Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Why Is My Cat Hiding And Not Eating? 9 Shocking Reasons

Why Is My Cat Hiding And Not Eating? The most common question giving cat owners sleepless nights. If you notice your feline is not eating at all then it signifies something serious.

Generally, cats are finicky hence they can decide not to eat certain foods or treats despite them being well. But if she is not eating at all then it could be due to illness.

Kelvin Bruce DVM is going to walk you through some of the possible causes of why cats suddenly stopped to eat and drinking. Take your time to read through the guide.

Is It Normal for A Cat to Stop Eating?

Cats are picky eaters but they can also decide not to eat certain foods or treats regardless of their well-being.

However, if your feline friend has stopped to eat completely then there could be a serious problem that needs medical attention.

It is not advisable to assume that all is well if the furry friend does not eat at all. Consider visiting a professional vet for examination and diagnosis.

Loss of appetite in cats rarely occurs unless the stomach is full. This is the reason why you will notice a cat not eating much but acting normally.

Why Is My Cat Hiding And Not Eating

Why has my cat stopped eating? Well, there are a couple of factors that tend to trigger the feline not to eat at all.

Some of these factors might need medical attention while others might not. Here are some of the common causes of cats stopping eating and drinking:

1. Gastrointestinal Problem

A cat that has a problem with the digestive system due to diseases might stop eating since they tends to experience abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Loss of appetite is usually the first signal to note when your feline friend has a problem with the digestive system.

The gastrointestinal problem is normally caused by the growth of tumors, acid reflux, parasites, and bowel irritable diseases.

2. Dental Problem

This is the main problem that tends to make old cats not eat but it can also affect other cats due to the painful condition.

Some of the common dental problems that make the cat not eat are inflamed gums, oral ulcers, broken teeth, and tooth root abscesses.

Felines with oral pain tend to find chewing a problem and this is the reason why most of them stop eating at all.

3. Kidney Disease

The problem is quite common in older cats and the disease tends to make cats feel very sick such that they are not able to eat.

A furball with kidney disease tends to drink a lot of water, pee a lot, and lose some weight due to not eating. Consider consulting your vet.

4. Change in Diet

There are some cat owners who tend to switch cat food very fast and this tends to make cats not to eat. This happens because cats have strong preferences when it comes to feeding.

The best way to handle such a situation is to proceed gradually before switching completely to another diet. You can even mix the new food with the other.

5. Hepatic lipidosis

This is a liver disease that makes the cat not to eat and drink for several days. The cat will begin to lose weight since the available fat is converted into energy.

It is advisable to visit a vet for examination and treatment since the disease can cause death to your feline friend.

According to research, the liver disease is quite common among obese cats. You need to seek an appointment with a vet to avoid further complications.

6. Foreign Bodies

Cats are curious creatures and they can eat things that are supposed not to be eaten. The grooming nature of the felines makes them swallow furs that can result in hairballs.

Therefore, foreign objects or hairballs can cause blockage in the stomach and intestines. This can make your cat not to eat all.

7. Change in Environment

Cats tend to experience stress if there is a change in their surroundings and this can make some go for the hunger strike.

Moving your feline from one home to another may interfere with their eating habits hence the reason why some cats stop eating and drinking.

8. Side Effects of Vaccination

Vaccination tends to cause loss of appetite and fatigue in some felines. This is the reason why you will notice your feline not eating.

However, the side effect is usually mild and it tends to disappear after some hours. If the condition persists for some days then consult your vet.

Why Is My Cat Drooling And Not Eating?  4 Common Treatments

Here are some things to consider if you have a cat that won’t eat. They include:

1. Seek Medical Intervention

Illness is one of the factors that will make your feline not to eat. Seeking medical attention is a perfect solution to improve your furball health. Treating the underlying issue will trigger the cat to eat one meal.

2. Change the Food Brand

If the feline hates the current food brand, it is advisable to switch to other food brands that are tasty and delicious. The cat might find the change refreshing.

3. Warm the Food

Refrigerated food tends to have a weird smell and this can make the cat not to eat. Therefore, always have the habit of warming the food in the microwave and this can make it tasty for the cat.

4. Ensure the Cat Dishes and Bowels are Clean

If you have a feline that loves to eat canned cat food or raw food, germs tend to develop on the bowel if not clean.

The germs can make the cat get sick which later causes loss of appetite. Therefore, develop a routine of washing the bowels after every meal.

When Should I Be Worried?

If you are still worried about the question: Why Is My Cat Hiding And Not Eating, then it’s probably best you take them to your local vet. It is quite frustrating if the feline is not eating. You need to monitor the behavior for a couple of hours before getting worried.

In case the cat starts showing some weird symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration then it is advisable to consult your vet immediately since it could be a sign of something serious.

Serina Russow
Serina Russowhttp://smartcatlovers.org
Hey there, I'm Serina, your friendly feline fanatic! As the proud founder of "Smart cat lovers," I'm on a mission to share my passion for all things cat-related. With years of experience in cat behavior and health, I'm here to provide expert advice on nurturing happy, healthy kitties. When I'm not tapping away on my keyboard, you'll find me curled up with my four adorable furballs: Whiskers, Luna, Billy, and Charlie.

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