If you are having trouble with your cat not eating, it is important to consider that there are a variety factors that may be causing this. Of course, it is important to note that if your cat has not eaten for a prolonged period of time (more than a couple of days), it is important to seek immediate veterinarian attention, as your cat could be facing a serious medical issue. Furthermore, the information provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only, and while it is the result of my many years of a cat owner and enthusiast, it is not intended to in any way replace the advice of an accredited veterinary professional.

It goes without saying that if your cat is not eating, then you are no doubt very concerned and your cat is likely either dealing with a medical issue, or is experiencing some sort of stress or trauma. Here are some main causes of cats not eating:

Stress is a common cause of cats refusing to eat, and while major events like changing homes (even with the same family) or new routines can cause stress for cats, they are very sensitive and small changes can also stress them out. For instance, something as small and seemingly insignificant such as the relocation of the litter box can confuse your cat and stress him or her out. So, if your cat is not eating it’s important to consider any changes you might have made around the home that directly effect your cat.

Another common stresser for cats is the addition of a new cat, or the death or relocation of a companion cat. Even if your cat did not appear very close to a cat he or she was living with, it can still become quite stressed if that cat is to leave.

Another cause of cats not eating is changes in the food being offered. Thankfully, this is usually easily figured out and can be simply rectified. Also, if the cat has recently been given a large amount of human food or treats, it may become quite picky and refuse its own food.

Lastly, feline health issues and illnesses can cause cats to loose their appetite and stop eating. If this is suspected, or if the cat has not eaten for more than a couple of days, you will certainly want to consult a veterinarian.

Feline Diabetes- Diabetes is a possibility when the cat is eating normally, yet is losing weight. In most cases you’ll notice the feline is also drinking excessively and experiencing frequent urination.

Worms – One of the chief causes of cat weight loss, especially in kittens and young cats is worms. Roundworms and hookworms are particularly prevalent and can cause serious health issues and even death if not treated.

Cancer – Unfortunately cancer is often the cause of cat weight loss, and this is particularly true in older cats. Weight loss will often be rapid in the later stages of cancer.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency  – Also called EPI, this is a pancreatic disorder where the felines pancreas does not create sufficient amounts of enzymes in order to properly process food.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease -  Also known as IBD, this condition relates to the inflammation of the intestine which often times causes loose stools and rapid weight loss.

Because of the seriousness of the above conditions, it is vitally important that in cases of your cat not eating or losing weight that you take your feline companion to see a veterinary professional for proper treatment.

Thankfully, once we understand the symptoms of cat allergies, and are able to determine whether an allergy is present or their is another health issue with the feline, it is usually relatively simple to either change the cats food or remove whatever is irritating the feline.

The main cat allergy symptoms to be on the lookout for are excess scratching and biting of the paws and skin. If you notice that your cat is displaying these behaviors then it would be a good idea to take him or her to the vet where an allergy panel can be run. Allergy panels generally consist of a simple blood test and can pinpoint your cats allergy triggers.

Upon receiving the results of the panel, you’ll know whether it is necessary to change your cats food (their are many hypoallergenic brands available), or make other changes if possible. If cost is a factor, simply trying a change in diet for your cat, and ensuring that the house is free from dust may be enough to combat its allergy problem. However, if other issues are present, such as the cat not eating or behaving differently in other ways, then you should certainly book a visit with your veterinarian.

Think about it – the cat doesn’t understand why it has been uprooted from its home, and is likely to undergo some amount of stress. Also, if you are feeding the cat a new food during this time, rather than what it is used to being fed, it simply may not like the smell or taste of what you are offering. When adopting a cat you should always attempt to feed it what the previous owners did, and then slowly transition it to what you would like to feed. You can do this by mixing in a small amount of the new food with the brand it is used to, eliminating more and more of the previous food over time.

If you have not changed foods, then you may be able to entice your cat to eat by feeding him or her special foods, such as lean chicken or turkey, but you should avoid overdoing this or doing this for too long or the cat may soon become quite picky. Of course, if your new cat continues to refuse food, and especially if there is an issue with the cat losing weight, then you’ll want to consult a veterinarian in order to rule out any health issues.