange as it sounds. The food itself is one of the greatest “sources of danger” when it comes to dissuading the cat from eating. Cats are known to be very peculiar. That doesn’t stop at the food either. Has your cat always had a good appetite? And suddenly everything is different: the cat eats little. Or not. If none of the above reasons apply, you should first look at the food.

With good reason, your house tiger will not eat if the food has gone bad. And that can happen faster than you think. Because pet food is generally designed to have a long shelf life, it’s easy to lose sight of the expiration date. It’s definitely worth taking a look at the packaging. In addition to the date, you should also check the condition of the packaging. Does the bag have small holes? Is the lid of the can bulging because air has been drawn in?

Proper storage is particularly important for packs that have already been opened. Dry food should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place. And of course the bag should be closed, most manufacturers deliver their food in resealable packaging. Open cans are best kept in the refrigerator. This not only prevents the feed from spoiling. It also retains its flavor longer. Just like its intense smell. And that’s especially important for cats.

If your cat smells the food but won’t eat it, it may be because the food is fresh. The smell of the food gives your cat information about its quality. It’s similar with us. No one who has ever smelled sour milk would think of drinking it again. The smell of the food conveys much more information to the cat. The fine nose is a kind of early warning system. So she not only recognizes spoiled feed by the peculiar smell. A faint odor indicates a lack of freshness. This is why food that has been in the bowl for too long is no longer eaten. As much as it hurts our wallets – what has not been eaten should be disposed of after about half an hour. The bowl must of course be rinsed afterwards.

Unfortunately, the good sense of smell is also the reason why your cat is so fussy. You have chosen a new recipe with great care, and the precious feed is not even looked at. Or the manufacturer of your favorite food has optimized the composition. The well-intentioned intention is lost to many cats. Because if the food suddenly smells different, something is probably wrong, right?

On the other hand, cats don’t like to eat the same food all their lives. If you only feed the same food several times a day for a long time, your animal friend may just be fed up. A fine line: variety yes, change no.

In addition to the smell, the consistency of the food is also important for the cat. Dried wet food, soggy food or dry food that has turned to stone are neither a culinary feast nor healthy for your cat. With the right storage and the necessary hygiene, however, such mistakes should be easy to avoid.

The smell and consistency of the feed also depend to a large extent on the temperature. Wet food from an opened can should not be fed directly from the refrigerator. It tastes less good cold and doesn’t smell as strong either. In short: It is not accepted by picky animals. In addition, it sometimes happens that the food in the refrigerator takes on other smells. You can then warm it up a bit so that the smell and taste develop fully. But be careful: too warm, and the meal stops again.

Physical ailments can be the reason why the cat does not eat

Some cats stop eating because they are not feeling well. As with us humans, physical complaints often affect your cat’s stomach. That makes v. a. Sense when the gastrointestinal tract is affected. But other illnesses and ailments can also spoil your appetite. A special warning sign: the cat stops eating and withdraws. At the latest then you should also think about organic causes for the lack of appetite. These can be so diverse that they cannot all be fully described here. The most important include:

• Fever (from 39.2 degrees Celsius) can be recognized in addition to a lack of hunger, exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, accelerated breathing, and changed gums. It can be an indication of various infections.
• Problems in the mouth and throat such as tartar and inflammation can be recognized by chewing difficulties, increased salivation, and redness.
• In addition to loss of appetite, parasites such as worms cause diarrhea and vomiting.
  Constipation does not give rise to a feeling of hunger and, in advanced stages, can lead to vomiting.
• Kidney and liver problems are particularly common in older animals. You can recognize them e.g. increased salivation or yellowing of the eyes.
• Infections such as FIP (Feline Coronavirus), FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) or FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus/Feline AIDS) are serious illnesses that also lead to a loss of appetite.
• Poisoning is often accompanied by increased salivation, vomiting, tremors, and convulsions.
• Allergies, such as to food components, and infections of the respiratory tract clog the nose. This reduces the desire to eat.

If you notice any of these symptoms in addition to the refusal to eat, or if your cat behaves abnormally, you should go to the vet. All of these ailments require treatment to keep your cat healthy.

How long can a cat go without food?

Occasionally, headlines feature cats that have survived up to six weeks without food. Depending on the state of health and age of the cat, it can survive such extreme situations – as long as it does not go longer than 3 days without water. In our article: “Cat doesn’t drink” you will find out how much liquid a cat needs and how important it is for the whole organism. But while cats can survive between 2 and 6 weeks without food, 38 hours are enough to leave serious damage to their health. In individual cases, it can also go faster. The critical threshold after which a veterinarian must be consulted is around 24 hours.

What happens if the cat does not eat for a certain period of time?

A cat left to its own devices captures around 15 small rodents and birds every day. The calories contained therein are almost completely used by the constant movement, the fat of the prey is metabolized by the enzymes also contained. Larger fat deposits cannot form in this way. Therefore, the cat’s body is not designed to store food in the stomach. It also does not need and cannot form enzymes for burning fat.

Here’s what happens when a cat doesn’t eat. She quickly runs out of energy, becomes listless and tired. Then the feeling of hunger decreases, which means that the cat certainly does not eat. A protective mechanism of nature. A hungry cat that feels active enough for a prey run would run out of energy when hunting. If she misses her prey, she is left completely exhausted. This is why cats eat so often throughout the day.

Since cats cannot store any food in their stomachs, the body falls back on reserves when supplies are lacking. Muscle and fat are burned. If there is no protein intake for more than 38 hours, the balance in the lipid metabolism of the liver is permanently disturbed. The stored fats are no longer excreted due to the lack of enzymes from the food and flood the liver. It comes to the so-called fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis. In the worst case, this leads to liver failure and the cat dies from the toxins that have not been broken down.

The more fat reserves the cat has, the faster it goes. A deadly threat to our well-fed house cats. According to studies, every second cat in Germany is overweight. Therefore, if you completely refuse to eat, you should not wait longer than 24 hours before taking your cat to the vet.

Cat won’t eat and just sleeps

A cat sleeps about two thirds of its life. Cats sleep almost twice as much as humans. If you want to know why cats sleep so much and how much sleep is normal, take a look at our article: “Tired cats sleep a lot”. Tiredness alone is not a sign of illness in cats. But sometimes it happens that a cat only sleeps and doesn’t eat anything anymore. This behavior is typical of cats that are in poor health. The causes for this are manifold. It can be a harmless infection, but it can also be poisoning or a serious illness such as FIP, feline distemper or even cancer. In such a case, you should monitor your cat very closely. If you are unsure, you should always ask your veterinarian for advice.

Is your old cat not eating anymore and only sleeping? Older cats naturally eat less and need more sleep. They are less active than when they were young and can therefore get by with less food. Old cats often have to be encouraged to eat. But if your old cat doesn’t eat anything at all, you should also watch this closely.

Unfortunately, it has to be mentioned that even dying animals refuse their food, withdraw and sleep a lot. Cats are very sensitive animals that sense when their lifespan is slowly coming to an end. Many are then increasingly looking for peace and quiet and would prefer to be alone. If in doubt, the veterinarian should also be consulted here.

Encourage cat to eat

In order to avoid damage to health, you have to get your cat to eat as soon as possible. So how can you convince the cat to eat something after all?

Stimulate appetite by adjusting circumstances

Not only the food, but also the circumstances of feeding can contribute to your cat not eating. Even if stress or illness is the cause of loss of appetite, feeding site design can make feeding easier. Some things you can try are:

• A different bowl – Ideally, the bowl should be big enough so that the whiskers don’t hit the edge while eating. Especially if the animal does not feel well, this can lead to further irritation. At the same time, the bowl should be rather flat, which makes it easier to access the food and allows the cat to keep an eye on its surroundings while eating.
• A raised food bowl – Make it as easy as possible for your cat to eat. If, for example, older animals suffer from joint pain, the protection of the spine in this feeding position brings relief.
• Feed in another place – This helps v. a. when stress is the cause of the loss of appetite. Cats prefer a quiet and therefore safe place to eat. Hallways, bathrooms and kitchens are less suitable for sensitive cats because they are frequently used by other people living with them.
• Food and water should never be near the litter box – this goes without saying. Or would you want to eat in the bathroom? Cats are very clean animals and are rightly bothered by the proximity of the litter box.
• Try bowls in different materials – cats are peculiar after all. What pleases one repels another. Metal, plastic, or earthenware can affect the feeding experience. In addition, make sure that the bowl does not slip away when eating.
• Own bowl in a multi-cat household – food envy is stressful for the cat. Both for those who always have to check whether others are getting something better, as well as for those who are constantly being robbed. A separate bowl, ideally for each animal in a different room, solves the problem.

Stimulate the cat’s appetite – 14 tips

If improving the circumstances around the feeding place doesn’t change anything, there are a few steps you can take to make your cat want to eat. You can find the 14 most effective measures here:

Warm feed

Many cats refuse to eat cold food straight from the fridge. This is due to Remember that cooling changes the consistency. Above all, the cooling reduces the smell of the food, which encourages the cat to eat. If you use food from individually portioned bags or small cans, you don’t have to keep leftovers in the fridge, the food is always at room temperature. If that isn’t enough to motivate your furry friend to eat, you can warm up the food slightly. This unleashes the smell and taste and should ensure that your cat’s appetite kicks in again.

Natural Acceptance Enhancers

Many cats are crazy about brewer’s yeast, salmon oil, or beef fat powder. If you spread the treat, which is otherwise not always available, over the food, this can encourage your cat to eat. And when you eat, you often get hungry.

Complementary feed

Pastes or soups especially for cats have a very high level of feed acceptance. They can be given as a treat or for a change in between meals. However, they can also be mixed into the food and ensure that the cat gets in the mood for the food in its bowl again.

Feed several small meals throughout the day

This type of diet corresponds to the natural behavior of the cat, which would kill a small prey several times a day on its own. This also prevents her from eating too much at one meal and saves you the worry if she skips the next feeding afterward.

Offer quality food

A high proportion of meat or fish corresponds to the needs of the cat, whose diet should consist mainly of high-quality proteins. Grains and other additives make the production and thus the end product cheaper, but have less value for your cat’s health. Even smaller portions are enough for a sufficient supply of nutrients. And the intense smell is an extra incentive.

Rest while the cat eats

Cats are – at least outdoors – relatively unprotected when eating. In a busy environment, they feel insecure and distracted. It is therefore important that your cat can eat undisturbed.

Hand or spoon feed

It depends a bit on your relationship with your cat. If you are very close and trust in you, a bite out of your hand or with a spoon can arouse interest. Many cats just like it better when they are hand-fed. If the animal is feeling down, the extra closeness can bring comfort and lift the spirits to the point of thinking about food again.

Stretch lining

You can also add your cat’s favorite foods to the food. Tuna in its own juice or boiled chicken with broth e.g. B. enhance the smell and taste of the feed. If everything is eaten, a larger portion is also done.

Acupressure

Slight pressure on the nose, i.e. the more or less fur-free part above the nose, is intended to stimulate appetite in cats. Of course, the cooperation of your cat is also required a little bit. You can promote acceptance through a relaxed environment and extensive stroking.

In the summer, feed the cat early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler

We humans also have little appetite when we are overwhelmed by heat. The furry friends don’t fare any better. There may also be a particularly cool corner for feeding.

Reduce treats

Treats are a great way to add variety and pamper your cat. But if she gets too much love in the form of food, she will spoil her appetite for the next real meal. So it’s better to slow down a bit in between. This also saves too many extra calories.

Playfully awaken the hunting instinct

If food is boring and the cat is perhaps not mentally and physically busy anyway, playing with the food can arouse hunger and interest in equal measure. So a bit of dry food z. B. lead the cat back to the food bowl in a snack ball.

Approach the feed change correctly

When changing food, the cat often reacts with irritation to the new smell or a different consistency. Especially when the change is made for health reasons, many cats refuse the new food. Because diet food often lags behind normal food in smell and taste. You can prevent this by mixing the new food with the old food in daily increasing amounts until you have replaced it completely. Conversely, a cat that is bored with its food may respond to a new flavor with a renewed appetite. You can find out how to successfully change the food in our article: “Cats only eat dry food”.

Appetite stimulants, high-calorie foods, and force-feeding

If the cat is emaciated because it has eaten little over a long period of time, appetite stimulants can encourage it to eat again. Special food with a high calorie and nutrient density provides a quick supply of energy and everything you need to get your body running properly again. If the cat does not accept this either, or if there is a risk of fatty degeneration of the liver, you can and must resort to force-feeding. With a syringe you try to get some of this food into your mouth. This works best if you soothe your cat in advance by stroking it and go completely relaxed to feeding.

How long to wait if the cat stops eating?

If your cat misses a meal or two for a day, no problem. However, if she doesn’t eat at all (longer than 12 hours), only sleeps, or withdraws, you should be vigilant. Because if there is no food, the body begins to burn fat reserves. Fat, which it should ideally not have at all and which it, therefore, lacks the enzymes to break down without protein replenishment.

If a cat is suspected of having a fatty liver, it must be taken to the vet immediately. In general, any additional symptoms should see the veterinarian sooner rather than later. If the cat is listless or just sleeping, that is a sign that something is wrong. Significant abnormalities are vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and aggressiveness. Weight loss on a large or short-term basis, cats that are not allowed to leave the house, cats that drink heavily – all of these animals should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

What does the vet do if the cat stops eating?

There is no general answer to this question. After all, the right treatment depends on the underlying cause. In any case, the vet will first examine your cat, look at the eyes, mouth, and throat and feel the abdomen. Further examinations such as X-ray, MRI, CT, or blood count may be necessary.

Depending on the result, the veterinarian then determines the treatment. Your cat may also be given an injection, which will stimulate the appetite for the first two to three days.

Cat does not eat – conclusion

If your cat doesn’t eat or eats very little for more than 12 hours, it can quickly become dangerous. Observe what bothers the cat and if it shows other symptoms. Try to make her like the food. If she still doesn’t eat, it’s time to see the vet.