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Appetite changes
Has your cat suddenly stopped eating, or started eating a lot more?
How much your cat eats, or how willing it is to eat, differs clearly from usual — in one of two directions: **decreased appetite/not eating**, or **abnormally increased appetite** (overeating). Cats are unusual in that **just a few days of not eating at all can trigger a serious liver problem (hepatic lipidosis)** — so "not eating" is a bigger emergency for cats than it is for dogs.
Possible medical causes
- Anorexia/decreased appetite: can be caused by dental disease, kidney disease, liver/gallbladder disease, GI problems, infection, or tumors
- Overeating/abnormally increased appetite: hyperthyroidism is the classic cause, characterized by "eating more, drinking more, urinating more — yet steadily losing weight"
Possible behavioral causes
- Pickiness/refusing new food: cats are naturally very sensitive to taste and texture, so a sudden food change is easily rejected
- Stress-induced anorexia: moving house, changes in household members, or environmental stress can all be triggers
Warning signs — see a vet right away
- **Not eating at all for more than 24 hours** (official guidance says a vet visit is a must once decreased appetite lasts 3+ days, but complete refusal to eat warrants earlier action)
- Eating more, drinking more, urinating more — yet steadily losing weight
- Decreased appetite combined with vomiting, lethargy, or noticeable weight loss
- Obvious discomfort while eating (trouble chewing, increased drooling)
Initial at-home suggestions
- First rule out simple pickiness from a food or bowl change — switch to a gradual transition instead
- Track "how many days without eating / how much it's eating," and weigh your cat regularly
- Check for any obvious mouth problems
- Never force-feed with a syringe on your own — this can cause serious complications like aspiration pneumonia
- See a vet once decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat has lasted more than 3 days
Sources: iCatCare、Cornell Feline Health Center. For reference only — please consult a vet.