Loss of appetite in cats: when the cat is not hungry and does not eat enough


In some periods of the year or in case of particular ailments, the cat tends to eat little or not at all: but what are the causes of loss of appetite in cats and when to worry?

As happens to humans who avoid large lunches in the summer and prefer fresh and moisturizing dishes, even our four-legged friends change their diet in the heat. Especially cats tend not to be very hungry in hot weather, and this translates into eating little or nothing: but can this lack of appetite be dangerous for the cat? When should you start worrying?

In this article we deepen the theme of cat lack of appetite, trying to understand what the causes may be and when a cat’s lack of appetite becomes dangerous for its health.


Causes of lack of appetite in cats

There can be many causes of cat loss of appetite, including:

  • DOES NOT PREFER A TYPE OF FOOD: when changing brands of kibble or wet food, the cat may stop eating. Try teasing him with savory food (chicken, ham) to make sure this is the cause of his lack of appetite.
  • HAIR BALLS: they are one of the most frequent causes, as the cat continuously licking itself ingests a certain amount of hair which leads to the formation of these “balls” which cause a lack of appetite. To avoid this, our four-legged friend must often comb or dirty his paw with paraffin, artificial fat, which neither the stomach nor the intestine of the cat assimilate, so that once ingested it can easily come out taking with it the ingested hairs and lubricate. The digestive system of our four-legged friend.
  • DEPRESSION: one of the most common reasons why cats lose their appetite can be stress or anxiety due to a particular traumatic experience (moving house, loss of a loved one or animal or jealousy).
  • ILLNESS: in the event that our four-legged friend does not eat for more than 2 days it is likely that it is ill, in this case consult the veterinarian.
  • HOT: in winter the cat needs more calories per day to maintain the temperature and to face the energetic activities (hunting, play).
    In summer the cat tends to doze mostly, reducing activities and preferring the cooler areas of the house and garden. The caloric requirement decreases and this leads, as a consequence, to a lower urgency of feeding and a certain lack of appetite in the cat.

What is advisable to do in these cases?

Veterinarians advise against forcing the cat to feed (also because let’s face it he wouldn’t listen). Instead, it is recommended to provide a source of water that is always clean and fresh, so that the animal can refuel according to its needs.


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