This edition of Q&A with Dr. Q. will address the most finicky eater you will ever know. Your pet cat! Cats are notorious for being picky eaters, and so many factors will affect their appetite. Here are some of the reasons they would refuse to eat, which I've come across frequently in veterinary practice.
Environmental factors can stress out a cat, leading them to not want to eat. Strange people in their house, whether they're guests or new people living there, can cause distress. Loud noises from renovations or other strange activity may bother them as well.
As with most pets, a new type of food can be a confusing and unwelcome change. It may take a while for your cat to adjust. There are ways to help them get used to a change in diet, such as mixing some of their old food in with the new.
If you've done something as simple as placed their food in a new place or set it out at a different time, that might be all it takes for your cat to go on a hunger strike! Once they've established a routine, any changes to that routine can stress the cat out and affect their appetite.
Many cats, when they reach middle age, can experience health problems like diabetes or kidney disease. Toxins start to build up in their system, leading to a major decrease in appetite. Needless to say, if you think your older cat is showing signs of a health problem, get them to the vet as soon as possible!
Just like people, cats can experience issues with their teeth. Signs of this problem include bad breath and tooth loss. Even if they don't show it, the cat is in a lot of pain, and should get veterinary help quickly.
If your cat refuses to eat for a day or so, that's not too much of a problem. If they're just being stubborn, then hunger will usually win out, and they'll start eating again. If they've gone more like 48-72 hours without eating, seek veterinary help immediately. Not only is this a probable sign of underlying health problems, but your cat runs the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease occurs when the cat's body starts metabolizing their fat stores excessively, and overwhelms the liver.
Proper eating habits are important to your cat's health, even if they don't make it easy by being fussy eaters! As long as you can recognize the possible triggers for their changes in appetite, and address them quickly, your furry feline friends will stay happy and healthy.