Your cat eats little, less than usual. Loss of appetite occurs and you worry. This is normal: this attitude is an important signal of distress, which should not be taken lightly. Animals need food, if they stop feeding, food can no longer meet the nutritional needs necessary for their good health.
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Cats generally consume 50 to 75 grams of kibble and 300 grams of wet food (such as mash) per day. Eating is essential to the development and well-being of our pets. If you notice a change in your companion's behavior, it is essential to react quickly and effectively.
But then, what to do in such a situation? What are the causes of this phenomenon? Step by step, we will explain to you how to stimulate your cat's appetite, thanks to our advice, and why some of our pets refuse to eat and who, in the long term, risk anorexia.
The advice of a veterinary expert is always beneficial for your cat. If in doubt, we advise you to call on him, in order to dispel your doubts and rule out any illness that could quickly worsen...
1- First steps to stimulate your cat's appetite
Loss of appetite should not be interpreted in the same way according to age.
A kitten refuses to eat because it is stressed: weaning occurs from eight weeks, it has just been separated from its family and may be reluctant to eat. Help him to eat, thanks to wet portions. For example, you could moisten kibble and help him feed with your finger. The temperature of its portions can play on the enthusiasm of your little fur ball: reheated food will then seem more appetizing to him. Avoid presenting him with mash straight from the fridge, for example… In addition, we advise you to weigh your kitten frequently, in order to make sure that his evolution follows the normal cycle.
An adult cat can be difficult with the croquettes and the mash that you present to him. He may in particular feel that the quality is not there, the smell does not please him, as well as the presentation... A fine gourmet! Infections and illnesses can explain this change in behavior, especially if you find it sudden and abrupt.
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The older cat tends to develop disorders as they age: kidney problems, hepatitis... As they have more difficulty moving around, due to common problems such as osteoarthritis, they have trouble lowering their heads in their bowl. His sharp senses are gradually being lost... Just like the kitten, reheated food seems to be a very effective technique with our friends the cats.
Space out the times when you bring them food, in the form of several small meals, throughout the day. This organization is very similar to the diet of the cat in the wild, which is rather nibbling.
2- Cat hypersensitivity is often linked to a loss of appetite
The cat is a highly appreciated domestic animal for its independent side and its ability to live indoors, without having to go outside. Not all families care for their cat in the same way and place different limits on their pet. Some have access to nature, others stay in apartments all their lives: its average life expectancy is between 10 and 16 years. In order to ensure him the most pleasant existence possible, you will have to closely monitor his diet, observing his behavior vis-à-vis his bowl as well as your environment.
For example, check that your cat has access to fresh, clean water, renewed every day, by a fountain for example. Water is essential for the proper development of the organism of a healthy cat, regardless of its age: if you forgot to change it one day, it is possible that your companion sulks the meal, because something has changed. . This sudden change disturbs him, so he decides not to eat. The same goes for the bowl and its contents: have you changed kibble brand without transition? He will let you know without telling you. Meows of protest may occur.
Kibbles that sit too long in his bowl will dry out and will seem less edible to him. Proximity to the litter box repels the cat who is much more sensitive than us, in terms of smell. Smelling his own droppings and urine will cut his appetite, so he will be more cautious about eating, if you have installed his bin near where he eats. Know what to feed your cat to avoid more serious problems.
Emotions in your pet
Suddenly changing a cat's diet can deteriorate its health and have a negative impact on its transit... This is why we recommend that you make this transition little by little, mixing the old and new kibbles over about ten days. This feline is an animal that likes regularity and does not support upheavals in its habits, especially if it lives in an apartment.
This living being feels strong emotions, including generalized anxiety and stress. An important event in your daily life can also have an impact on him: have you separated from him for a long time? He may refuse to eat while you are away, especially if he has developed emotional hyperattachment, if you are caring for a cat that has not been properly weaned.
Related: What to feed a cat?
A move to a new place where he has not been able to deposit his pheromones by rubbing against objects or by marking certain strategic areas worries him: your cat feels in danger, because he is not yet at home. Any change in his routine can generate stress: the adoption of a new cat, the arrival of a baby in the family home or the death of a loved one. The dog is the loyal animal par excellence, but our cats develop a deep attachment to their host family, despite their cold and distant reputation
In order to best help him to eat again, you will have to be patient and introduce new things gently. Synthetic pheromone diffusers can help your cat feel safe and at home.
Whim or illness?
Your cat is not so different from you: a heat stroke or more pronounced sleep can make it lazy and reduce its appetite. But if you notice this change, it is because it is significant enough. However, some cat owners complain of a difficult attitude, even tantrums, coming from their pet. This is why you need to have a strict routine in place from the moment you adopt your kitten.
The animal is very sensitive to cleanliness by nature: the irreproachable cleanliness of the cat is often praised. We advise you to be vigilant about cleaning your bowl, as well as where it is. Your companion likes serenity during the meal: so be sure to place the place where he eats and hydrates away from prying eyes. Just like the litter, his bowl of croquettes and mash must be eaten in peace.
Among the gestures to avoid with your cat: never give your leftover food! First, it will encourage him to come begging every time you have your lunch, but even worse: he could develop severe digestive disorders. Food for humans is not compatible with the habits of cats.
There is no point in punishing your animal, which would not understand why you are lecturing it. Cats are sensitive to the intonation of the voice: if they do not necessarily understand the words you say, they will react to shouts and threats. Prefer gentle encouragement rather than an aggressive attitude that will generate stress, which can lead to digestive disorders: diarrhea, constipation...
Loss of appetite: the different diseases in cats
There are many illnesses that can justify a loss of appetite. A veterinarian's diagnosis is valuable because it allows you to organize your life according to this state of health, which can be temporary, chronic or permanent.
For example, diabetes exists in both humans and cats. A diabetic cat will have to undergo treatment throughout its life, in order to monitor the level of sugar in the blood, that is to say its blood sugar. The veterinarian will therefore prescribe insulin injections and a suitable diet. Among the symptoms of diabetes mellitus in cats, loss of appetite is one of the serious symptoms that you may notice.
Kidney failure is a common finding in older cats. Among the signs that should alert, the cat will seem more tired. The more advanced and severe the stage of the disease, the less likely it will be to accept food. Some advanced scientific studies prove that frequent feeding of discount-fed cats often develops urinary stones. Very often, the other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting disturb their appetite.
Related: What Smells Do Cats Like And Hate?
Hepatic lipidosis is a disease that affects the liver of cats, especially obese individuals. It triggers when your cat stops eating. In the absence of energy, the body metabolizes fat, but this process attacks the organ. An icteric cat is affected by jaundice: this is noticeable by the yellow color of its skin and eyes.
A dental disease can prevent your companion from chewing properly: fortunately, the cure should restore the state of health of your cat and allow him to eat again, with desire.
When you have identified the reason why your cat seems less greedy, you can react and rectify the situation by following its routine and putting order in your house. Unfortunately, cats are fragile and can contract diseases without being noticed. A consultation with the veterinarian is essential.
3- Veterinary check-up and appropriate treatments
Your veterinarian will take the situation in hand, if you have reacted in time. The general clinical examination allows him to establish a balance sheet concerning the health of your companion. The specific examination allows you to explore the body of your supposedly sick animal. Some additional examinations such as medical imaging can be performed according to the diagnosis of the veterinarian.
For the most delicate cases, it will be advisable to probe your animal, in order to feed it. Since the nausea prevents the food from being assimilated, the veterinarian administers antiemetics that you can give to him at home (with his authorization).
In order to treat this form of anorexia, the specialist will give you the method to help your cat get back in shape. Sometimes this involves force-feeding and thus refeeding treatment. Cats resent the forced way, they can struggle fiercely and even develop a permanent disgust, trauma towards food.
Healing under supervision
On the road to recovery, your cat will surely have to take medication that will stimulate its appetite.
In order to prevent infectious diseases, we advise family-cat owners to carefully monitor the condition of their cats by observing their coat and behavior. Contact with sick animals can trigger disorders that can cause your cat to refuse to feed...
A recurrence should immediately alert you and encourage you to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, so as not to give time for diseases to manifest themselves more violently.
4- In conclusion: Some solutions to feed a cat that no longer eats
Remember: the reasons that complicate your cat's appetite revolve around the bowl as well as the surrounding environment: its location, its composition.
Have you opted for a traditional bowl or rather a fun bowl, which also allows your cat to hydrate, while having fun? There are a multitude of models that will make your cat want to eat better and for a long time!