My cat is not eating: when to worry and what to do

Cats are masters at hiding illness, and not eating is often the first — and sometimes only — sign that something is wrong. Here’s how to judge how worried to be.

When to come in

See a vet the same day if your cat:

• is a kitten
• has eaten nothing for 24 hours
• is also vomiting, has diarrhoea, or seems very weak or hiding
• is breathing fast or with its mouth open
• is a male cat straining in the litter box — that’s an emergency
• has yellow gums or eyes

Book within a day or two if your cat is eating noticeably less than usual but is otherwise bright.

Use our symptom checker if you’re unsure.

Why not eating is dangerous for cats

When a cat stops eating, its body breaks down fat for energy. Cats’ livers aren’t built for this, and fat can flood the liver cells — hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. It can develop within a few days, especially in overweight cats, and needs intensive treatment, sometimes with a feeding tube. That’s why we never “wait and see” for long with a cat that won’t eat.

Common causes

• Cat flu — a blocked nose means the cat can’t smell food (read more)
• Mouth pain — dental disease, broken teeth, ulcers, a fish bone stuck in the mouth
• Nausea — stomach upsets, hairballs, kidney or liver disease
• Fever and infections, including panleukopenia in young cats
• Pain anywhere — injuries, abscesses, arthritis
• Urinary problems
• Stress — moving, new pets, visitors
• Food changes or stale food

What you can safely try at home

• Warm wet food to body temperature — smell drives appetite.
• Offer small portions of something strongly scented (plain cooked chicken or fish, without bones or spices).
• Feed in a quiet place away from other pets.
• Use a shallow, wide dish — some cats dislike whiskers touching bowl sides.
• Keep fresh water available.

What not to do

• Don’t force-feed — it can cause food to go into the lungs and creates food aversion.
• Don’t give human medicines, appetite stimulants or paracetamol.
• Don’t wait days hoping it passes.

What we’ll do at the clinic

A full examination (including the mouth and teeth), temperature, weight, and usually a blood test to check organs and infection. Then we treat the cause and support appetite and nutrition. See check-ups and diagnostics.