Why is my Cat not eating? Hunger Strike or Anorexia in cats

November 15th 2022:
Did you know that cats also suffer from anorexia?

Yes, our feline friends are known to be fussy eaters but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

 

If your cat used to love their food but now turns their nose up at it, it could be a sign that something is wrong and you might need to look out for the symptoms that are highlighted as you read along, to know if your cat might be suffering from anorexia.

 

Cat anorexia is a condition characterised by a lack of interest in food and weight loss.

 

While the exact cause of cat anorexia is unknown, there are a number of potential contributing factors, including stress, changes in routine or in the home environment, and underlying health conditions.

 

There are two types of cat anorexia:

 

Types

True anorexia

True Anorexia refers to a cat that does not want to eat at all.

 

Pseudo-anorexia

It occurs when a cat is interested in food but cannot due to complications such as  inflammation,tumours, disease, and pain which causes the cat to have difficulty chewing or grabbing food.

 

Symptoms of cat anorexia include

 

• Complete loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Icterus (yellowing of the skin)
• Lethargy
• Excesses salivation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting

 

If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, it is important to take them to the vet for a check-up.

 

Treatment for cat anorexia will vary depending on the underlying cause. If your cat is ill, treatment will focus on addressing the underlying condition. If stress is the cause, you may need to make changes to your cat’s environment to help them feel more comfortable. If your cat is simply not interested in food, you may need to try a different type of food or change their feeding schedule.

 

With proper treatment, most cats make a full recovery and return to their normal weight and activity level.