The cat is a living being, but for it to stay that way for many years it must eat. Although this is something that he does instinctively, and also several times a day, the reality is that in case of problems or changes, he can stop eating.
For those humans who adore our feline, seeing him refuse food is one of the saddest and most painful experiences we can have; especially when the days go by and we do not notice any improvement. So if you are wondering why my cat does not want to eat, in this article I will explain what the possible causes are and what measures you should take to help him.
Why don't you eat?
Does not like food
It is usually the most frequent cause. A change of feed, or the transition from feed to homemade food or Barf, or vice versa, can make the cat inappetent. For this reason, the best thing to do in these cases is to gradually accustom him to his new diet, putting more and more amounts of the new one mixed with the "old one."
In addition, try to stimulate your appetite with some food that you love, such as cans of wet food, cooked meat or fish (without bones / bones), or with pieces of ham.
The feeder is in a bad place
The cat is an animal that, in its natural habitat, has its sources of water and food and its "bathroom" very separate. You must if you want to prevent a predator from finding you. However, at home his feeder is often placed near the water and / or the litter box, which is a mistake.
If that's your case, put it as far away as you can, at least from its toilet. He thinks that eating with the smell of stools is not pleasant for him.
With regard to water, I myself confess that I have food right next to it and my furry ones have no problem with this. Now, if yours did not eat, to rule out possible causes, try putting the drinker 1-2 meters from his feeder.
Heat
When it is hot, both humans and cats tend to reduce our food intake. This is completely normal and, in principle, it should not worry us. However, if he stops eating, then he must be given specific wet food for these animals, since with it we will also get you to stay hydrated.
And is that thirst is one of the most serious problems that our furry can have: if they spend more than 3 days without drinking anything, their life is in serious danger of death. Of course, you do not have to give it any can: only those that DO NOT have cereals will be the ones that will feed you the most.
Hair balls
Hairballs, called trichobezoars, form when the cat ingests too much hair when grooming. When they form, they accumulate in the intestine, preventing you from having a bowel movement, and consequently, causing you to lose your appetite. To solve it you have to smear a leg with pharmaceutical paraffin, although if it does not improve it is best to take it to the vet.
If you want to prevent this from happening, brush it daily and put a little malt for cats on its paw once a day.
Poisoning
Without knowing it, sometimes we can give him a bad food, or he may go out and eat something that he should not. In these cases, in addition to lack of appetite, you will have other symptoms, such as nausea and / or vomiting, seizures, diarrhea, disorientation and / or loss of consciousness.
Therefore, at the slightest suspicion of poisoning, go quickly to the vet.
Depression
The cat does not like changes at all. When we move, or introduce a new member to the family, go through a season of stress or anxiety, or a loved one dies, you will notice it right away and you may stop eating.
Therefore, It is very important to pay close attention to it and ensure that it leads a life as happy and calm as possible.. If his behavior changes and we do not know how to help him, it is highly advisable to seek advice from a professional (therapist or feline ethologist) who works using positive reinforcement techniques.
Disease
There are several diseases that can cause loss of appetite in cats: such as gingivitis stomatitis, leukemia or PIF, Among others.
So if in addition to stopping eating you have symptoms such as halitosis (bad breath), vomiting, diarrhea, or any other that makes us suspect that you are not feeling well, a visit to the vet is mandatory.
Accident
If you have had a traumatic accident, for example if you have been run over, then I could stop eating. To give you an idea: one of my furry dogs had a bad leg for a long time (2-3 months) because of a run over. He wasn't using it for anything. He laid her on the ground and complained in pain.
For a day and a half he ate absolutely nothing, and even afterwards he ate little because when he defecated, of course, he had to push and, when doing so, he felt pain. He was on edema and laxative treatments, as well as pain relievers, for almost 3 months.
What to do? Give him tasty food, like cans. This will help stimulate your appetite.
What if my kitten doesn't want to eat?
The kitten with no appetite you have to take him to the vet urgently. You have to think that your body is very small: you can dehydrate quickly. Also, it should be borne in mind that you should eat 4-5 and up to 8 times a day (the younger you are, the more times you should eat food).
If it is a newborn feline, if 12 hours pass and it has not wanted to drink milk, then I will be direct and sincere: it could die as soon as you least expect it. To avoid this, it is necessary to ensure that he is with his mother until he is two months old; and if he cannot be, he should be given replacement milk purchased at a veterinary clinic or pet store.
And with this we are done. As we have seen, that a cat stops eating should worry us ... and a lot.
I hope this article is useful for you.