How often do you feed your cat? Once a day? Twice a day? Or do you just leave out dry food for your cat to nibble all day long, like a 24-hour snack bar? No matter how often you feed your cat, do you know how much he really consumes? If you have one cat, it is pretty obvious, but if you have more than one cat, it could be difficult to know exactly how much each cat is eating. Therefore, it is very important to keep an eye out for any signs that may indicate your cat’s appetite has changed. A change in appetite can signal a health problem in your cat. Bearing that in mind, do you know how to spot a problem?
Clearly, in a healthy cat, if food is available at all times, there can be the tendency to overeat and gain weight. That is not an appetite issue. You can address overeating by changing up the feeding pattern. But when it comes to a change in appetite, that could signal a health problem that needs to be addressed.
If your cat is not feeling well, his appetite can diminish. If you think your cat’s appetite has changed for the worse, you should separate him from the other cats if you have several of them in order to determine how much each one is eating.
The most obvious sign of lack of appetite is weight loss. You can simply feel your cat to determine if that is a problem. Does your cat feel thinner when you pick him up? If so, you should call your veterinarian. A couple of common causes for loss of appetite in cats is the presence of a fever, a bite wound from another cat, or an abscess.
Dental disease can also affect your cat’s appetite. Dental problems can make it difficult for your cat to chew. Instead of chewing normally, your cat may turn his head to the side or you may see food falling out of his mouth. Other serious conditions that can affect your cat’s appetite include liver or kidney disease, cancer, and various infectious diseases. It is important to address the underlying issue to correct the appetite. Once a bite or a wound is treated or healed, the appetite should return. However, for chronic issues, such as liver or kidney disease, loss of appetite can be ongoing, so the goal then is to focus on nutrition. This is where an in-depth dialogue with your veterinarian is important.
While it is fine to tempt your cat with a few treats temporarily to get him to at least eat something, if the condition persists and his appetite does not return to normal, be sure to make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.
Source: news.vet.tufts.edu
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
