If you find that your feline is being especially fussy, or that your cat is not eating at all, there are certain things you can try to get them gobbling up their dinner. However, if your cat is off their food for more than a day this can lead to serious complications including hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Contact a vet for advice if the following tips don’t improve your cat’s appetite soon.
Cats can be very fussy eaters, and this can be exacerbated by some of the factors listed below. Anorexia can also be a symptom of illness or disease, so you should seek veterinary advice if your cat has not eaten for more than 24 hours. Here are 10 possible reasons why your cat is not eating:
Establishing a routine is the first step to nip fussy eating in the bud. Stick to a feeding plan of meals at set times of day rather than allowing free feeding, as this can help to establish routine around mealtimes.
Chopping and changing how, when and what you feed your cat can be disruptive and cause them to turn down their dinner.
If you think your cat is a fussy eater and notice that they’re being very picky, be patient. If you try to tempt a cat not eating much with your own tit bits or cat treats, they’ll soon learn that they can get a tasty reward for refusing their own food.
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Some cats don’t enjoy an audience when they eat, so give your pet some peace and quiet at dinner time. Other cats love company and may only eat when being gently stroked or hand fed. As we will see later, it's important to have more than one food bowl and place them in the right locations: quiet areas where they can avoid other cats or people passing by. They also don't like to eat near the litter box, so don't place the litter tray close to their food.
We wouldn’t serve our dinner on a dirty plate, and some cats won’t eat out of a dirty bowl either. Make sure your cat's bowl is cleaned after each use to encourage them to eat and prevent growth of bacteria on the dish.
If your cat has started to turn their nose up at their usual wet food, it could be because it’s too cold. Wet food can lose its tasty aroma when kept in the fridge, and your cat won’t eat what they can’t smell. Try warming chilled wet food in the microwave for a few seconds so that it reaches room temperature, and it should hopefully tempt your cat to tuck in.
If you have a multi-cat household make sure there are enough food bowls for each cat to have their own, and space them apart so they don’t feel unsafe when eating. Even the friendliest of felines can feel stressed about sharing a food bowl with other cats.
If your cat normally enjoys dry food but has suddenly become a fussy eater, you may need to replace your supply. As dry food absorbs moisture (especially in warm weather), your stocks may have turned stale.
If your cat is an outdoor pet, remember that there are plenty of opportunities for an unscheduled snack the other side of the cat flap – if they’re quick enough to catch something. Some cat-loving neighbours may also enjoy feeding your cat. By the time dinner time arrives, your pet just might not be hungry.
To know if they are eating when they leave the house, a good idea is to regularly monitor the animal's weight and health status. If they have stopped eating completely, it's possible that they may lose weight rapidly or become ill (hepatic lipidosis), and other clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, etc., may appear. You should be attentive to these changes.
Like us, a cat’s loss of appetite can be related to hot weather. Where we may choose to opt for a light salad on a summer day, your pet may also not fancy a heavy meal when it’s hot outside.
Sometimes fussiness can be caused by factors other than the food itself. If your cat’s behaviour is normal, it might be that they’re just not very hungry. However, if they refuse to eat any significant amount of food for 24 hours, or continue eating very little for more than a couple of days, it would be a good idea to contact your vet in order to discuss the problem and seek a solution.
Remember that not eating (even due to environmental factors like heat or because the cat is stressed) can seriously harm your cat. In other words, if your cat is sick, they may stop eating, but stopping eating can make your cat sick.
There are various reasons why your cat may ask for food but not eat it. While fussiness may be a factor, it’s unlikely that a cat will refuse food for a prolonged period of time solely due to this. Other causes include dental disease, other painful oral conditions, stress, and underlying illnesses and infections.
Your cat might be hungry but unable to eat their food, so they will just walk away from it. In these cases, your vet should be consulted, and it’s best to set up an appointment as soon as possible.
If nothing seems to work and your cat is not eating, you could consider changing their food. Stick with their previous preference of wet or dry food and introduce them to the new formula over a period of 7-10 days by gradually adding more of the new food to each meal. Sudden changes in diet can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting. Sometimes a simple change in recipe is all it will take to appeal to their taste buds.
If your cat seems keen, but is struggling to eat, they may have dental problems making it difficult or painful. If you think your cat’s gums look red or swollen, you should book an appointment with the vet. Take a look at our handy guide on how to look after your cat’s teeth to avoid dental problems, and be sure to follow veterinary advice.
If your fussy feline refuses all food for more than 24 hours, or is eating significantly less than usual, consult your vet. A cat not eating is a relatively non-specific symptom and can be an indication of a range of illnesses and diseases.
Cats gain essential amino acids from their diet, and lack of these can lead to severe health issues even within a couple of days. They can also develop a liver condition known as hepatic lipidosis, and overweight cats are particularly at risk from this.
If you have already tried different kinds of food and your kitten is not touching them, it’s possible that they have an upset stomach or other underlying health issues. Cats are very delicate when young, so if your kitten has not eaten for more than a day, take them to your vet for an emergency check-up. For very young kittens who are either on milk or only recently weaned, you should see a vet within 24 hours if they stop eating.
It can be tricky to give medicine to any cat, so it’s even tougher for a fussy eater.
If you think that you will struggle to medicate your pet with tablets, speak to your vet about whether there are alternative treatments. You can also ask them to show you how to safely and effectively administer pills.
Try to avoid hiding tablets or medicine in the food of a cat who is already fussy, as this may put them off food even more.
Do you have a fussy kitten? It might be a bit more difficult to convince younger cats to eat when they don’t feel like it. We’ve put together a guide explaining possible reasons why your kitten is not eating and what you can do to help restore their appetite back.
