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Cat Won T Eat Or Drink

How Can I Get My Cat To Eat

How to Make a Cat eat and Drink when it is Sick

There are several things you can try to see if your cat will begin eating again.

  • Considering stress can be a cause, ensure their dish is in a quiet area.
  • Check to make sure both their food and water bowls are clean.
  • Give them canned or “wet” food, or meat baby food.
  • Try drenching their solid food with the juice from a tuna can.
  • Cat’s don’t like cold food, so you can try heating it .

More Serious Underlying Disease

Dont use these words like spoiled, fastidious, or picky to tell about your cats food refusal. This refusal may be the sign of a lot of much more serious potential causes such as pancreatitis, cancer, cat flu, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, fever, and dental infections. Regardless of the potential causes, right after realizing any unexpected loss of appetite in your furry friends, you should be having an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

What To Do If Your Cats Not Eating

Since cats as a species are quite good at hiding when they are in pain or not feeling well, its important to pay attention to any changes in your cats habits, especially when it comes to eating.

Contact your veterinarian if your kitten has not eaten for one to two days or if your adult cat has not eaten in two days.

Adult cats, especially those that are overweight, can develop a serious disease called hepatic lipidosis if they stop eating, so prompt action is important.

If your cat stops eating and also has these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately:

  • Hospitalization and fluid therapy

  • Medication to treat nausea or to stimulate the appetite

If your vet determines that your cat is healthy, but is just a picky eater, follow these tips:

  • Try feeding your cat foods with different textures, flavors, or shapes, and make sure to warm up wet foods if they have been refrigerated.

  • Buy only as much dry food as your cat will eat in a month, as some foods will go stale or become rancid if the package has been open for more than a month.

Its always best to know what is normal for your cat and to watch for signs that your cat is not eating so you know when to seek help.

Resources:

  • Case LP, Daristotle L, Hayek MG, et al.Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals. 3rd edition. Mosby Elsevier. Maryland Heights, Mo. 2011
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    The Takeaway: When You Should Take Your Cat To The Vet

    Since water is so important to a cats overall health and well-being, a lack of water consumption should not be taken lightly. If a cat goes 48-72 hours without drinking, or if the change in drinking habits is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as a reduction in urinating or defecating, or loss of appetite, be sure to have a vet take a look.

    Proper hydration keeps a kittys body in good working orderfrom circulation, digestion, and organ function. But monitoring your cats water intake and figuring out how they prefer to get their daily H2O can be tricky. And trust me, as Rover sitter, Ive seen my share of goofy ways cats like to get their H20.

    When cats are sly, secretive, and particular about their drinking habits, its that much more important to recognize the first signs of dehydration in cats and any underlying illness that could cause dehydration. If youre ever in doubt about your cats drinking habits, its never a bad idea to check in with your vet.

    Keeping Your Cat Hydrated If She’s Not Drinking Water

    My Cat Wont Eat or Drink What Can That Mean?
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    As a pet parent, one of your jobs is to ensure that your cat drinks enough water to stay healthy. If you notice that your furry friend isn’t making regular trips to her bowl, it’s time to find out why your cat isn’t drinking water.

    To paraphrase a popular saying, you can lead a cat to water, but you can’t make her drink . However, once you determine that she isn’t sipping often enough, there are a few ways to get your cat to drink water.

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    What Are The Signs That My Cat May Be Dehydrated

    Dehydration is a serious threat to your cat’s health. Cats that don’t drink enough water can quickly become dehydrated. Below are a few ways to check whether your cat may be dehydrated.

    • Skin Elasticity – Check your cat’s skin by gently pinching the extra skin between their shoulder blades to form a tent-like shape. Once you let go your kitty’s skin should snap right back to normal in less than a second. If your cat’s skin doesn’t snap right back, your feline friend could be dehydrated.
    • Sunken Eyes – Take a good look at your cat’s eyes. If your kitty’s eyes seem to lack focus or appear sunken or dull, dehydration may be the cause.
    • Dry Mouth – Examine your kitty’s gums. Your cat’s gums should always be pink and moist. Pressing your finger against your cat’s gums will make the spot you are pressing turn white, but if they don’t return to a healthy pink color within a second or two of removing your finger your kitty may be dehydrated.
    • Constipation – Do a little box check. When cats are dehydrated they often become constipated. If your cat hasn’t been passing as much stool as usual, dehydration may be to blame.
    • Panting – Unlike dogs, cats don’t often pant. If your feline friend is panting they may be dehydrated.

    If your cat is showing signs of dehydration contact your vet right away. Dehydration in cats can be fatal, and once the symptoms above become evident your cat is likely to be severely dehydrated and in need of veterinary care.

    How Do I Get My Cat To Eat

    Once your vet discovers the problem of why your cat is not eating and can treat the problem, your cat should begin eating again. However, if there are no underlying health issues and your vet gives your cat a clean bill of health, you must put your detective hat on and start ruling out reasons why your cat is not eating. Your vet can possibly give you some suggestions. The following are some helpful tips.

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    How To Encourage Cats To Eat

    Attempt to hand-feed your cat its usual meal as cats will enjoy the additional one-on-one attention.

    Stimulate your cats sense of smell. While humans decide if food is appealing by sight, cats use scent. Even a sick cat will struggle to resist a strong-smelling meal that appeals to its senses.

    Offer your cat some fish with a strong scent, such as sardines or tuna. Alternatively, drizzle tuna juice over your cats regular food. If your cat prefers meat, use gravy.

    Consider slightly warming the food to release the scent and make it more appealing to the senses.

    What To Do When Your Cat Suddenly Refuses To Eat

    Why Your Cat Won’t Eat and What to Do About It

    A cat skipping a meal or two may not be a cause of concern yet. However, when you notice that they stopped taking their meals, you may want to keep an eye on them more closely.

    Try to tweak your cats food to entice them to eat. You can heat their wet food for a few seconds in the microwave, offer them canned chicken or tuna, or serve them canned kitten food. You can also mix and match flavors and textures they enjoy to regain their appetite. If 24 to 36 hours have passed and they still have not eaten anything, its time to bring them to the vet.

    However, in case you notice your cat heavily retching, constantly vomiting, passing watery stool, and looking fatigued, do not wait for 24 hours. Take your cat to your vet as soon as you can.

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    Ensure Your Kitty Has All The Resources They Need

    Does your cat have all the correct resources and are they easily accessible? Your kitty likes to play, scratch their scratching post, have their own space to sleep, own food and water, and a clean litter tray. Keep food and water bowls separate and away from litter trays or any perceived threats and loud noises.

    We all like to eat in peace. Ideally, you should put food up high so that your pet feels safe while eating – make sure food is always accessible by leaving doors open. Try to feed your cat little but often cats are snackers and like to eat frequent small portions – as many as six small meals a day. You should also make sure that there is an exit available so that your kitty can move away and have some quiet time if needed.

    Warning Signs Of A Dehydrated Cat

    Depending on how long a cat has gone without water, the signs of dehydration can range from subtle to more severe, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, Rover Dog People panelist and Chief Veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. If your cat is experiencing any signs of illness that could lead to dehydration, seek veterinary attention immediately.

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    Teach Your Cat Good Eating Habits

    Help your cat develop healthy eating habits from the start by setting up a routine. Whether you let your cat have free access to food or serve the food at certain times, it is important to stick to the routine. Otherwise you risk having a cat that refuses food or doesnt eat enough. If you have a cat that doesnt eat its not a good idea to try and tempt them with delicious food or treats. That will teach it to be picky. Allow the cat to go hungry for a few hours and they will hopefully learn to eat what you provide.

    Can I Feed My Cat Milk Instead Of Water

    My Cat Wont Eat or Drink What Can That Mean?

    Cats only need one thing to stay hydrated water. Generally, milk is bad for cats due to the fact that most are lactose intolerant and will become sick in case they drink milk. So its best to avoid feeding your cat milk, unless it is the kind specifically made for cats3.

    Due to its high fat content, cats may enjoy the taste of milk. But avoid giving your cat milk or else you will likely have a sick kitty on your hands.

    Instead of feeding your cat milk, follow our recommendations below to get your cat drinking water again.

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    What Are The Signs That A Cat Is Dying

    When you have a sick cat, you must be especially careful to avoid causing unnecessary stress to him. These symptoms include change in appetite, excessively meowing or barking, clinginess, and excessive urination. During these times, your pet may start to hide from you and begin acting aggressively. He may also show changes in his body temperature or heavy breathing. In addition, his appearance may become unkempt and he might appear unkempt.

    In addition to these physical changes, you should also check the temperature of your cat. It should be in the range of 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it dips below this temperature, it may be approaching the end of its life. The body part you are checking is probably cold and should be checked for warmth. You should also be careful not to rub the cats skin as it can cause a burn.

    If your cat stops eating or starts to groom itself, it may be suffering from an illness. Her fur may be dull and matted, which is another symptom. Your cat may also hide in a dark and quiet room away from other cats. It might even start to be more aloof than usual. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is time to take your pet to the vet.

    What Should I Do If My Cat Stops Eating

    If your cat stops eating, call your trusted veterinarian and schedule an appointment. If the appetite loss is accompanied by other signs and symptoms, do not wait for a regular visit instead, go to the nearest emergency clinic.

    However, before seeking veterinary help, it is advisable to quickly evaluate the situation and try answering the following questions:

    • Were there any recent changes in your cats food ?
    • Is your cat not eating an ongoing issue or occurs on occasions? If so, when is it most prominent?
    • Are there any changes in the environment ?
    • Are there any additional signs and symptoms, like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, avoiding the litter box, urination accidents, behavioral changes, etc.?

    Changes in the cats eating habits are much easier to spot if there is a fixed feeding schedule and if you are using the same food formula over a prolonged period.

    Answering these questions is important because the more information you give the vet, the easier it will be for them to give the right advice.

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    Possible Causes Why Your Cat Isnt Eating

    There are many possible reasons why your cat refuses to eat out of the blue. They may have digestive problems, obstructions, dental issues, or respiratory diseases.

    Digestive System Problems

    Lack of appetite is one of the first signs of a digestive issue. Depending on the illness, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can accompany it.

    Some of the common digestive problems you need to look out for include:

    Foreign Body Obstruction

    Objects that your cats swallow can block their esophagus, making it hard for them to eat. These foreign bodies can even lodge themselves in your cats stomach and lead it to become upset.

    Here are some typical non-food items that cats are fond of ingesting, which may cause obstructions:

    Dental Issues

    People have trouble eating when they have a toothache. They may even refuse to eat because of the pain. The same can be said for cats. If your cat has dental issues, they are more likely to stop eating, even if its their favorite healthy pet food.

    Usual cat dental issues include:

    • Dental abscesses

    Upper Respiratory Diseases

    Colds and flu congest the nose and remove the sense of smell temporarily. The same goes for people and cats. Not smelling the food can greatly affect its taste, or, to be more precise, how the taste will be interpreted.

    Your Cat May Be Recovering From An Illness Or Hospital Stay

    My cat is sick and won’t eat or drink

    Some cats will develop a food aversion, most commonly after an illness or hospital stay. Such cats associate a particular food with feeling sick or with the stress of hospitalization, and then refuse to eat that food.

    It may require some ingenuity and trial and error to discover what your cat is willing to eat if a food aversion develops.

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    What About A Cat Whos Not Drinking Water

    Its very unusual for a kitty to not drink enough water if their food intake is normal. If you think your cat isnt get enough water, though, try a kitty water fountain. Some cats prefer moving water to sitting water, and the noise of running water attracts them to the fountain to drink. Here are some additional tips and tricks.

    One possible cause for decreased water intake, though, could be a food change. If you start incorporating canned food or another higher moisture content food into your cats diet, your pet may drink less water from their bowl since theyre getting more water at mealtimes. This is perfectly normal, so no need to worry.

    But if your kitty is also eating less than usual, or if you are concerned, go ahead and schedule a veterinary appointment.

    On the other end of the spectrum, if your cat is drinking more water than usual in combination with not eating, this could be a symptom of a health problem such as diabetes or kidney disease. Its important you talk to your vet if this is happening to your pet.

    How Long Is It Okay For A Cat Not To Eat

    According to Pet MD, it is okay for a cat not to eat for 24-36 hours. However, a cat not eating for more than this timeframe needs to be checked out by a vet.

    In general, it is not rare for a cat to skip a meal or two, as they are picky eaters and develop food boredom rather often. Plus, cats usually have hairballs that make their tummies sick and reluctant to eat.

    Anyway, a cat not eating is not always normal. In fact, there are many severe and potentially life-threatening health issues that cause appetite loss and anorexia. Therefore, call the vet if your feline friend is not eating for more than 36 hours.

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    Causes Of Dehydration In Cats

    If your cat has a sudden change in drinking habits, Patrick Mahaney, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Los Angeles, says an underlying illness might be to blame. Your cat might not be feeling well enough and have no urge to drink, he explains. Illnesses that could put your cat at risk of dehydration include:

    No matter the underlying cause, a lack of water consumption shouldnt be taken lightly. If your cat goes 48-72 hours without drinking, or if the change in drinking habits is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, its time to visit the vet. Your vet will want to know the details of any water and food consumption, bathroom habitats, and other behavioral changes.

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