Treatment For Cat Not Eating
This will depend on the underlying reasons for your cat losing their appetite. If they have dental disease and sore teeth, they made need teeth extracted under general anaesthetic. If your cat is anorexic due to disease or illness, treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
Treatment may include intravenous fluids to correct dehydration, antibiotics if an infection is suspected, antiemetics and stomach protectants. If your cat has eaten something foreign such as elastic bands or ribbons, surgery may be performed. There may also be other treatments given if your cat is vomiting or lethargic, for example.
It is important to get your cat eating again as soon as possible. Some cats who suffer from anorexia go on to develop hepatic lipidosis , a serious complication that can be fatal.
Treatment Of Loss Of Appetite In Cats
Your veterinarian will want to begin treatment immediately as the longer the anorexia continues, the quicker your cat’s health will decline. Often, treatment will begin while the vet is still determining exactly what is causing the loss of appetite. There are a handful of different methods to treat the condition.
Medication
Depending on the diagnosis, your vet will prescribe the corresponding medication to treat whatever illness your cat may have. For instance, antibiotics may be given for a bacterial infection, while medication to treat parasites will be prescribed upon the discovery of the parasite. Any pain present should be controlled.
There are also drugs available that will stimulate your cat’s appetite while handling some of the other symptoms, such as nausea.
Fluid Therapy
Either through an IV or through injections under the skin, your vet will deliver fluids to your cat so they will continue to receive hydration.
Feeding Tube
This method of feeding helps avoid food going through your cat’s mouth, which may be especially helpful if a dental disease is the cause of loss of appetite. Liquefied or softened food can be sent directly into the pet’s digestive system. It’s a method that’s also useful for psychological problems with food as the cat won’t be able to associate any negative feelings with food being in its mouth, and instead will steadily begin to eat on their own again. A feeding tube is only considered where other treatment options have failed.
Is Your Cat Breathing Faster Than Usual Have You Seen Them Panting
Cats with problems further down the respiratory tract, such as with their lungs or heart, are generally too busy concentrating on breathing to want to eat. These cats may pant, or sit with their neck extended and their elbows out, making as much room as possible for their lungs to work. You may also have noticed that your cat is less keen to exercise, or stops part way through play. Breathing problems like these in cats are serious, and you should contact your vet without delay.
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Can Environmental Factors Cause Weight Loss In Older Cats
If your cat has been checked over by the vet and given a clean bill of health youll need to look for other reasons. Stress can cause changes in your pets behaviour, sometimes resulting in loss of appetite. As Ive often mentioned, cats are highly sensitive animals. Even the slightest change can affect your fur babys wellbeing. A new pet, bereavement, bullying from other cats, or even moving food bowls can upset your kitty.
Its not only humans that suffer depression, but our pets as well. The only difference is, they cant talk about their feelings. If your cat is less sociable, doesnt play, is off her food, and spends more time sleeping, she could be depressed.
Try and work out the cause of depression to help your cat feel better if its at all possible. Bereavement after the death of another pet is normal and will pass. Bullying can be helped by talking to your vet or animal behaviourist. Avoid moving litter boxes or food bowls as it could stress your senior kitty.
Make sure you spend quality time with your cat, and try to encourage interactive play. Even if shes not very mobile and finds it hard to jump, feather wand toys are a good way to stimulate your fur baby.
What Makes Veterinary Weight Loss Diets Special
There are a number of weight control diets available at pet stores that work well for a cat who only needs to lose a small amount of weight. However, these diets are often not as effective as veterinary weight loss diets if a cat needs to lose a significant amount of weight or if your cat has other medical conditions. Not all weight loss strategies work for every cat, so there are many different diets to address this. Some weight loss diets, such as Purina Proplan OM® and Royal Canin® Calorie Control, are high protein, low carbohydrate, others such as Royal Canin® Satiety and Hills® Prescription Diet w/d have high fiber content to help the cat feel more full and stop begging for food. Some newer weight loss diets, such as Hills® Prescription Diet Metabolic, use specific nutrients that can promote increased metabolism, helping cats burn calories more quickly. Your veterinarian will be able to advise the best weight loss diet for your cats particular situation.
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My Cat Is Eating So Why Is He Still Losing Weight
Cats who are seeing weight loss but still eating are at risk, says Kelly St. Denis, DVM and current president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
“Cats eating less than normal, normal, or more than normal amounts are all potentially experiencing health issues if they have weight loss,” says St. Denis.
Senior cats in particular may still be eating their food, but their nutritional needs change as they age. A cat who ate voraciously at a younger age might not be eating as much or as often. The change can be so gradual that you don’t notice, but your cat’s eating habits may not be keeping up with nutritional needs.
“A cat who’s losing weight but still eating is extremely common in older cats, and is a primary sign of hyperthyroidism,” Rucinsky says. “This disease is super-common and one of the most treatable problems we see. Weight loss but still eating can also be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, which commonly alters the way that nutrients in the food are absorbed.”
Your cat may also be drinking a lot and losing weight, which can be a sign of chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus.
Visit your veterinarian to make sure that there aren’t any underlying medical issues and to get some solid nutrition recommendations.
Why Is My Cat Losing Weight
Your cats weight will naturally change from kitten to adult, affected by factors as varied as its sex, breed, age, lifestyle and diet. But if you notice a sudden drop in your cats weight, its important to consult a vet as it can be an indicator of a more serious, underlying issue. Weight loss can occur with a normal appetite, or the appetite may be increased of decreased.
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Reasons Why Your Cat Won’t Eat
Lets start with an important question. Is your cat ACTUALLY hungry? First, we must remember, cats are not very big! Additionally, the type of food you are feeding them may be very energy-dense, and depending on their activity level, it could more than satisfy their energy requirements.
We have a preconceived notion of how much we think our cats should eat based on how much we eat. Oftentimes, I would have owners come to me saying their cat isnt eating enough. Based on their cats body condition and the numbers on the scale, I knew that wasnt the case.
A Good Rule of ThumbIf you notice your cat is: 1) eating each day 2) they are not losing weight3) they appear to be happy and acting normallyThen your cat is most likely just fine! Usually cats will let you know if they’re hungry, as our fun “Feed You Now” video demonstrates.
It’s important to know why your cat is not eating. Is it simply because they are full, or are they being difficult or truly picky? A cat might stop eating for any number of reasons, varying from medical to non-medical.
Some medical reasons can include:
- Cancer
- Stress or a change within your home
Dental Problems And Disease
Dental problems in cats is another common reason. Studies are reporting that at least 50 to 90% of cats suffers from dental problems. Dental diseases are quite treatable if you can detect in the early stage.
Gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption are the most common dental problems among cats. Depend on the stage of the problem, and your cat can show different symptoms.
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What Should I Expect When I Visit The Vet
Your vet will ask you about your cats recent medical history and whether you have noticed any other signs, such as weight loss or vomiting. It is important to try to work out if your cat is hungry but not managing to eat for some reason or if they have no interest in food.Your vet will check your cat over by performing a clinical examination and also ask questions about you have observed at home. Since there are many possible reasons for cats not eating, your vet may also need to perform some tests to work out what is going on, such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound.
What Causes A Cat To Get Really Skinny
Cats of all ages can lose weight. They do not necessarily have to be senior cats. While several of the above conditions can cause weight loss even though your cat eats regularly. The below list can cause weight loss in cats of any age.
Parasites – Gastrointestinal parasites can cause a lot of problems in your pet, like roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. And there are the one celled organisms, such as Isospora sp., Giardia, Toxoplasm. Some parasites are barely problematic and others can be deadly.
Your cat may experience the following symptoms if they have parasites: dull coat, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, mucousy or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, or a potbellied appearance. Medication and cleanliness are the keys to getting rid of and controlling parasites in your pet’s life.
Stress and Depression – Our best friends can be impacted by stress and depression more than you think. If you have ever gone on a trip and someone else cared for your pet, you probably noticed some changes when you returned.
There can be other things that can cause your pet to experience stress, depression and anxiety. These conditions can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss, flu-like symptoms, change in litter habits.
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When My Cat Is Hungry She Pesters Me Until I Feed Her Do You Have Any Suggestions
It is often easier to give in to the cat that wakes you at four in the morning to be fed or the cat that meows incessantly or head butts you until you feed them. These cats have trained us well and know exactly which buttons to press when it comes to getting their way. Here are some tips for handling the pesky Persian or the insatiable Siamese:
- Do not use a self-feeder. While this seems obvious, auto-feeders are nothing more than unlimited candy machines to an overweight cat.
- If you do use an automatic feeder, use one that opens with a timer. This way you can measure out the proper amount and divide it into daily meals.
- Pet your cat or play with her when she begs for food. Many cats substitute food for affection so flip the equation and you may find that playtime displaces mealtime.
- Feed small meals frequently – especially give a last feeding for those cats that like to wake you up in the wee hours begging for more goodies – divide the total volume or calories into four to six smaller meals. Whatever you do, do not feed extra food.
- Offer fresh water instead of food. If your cat is eyeing the empty food bowl, a drink of cold, fresh water may satisfy that craving.
About Amanda Jondle Dvm
Dr. Amanda Jondle is a veterinarian who practices small animal medicine and surgery and integrative medicine such as acupuncture in all sizes of animals. Growing up on a small farm, she knew from a very young age that she wanted to work with animals and started spending time at a local vet clinic at 11 years old. In addition to working full time at an animal hospital, she now enjoys helping pets and educating clients through writing and editing articles to inform pet owners on how to best care for their pets. She and her husband currently have 4 rescue dogs and 3 cats of their own and are often fostering pets with health issues until they find their forever homes.
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Does Your Cat Have A Snuffly Nose Or Discharge From The Eye
Cats suffering from cat flu and other upper respiratory problems will sometimes stop eating. Symptoms such as runny eyes, a runny nose, and sniffly, noisy breathing are often present. Cat flu is more common in cats that have recently had a stressful experience, or who are unvaccinated.
Its thought that these cats stop eating partly because they cant smell their food properly you can try warming wet food in the microwave to see if this helps them eat. If not, its time to call the vet, as cat flu is not just a bad cold!
Why Do Cats Lose Weight
While weight gain in cats is a frequent concern due to related health problems like heart disease and arthritis, its equally alarming when your fur baby suddenly begins to lose weight. Youll want to keep tabs on her diet if you notice unexpected weight loss so you can make a note of whether your cat is eating the same amount as always or shes lost their appetite. From minor issues with digestion to more serious ailments, theres a variety of reasons why your cat might lose weight.
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How To Help Your Cat Feel Pawsome Even When On A Dietary Regime
Make sure your cat receives all the essential nutrientsprotein, fats, vitamins, and mineralsthrough their food, even when on a diet. Keep the following in mind if you want your cat to lose weight in a healthy way:
- Dry food is typically richer in calories than wet food because it contains more carbs and less proteins. While a small portion of protein-rich wet food is enough to satiate your kitty, dry food may require larger serving portions
- The foods protein and fat content is your cats energy source. Being carnivores, cats should metabolise proteins and fats to get their daily calories. Ideally, cat food containing 50% or more protein content and up to 20% fat provides adequate calories to cats. More active cats require more energy, while less active felines will often skip a meal because they didnt spend their energy reserves
- Cats get most of their nutrients out of quality whole meats. Amino acids are the building blocks of a cats body. Cats can generate some amino acids on their own, but only if they get the essential ones through animal-based protein
How To Prevent Weight Loss In Cats
You can prevent weight loss in your cat by regularly monitoring body condition and visiting the vet regularly for wellness examinations. Cats are experts at hiding illness and injuries, but your vet may be able to detect a problem before it gets out of hand. Be sure to report any changes in your cat’s behavior to your vet right away. It is much easier to treat a health problem in the early stages than to wait until your cat becomes very ill.
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What Suggestions Do You Have To Encourage My Cat Get More Exercise
In an ideal world, we would take a jog with our cats, but we certainly do not live in that world. Getting our cats to engage in aerobic activity is not just difficult – it goes against their very nature. Cats were not designed to function as scavengers and cooperative hunters the way humans and dogs evolved. Instead, cats evolved as stalkers who expended very little energy in seeking their prey and seldom strayed far from their territory. When cats come across prey, they burst into an intensely anaerobic and short-duration pursuit. Most wild cats pursue their prey at top speed for less than a minute. Once this activity is complete, they require hours to recover for the next hunt.
Our domestic cats are simply smaller versions of these wild felines. While we may take our dogs out for a brisk walk or jog, few cats are interested in this sort of activity. Cats prefer the hundred-yard dash to the marathon. To complicate matters further, cats have evolved to eat a diet based on meat as opposed to humans and dogs that can get their nutritional needs from a combination of vegetables and meats.
“Since cats are obligate carnivores, the dietary rules for people do not apply.”
Since cats are obligate carnivores , the dietary rules for people do not apply. Many cats will lose weight more effectively on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for this reason.
You will need to use your ingenuity and creativity to convince your chunky cat to get more exercise. Some simple ideas include: