My cat won’t eat. Now what?
Answers and next steps for pet parents

2 min read

Stella, a 5-year-old domestic shorthaired cat, recently stopped eating her favorite tuna-flavored kibble. Her pet dad Doug thought it might be a one-off. When she avoided her bowl for the whole day, Doug reached out to his veterinarian at Goodheart.

And we’re so glad he did! If your cat isn’t eating, please call your veterinarian. Early intervention could save your cat’s life

Dr Jesse Williams at Goodheart Broadway – a cat dad himself — has advice for pet parents when their cats won’t eat. Unlike dogs, who might skip a meal here and there, cats don’t usually stop eating. Take any changes in your cat’s eating behavior seriously and act quickly.

What should I do if my cat is not eating? 

If your cat won’t eat, the first step is to observe for other symptoms.

First, check the litter box to see if your cat is still urinating and defecating. This will tell you if cat is eating when you’re not looking or if there’s a more serious issue at play.

If your kitty refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, call Goodheart. We’ll want to do a thorough exam to rule out any underlying health problems, such as a broken tooth that is causing pain, gastrointestinal issues, or systemic conditions like kidney disease or diabetes. Early intervention is key.

Do cats go through phases of not eating?

No. If a cat stops eating, it’s often a sign of something more significant.

Why is my cat not eating?

• Stress. Has there been a recent change in your family? Moving to a new house, bringing home a new pets or baby, or loud noises are all stressors that could lead to decreased appetite.
• Remove the stressor, if possible. You might have read our “My dog won’t eat. Now what?” vlog where we talk about a few at home remedies like enticing foods and bland diets if your dog is otherwise doing well. In cats, we tend to be a bit more aggressive and proactive with our approach. This is because cats have a unique disease that happens when they don’t eat for an extended period of time, something that doesn’t happen in dogs.
• Goodheart can also offer you advice about introducing a new pet or baby into the family.

• Pain or underlying medical issues could be the reason a cat isn’t eating. A thorough exam, possibly including radiographs or ultrasound, is necessary to rule out any physical problems such as a foreign body, oral trauma, or generalized pain.

• Parasites can also cause a cat to stop eating, so it’s important to keep pets up to date with parasite medications.

How do you save a cat who that won’t eat?

If your cat isn’t eating, we might recommend supportive care to stimulate appetite or put your cat on anti-nausea medication.

In some cases, we might suggest syringe feeding or even a feeding tube if your cat has been off food for an extended period. Ensuring hydration is also critical, as dehydration can compound the effects of not eating.

Our goal is to get your cat back to eating on their own as quickly as possible to avoid further complications.

How to stimulate a cat’s appetite?

There are several strategies you can try to tempt your cat back to their food bowl.

You can warm the food to enhance its aroma. You can also offer a variety of textures and flavors, such as wet food or a new type of kibble.

Sometimes, a little bit of tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth added to the food can make it more appealing.

Is a cat not eating an emergency?

Yes, a cat not eating for more than 24 hours can be an emergency. When a cat refuses to eat, it’s a sign that something could be wrong.

You might have read our “My dog won’t eat. Now what?” (LINK to that blog on each location’s website) where we offered a few tips to get your dog to eat (home remedies and bland diets) if your dog is otherwise doing well.

In cats, we tend to be a bit more aggressive and proactive with our approach. This is because cats have a unique disease (Hepatic Lipidosis, also known as fatty liver disease) that happens when they don’t eat for an extended period of time, something that doesn’t happen in dogs.

• Hepatic Lipidosis, also known as fatty liver disease, is a serious condition in cats where fat builds up in the liver. This happens when a cat stops eating for a while and the body starts breaking down fat too quickly to use as energy. The liver gets overwhelmed by all the fat and can’t function properly, leading to liver failure if not treated promptly. It’s a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care. A major concern with cats not eating, especially if they are overweight, is hepatic lipidosis.

Acting quickly to address the issue can prevent serious health complications.

If your cat hasn’t eaten in over 24 hours, call us or book your appointment online. We’re cat lovers at Goodheart Animal Health Center with loads of ways to make your cat feel safe and secure in our exam rooms. We’re here for you – the kitty parents – 24/7.