What Should I Expect When I Visit The Vet
Your vet will ask you about your cats recent medical history and whether you have noticed any other signs, such as weight loss or vomiting. It is important to try to work out if your cat is hungry but not managing to eat for some reason or if they have no interest in food.Your vet will check your cat over by performing a clinical examination and also ask questions about you have observed at home. Since there are many possible reasons for cats not eating, your vet may also need to perform some tests to work out what is going on, such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound.
Check Your Cat’s Teeth And Gums
Theres no NHS for pets. Veterinary care can be eye-wateringly expensive and most pets will need treatment for an illness or injury at some point in their life. Its difficult to think about your animals being hurt or unwell, but you need to ask yourself: what would you do if you were faced with a vet bill for hundreds or thousands of pounds?
Most cats will carry on eating no matter how painful their mouth is. However, looking at the teeth and gums is an important part of checking your cat over if theyve stopped eating, or have changed the food they prefer or the way that they chew.
If your cat will allow it, try opening their mouth to look for broken teeth, areas of gums that are red, and teeth that are caked in grey-green tartar. The molars, at the back of the mouth, are more likely to cause a problem with eating and chewing, so start here. You should also look for lumps on the tongue, a foul smell, and fleshy red spots on the teeth, as these are signs of a painful tooth condition in cats.
If your cat doesnt want you touching their mouth and is trying to scratch or bite – just stop! You dont want to end up injuring them or yourself, so leave it to your vet who will be able to help you. In some cases, it isnt safe to examine a cats mouth awake, especially if they are trying to bite, and your vet will recommend performing a sedation or general anaesthetic to look at their mouth properly.
The Scoop On Dry Food
Did you know dry cat food can become stale or rancid? Vitamins and fats can erode if the food isn’t properly stored. Keep food in its original bag for a good reason. The bag may have a special barrier to keep food fresher longer. To ensure the food’s best freshness, put the original bag in a sealed container and place it in a cool, moisture-free environment.
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What If Your Cat Is Not Eating Or Drinking
Approved By: Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM
Certified Content. This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary adviser.
Loss of appetite can be cause for concern for any pet parent. After all, cats seem to live to eat, so a cat that suddenly doesn’t want to eat can feel like a reason to worry. If you know what can be causing your cat’s sudden hunger strike and how to handle it, your worries will be eased.
It may be something serious that requires veterinary intervention, or it could be just a case of the picky-pickies. Know your cat, and you’ll know what to do.
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What About A Cat Whos Not Drinking Water
Its very unusual for a kitty to not drink enough water if their food intake is normal. If you think your cat isnt get enough water, though, try a kitty water fountain. Some cats prefer moving water to sitting water, and the noise of running water attracts them to the fountain to drink. Here are some additional tips and tricks.
One possible cause for decreased water intake, though, could be a food change. If you start incorporating canned food or another higher moisture content food into your cats diet, your pet may drink less water from their bowl since theyre getting more water at mealtimes. This is perfectly normal, so no need to worry.
But if your kitty is also eating less than usual, or if you are concerned, go ahead and schedule a veterinary appointment.
On the other end of the spectrum, if your cat is drinking more water than usual in combination with not eating, this could be a symptom of a health problem such as diabetes or kidney disease. Its important you talk to your vet if this is happening to your pet.
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Why My Cat Is Not Eating Or Drinking
You may have to play detective to find out why your cat isn’t eating. If you live in the country, Kitty may have found an old barn infested with mice and her predatory instincts kicked in.
If she’s getting food somewhere else, whether from hunting, begging or raiding trash cans, she may be too full to eat what you offer. If she’s just been vaccinated, she may have temporarily lost her appetite but will get it back soon.
If you’re on the move, she could have a touch of motion sickness. If she lost someone close to her, be it another feline friend or a favored human, she might not be in the mood to eat.
It could be she simply likes her food served hot. A minute or so in the microwave will solve that.
There may be a more serious reason your cat isn’t eating. Kidney failure, intestinal problems, pancreatitis and several types of cancer and infections can lead to a loss of appetite.
It may be something less worrisome like a toothache or tongue or mouth injury. Has Kitty gotten into something poisonous? If you wouldn’t want a toddler drinking or eating it, neither should your cat. Some plants, insects and frogs are poisonous.
One overlooked poison is opossum urine. Gnawing on something an opossum urinated on can cause necrosis of the tongue.
Old Cat Not Eating Why It Happens And How To Fix It
Taking care of your cat is one of the most important things you should prioritize.But there will be times that they suffer from certain problems that end up with them being unhealthy. As your cat grows older, he may have particular difficulties with the way he functions, namely his eating habits.If you noticed your old cat not eating, then it may be a huge
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Why Is My Cat Listless And Not Eating
Why is my cat sleeping all day and not eating? If a cat is sleeping more often and/or more deeply than usual or has difficulty lying down and getting up, it could signal an underlying problem. Most cats eat well and regularly, provided they are offered food they enjoy. Increased food consumption can point to problems such as diabetes or …
What Do You Do When Your Cat Wont Eat
If your kitty at any age stops eating, do you need to take them to the vet right away? Or, is it okay to wait until morning or even to monitor for a few days if your kitty is acting normal otherwise?
With cats, dont wait to see if appetite will improve. Cats who dont eat for more than a day or two are at risk for a condition called fatty liver, which can cause liver failure. Fatty liver, or hepatic lipidosis, happens when the body moves stored fat to use for energy during anorexia. The process overwhelms the liver, which is involved in processing the stored fat. Obese or overweight kitties are at the highest risk, but fatty liver can happen to any cat.
Other potential complications of not eating include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, and delayed healing and recoveries.
If your vet has ruled out a medical condition and has determined your kittys loss of appetite is due to picky eating habits, they can discuss techniques to establish a healthy eating schedule. Your vet may also recommend trying a new food or try switching from dry food to canned food. Some cat owners have also had success with mixing in fish oil or a small amount of canned tuna into their cat’s meal. Just remember, you don’t want to rely on feeding you cat human foods as your pet won’t get all of the nutrients they need .
Prompt care will also help your kitty feel like their normal self again as soon as possible.
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When To Seek Veterinary Care
Many of the potential reasons for your cat to lose their appetite are serious medical concerns. Your vet can help to determine the cause and best plan of treatment.
The reasons why your cat has stopped eating can vary greatly, but despite the cause, it’s important to bring your cat to your vet if it lasts more than 24 hours. It’s also extremely important to monitor and contact your vet if they are not drinking or are displaying other symptoms or behavioral changes.
If you are concerned about your cat’s loss of appetite, please contact our Bartlett veterinary clinic today for more information or to book an appointment.
Why Is My Cat Hungry But Not Eating
Why is my cat hungry but not eating. For example, the continuation of hydration but a reduction in food intake could indicate that it simply does not like its food or is not hungry. For example, the continuation of hydration but a reduction in food intake could indicate that it simply does not like its food or is not hungry.
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Cat Throwing Up White Foam Lethargic Not Eating: Reasons
The affected cat also develops declined desire to eat. If your cat goes for 24 hours or more without eating, it is a great idea to seek the attention of your vet right away. This will help prevent a condition known as fatty liver disease, which develops when a cat goes for prolonged period of time without eating.
How To Encourage Cats To Eat
Attempt to hand-feed your cat its usual meal. Cats enjoy the one-on-one attention that comes from hand-feeding. Avoid making a habit of this because some cats will expect this level of service every time.
Stimulate your cats sense of smell. While humans decide if food is appealing by sight, cats do so by scent. Even a sick cat will struggle to resist a strong-smelling meal that appeals to its senses.
Offer your cat fish that has a strong scent, such as sardines or tuna fish. Alternatively, drizzle tuna juice over your cats regular food. If your cat prefers meat, use a feline-friendly gravy.
Consider heating the food as this will release the scent and taste more appealing. Warm the food to a cats body temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Some Helpful Hints For Determining Cat Emergencies That Need Your Vets Attention Asap
The following list is designed to help you recognize cat emergencies that always warrant an immediate trip to the vet. However, it is not exhaustive, and you may find yourself in an ambiguous situation not covered on the list. If you are wondering whether you need to get out of your pajamas and head to the emergency cat vet in such a situation, there are some guidelines you can follow.
One useful indicator of cat health is the color of the gums. Lift your cats lip and look at his gums now. They should be pink and moist. Check them regularly, and youll get a sense of what they look like normally. If you suspect your cat is sick and the gums are pale, grey, blue or bright red, then your cat most likely is in trouble .
Remember as well that you are always free to call your cat vet or your local emergency clinic to talk about any ambiguous situation. The staff should be able to offer guidance.
Finally, remember that when in doubt it is always safest to have a vet evaluate your cat. A physical exam that reveals nothing wrong causes no harm doing nothing about a critical situation can lead to a fatal outcome.
Now lets list some of the most common and serious cat emergencies:
Weak Sense Of Dehydration
Cats have a weak sense of dehydration. This comes from being evolved from creatures suited to dry environments. If your cat is eating moist canned food , she may be getting sufficient moisture that way. How much water your cat needs depends on size and age.
Older cats may dry out more quickly, but young healthy cats don’t seem to need much. For every kilogram your cat weighs she needs 20-40 milliliters of water. They will drink only clean, clear water so make sure to serve it in dishes that adequately display how clean the water is.
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Why Is My Cat Not Eating And Lethargic
Why Is My Cat Not Eating And Lethargic? Loss of appetite is one of the key indicators that something is wrong. So be sure to pay attention if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of different conditions may be responsible, including infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer.
People joke about cats and their finicky eating habits, but its actually a serious issue if your cat wont eat. If your veterinarian has determined that your cat is not physically sick, then anxiety or depression could be the reason your cat wont eat. Even if youre trying to make your cat eat a doctor-prescribed diet, never starve your cat into eating a certain type of food. If your cat has been eating human food exclusively, be sure to transition your pet over several weeks by mixing together your pets favorite people food with cat food.
What do you do if your cat is not feeling well? Bring your cat to a vet immediately. Changes in breathing like wheezing, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and raspy breathing should never be ignored. If your cat is not breathing normally, it may be best to go to an emergency clinic. If the signs are very mild, see your regular veterinarian as soon as possible.
Why Is My Cat Not Eating But Drinking Water
If your cat is refusing to eat solid food but is still drinking plenty of water or even more water than usual it could indicate an underlying problem. The most common causes of increased thirst and drinking, coupled with loss of appetite can include:
- Kidney problems
- Making up for lost water through vomiting or diarrhoea
If you are concerned about the amount of water that your cat is drinking, it is best to get them checked at the vets immediately to rule out any underlying conditions.
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Why It’s A Problem If Your Cat Stops Eating
If your cat isn’t feeling well, it may stop eating because there’s something stuck in its stomach or intestines. Or, your cat might not like the food you’re offering. Your cat’s lack of eating can also be a symptom of a disease or problem that’s causing pain or discomfort. Regardless of the reason, it’s a major concern if your cat stops eating.
If you have an obese cat that’s stopped eating, it can quickly develop hepatic lipidosis by going without food for a few days. This disease is often referred to as fatty liver disease or fatty liver syndrome and it can be fatal if left untreated. This is the main reason why it’s so important to make sure your cat, especially if it’s overweight, keeps eating. With fatty liver disease, the liver is overwhelmed trying to convert fat to energy. The excess fat that’s stored around your cat’s liver exacerbates the situation. The liver is a critical organ and if it’s not working effectively, your cat can suffer without immediate treatment from your veterinarian.
Lethargic Cats: Causes And What To Do
Lethargic and Not Eating / DrinkingLike lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. Lethargic and Losing WeightA poor appetite can lead to weight loss, but so can diseases like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, even if your cat is eating well. Lethargic and WobblyCats who are wobbly could be suffering from a
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What Things Should I Look For
Cats that are ill will usually show changes in overall appearance, energy level, sociability, coat appearance and/or amount of shedding, appetite, litterbox usage, breathing, or discharges from the eyes or nose. In general, any sudden change should alert you that your cat needs veterinary attention.
Why Won’t My Cat Eat
Cat’s are notoriously picky eaters. Many a cat owner have found themselves looking for new, interesting flavors of food after their feline friend has decided they don’t like their current offering. However, if you notice your cat not eating for an extended period of time, or they have other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, there could be an underlying health issue causing the appetite problem.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is common in cats older than 7 and may cause your feline friend to feel nauseated, which could lead to a refusal to eat. Other symptoms include drinking lots of water and urinating frequently. If your cat has stopped eating and is displaying symptoms of kidney disease, make an appointment with your vet right away.
Dental Issues
Dental issues in pets can lead to mouth pain that can result in a refusal to eat. An injury to your cat’s mouth caused by a foreign object, dental abscess, inflamed gums, advanced tooth decay or loose or broken teeth can all cause significant pain.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from pain in their mouth, take them to your vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Your vet can perform a thorough dental examination and diagnose and treat any issues that may be causing pain.
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