Cat Not Eating
What Does It Mean If Your Cat Is Not Eating
Are you finding that your cat is not eating? Or is your cat eating significantly less than before? There are a couple of different causes for this and it ranges from the straight-forward to the complicated. You will have to wait and watch and analyze the context before you can make a decision about what is triggering the lack of appetite. In some cases it can be an issue you can address at home but if there is persistent disinterest in food for more than 24 hours it is best if you schedule a visit to the veterinarian.
You can think about a cat's appetite in human terms when figuring out why your cat is not eating. When are we less interested in food? Most often because we are already feeling sated or full. So, it is possible that your cat already may have eaten something. This is most likely to happen if your cat has a way of wandering outside - it could catch a mouse in the backyard or a friendly neighbor may be leaving some food out. Either way, you cat is coming home feeling full and that would explain the reduced eating.
The other reason we sometimes do not eat is if we do not enjoy the food. This may happen if you are changing your cat's food. Cats are in general picky eaters and do not always take well to transitions. It is considered a good idea to mix in old and new food and slowly get the cat used to the new taste. You can slowly increase the proportion of the new food and then transition completely.
Another reason for humans and cats to face eating problems is stress. This can stem from any changes, big or small, in a cat's life. They are creatures of routine and habit and so a move of houses or a significant re-ordering within the cat's living space can cause it to feel stress and this may show up as less interest in food. A new pet in the family may cause your cat to feel anxiety or stress and you should anticipate a settling down period before expecting the two pets to be at ease with each other. Think of it as getting a child ready for a sibling - we recognize the enormity of that change when it is a child, but forget it sometimes when it comes to our pets.
A cat that is allowed to wander around outside may also feel stress if it gets into trouble while outside. This may involve feeling threatened by some neighborhood dog or if there is a territorial battle with another cat in the area. In essence these are things that you cannot directly modify in any way so it may be necessary to keep your cat indoors. There are experts who feel that keeping a cat indoors is good for the cat as it reduces its chance of disease, injuries and these kinds of stress. So, you can try confining your cat without worrying too much about the fact that it is not getting to go outside.
Human beings also experience dramatic change in appetite when they are ill or if their bodies are fighting something. The same applies to a cat that is not eating properly. If your cat's loss of appetite is accompanied by changes in energy levels and behavior and if it seems tired and irritated, you should consider the possibility of some illness. A cat that is unwell tends to seek secluded and quiet corners and it also tends to drink significantly less water. If you see one or all of these signs, it is necessary to plan a quick visit to the veterinarian. You cat may be dealing with a digestive problem, infection, kidney disease, tumor or a more localized mouth problem. A physical examination will help find the exact source of difficulties and you can start the appropriate treatment.