Why Is My Cat Not Eating?

A cat skipping one meal can happen for a simple reason. A cat that keeps refusing food needs more attention, especially if there are other changes in behavior.

Cats can stop eating because of stress, dental pain, stomach problems, changes in food, illness, or something as simple as a dirty food bowl. The tricky part is figuring out which one is happening.

If your cat hasn't eaten for around 24 hours, contact your veterinarian for advice. Kittens, older cats, and cats with existing health problems may need attention sooner.

Why do cats stop eating?

Loss of appetite, called anorexia in veterinary medicine, can have many causes. Some are temporary, while others need veterinary treatment.

• Stress or anxiety
• A sudden change in food
• Dental pain
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Hairballs or digestive problems
• Infections
• Kidney or liver disease
• Diabetes or other medical conditions
• Medication side effects
• Pain somewhere in the body

How long can a cat go without eating?

Cats shouldn't go without food for long periods. After several days of eating very little or nothing, cats can develop a serious liver condition called hepatic lipidosis, especially if they are overweight.

That's why waiting several days to see whether your cat starts eating again can be risky.

Is your cat drinking water?

Check your cat's water intake when you notice a change in eating. A cat that refuses food and water needs prompt attention.

Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, dry gums, or unusual sleepiness can increase the concern because dehydration can develop alongside poor appetite.

1. Your cat may be stressed

Cats can react strongly to changes around them. Moving house, a new pet, visitors, loud construction, a new baby, or changes in your routine can affect appetite.

Some cats hide when they're stressed. Others become unusually quiet or avoid their normal food area.

2. Your cat may dislike the new food

Cats can be surprisingly particular about food. A new flavor, texture, smell, or temperature can make a cat walk away from the bowl.

If you recently changed food, try returning to the previous food if it was tolerated well. Future food changes are usually easier when introduced gradually over several days.

3. Dental pain can make eating difficult

Dental disease can make chewing painful. Your cat may approach the bowl, sniff the food, and then leave.

Drooling, bad breath, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, chewing on one side, or avoiding hard food can point toward an oral problem.

4. Your cat could have an upset stomach

Nausea can make food smell unpleasant to your cat. Vomiting, diarrhea, lip licking, swallowing repeatedly, or hiding can happen alongside nausea.

If your cat refuses food after repeated vomiting or has severe diarrhea, contact your veterinarian promptly.

5. A dirty food bowl can put your cat off

Food bowls collect old food, grease, and bacteria. Some cats are picky about the condition of their dishes.

Wash the bowl regularly with warm water and mild dish soap, then rinse it well. Keep the feeding area clean.

6. The feeding location may be the problem

Cats usually prefer eating somewhere calm. A food bowl beside a washing machine, busy doorway, loud television, or another pet can make mealtime uncomfortable.

Move the bowl to a quiet location where your cat can eat without being watched or interrupted.

7. Your cat may have eaten something elsewhere

If your cat spends time outside, you may not know everything it has eaten. Outdoor cats can find food from neighbors, hunt small animals, or eat something unusual.

If appetite drops after your cat has been outside and you notice vomiting, weakness, breathing problems, or unusual behavior, contact a veterinarian.

What can you try at home?

If your cat is otherwise acting normally and has only recently skipped a meal, you can try a few gentle changes while monitoring closely.

• Offer your cat's usual favorite food.
• Warm wet food slightly to increase its smell.
• Give your cat a quiet place to eat.
• Use a clean food bowl.
• Offer small portions instead of filling a large bowl.
• Keep fresh water available.

Should you force-feed your cat?

Avoid forcing food into your cat's mouth unless your veterinarian has shown you exactly how to do it. Force-feeding can cause stress and creates a risk of food entering the airway.

If your cat needs assisted feeding, your veterinarian can recommend the safest method and the right food.

When should you call the veterinarian?

Contact your veterinarian when your cat refuses food for around 24 hours, or sooner when other symptoms are present.

A cat that stops eating and also becomes weak, vomits repeatedly, has diarrhea, struggles to breathe, hides continuously, or seems painful needs prompt veterinary attention.

What if my cat is eating less but still eating?

Eating less than usual still matters. Your cat may be getting enough food to avoid a complete fast while an underlying problem develops.

Measure how much food you offer and how much remains. This gives you a clearer picture of the change and can help your veterinarian.

Why is my cat not eating dry food?

A cat that suddenly refuses dry food may have mouth pain, especially if it still shows interest in soft food.

Dental problems are common in cats, so a sudden change from crunchy food to softer food deserves attention.

Why is my cat not eating wet food?

Your cat may dislike the flavor, smell, texture, or temperature. Food that has been sitting in the refrigerator can smell different from freshly opened food.

Try serving a small amount at room temperature and make sure the food is fresh. If your cat refuses several foods, illness becomes more of a concern.

Why is my cat not eating but drinking water?

Drinking water doesn't rule out illness. Cats with several medical conditions can continue drinking while their appetite falls.

If your cat continues refusing food, contact your veterinarian rather than assuming that drinking means everything is fine.

Why is my cat hiding and not eating?

Hiding can happen with stress, fear, pain, or illness. When hiding appears together with appetite loss, take the change seriously.

Give your cat a quiet place and avoid repeatedly pulling it out of hiding. Monitor food, water, litter box use, and other behavior while arranging veterinary advice.

Can a hairball cause a cat to stop eating?

A hairball can sometimes cause temporary stomach discomfort. Some cats cough, gag, or vomit while trying to bring one up.

Repeated vomiting, continued refusal of food, constipation, abdominal pain, or lethargy needs veterinary attention because other digestive problems can look similar.

What should you tell your veterinarian?

Keep track of when your cat last ate normally and how much it has eaten since then. Also mention any changes in drinking, urination, bowel movements, vomiting, activity, and behavior.

• When your cat last ate a normal meal
• How much food it has eaten since then
• What type of food you offered
• Water intake
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Changes in urination
• Changes in energy or behavior
• Any recent food, home, or medication changes

How to prevent appetite problems

Keep your cat's feeding routine predictable. Give it a clean feeding area, fresh water, appropriate food, and regular veterinary checkups.

Dental care matters too. Regular veterinary dental checks can catch problems that might otherwise make eating painful.

Why is my cat not eating?

Your cat may refuse food because of stress, dental pain, nausea, a change in diet, digestive trouble, or an underlying illness. The reason can't be determined from appetite loss alone.

Keep fresh water available, offer familiar food in a quiet place, and watch closely for other symptoms. If your cat hasn't eaten for around 24 hours, contact your veterinarian, and seek help sooner when your cat is very young, elderly, overweight, already ill, or showing signs such as vomiting, weakness, pain, or breathing problems.