Natural ways to stimulate appetite in cats
Try luring your cat with a few pieces of their favourite wet food or chunks of fresh tuna. You can also add low-sodium broth or tuna juice to the food as well. Provide variety: Providing variety in their meal plan can stimulate their appetite.
Medical problems such as kidney disease, pancreatitis, ingestion of non-food material, cancer, dental disease, urinary tract disease, and arthritis can all deter a cat from eating. In addition to health issues, a cat's psychological well-being can also play a role in altering a cat's hunger.
A cat's loss of appetite often indicates illness and is a medically significant symptom. Therefore, it is important to monitor your cat and if the behavior lasts for more than a day you should call your vet immediately.
You should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately when your adult cat hasn't eaten in more than 24 hours or just 12 hours for kittens younger than 6 weeks old. Make an appointment with your vet if this occurs.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
If a cat doesn't eat for 24-72 hours, we need to start force feeding. To do this, you'll need to get human baby food from the grocery store or blend cat food into gruel. You'll want to get a meat based kind (like chicken or turkey), and make sure it doesn't have garlic in the ingredient list.
“If your cat does not eat for three days, their body will use the excessive fat and break it down into energy for their body to use,” Dr. Ochoa explains. “This can cause a build-up of fat in your cat's liver.” This build-up of fat in the liver is called hepatic lipidosis—AKA a fatty liver.
But if your kitty is also eating less than usual, or if you are concerned, go ahead and schedule a veterinary appointment. On the other end of the spectrum, if your cat is drinking more water than usual in combination with not eating, this could be a symptom of a health problem such as diabetes or kidney disease.
If your cat begs for food but won't eat it once he has it, that behavior could be a sign of food allergies or gum disease. In the first case, the vet can sell you hypoallergenic, prescription food. In the second, your vet may be able to treat gum disease and relieve any pain associated with eating.
When to contact your vet. Contact your vet if your cat has been lethargic for more than 24 hours. Book an urgent appointment if they seem severely lethargic, and be sure to let your vet know about any other symptoms you have noticed, such as eating less or drinking more.
Many cats enjoy chicken, cat biscuits, tuna, or invalid diets from the vet. Liquidise food if there is any difficulty swallowing. Offer bits of food by hand, or dab a tiny bit onto the lips or front paws. Stroking or grooming a cat may encourage eating.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.
Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines are a superb nutritional supplement to your cat's diet. They are rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are great for your cat's eyesight and heart health.
Cats can eat tuna as a treat and in small amounts, once or twice weekly at a maximum. Choose tuna in natural spring water. Avoid feeding cats tuna in oil or tuna in brine as these human tuna foods contain too much salt and oil so lack any health benefit, and can cause harm.
The safest way to serve eggs to cats is to ensure they are always cooked. Stick with boiled, scrambled or fried eggs. Just like humans, cats share the same potential risks in contracting Salmonella if consuming raw or undercooked foods.
Sick cats often lie quietly in a hunched position. They might neglect grooming. They may be purring, which cats do not only when they're happy, but also when they're sick or in pain. A cat with breathing difficulties may refuse to lie on his side and may keep his head raised.
When shopping for an appropriate food for a cat with stomach sensitivity issues, look for easily digested protein sources such as chicken, turkey or non-fatty fish. Healthy carbohydrates such as white potatoes, brown rice, sweet potatoes, peas or quinoa are good choices.
Your cat needs more attention when sick. The cat might not like noise or high traffic, so keep him in a quiet space, away from any commotion. Provide a warm sleeping space, special food, and an easy-to-reach litter box. Make sure you don't provoke your cat or try to rile them up.
Cats can survive for about two weeks without eating but only three days without drinking. The longer your cat goes without proper nutrition, however, the weaker they become, so it's important to contact your vet if you suspect they haven't eaten in a day or more.