Cat Has Lost Their Appetite: Possible Reasons
The lack of appetite is often harmless. However, refusing to eat can also have serious causes and it’s important that you keep a close eye on your cat.
Harmless reasons why a cat does not eat
Fortunately, a temporary refusal to feed in cats is completely harmless in most cases, so you don't have to worry if your cat doesn't eat.
For example, free-range feeders may have just eaten a bird or mouse, or a neighbor may have already fed them. In this case, it is of course quite normal for your cat not to eat, as it is simply full.
Maybe your four-legged friend is too hot. With summer temperatures above 30 degrees it often happens that a cat does not eat or only eats very little. This also applies to unruly animals, where hormone fluctuations often lead to a temporary loss of appetite.
Cats are sensitive
Cats can sometimes be very sensitive. If your cat does not eat, it can also be due to stress. Perhaps you recently moved, bought a second cat, or an important caregiver of the cat friend died.
All of this is very stressful for your cat and can cause her to suddenly refuse to eat. If so, you should do your utmost to help your four-legged friend get used to it. As a rule, the appetite comes back on its own with sufficient care.
Cats do not eat from every bowl
Cats can be extremely picky. This applies not only to the food itself, but also to the bowl in which it is served. So there are definitely animals that, for example, do not eat from a plastic bowl or, in principle, only accept a very specific bowl to eat.
It is equally possible that your cat will not eat because your dog regularly uses the food of the four-legged friend. In this case, you should ensure that your cat's feeding bowl is protected so that it has its food all to itself.
Disease-related appetite in cats
Unfortunately, the lack of appetite is not always a harmless cause. Because if your cat doesn't eat, it can also be a sign of health problems.
This is especially true if there are other symptoms besides refusing to eat, such as diarrhea and vomiting, fever, fatigue or a remarkably high thirst.
In these cases, the following reasons for refusing feed are conceivable:
- Poisoning
- Cat sniffing
- Parasite infestation
- Renal failure
- diabetes
- Various organ diseases
- Feed allergies
- Various infections
- Inflammation in the digestive system
If you suspect that your cat is not eating due to an illness, a visit to the veterinarian cannot be avoided. Because, on the one hand, permanent lack of appetite sooner or later leads to weight loss and deficiency symptoms and, on the other hand, it is not always a simple stomach upset that your cat can cure itself by temporarily fasting.
Without prompt treatment, some diseases can even cause permanent damage or, in the worst case, can be fatal. In case of doubt, however, you can only be certain if you are examined by a specialist.
Diet-related reasons why a cat does not eat
Last but not least, nutrition also plays a significant role in your cat's appetite. Maybe your four-legged friend gets too many treats in between, so that he is hardly hungry during the main meals.
The food may remain in the bowl for too long and spoil, or the manufacturer has changed the composition of the favorite variety.
In order to counteract your cat's nutritional loss of appetite, you should follow the following rules in particular:
- Feed change should be done slowly to avoid indigestion such as nausea.
- Adjust the amount of feed to the actual needs of the animal and avoid an oversupply of food.
- Especially with wet food, make sure that it does not stay in the bowl for too long, as it can easily spoil.
- Make sure that your cat gets the food well and that there are no intolerances to certain ingredients.
- Avoid cat food with grains, additional sugar and other unsuitable ingredients that can harm your cat.
High quality cat food stimulates the appetite
The best way to avoid loss of appetite in your cat is to buy high-quality food that tastes good for your four-legged friend and supplies it with all the important nutrients.
With cat food from I love my cat, you opt for species-appropriate feeding without grain, a high meat content and a balanced recipe. The natural cat food reliably supports the well-being of your cat and ensures long-lasting vitality.
We are sure that your four-legged friend cannot resist the first-class taste and will love his new food from I love my cat.
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