Has your feline friend been ignoring his food lately? Don’t ignore your pet’s picky eating habits as this can be a sign of something serious. A cat that refuses to eat anything for at least 12 hours warrants your attention.
Your kitty’s hunger strike could be caused by various factors. According to a pet food delivery service in Dubai, the following may be the possible reasons why your feline has lost his appetite.
1. A change in environment
Like many pets, cats thrive by following a routine. This means that any change to their usual habits can become scary for them.
If you travel with your cat, for example, this may wreak havoc on his sense of well-being; the same applies if you move to a new place.
Some cats may experience motion sickness when riding a car or plane. This can lead to nausea and refusal to eat food.
2. Recent vaccine shots
Vaccinations usually make a cat feel uneasy. If your cat lost his appetite after getting a shot, this could be a mild side effect. Don’t worry as this is normal and temporary; just make sure your pet gets enough rest and stays hydrated.
3. A psychological issue
With their complex brains, cats are prone to depression. Your feline friend might be upset because of the presence of new household members, changes in their usual schedule, or other various factors.
A psychological problem is hard to diagnose on your own. Talk to your vet about it if you can’t find anything physically wrong with your pet.
4. Physical illness
Loss of appetite is one of the main indicators that your pet may be suffering from an illness. Several various conditions could be responsible, such as cancer, infections, intestinal problems, kidney failure, and pancreatitis.
However, it isn’t always a serious illness – something like a toothache could already cause your feline to stop eating.
Appetite Solution
Provided your cat isn’t ill, you can do something to easily stimulate his appetite. To encourage your kitty to eat again, make sure he gets the best quality cat food you can buy, and also consider the following tips.
- Mix it up – Your cat can get tired of eating the same food over and over again. Try changing the kind of food you feed your pet. If he normally eats dry food, try mixing it up with some wet food. The strong smell of wet food is effective in piquing your cat’s interest and bringing back his appetite.
- Heat up food – A small change in the temperature of your cat’s food will go a long way. Try heating your pet’s food for about 10 seconds in the microwave. To avoid any hot spots, don’t forget to stir well.
- Give attention – Your cat may just be sad because you haven’t been playing with him as much these past few days. Pamper your pet with extra brushing, nail trimming, or playtime. The stimulation your cat gets from all the attention may make him want to eat again.
- Make mealtimes stress-free – If things are chaotic at home due to a renovation project or a group of visitors, for example, find a quiet place for your cat to eat. With less noise and only a few familiar people around, your pet can focus more on enjoying his meal.
- Rotate food – Rotate your cat’s diet among different high-quality pet food brands two to four times a year. This is a good practice that can help minimize food allergies and intestinal problems, as well as the loss of appetite.
If your vet says there’s nothing wrong with your cat, the above tips may just be your ticket to getting your cat’s appetite back. Whether your pet is anxious, sick, or just plain picky, don’t forget that a complete refusal of food has devastating consequences. Don’t diagnose on your own and consult your vet as soon as you notice something different in your cat’s eating habits.
The sooner you respond to your kitty’s eating problem, the sooner you’ll be able to do something that can help. Continue to observe your cat during mealtimes until he starts eating normally again.
AUTHOR BIO
Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.