Summer is here, and even cats have become lazy. Does your owner not like to eat? In fact, loss of appetite itself is not a disease, but a disease that can point to many diseases or other diseases. clinical symptoms of the problem.

First of all, we need to determine whether the cat is picky or anorexic. The main difference lies in the cat's mental state. If your cat is still active without eating, it may just be a picky eater. Cats with anorexia will also be depressed, inactive, and have reduced physical strength, just like the difference between picky eaters and people who don't want to eat.

Picky eaters and anorexia

Most picky eaters are born out of habit! Many owners always keep their cat’s food bowl full, letting the cat help itself when it’s hungry, and giving it lots of snacks from time to time. This can easily lead to cats becoming picky about food. Of course, it may also be that the food provided by the owner is stale or even spoiled. This is not to blame for the cat being picky. Try changing the food quickly.

Why anorexia

Loss of appetite is one of the symptoms of some diseases. On the other hand, the cause of cat anorexia is likely to be some diseases. Many problems can cause loss of appetite, including infection, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer. Of course, it may just be a toothache. Cats, like people, certainly don’t want to eat when they have a toothache.

In addition to illness, there may also be a psychological problem with the cat. Changes in living environment, such as traveling, moving, etc., can make cats feel uneasy. A recent change in food may also be the culprit, as it takes a long time for cats to adjust to a new type of food. In addition, adding a new pet to the home may also cause a temporary decrease in the cat's food intake.

Consequences of anorexia

Don’t take it lightly! If your cat isn’t eating, your cat’s body will have to use their fat reserves for energy, which requires a lot of protein, and once the protein is depleted, all the excess fat will put a huge strain on the liver. This heavy load can cause lipid deposition in the liver, leading to liver failure.

If anorexia is caused by some diseases, it needs to be paid more attention to. As mentioned just now, loss of appetite is a symptom of many diseases. Therefore, when a cat has a loss of appetite, we are not sure whether it is a serious illness or a minor illness. If the cat cannot be treated in time, the condition may worsen and cause serious consequences.

What can we do

When we find that the cat is not eating, we first rule out the picky eater. We can try new cat food types and consistencies to give it a different taste. If your cat usually only eats dry food, try mixing in some canned food. Maybe the cat will happily eat it.

But if you haven’t eaten for more than 24 hours (12 hours for kittens), you need to see a doctor. If illness is the cause of your cat's loss of appetite, your veterinarian will work with you to design the best course of treatment for your pet. Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications as appetite stimulants or recommend feeding your cat liquid food via a syringe. Your veterinarian may also use a feeding tube to ensure adequate nutrition.