5 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Not Eating and How to Help Them

There are four words pet parents dread saying to their vet: “My cat won’t eat.” 

If your cat isn’t eating, it might be a sign that they’re struggling with other health issues: just one reason why it’s so important to talk to your vet about any worrying behaviors as soon as you can. 

But before you make that phone call, consider observing your pet’s behavior to gather more information. Are they bored of their food? Is their appetite simply decreasing with age? Are they anxious in a new environment?

This guide is here to help you observe common issues that could be connected to your cat’s changing eating habits. We’ll break down five reasons why your cat may not be eating enough and explore solutions based on their unique situation.

Introduction to Feline Feeding Issues

Whether your cat eats traditional kibble or you’re a long-standing fresh cat food devotee, you likely keep a close eye on your cat’s dietary habits. For instance, you likely know:

• How much they usually eat (and what their favorite foods are)

• Their typical water intake

• Their preferred meal times 

• Their usual routine before and after meals

If you notice changes to any of the above—food or water intake, eating times, and pre- and post-meal activities—this might be a sign that your pet isn’t their usual self. 

While we’ll explore five potential reasons why your cat isn’t eating, keep these two things in mind:

1. Your vet is an incredible resource – If you have concerns about your cat’s health, you should discuss these with your veterinarian. This guide is only designed to help you observe your cat’s potential symptoms—information that might help your vet determine the cause of any health issues. 

2. Timing matters – If you notice your cat eating less for one or two days, this might not be a sign of a major health issue. Take time to observe your pet’s behavior over multiple days and report your findings to your vet before jumping to any conclusions or home diagnoses. 

With all of the above in mind, let’s explore some potential causes of your cat’s altered eating habits. 

Reason 1: Medical Conditions

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends that pet owners choose pet foods based on their pets’:

• Species

• Life stage and condition

• Activity level

Let’s zoom in on the second parameter: life stage and condition. 

Like humans, cats’ medical needs can change over time. Whether they have a mild illness or develop a chronic condition, your cat may develop new nutritional needs as a result of health challenges. 

Two of the best ways to prevent, identify, and monitor cat medical conditions are:

1. Routine vet visits – Stay current on your cat’s routine checkups. Your vet will recommend a visit frequency based on your cat’s age, needs, and overall health. Regular observation by a vet will give you a chance to bring up any pressing medical concerns in a timely manner. 

2. Pet vaccinations and preventative medications – Talk to your vet about their recommended vaccine schedule and preventative prescriptions for your pet. These can help prevent conditions like rabies, feline herpes virus, and heartworm.,

Identifying Symptoms

The first step to identifying a potential medical issue is observing your cat’s potential symptoms. If your cat’s eating habits have changed, take note of any differences in other parts of their life:

• Hydration – Monitor your cat’s water intake and note any changes—especially if they’re drinking less water than usual. Learning how to keep cat hydrated is essential since dehydration can lead to further health complications.

• Activity level – If your highly active cat is showing signs of lethargy—or your relaxed cat seems anxious or highly alert—record this information for your vet.

• Sleep – Try your best to record your cat’s sleep or take note of any recent routine changes. 

• Fur, skin, and eyes – Take a closer look at your cat’s coat, eyes, and skin and write down any noticeable changes.

Bring up any changes like these to your vet. 

Reason 2: Stress and Anxiety

Lack of appetite is one potential symptom of stress or anxiety in cats. Other common signs include:

• Behavioral changes – This includes avoiding people more than usual, hiding for long periods of time, scratching furniture, overgrooming, and vocalizing more than usual.

• Abnormal body language – Look for flattened ears, skin twitching, lip-licking, and tensed muscles.

• Litter box changes – This includes differences in frequency or size of bowel movements, more frequent urination, and straying from the litter box.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can overlap with other issues. Changes in litter box activities, for instance, could be a sign of a physical health problem instead of an anxiety response.

Reducing Stress for Your Cat

If you suspect your cat may be anxious, take steps to reduce their stress level. Common sources of stress include:

• Other animals in the house – If you’ve recently introduced another pet into your home, consider creating a dedicated space for your cat to get alone time or slowly introducing your new pet to your cat.

• Moving or environmental changes – If you’re moving, getting new furniture, or making other major changes to your cat’s space, they may need time to adjust. Try to keep them comfortable by ensuring their favorite toys, blankets, and beds are nearby. 

• Overhandling – Unwanted petting and cuddling can cause aggression or anxiety in cats. Try to learn to read your cat’s body language and let them come to you for affection instead of forcing it. 

Reason 3: Dislike of Food or Food Boredom

If your cat is like most pets, they likely eat the same food (or similar food) almost every day. 

So, in cases of decreased appetite, your cat may be trying to tell you that they’re bored of their food. 

If this happens regularly, it’s easy to become frustrated. If you’re constantly wondering, “Why is my cat so picky about wet food?” your cat may just prefer novelty—the chance to try new flavors and textures often. 

In fact, research shows that:

• Cats are picky eaters – Cats often refuse to try new foods, develop fixations, or change their behavior when eating a food they don’t like. 

• Cats like choices – Cats may be more likely to embrace a food if it’s presented alongside another option.

• Cats recognize temperature changes – Cats may be more likely to accept a new food if it’s warmed up. 

Experimenting with New Flavors

If you suspect that your pet may be bored with their food, it may be time to experiment with new flavors. We recommend trying raw cat food—meals made from 100% real meat without any added antibiotics, steroids, or hormones. 

Unlike many other animals, cats are obligate carnivores. So, raw meat diets cater especially well to their ancestral needs for meat-based protein. 

To incorporate some novelty into your cat’s diet, consider introducing a wide variety of meat sources, including:

• Turkey

• Chicken

• Beef

• Duck

The best part is that today’s pet food delivery options are making it easier than ever for your cat to transition to a raw meat diet. 

Reason 4: Poor Feeding Habits

While they appreciate novelty, cats also expect to be fed on a schedule—they’ll often whine or beg for food if they don’t eat at their expected time.

However, poor feeding habits (like feeding at inconsistent times) could impact your cat’s appetite overall. As you try to diagnose the reason why your cat isn’t eating, think about your feeding habits, like:

• The frequency and times of feeding

• The cleanliness of their food and water bowls

• The placement of their food bowl

• How feedings overlap for multiple pets

Proper Feeding Environment

Once you’ve explored some of your feeding habits, you can work to improve them (and, potentially, your cat’s appetite) by:

• Feeding at consistent times – No matter the frequency and volume your vet recommends, stick to a schedule. Set alarms on your smartphone to help remind you ahead of mealtimes. 

• Keeping food and water bowls fresh – If you only change your cat’s water dish every few days and don’t wash their food bowl every day, adjust your habits so that your cat always has clean dishes for food and water. 

• Feeding cats in their own space – To prevent territorial behavior, give each cat in your home their own space to eat—in separate rooms or corners, for instance.

• Timing feedings carefully – If you have a dog who likes to steal your cat’s food, consider feeding your dog before or at the same time as your cat to prevent meal disruptions.

Reason 5: Aging and Decreased Appetite

Remember the AAFCO pet food recommendations above? Consider your pet’s life stage as you address their appetite changes—both cats and dogs may eat less as they age. 

Whether their activity level has decreased or their preferences change over time, you may notice a decline in food intake as your cat gets older. However, talk to your vet about how much is too much change—they’ll be able to identify your pet’s ideal nutrition targets as they age. 

Enhancing Food Appeal

If your cat still isn’t getting enough nutrients despite age-related changes, consider enticing them to eat more by:

• Adding leftover liquids from tuna cans, wet food cans, or raw food packages to their food to enhance the flavor.

• Offering them treats after meals to incentivize them to clean their plates.

• Using puzzle bowls or other feeding tools to increase enrichment during meals.

Additionally, consider switching to fresh, raw cat food. Leveraging your cat’s biological predisposition toward a meat-heavy diet may help you reach your pet’s ideal nutritional goals with food they were meant to eat.

When to Worry: Signs Your Cat’s Eating Issues Could Be Serious

It’s normal for a cat to eat less occasionally, but if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours, it could signal an underlying disease or health issue. Contact your vet if you notice:

• Weight loss – If your kitty is noticeably thinner or you can feel their ribs more than usual, they may not be getting enough nutrients.

• Vomiting or diarrhea – Frequent vomiting or digestive problems alongside refusal to eat can indicate illness.

• Lethargy – If your normally active kitten seems uninterested in playing, their body may be conserving energy due to sickness.

• Signs of Pain – A refusing cat that vocalizes, hides, or reacts negatively when touched may be in pain from dental issues, injury, or another condition.

If your cat stops eating and displays any of these symptoms, seek veterinary attention to rule out serious causes like infections, organ issues, or chronic diseases.

How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?

A healthy cat should never go more than 24 hours without food, and younger cats (especially a kitten) are even more vulnerable. Unlike some animals, cats’ bodies cannot safely lose weight too quickly without risking a condition called hepatic lipidosis—a severe liver disease.

If your cat refuses food, keep track of their behavior, hydration, and energy levels. A normal decrease in appetite for a day may not be alarming, but anything longer could require medical intervention.

Explore Quality Cat Foods from Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

If your cat won’t eat, you may be fearing the worst. But before visiting the vet, spend some time observing your cat and consider the potential causes we’ve explored in this guide. With as much information as possible about your pet’s behaviors and needs, you and your vet can develop a tailor-made nutrition plan. 

Speaking of meals tailor-made for cats, that’s our specialty at Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. We offer fresh, raw pet food for cats and dogs delivered right to your door—and shipping is free. 

Make the best decision for your pet’s health by switching to raw cat food—explore options your cat will love today.

Sources: 

1. AAFCO. Selecting the Right Pet Food. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/selecting-the-right-pet-food/ 
2. UC Davis. Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. https://healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/feline/vaccination-guidelines-dogs-and-cats 
3. American Heartworm Society. Heartworm in Cats. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-cats 
4. Blue Cross. Stress in Cats. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/stress-in-cats 
5. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. Feeding Cats for Optimal Mental and Behavioral Welll-Being. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7415653/ 
6. UC Davis. Role of Diet in the Health of the Feline Intestinal Tract and in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. https://ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4586/files/inline-files/role-of-diet-feline-health-Glasgow_0.pdf