"My cat doesn't want to eat": how to identify a sick cat and what causes it?

 "My cat doesn't want to eat": how to identify a sick cat and what causes it?

Tracy Wilkins

If your cat doesn't want to eat, you can be sure there's something wrong with him. It may simply be because your cat gets sick of his food, but it's also a common sign of health problems. It's always important to investigate loss of appetite, especially if your cat seems nauseous. Cat food is an essential food for the species' nutrition, so a lack of it can make a health problem even worse.Before knowing what to do when your cat doesn't want to eat, you need to understand the cause of the lack of appetite. If you are dealing with a "my cat doesn't want to eat" situation and want to identify the reason for the nauseous cat, here are some possibilities!

"My cat doesn't want to eat and is losing weight": weight loss is a sign that something is not right

The first physical sign that appears when a cat does not want to eat is weight loss. Every body requires nutrients to stay alive. When the cat does not eat, the body will need to feed on its energy reserves. As a consequence, the animal loses weight. It is therefore very common to note that "my cat does not want to eat and is losing weight", because weight loss is a consequence of this.inevitable when there is no regular diet.

Weight loss is a big problem, as one day the energy reserve runs out and if it does not receive more nutrients, the cat's body will become weak and its defences will be impaired, facilitating the onset of new diseases. Therefore, when you notice that "my cat does not want to eat and is losing weight", it is essential to take the pet to the vet for an evaluation

See_also: Cyst in dogs: see what types and how to treat each case

Cats get sick of their food: cats are careful with their diet

One thing is for sure: cats have a very demanding palate! Not just any food will please them and this is for a few reasons. First, they have only 400 taste buds on their tongue (humans have between 2,000 and 8,000), which does not allow them to taste many flavours. Second, their sense of smell is extremely keen. In this case, they beat humans: they have 200 million olfactory cellswhile we have 5 million. This means that smell plays a key role in eating because it is what attracts you most to food.

See_also: French Bulldog: what are the official colors of the dog breed?

These factors can make it difficult for cats to choose their food. Cats get sick of their food if it doesn't taste good and if it doesn't smell good. So they only eat what really interests them. A sick cat will stop eating and the solution is to switch to a food that catches their eye.

Cat doesn't want to eat after changing kibble: sudden change in diet causes loss of appetite

Whether it's because cats get sick of their food, because of health problems or because of their age, sometimes it's necessary to change the animal's diet. However, changing the cat's food itself can be the reason that makes the cat stop eating. Felines are not fans of change and, therefore, the change of food should be done with caution. Many cases of "my cat doesn't want to eat" are consequences of changing foodIf we change the food from one day to the next, you can be sure that your pet will refuse to eat.

But what do you do when your cat doesn't want to eat the new food? It's best to mix it little by little with the old food. Start with 90% of the old food and 10% of the new food, then make it 80% of the old food and 20% of the new food, and so on until you replace it completely. This way, your cat won't get sick of the food and will get used to it more easily, avoiding lack of appetite and stress.

My cat doesn't want to eat and is sad: stress and anxiety are possible causes

What if you haven't changed the kibble and you notice that, in addition to not eating, the cat is sad? Usually, a case of "my cat doesn't want to eat and is sad" is a sign of emotional problems. Yes, cats can have depression, anxiety and stress. These problems can arise from various factors, such as a change in routine, trauma or being left alone for a long time. Their way of dealing with sadness is toThis puts the cat in a dangerous cycle, as food has a major impact on mental health. In other words, the cat stops eating because it is sad and the lack of food only makes it even more depressed.

The best thing to do when my cat doesn't want to eat and is sad is to take care of what makes him depressed, anxious or stressed. Invest in interactive cat toys, as they stimulate the pet and even entertain him, taking the kitty out of boredom. Also, try to spend more time with the pet to make him more excited. But if you notice that the cat does not want to eat even taking these measures, take him to the hospital.to the vet to investigate further.

My cat doesn't want to eat: when is lack of appetite associated with illness?

Loss of appetite is not only a sign of emotional problems, but physical ones as well. In fact, it is a common symptom of most diseases that can affect a cat. But how do you know if your cat doesn't want to eat because of illness? A sick animal usually has a number of symptoms in addition to a lack of appetite, so keep an eye out for other signs. The most common ones are a cat with diarrhoea,vomiting, listlessness, poor water intake, fever and pain. If your cat does not want to eat and shows these symptoms, take it to the vet immediately for examination. The sooner you discover the problem, the quicker the treatment will be.

Tracy Wilkins

Jeremy Cruz is a passionate animal lover and dedicated pet parent. With a background in veterinary medicine, Jeremy has spent years working alongside veterinarians, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience in caring for dogs and cats. His genuine love for animals and commitment to their well-being led him to create the blog Everything you need to know about dogs and cats, where he shares expert advice from veterinarians, owners, and respected experts in the field, including Tracy Wilkins. By combining his expertise in veterinary medicine with insights from other respected professionals, Jeremy aims to provide a comprehensive resource for pet owners, helping them understand and address their beloved pets' needs. Whether it's training tips, health advice, or simply spreading awareness about animal welfare, Jeremy's blog has become a go-to source for pet enthusiasts seeking reliable and compassionate information. Through his writing, Jeremy hopes to inspire others to become more responsible pet owners and create a world where all animals receive the love, care, and respect they deserve.