But having an appetite but not eating could be excess stomach acid burning the esophagus and causing the cat to withdraw from food due to the pain. If their jaw hurts, they’re not going to want to lick their fur to self-groom. Your cat sounds very ill! Reasons Why a Kitten Won’t Eat. Anxiety, stress, or depression. Prompt treatment may help to reduce suffering and may also extend your cat's life. Be prepared to mix new and old diets together for one to two weeks. He's not eating, drinking ANYTHING for 5 days already, he sleeps all the time and getting skinny . My friends say he should be put down? With cerenia, he did not vomit and it seemed stop. If you see these signs in addition to a lack of self-grooming… The elderly cat adapts gradually to these changes and it may not be apparent unless you are specifically looking for signs of ageing. While your cat may not be eating as much, there are certain things you can do to make their eating experience a little better for them. If your cat isn’t eating their normal amount, and continues this behavior for more than two meals, it’s time for a trip to the vet. Warming food may help. Kittens are normally weaned and eating solid food between 6 and 8 weeks of age. How should I talk to a vet about the best diet for my cat? One possible cause could be hyperthyroidism, which often responds very well to treatment. My 4 year old male cat has been acting real strange. Lethargy and weight loss are signs that your cat has stopped eating — or has become “anorexic” in veterinary terms. Loss of appetite in cats, also known as anorexia, can be a sign of a serious underlying disease. Causes of Cat Weight Loss. He just wanted to eat other regular dry food. If your old cat is losing weight but eating well this could also be the sign of a problem and you should take them to the vet for a health check-up. Jackson Galaxy, a cat behavior and wellness expert, host of Animal Planet's “My Cat From Hell,” and a New York Times best-selling author, says that a sudden change in behavior—like an elderly cat pooping on the floor—can be a small hint of a larger issue. If you suspect that a cat might not be eating a fair share of food, Mosenco recommends feeding each cat separately and measuring the amount of food individually. If you are not sure what your cat’s ideal weight should be, your veterinarian will be able to provide guidance and a suggested feeding regimen to meet your cat’s nutritional needs. Sometime this week he stopped eating. Caring for Your Senior Cat. If your cat's not eating, you're worried and you want to feed something else, take up their food and wait an hour or two. More: UK. Cats can be very reluctant to try new foods, so try to start dietary change at initial diagnosis, when the cat’s appetite may be better. When the cat withdraws and isolates herself, it is a sure sign that things are not well. Not having an appetite is one thing and usually is a sign of some underlying ailment. If a cat stops eating they get a disease called Hepatic Lipidosis which is a liver disease. If your cat eats, and keeps food down, you have the first stage of your answer. What to Do if Your Cat’s Not Eating (When to Call the Vet) Reasons Why a Kitten Won’t Eat. I thought any kind of change in behaviour or appetite should be investigated. Different steps should be taken depending if your cat is not hungry, vomiting, has an injury or is not drinking as well as not eating. I would try 2.5mg pepcid in a pill pocket once a day. This might be changes in their movements eating, drinking, sleeping or toileting. Her eating and drinking habits might also be changing, and she may be more of a loner, even looking for places to hide from the family. Hiding and not eating are pretty much what most cats do when they are sick. Whether your cat is eating or not, if you notice your cat is losing weight, it is important to consult your veterinarian. The important thing to realize here is that there is most likely something serious going on. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. They can suffer irreparable liver damage if they stop eating suddenly, especially if they are overweight. Nutrition and Exercise. Only then should you give the new food a go. Feed multiple small meals . However, if your cat is not eating at all, this is a very serious situation and needs urgent medical attention. It is a good idea to take the packaging of what you feed your cat when you go to see a vet, so they can check that the diet is suitable. If your cat is having dental problems, this can also have a serious impact on their grooming ability. Elderly cat urinating on bed, please help, Cats, 20 replies How to fatten up my elderly cat, Cats, 42 replies Elderly cat can't stop eating!, Cats, 34 replies Digestion and Elderly Cats, Cats, 27 replies Elderly Arizona woman hoarding for 3rd time, Cats, 11 replies You may have to play detective to find out why your cat isn't eating. Older cats hunt less, spend less time outside, are generally less active and sleep for longer periods. Dental problems, pain and internal obstructions may also result in your cat refusing to eat. She prescribed a kidney dry food and royal canin IBD dry food but my cat did not eat. This is quite a common reason why owners bring their elderly cat to the vet. Truth is, typically there will be a medical reason for a cat not eating. If you want to buy your elderly cat his own cat bed or basket choose one large enough that he does not have to curl up tightly; older cats are less supple and less able to fit themselves into small cat beds. They cannot go more than a few days without eating or they risk liver damage. If you live in the country, Kitty may have found an old barn infested with mice and her predatory instincts kicked in. Elderly cats need regular vet checkups, both to assess overall well-being and to identify and treat medical issues, even if that treatment is not curative but palliative, or a matter of providing physical comforts and pain-relieving medications, if called for. Always, always, ALWAYS try to figure out why they aren’t eating. Your cat may stop eating and lose weight, vomit and experience diarrhea as the non-filtered toxins build up in his bloodstream. You could also use kibble, but if your cat is not drinking, this risks dehydration. When a cat stops eating, it is usually sick or injured. 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