Why my cat won’t eat or drink?
In this brief discussion, we’ll answer the question “ why my cat won’t eat or drink? “ We will also discuss the reasons behind the loss of appetite and how to address this problem.
Why my cat won’t eat or drink?
There can be many reasons that can drive your cat to stop eating or drinking. Some of these issues can be behavioural and can be fixed using some psychological techniques. Whereas, some reasons can be medical and may require the assistance of a vet.
All pets run the risk of developing health problems if they refuse to eat, but cats may be more vulnerable. Cats lose weight quickly when they stop eating, which causes the liver to become overloaded with fat and quickly depletes their protein reserves.
Hepatic lipidosis, a risky condition may be caused by this and can result in liver failure. As soon as you notice a change in your cat’s eating routine, you should consult your veterinarian because a cat’s loss of appetite frequently indicates disease.
The faster you respond to this changed behaviour, the greater the chance of preventing complicated health issues in cats.
Why is my cat not eating or drinking anything?
Before you do anything to address the loss of appetite in your cat, it is important to identify the reason behind it to take appropriate action. Some of the reasons that may prevent your cat from eating or drinking are listed below:
Illness
One of the most important signs of illness in cats is loss of appetite. So pay close attention if your cat suddenly stops eating.
There are numerous potential causes, including infections, cancer, kidney failure, pancreatitis, and digestive problems. Even a toothache could make your cat stop eating, though it isn’t always serious.
Fresh vaccination
When you brought your cat in for routine vaccinations at the veterinarian’s office, did it start to lose its appetite right away? If so, your cat’s refusal to eat may be due to a negative reaction to the shots.
Even though millions of animals have been saved by vaccines, some of them do have side effects. Loss of appetite is one of these unfavourable effects that frequently happen.
Travelling and change of environment
Many cats are creatures of habit, just like people. Therefore, a change in routine could result in a decrease in appetite. Furthermore, some animals experience motion sickness when traveling by car or by plane, which can make them feel ill and prevent them from eating.
psychological problems
Your cat’s refusal to eat may be due to stress or sadness if your veterinarian determines that your cat is not suffering from a medical condition.
Meeting new people or altering a cat’s routine can occasionally have an effect on their emotional health. Sensitive cats frequently find changes in the home upsetting.
Or perhaps your cat is just a picky eater. Keep in mind that cats typically take a while to get used to new types of stimuli.
What can you do to entice your cat to eat?
Remember that whether your cat is sick, anxious, or just fussy, a complete refusal of food can have disastrous consequences. Therefore, even if you’re trying to get your cat to follow a doctor’s diet, never starve it to make it eat a specific food.
If your cat is refusing to eat because of an illness, work with your veterinarian to develop the best routine for you and your pet. It might be easier to get a sick cat to eat if you give it canned food.
This might entail altering the nature or consistency of their diet. Veterinarians may advise syringe-feeding your cat a liquid diet in more serious circumstances or may prescribe appetite-stimulating drugs. To ensure adequate nutrition, the doctor may suggest inserting a feeding tube as an alternative.
How to solve the appetite problem of my cat if it is not sick?
When illness is not the problem, there are strategies you can try to get your cat to eat.
You might already be aware that some foods, such as liver or canned tuna, can whet a cat’s appetite. Simply remember to serve these foods in moderation. Due to vitamin depletion or overdose, high doses may put your pet in danger.
Instead of feeding your cat only human food, encourage it to eat commercially canned food. You might be able to persuade your picky cat to eat by heating the food or by adding fish oil, broth, or cooked egg. Make sure it doesn’t contain onion because it is poisonous for cats.
Since cats typically reject stale food, take away the food if your cat still won’t eat it and offer fresh food later. Consult a veterinarian if nothing else resolves the problem.
Conclusion:
We answered the question “ why my cat won’t eat or drink? “ We also discussed the reasons behind the loss of appetite and how to address this problem.
