Why is my cat not eating
If your cat has suddenly stopped eating or has shown a gradual decline in appetite, neither scenario should be ignored. Here are 5 reasons why.
Owners should always seek veterinary advice to establish if a medical condition is responsible and to prevent further decline in your pet’s health and vitality.
If there are no medical reasons for inappetence in your cat, here are five questions to ask yourself.
1. Is my cat stressed?
Cats are sensitive creatures and they can become stressed for many reasons and this can have a negative impact upon appetite. Has anything changed in the household that may be responsible? Make sure you cat has a quiet place to eat away from any distractions or competition from other pets. Check out our helpful fact sheet on this topic ‘Ten calming tips for anxious cats’ here.
2. Are my cat’s bowl and feeding area dirty?
Make sure each meal is served in a fresh bowl, with no residue of previous meals and rinsed well of cleaning products and unpleasant tasting detergent. Uneaten wet or fresh food should be picked up and discarded as soon as possible.
3. Is my cat's food past its best?
Cats are sensitive to the freshness of their food, so make sure it is stored correctly in an airtight container away from heat and sunlight.
4. Is my cat's food too cold?
If you are keeping your cat’s food in the fridge it may be too cold for your cat to enjoy, try allowing food to reach room temperature before feeding.
5. Is my cat 'eating out'?
The treats and titbits you are giving your cat may leave them less hungry at mealtimes, while cats with easy access to the outdoors may also be supplementing their diet by hunting.
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