Cat Not Eating
Cat Not Eating? Better Find Out Why
A cat not eating can be a cat with serious medical problems. Cats can be finicky eaters, and do skip a meal now and then, or simply take their own sweet time about eating it. More often than not your cat is just being a cat.
A cat not eating can also be caused from an outside source. A number of years ago we had two Siamese cats which spent a few hours a day outside. One cat, the female, seemed to eat less and less, and then stopped almost entirely, yet seemed to be healthy in all respects. The cause of this came to light one day when we let them out. The male stuck around as he always did. The female made a bee line to the neighbor’s house. Turned out they had started giving her an occasional tid bit, and the tid bits got bigger and bigger, eventually turning into meals. The cat was naturally thin, too thin they thought.
So, that incident of a cat not eating had a happy outcome, though it took some time, and the neighbor's cooperation, to get things back to normal. If your cat's loss of appetite is the result of a medical problem, you'll be a step ahead if you've taken the time to notice your cat's eating habits. A loss of appetite will often be accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, timidness, evidence of pain or distress, constipation or diarrhea. Two or more symptoms such as these, usually indicate a problem that needs to be corrected quickly, and requires the services of a veterinarian.
A cat not eating may be a cat under stress. Got a new cat or puppy in the house? Did you rearrange the furniture? Did you board your cat for a week? Felines are very sensitive. They don't always tolerate well the introduction of new things, or changes in their environment. This can lead to their not eating, though not usually for very long. Maybe you changed its food to something that looked, from the packaging, more appealing to kitty. Maybe you just changed the brand. Your cat will detect the difference, and there is always a chance it won't like it.
There are a few things you can do to try to stimulate your cat's appetite. Just remember not to make big changes all at once. The cat may or may not accept something new. Also too much of a new food can bring on other dietary problems. If your cat eats dry food, try adding a little canned tuna or salmon, and at least some of the oil. The tuna we eat is usually perfectly fine; you don't have to buy tuna prepared for cats. Cats like dairy products such as milk, cream, or cheese. Just keep the amounts small. You're trying to stimulate their appetite, not start them out on a new diet. Sometimes warming their food may help a bit.
Every cat loves catnip. We always have a plant or two growing during the summer. A few small, tender catnip leaves, in the cat's food, or as a "separate" dish, can work wonders. At least it has in our household. There are medications that can help too, so if all else seems not to be working, consult with your veterinarian. You may have to pamper your cat from time to time, it won't hurt the cat. It will enjoy it, and you'll feel a little better too.