If the cat does not eat or drink, it is important to determine the problem of this condition. Such behavior of these four-legged pets occurs for a number of reasons. They usually indicate that something is wrong in a cat's life. Sometimes animals can be picky about food and demand delicacies. Often there is nothing serious in such a situation, and the problem can be solved with simple steps. Nevertheless, a long period of refusal of food can indicate dangerous pathologies, and should be taken seriously.
Animal refuses food
You need to know the most common reasons a cat refuses to eat in order to find out how best to help the animal return to normal. It is important for every furrier owner to see their pet healthy and energetic. And this is impossible without proper nutrition. We will deal with the most common reasons that deviations from the norm are observed in the behavior of the pet. The information provided will help the owners of the four-legged keep them in good conditions and timely troubleshoot.
Common causes
The cat doesn’t eat or drink, has it lost its appetite? This may be due to stress caused, for example, by moving to a new home, the appearance of a dog in the family, or a trip to the veterinarian where the cat was vaccinated. All these minor cases are resolved by themselves. If such situations arise, it is enough to give the animal time to recover. After all, the beast, like man, experiences a variety of emotions. He may rejoice or be upset. Some problems worry him very much. During a period of stress, one should emphasize his benevolent attitude to the pet, then he will calm down faster and return to normal life.
To determine the reasons for such a condition when the cat does not eat and drink, the owner of the four-legged friend needs to pay attention to his pet every day. Usually you can immediately feel that something is wrong. Then you need to carefully observe the cat for a period of time.
Why the cat doesn’t eat: identifying the reasons
There are many reasons why a cat does not eat or drink anything. Then the owner should pay particular attention to her behavior in order to understand the severity of the problem. Probably, after several days of observing the cat, the owner will understand what is happening. If in doubt, you can always consult your veterinarian.
Like humans, animals, when they do not consume enough calories, must burn excess fat reserves for energy. If a cat doesn’t eat or drink anything, or eats longer than usual and begins to lose weight, this is a clear sign that it does not receive enough healthy food.
Fast weight loss is very dangerous
Fast weight loss is very dangerous for a cat. If this happens, it is important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Protein is used to convert fat stores into energy. This process occurs in the liver. Sudden weight loss leads to the fact that all protein is consumed. This can lead to a life-threatening condition that causes liver disease in cats - lipidosis, and he, in turn, to liver failure, if not treated. Early signs of liver lipidosis are refusal of food. If untreated, signs of a late stage begin to appear, such as jaundice, salivation, cramps, and even coma.
The only known cure for this disease is enhanced enteral nutrition to overcome the pathology and return the cat to normal, as well as infusion therapy to combat dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Such measures save the life of the pet.
Why does a cat lose its appetite: past stresses
Consider the most common reasons why a cat doesn’t eat and drink, listlessly. The most common of these is stress. Most cats are sensitive to changes in the environment, such as a new home, new owner, or family replenishment, such as a child or a dog.
Stressful conditions are also characteristic of a person, and he, too, can lose his appetite and eat much less. Then, too, changes in the body will be observed. Therefore, it is important to communicate with your cat and give her a lot of attention. Then she will quickly return to normal.
Food features
Sometimes cats are allergic to the material the bowl is made of. Other problems with dishes for food - dirty containers, unwillingness to eat from a metal bowl, because it is electrified, or just the presence of another pet near the feeder. Some cats do not like the presence of their owners or other pets when they are going to enjoy food.
Disease
There are many diseases that can affect a cat’s nutrition and well-being. Of the most common pathologies, kidney problems should be noted. A similar condition can occur with urolithiasis, and when foreign objects enter the esophagus.
If the cat eats less, you need to monitor it. Sometimes there is lethargy, the absence of purrs, when the cat curls up and retires. A hiss is heard when trying to take the animal in his arms or his squeak. Then the animal can hide in a box and not seek communication. Sometimes a cat distemper may be the cause of the ailment.
Cat plague
If the cat does not eat, does not drink, and vomits bother her, perhaps these are symptoms of the plague. The disease is transmitted from infected animals. It is especially dangerous if the beast brought him from a street walk. Sometimes you can infect an animal in public transport. Veterinarians do not recommend having a pet earlier than a year later, if the house already had a cat infected with a plague, who died from this disease.
To treat the disease, it is important to consult a veterinarian. If the animal does not eat, does not drink, the cat vomits, her body dehydrates very quickly. In such a situation, it is important to show the pet to the doctor. Self-medication will not lead to anything good.
The veterinarian will prescribe intramuscular injections in the form of antibiotics and drugs that will help relieve the feeling of nausea. In no case should you leave your pet without medical assistance, otherwise a fatal outcome is guaranteed. In addition, if there are other pets at home, they also risk getting infected.
Vaccinations
Recent vaccinations are a very common reason why furry loses appetite. If the cat doesn’t eat or drink, it is lying, this is a typical situation that disappears 48 hours after vaccination. It is necessary to monitor the allergic reaction to the vaccine, which also gives more serious complications than slight drowsiness. This manifestation is normal for cats.
An allergic reaction will usually have obvious external signs, such as urticaria and severe combing, and loss of appetite is one of the secondary reactions. But all this does not mean that it is necessary to refuse vaccination, since side effects are rare. A timely vaccination was able to save millions of lives of domestic animals. The same cat plague mentioned above is more dangerous for unvaccinated cats. Vaccinations are especially important if the cat is taken out for a walk on the street and the pet is in contact with other animals.
Psychological problems
Anxiety and depression are the leading psychological problems that can cause a cat to eat less. Any changes in cats' habitual lives can increase their anxiety and temporarily affect food intake.
Therefore, the owner should remember the importance of ensuring a calm atmosphere and a friendly attitude towards the furry pet.
Travels
Most cats do not like long trips. It is quite enough for them to stick their heads out the window to absorb the smells of open space.
In addition, many cats are susceptible to motion sickness, and this will affect how much they eat. If you are planning a long vacation and taking your pet with you, this may affect his eating habits.
New food
Cats are fastidious eaters. Switching to a new food or a new type of food (from wet to dry) usually takes several days. This time is enough for the furry gourmets to fully adapt.
At first, they may not like the smell or taste of the new food, because it is different from the old. In most cases, the cat will be hungry enough, and only then can eat new food. And gradually decide whether she likes her.
Other eating problems
Cats are much less likely to eat food if it is old, stale or cold. They are very similar to people in that they like food that tastes good. If you store food in a humid or warm environment, it will age faster than foods stored in a cool and dry place. Cooking a small portion of food can prevent the phenomenon when food spoils.
Dental disease
Another reason why a cat doesn’t eat and drink can be a dental disease: gum disease, tooth abscesses or swelling of the mouth. A broken tooth or cut has the same effect. These conditions will make chewing difficult and painful for the cat. However, as soon as the disease is cured, this problem will be quickly resolved.
Kidney disease
It happens that a cat sleeps, does not eat, does not drink if she has kidney disease. It may be the main reason that the animal refuses to eat. This is especially true for older individuals.
Kidney disease usually causes nausea and possibly even vomiting in a cat. The cat does not eat or drink, listlessly. Only a veterinarian can diagnose kidney disease. If any of these signs is noticeable, you should immediately take the cat to the doctor. Most likely, you will need to perform an ultrasound examination.
Gastrointestinal pathology
Like kidney disease, gastrointestinal illnesses are serious cases that usually require expert help from a veterinarian. There are many pathologies, such as pancreatitis, infections of the gastrointestinal tract, parasitic infestations, cancer, colitis and even foreign bodies in the form of a rope or part of a toy that can cause intestinal obstruction in a cat.
In such a situation, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian if there are any signs of an upset gastrointestinal tract, such as refusing food for more than a couple of days, diarrhea, constipation or excessive weight loss.
Sterilized Cat Problems
The cat does not eat, does not drink after sterilization? This can not but cause concern among pet owners. Today, the sterilization process is quite safe, but the effects of anesthesia can persist for some time.
After the cat wakes up from anesthesia, she must have at her disposal drinking water. The recovery process will take from 8 to 12 hours. After that, the animal will return to its usual way of life. Prior to this, the beast may refuse food.
Sometimes a cat doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink, sleepy, lethargic until the stitches are removed. All this time the animal must be under the supervision of a veterinarian.
To improve the condition of the animal, it is important to ensure calmness, the ability to rest as much as necessary. Also, there should not be other animals nearby. They can injure the operated cat. It is important to wait until the postoperative suture heals.
Refusal of food during the first day is a normal occurrence. But if this condition lasts three days or more, complications may occur. Then it is important to seek medical help.
The veterinarian can prescribe intravenous feeding, as well as liquid broths, which are poured into a pipette or syringe. After such surgery, you will need to give the cat food that is specially designed for animals after sterilization. Then the pet will be provided with the necessary vitamins and minerals that compensate for the features of her condition.
Age problems
At what age is a cat considered old? Today, these animals often reach the age of eighteen to twenty years. If the old cat does not eat or drink, it is important to deal with the causes of this condition.
Perhaps the animal has one disease or several diseases at once. Cats in old age are less likely to show arthritis than dogs. But these tetrapods often suffer from kidney disease.
Signs of kidney problems are intense drinking and urination in the animal, accompanied by a decrease in body weight. Also a symptom of kidney disease can be considered attempts when the animal can not easily go to the tray.
In the presence of the listed symptoms, it is important to visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. At the same time, one must not forget about creating comfortable conditions for keeping the animal. An old cat should live in warmth. Hypothermia is contraindicated for her, therefore, drafts must be eliminated. Features of a diet for such an animal will be recommended by a doctor.
Also, the reason for the old cat's refusal to eat can be a weakened scent and poor eyesight. These are age-related problems with pets.
To summarize
A cat is one of the most common animals that are brought up at home. After taming such an animal, the owner must take care of him. Violations of the behavior of the animal rightly cause concern. Refusal of food can be caused by various reasons: age, illness, stress, sterilization.
To improve the condition of the pet, it is important to consult a veterinarian.