What are the reasons for cat anorexia?

Cat anorexia is mainly caused by two categories: disease and non-disease factors. Non-disease factors include changes in the environment or temperature, improper feeding methods, poor palatability of cat food, etc. Such anorexia is not severe and generally improves with adjustments to the environment and food. Additionally, cats may experience reduced appetite during their heat cycle. Disease causes include oral diseases, internal parasites or hairballs, gastrointestinal diseases, bacterial or viral infectious diseases, and internal organ diseases. Anorexia caused by diseases is more severe and can eventually lead to loss of appetite. Cats should be taken to the vet for examination and treatment.

Anorexia in cats is different from picky eating. If it is a simple case of anorexia, it may be caused by factors such as the environment, temperature, improper feeding, and poor cat food palatability. Improving appetite can be achieved by switching cat food, feeding cans, and adjusting feeding habits.

In fact, most cases of cat anorexia are caused by diseases. Cats will lose interest in their favorite food and snacks and their appetite will gradually decrease until it disappears. Therefore, when the symptoms of anorexia are severe, it is essential to identify the cause and treat it accordingly.

Oral diseases

When cats suffer from oral diseases such as stomatitis, oral ulcers, dental caries, and periodontitis, they experience discomfort and difficulty chewing. This leads to a decline in appetite and eventually anorexia. If there are any abnormalities in your cat's mouth, take it to the vet for treatment immediately. In the meantime, you can feed the cat soft, easy-to-swallow foods to maintain its strength.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Cats have delicate gastrointestinal systems. If they are fed improperly, they may develop diseases such as indigestion, gastritis, and intestinal obstruction. These conditions irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing the cat to refuse to eat due to pain.

Internal parasites or hairball syndrome

If a cat has internal parasites, it can lead to anorexia. Additionally, hairball syndrome caused by excessive hair accumulation can block the cat's intestines, resulting in a decline in appetite.

Heat cycle

During their heat cycle, cats become anxious and preoccupied with finding a mate. This can lead to a lack of appetite and thirst. To distract your cat, provide it with tasty treats and spend more time with it. Generally, heat cycle-related anorexia ends after the cycle is over.

Viral or bacterial infectious diseases

Diseases such as feline distemper, feline infectious peritonitis, and coronavirus can induce cat anorexia. There is usually a progression from loss of appetite to complete absence of appetite. These diseases have a high mortality rate. If your cat shows signs of infection, take it to the vet for treatment, including fluid therapy, to avoid missing the best treatment window.

Liver, kidney, or pancreatic diseases

Injury to internal organs is a serious condition that can severely harm a cat's health and lead to anorexia or even loss of appetite. When internal organs are damaged, other symptoms may occur simultaneously. For example, kidney damage can cause symptoms such as decreased urine output, frequent urination, and bloody urine. Liver dysfunction can lead to jaundice and yellow urine. If your cat shows any abnormalities, take it to the vet promptly for diagnosis through biochemical tests and ultrasound.