What to do if the cat does not eat?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A pet in the house is always happiness. However, there are times when an animal upsets its owners with atypical and strange behavior. For example, if a cat suddenly begins to refuse food and drink. This phenomenon can be caused by many reasons. A problem of this kind, its origins and solutions are described in the sections of the article.

Is a sudden change in pet behavior a cause for alarm?

The emergence of strange trends in the lifestyle of a four-legged friend, as a rule, makes the owners feel anxious. This is especially typical for those cases when the cat does not eat. The excitement that arises among the owners of the animal is completely justified. After all, a sufficient amount of food is necessary for a fulfilling life and good he alth. If the loss of appetite is accompanied by lethargy and fatigue, while the pet is not interested in the outside world, people or relatives, most likely the reason lies in the disease.

It can be parasites, problems with the stomach, intestines, liver, severe infections and other dangerous illnesses. They demandcontact the clinic immediately.

Don't worry though. Sometimes a cat wants to eat normally, and then refuses food due to emotional distress, not physical ailment. In any case, you should first observe his behavior and only then draw conclusions.

Most likely explanations

There are several common conditions that can cause a pet to lose their appetite. This is primarily a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Problems of this kind are inflammatory diseases, as well as the appearance of uninvited guests (worms or other parasites) in the body of a pet. Sometimes a cat won't eat or go to the bathroom due to stool retention, which causes him physical discomfort. In this case, an enema sometimes helps (it can be delivered by the owner at home). However, if constipation has been observed for 3 days or more, it is better to take the animal to the hospital. It is highly undesirable to treat him outside the clinic.

When a pet, despite loss of appetite, does not show lethargy, but a gag reflex occurs and bowel movements occur in the wrong place, it is possible that he is tormented by worms. After the examination, the veterinarian will advise the owner of the cat the means that relieve this problem. Once cured, the animal will usually pounce on food with a vengeance.

This is understandable, because his body has spent a lot of energy fighting parasites and is recovering.

Non-GI conditions

However, malfunctionsthe digestive system is not the only reason why a cat does not eat well or is not able to eat at all. This phenomenon may be caused by other factors:

1. Purchasing new food that your furry pet just doesn't like. The animal may not tolerate this product.
2. The presence of viruses, infections in the body. A hot, dry nose is considered an alarm.
3. The cat has eaten a toxic substance or has been poisoned by stale food. As a rule, in such conditions there are constant vomiting, strong salivation and frequent, loose stools. Such cases require immediate treatment to the hospital. If a pet has ingested a cleaning product, a poisonous plant, fertilizer or a rodenticide, only a veterinarian should decide on treatment.
4. Age-related changes in the body. For example, older animals sleep a lot, their need for food decreases.
5. Clogging of the stomach or intestines with a ball of wool. In this case, the pet suffers from nausea. Fortunately, a piece of fur is often removed along with the vomit. However, sometimes you have to resort to surgery to remove a foreign object.
6. Changes in the content of hormonal substances in the cat's body. For example, after castration, during the period of bearing cubs, estrus.
7. Emotional turmoil, excitement: when a baby is born in the owner's family, there is a change of residence, rearrangement, purchase of another pet. Cats are very sensitive animals. Any environmental factors: noise, unfamiliarodors, aggression, fuss, the presence of strangers in the room can adversely affect the nervous system and he alth.
8. Dirt has accumulated on the plate, its shape or location is not convenient for the animal.

When do you really need to worry?

Many owners, faced with a similar problem, start to panic and wonder: the cat does not eat, does not drink, what to do?

Of course, in some cases, such anxiety is justified. If the pet owner notices a combination of loss of appetite with other signs of illness and strange behavior of the animal, an urgent need to go to the hospital. For example, when a pet suffers from diarrhea, stool retention, nausea, trembling in the body. Or he starts to hide, when he tries to pet him, he shudders sharply, screams, scratches, purrs loudly. It must be remembered that an experienced veterinarian should not draw conclusions about the condition of a pet only by external signs. A series of tests should be carried out to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem. Blood sampling, examination of internal organs with an ultrasound machine, x-rays may be required.

The most dangerous types of diseases

Phenomena that explain why a cat does not eat anything include factors that pose a threat to his life, for example:

1. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. This is an extremely serious condition that can result in death. Alarm signals: an increase in the volume of the abdominal cavity, severe weakness, vomiting, constipation. Need it as soon as possiblesee a doctor.
2. Anorexia is a persistent, prolonged refusal to eat. It appears in young animals that have been hit, aggressive, heard screams in their address.
3. Failures in the liver. They are accompanied by nausea, a change in the color and shape of the stool, and severe lethargy.
4. Tumours. Due to oncological neoplasms, the cat is not able to eat, despite the fact that it retains interest in it. Such cases are typical for the later stages of the disease.
5. Diseases of the genital area, including after surgical interventions.
6. Effects of insect bites, such as ticks. Such a phenomenon leads to the loss of the ability to move and even to death. If the owner takes too long to visit the hospital, these animals unfortunately have to be euthanized.

Owners need to remember that a long reluctance to eat, combined with a general deterioration in the condition, is a reason not to postpone a visit to the veterinarian.

Poor quality food

Sometimes a cat won't eat simply because they give him bad food. Some animals are known to be quite finicky. And if a new food appears on the plate that they don’t like, pets begin to purr, scream, and demand other products. However, they are in no hurry to approach the bowl with unloved food. It is recommended to return to the previous diet. Sometimes owners share spoiled food leftovers with the animal. You can't do that. Pets are great at tasting food. And if there is sour soup or meat in the plate, the cat does not eat, only drinks water, begging for other food. However, he does not look lethargic and sick.

Besides, thoroughbred animals usually have delicate stomachs. Therefore, the owners need to carefully compose their diet.

Such animals are prone to allergic manifestations. As a result, after eating a new or unfamiliar type of food, they may experience gastrointestinal disturbances, itchy skin, and loss of appetite.

If the cat is not hungry

Sometimes owners let their four-legged friends walk outside. In this case, the pets can be treated by neighbors or passers-by, thinking that they are homeless.

In addition, the pet periodically feasts on the contents of the trash cans. This, of course, is highly undesirable.

If the cat does not eat after a walk, it means that he is not hungry. In this case, the animal can immediately go to bed when he returns home. When it wakes up, it feels normal and starts asking for food again. This phenomenon does not mean anything serious, as the pet does not suffer from poisoning, he alth problems or a viral infection.

Natural causes

Sometimes a pet may refuse food because he wants to give his stomach a break.

Perhaps this is how temporary difficulties with assimilation of food manifest themselves. For example, the animal has recently consumed unusual, too fatty or s alty foods. There are cases when the work of the digestive tract is disturbed due to activities (playing, running) immediately after a snack.

Sedentary pets often suffer from excessweight. When a cat does not eat for more than a day, this may indicate that obesity has a bad effect on the activity of the liver or heart, causing a deterioration in the condition. Normal body weight is a guarantee of mobility, good appetite, as well as the absence of lethargy and disease. This is especially true for older pets.

Sexual activity

This reason is common. During the increase in sexual desire, the pet often forgets about food. He drinks water in sufficient quantities, screams loudly. In this case, there is excessive mobility, poor sleep. Drugs or surgery can help get rid of excessive sexual activity.

Cats sometimes have a gag reflex during gestation, refusing food. In the early stages, this is considered quite normal, which is explained by the restructuring of the body and metabolism. You should wait a little. Appetite in a he althy pregnant female, as a rule, quickly returns to normal. After all, it is necessary to provide normal conditions for the growth and development of cubs.

Home owners should also not worry if the pet does not touch the food shortly before the birth or a few days after them. The main thing is that fasting does not last more than a day.

No water

The distant predecessors of cats lived in hot climates, where there was always little liquid. However, the animal must consume it in sufficient quantities so that all organs and systems work without failure. Otherwise, serious illness may occur. For example, a stone or sand is formed in the kidneys. It must be remembered thatthe pet does not always drink from its own plate, sometimes preferring cans, buckets or a washbasin.

For your pet to show interest in water, you should find a comfortable cup for him. The answer to the question why the cat does not drink is simple: a deeper bowl is required. It is better to put it away from the container where the food is located. After all, these animals are extremely clean and squeamish. For the same reason, it is unacceptable to place a plate next to the toilet. It is not recommended to offer the animal only kefir, milk or soups. Water must be present in the diet. Sometimes a cat prefers liquid from a filter or bottle rather than from the tap.

What to do when you refuse to drink and eat?

If your four-legged friend shows signs of illness, don't wait for it to go away on its own. The sooner the owner takes the animal to the hospital, the sooner help will be provided. The veterinarian will perform all examinations to find out why the cat is not drinking or eating.

Treatment is prescribed depending on the disease that caused the loss of appetite.

Recovery often takes a long time. Tablets and vitamins are prescribed to support the general condition of the animal and the defenses of its body. If the case is poisoning, measures are taken to remove the poison from the cells and tissues of the body.

It is important for the owner to give the pet all the medicines in time, and also not to disturb him once again. If a cat does not eat or drink due to illness, he simply needs care, a good attitude. There must be peace in the house,silence. You should save your pet from excessive excitement.

To increase your pet's appetite during treatment, you can put a small amount of mint in the water.

How to prevent the problem from developing?

In order not to decide what to do if the cat does not eat, it is better to prevent such a nuisance in advance. It is necessary to carefully choose a diet for a pet, keep its dishes in order. From time to time it is recommended to examine the animal and, of course, get rid of parasites and not delay the treatment of diseases. It is important to give vitamins and food supplements to keep your pet he althy. The foods he is fed must be of good quality and be beneficial. New types of feed should be introduced gradually, in small volumes, so that the body gets used to them.

Sometimes, because of anxiety and anxiety, the cat does not eat anything. What to do in this case? It is necessary to create favorable conditions for the animal. Even if the owners have to change housing or repair work in the apartment, it is important that such events go as smoothly as possible and do not injure the pet too much. Noise, loud and harsh sounds have a bad effect on the state of the body, lead to loss of appetite. Do not raise your voice to the cat, even if she is guilty. Shouting, spanking and anger negatively affect the he alth of this sensitive, sensitive animal.