A cat refusing to eat requires immediate attention. Unlike many other animals, cats are not physiologically built to fast, and even a short period without food can trigger severe health complications. Anorexia refers to a complete loss of appetite, while inappetence describes a reduced food intake. The danger is the immediate metabolic cascade that begins when a cat stops eating. A cat’s refusal to eat should be considered a medical red flag, especially since felines are adept at hiding signs of illness until a condition is significantly advanced.
The Immediate Danger: Feline Hepatic Lipidosis
The danger of a cat refusing food is the rapid onset of Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL), commonly known as “fatty liver disease.” This condition is considered the most common acquired liver disease in cats. It is triggered when the cat’s body senses starvation and begins mobilizing its peripheral fat reserves to convert into energy.
This rapid mobilization of fat overwhelms the liver’s capacity to process it. The liver cells accumulate an excessive amount of triglycerides, a form of fat. This buildup causes the liver cells to swell and impedes their normal function, potentially leading to liver failure. Overweight or obese cats are particularly susceptible to FHL because they have larger fat reserves to mobilize.
FHL can begin to develop within just 24 to 48 hours of complete anorexia. Symptoms of this liver dysfunction include dramatic weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, and a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes known as jaundice. Once FHL is established, the cat typically feels too nauseous to eat, which worsens the liver function and perpetuates the cycle of starvation.
Common Reasons for Refusing Food
A cat’s refusal to eat is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The underlying causes can be broadly separated into medical and non-medical issues. A cat may exhibit true anorexia (no interest in food) or pseudo-anorexia (wants to eat but is prevented by pain or physical obstruction).
Medical Causes
One common medical reason for pseudo-anorexia is severe dental disease, such as advanced periodontal disease or stomatitis, which causes significant pain when chewing or swallowing. A cat with an abscess or a mass in the mouth may show interest in food but then turn away due to discomfort. Painful conditions anywhere in the body, like arthritis or pancreatitis, can suppress a cat’s appetite.
Systemic illnesses frequently lead to true anorexia by causing nausea or general malaise. Conditions like kidney disease (common in older cats), liver disease, and diabetes can all lead to a loss of appetite. Gastrointestinal issues, including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or a foreign object obstruction, are frequent causes of nausea, vomiting, and subsequent food refusal.
Non-Medical Causes
Behavioral or environmental factors can also trigger inappetence. Stress from environmental changes, such as moving to a new home, the addition of a new pet, or a change in their feeding schedule, can cause them to stop eating. They may also develop a food aversion if they associate their food with a recent negative experience, such as feeling nauseous or being force-fed. Even a dirty food bowl or a new type of food can lead a cat to refuse a meal.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
The decision of when to seek professional help should be based on a strict timeline. A cat that has gone without food for 24 hours is considered a medical emergency due to the risk of Feline Hepatic Lipidosis. If your cat skips even one or two meals, or if they are exhibiting other signs like vomiting, lethargy, or drooling, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The veterinarian will begin with a thorough physical examination and a detailed history to differentiate between true and pseudo-anorexia. Diagnostic procedures typically involve blood work to evaluate organ function, such as the liver and kidneys, and imaging like X-rays or ultrasound to look for internal obstructions or masses. These tests help identify the underlying systemic disease that triggered the refusal to eat.
Hospitalization is often necessary, as the immediate goal is to provide nutritional support and correct any dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. Since a cat with FHL often will not eat on its own, assisted feeding via a temporary feeding tube, such as an esophagostomy tube, is frequently the most effective treatment to reverse the process. Supportive care may also include intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications, and supplements to aid liver recovery.