The Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Isn’t Eating

Cats are widely known as stubborn and picky eaters, and many pet owners may assume their poor appetite is nothing to worry about. However, it is common for felines to stop eating when they feel unwell, which is why you must never ignore a reduced appetite.

If your cat goes one or more days without food, don’t hesitate to visit a qualified veterinarian to get to the root cause of their food aversion. If you are eager to learn more about what is causing the problem, here are some possible reasons why your cat isn’t eating.

A digestive issue

A reduced appetite could be one of the first signs that your cat has a digestive issue. It might be due to a problem with their intestines, stomach, or another part of their system.

Also, your cat may experience other symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas

Following an examination, a veterinarian could diagnose your cat with a digestive condition, such as acid reflux, gastroenteritis, an intestinal bacteria imbalance, parasite, tumour, or inflammatory bowel disease. Fortunately, pet insurance coverage could help cover the cost of a vet bill and allow you to focus more of your attention on your cat’s recovery.

An oral health problem

Like humans, cats can experience oral health issues that make chewing uncomfortable or feel impossible. Also, they might suffer from severe pain that may affect their behaviour.

 As hungry as they might be, a feline friend might refuse to eat due to:

• A tooth fracture
• An abscess
• Dental infection
• Mouth injury
• Oral tumour
• Gum inflammation

If a veterinarian suspects an oral health problem is to blame for a cat’s reduced appetite, they may need to sedate your pet to review their teeth and gums and identify the best treatment option.

A foreign body obstruction

Many pets make the mistake of consuming harmful items or may develop a hairball, which might become lodged in their intestines or stomach. Unfortunately, a foreign body may prevent food from passing through a cat’s digestive tract, which is known as a gastrointestinal obstruction.

As a result, a cat may have a poor appetite and experience abdominal pain or vomiting.  Veterinary intervention, and oftentimes surgery, is vital to help a cat recover from a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Conclusion

Never ignore your cat’s reduced appetite, as it could be a sign of a medical condition. You must act quickly, as not eating for a few days or weeks could pose a serious risk to your cat’s health. 

If your feline friend is skipping meals, take them to a local vet to identify the cause and embark on the best treatment plan to restore their hunger and protect their health. 

The above conditions are a handful of possible causes why your cat has stopped eating, but other health issues could be to blame, such as stress, anxiety, kidney disease, or a respiratory problem. For this reason, you must talk to a qualified vet about your pet’s appetite to ensure they receive the appropriate care.