Fur moms, like all mothers, have many responsibilities. It requires a lot of hard work to take care of your cat. It can be challenging, especially when your cat is not eating. Unlike dogs, cats need to eat more frequently since their feline body is not designed to cope with periods of starvation. So, if all of a sudden your cat decides to stop eating, you should definitely be concerned because this could indicate a serious illness.
It is only natural that the first thing you would do would be to take your cat to the veterinarian to get checked out. If you happen to be in Virginia, you’re in luck: there are tons of the best vets in Fredericksburg you can find! However, before you rush off to the next veterinarian, you, as the cat’s owner, may do many things to assist your feline friend.
So, what exactly can you do if your cat suddenly stops eating? In this section, we provide you with basic things to do when your cat suddenly stops eating as well as recommendations to get your cat back on track.
Check for a possible reason why your cat won’t eat.
It’s tempting to conclude that your cat isn’t eating due to a bad attitude because cats have a reputation for being complicated, picky, and fussy eaters. On the other hand, this is not true in all circumstances. When a cat suddenly loses its appetite, it’s possible that it’s sick and needs to be monitored carefully. Here is a list of the most prevalent reasons why your cat has stopped eating:
- Change in food
Recent changes in their food may have caused your cat to stop eating. If you need to make dietary adjustments for your cat, you should probably start your cat off on the new food gradually. Changes to your cat’s routine or the environment in which she lives could cause your cat to experience worry, stress, or depression, and as a result, your cat may stop eating.
- Dental Issues
Your cat may refuse to eat because of the pain they are experiencing in its mouth due to a number of dental conditions. These difficulties can include significant pain produced by various oral injuries, including those caused by foreign objects, dental abscesses, inflamed gums, advanced tooth decay, loose or damaged teeth, or any combination of these. It is important to examine the teeth and gums of your cat. Look for any lumps around the tongue or red patches on the teeth; these are signs that your cat may have a painful tooth disease.
- Recent Vaccination
Have you recently vaccinated or medicated your cat? If so, when was the last time? If this is the case, a bad reaction to the shots could be the cause of your cat’s refusal to eat. Vaccines can also produce adverse reactions in the animals that get them, and one of the most common symptoms of these unwanted effects, which are often short-term and moderate, is a loss of appetite.
- Indigestion
Your cat will refuse either food or drink if they are experiencing indigestion because of their diet or because they have eaten something they shouldn’t have eaten. Foreign bodies, such as tumors or swallowed objects, are another potential cause of indigestion, which can also lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Gastrointestinal Problem
Cats, like people, can experience nausea and, as a result, a loss of appetite if they have gastrointestinal disorders. Cats suffering from gastrointestinal issues will frequently (though not always) exhibit additional symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and weight loss.
Encourage your cat to eat.
It doesn’t matter if your cat is ill, nervous, or just plain fussy; you need to remember that a complete refusal of food might have negative repercussions. Therefore, you should never deprive your cat of food in the hopes that it will consume a certain kind of food. You should try getting your cat to eat as much as possible; if they don’t like eating people’s food, you should try feeding them canned or dry cat food instead. If you have tried giving your cat canned food but still won’t eat, you can try some of the ideas and tactics in this article to help increase your cat’s appetite.
- Warm your cat’s food
Warming the wet or canned food you provide to your cat will allow the aroma to develop more fully. Also, some cats want their food to be warm, while others favor their food to be cold. This preference might vary from one cat to the next. Find out if your cat prefers warm, chilly, or cold and fresh food from the refrigerator.
- Feed your cat in a quiet area
Considering that anxiety can be a contributing factor, you should ensure that your cat’s environment is secure and that the feeding bowl is kept in a calm and quiet place.
- Drench your cat’s food with Tuna juice
A cat’s sense of smell is quite sensitive. They can taste food just by smelling it, so adding tuna juice or water to your cat’s food can help make the meal more attractive, which in turn can encourage your cat to eat more.
Visit a vet
Even if they are acting normally, you should be concerned if it has been more than 24 hours since your cat has eaten anything. It is extremely crucial that you take your cat to the nearest vet in your area as soon as possible. You shouldn’t wait an excessive amount of time before seeking the help of a veterinarian since this could indicate a more serious underlying health problem. The sooner you react to the situation, the more you’ll be able to do something to help your cat.
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