The cat sleeps all the time and does not eat anything. Norm or pathology

Have you noticed that your cat does not eat or drink for several days? Perhaps your pet is very lethargic and only lies in one place? Do you know why the cat behaves this way? Then hurry to find out the cause of such changes, as this may be a serious case requiring immediate treatment.

Why did my pet lose his appetite?

There are many reasons why a cat does not eat or drink, only sleeps. Very often, the animal refuses food and water when pathological changes occur in the body. The cat loses its appetite, becomes lethargic, constantly wants to sleep if it has diseases of the digestive tract or other vital organs. Refusal to eat is a response to pain.

If your cat is lethargic for several days and does not want to drink, this may indicate the onset of the first estrus.

The animal simply experiences fear and excitement when faced with a new period in life. The physical changes that take place in the body of a cat lead her into confusion, which you can take for an illness. This condition usually goes away after a few days., and the animal returns to its usual life.

What Causes Your Cat to Feel Bad?

Let's see why the cat does not eat for several days and constantly lies in one position. The cause of poor health and unusual behavior can be such diseases:

A cat's poor appetite is not always a sign of a serious illness. It is possible that the cause of this condition is:

Introduction to the menu of a new product. In this case, it is enough to review the cat's diet.
Changing of the living place. In order for the adaptation to take place as quickly as possible, you can purchase special preparations at the veterinary pharmacy designed to get used to the new environment.
stressful situations. By identifying the irritant, you can help your pet.

The cat does not eat during the day - this is not the most serious cause for concern. An obligatory reason for going to the doctor is a long refusal of food.(a week or more). In order to correctly assess the condition of the cat and seek qualified help in time, you must know some features of the cat's body:

A young and completely healthy cat can go without food for about five days, without any harm to its health. After this period, provided that the animal begins to fully eat, the necessary vitamin and mineral balance will be fully restored in its body.
An older cat can live without food for about 3 days. If the reason for refusing food is not illness, then his health will not worsen.
If a small kitten does not eat anything for a long time, then this is a reason to sound the alarm, as it may die. The fragile body of the baby, in rare cases, can withstand a day without food. Therefore, help should be sought, even if the pet does not eat for half a day.
Prolonged abstinence from food is unacceptable for cats suffering from chronic diseases. Regardless of the type and stage of the disease, the fast should not last more than two days.

What to do if the cat refuses to eat

In the case when a pet refuses to eat, try, for starters, to change his usual diet. Perhaps you gave him a new product that he is not used to. You can try to solve the problem as follows: add a small amount of the old food to the new food, gradually reducing its dosage.

It is likely that the cat simply does not like the products that you offer her. Try to give something different and observe how her behavior and well-being generally change.

The cat may not drink or eat all day because of the dirty dishes in which his food is located. Keep the bowl clean, wash it every day, and then the cat will not stop drinking and eating. Also, your pet may not be satisfied with the location of his dishes. Move the bowl to another place and see how your kitten behaves.

In the absence of obvious signs of helminthic invasion, it is necessary to look for other causes of malaise.

How to deal with illness

Is your cat refusing any food for a long time? Does he not get up, does not want to walk or play? What to do if no recommendations help? The answer to these questions is simple - you should immediately visit a veterinarian. Self-medication can not only aggravate the situation, but also put your cat's life at risk.. Only an experienced specialist will be able to assess the condition of your pet, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. If this is not done in a timely manner, then you can simply cause serious harm to the health of the animal.

Sometimes it may seem to us that cats sleep for days. Someone does not react to this fact in any way, and someone even begins to worry that his pet is sick. But, if the cat sleeps all the time and does not eat anything, this is the norm, or the veterinarian can decide the pathology. Perhaps the animal is sick, and sleep is a consequence of weakness and loss of strength.

Cats were originally conceived by nature as big dormice. An adult cat can sleep up to 16 hours a day. Due to the fact that cats have a very fast metabolism, they need a lot of rest to restore their strength. Indeed, in their free time from sleep, cats are very active, and they have a lot of things to do! Eat, play, walk and frolic. You can notice the connection between kittens and young children: children also like to sleep after active games, thereby restoring their energy supply. Therefore, if the cat sleeps a lot, there is no need to worry.

Too much sleep is not a cause for concern for cat owners

If a cat cannot fall asleep in any way due to any external stimuli, for example, due to loud noise from construction, then this can negatively affect its nervous system, and the animal will be restless and irritable. Do not disturb your pet's sleep, do not wake him up, even if he seems to be sleeping too much. The animal may go astray, and this will be followed by health problems. Keep your pet away from this. However, if the cat, after waking up from a long sleep, is not active, lethargic, does not eat and does not want to play, then it should be shown to a specialist.

Cats, unlike humans, do not have sleep phases. A long and sound sleep does not take much time, most often the animal is just half asleep.

Everyone noticed behind his animal that the cat seemed to be sleeping, but he could constantly open his eyes, for example, as if watching what was happening. The cat, therefore, is always on the lookout, he is ready to react in case of danger and run away.

What do the experts say?

How much can also depend on external factors such as weather, temperature, the level of safety of the environment, the age of the pet, and so on. By the way, compared to domestic cats, stray cats spend much less time sleeping. After all, they, unlike couch potatoes, have a lot of important things to do: get food, control their territory, go visit other cats ...

Little kittens spend a huge amount of time in a nap in the first days of life. Approximately 90% of the day is spent sleeping. This is not surprising, because during the rest the baby's body develops faster. It is also quite normal if a kitten twitches its paws or squeaks in a dream. Don't calm him down. Create all the conditions so that nothing could tear the baby away from a sweet dream. The body itself knows when to wake up. But if a kitten that is more than two months old sleeps too much and is not active, this can be a cause for concern.

Even such funny and uncomfortable positions should not cause concern ... But the lack of appetite and plus constant weakness and drowsiness are a reason to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible

In general, long sleep is normal for cats. If the cat behaves and feels normal during the periods of wakefulness, has no problems with stool or appetite, then there is no reason to panic.

Content:

Cats are active creatures and need to sleep a lot to recuperate. A well-fed healthy cat can be in a dormant state for 12 ... 20 hours per day. Sometimes drowsiness is combined with lethargy and other signs of ill health. A cat, like an owner, has days when it is sad. The bad day passes and the cat is happy and healthy again. But, if drowsiness lasts for several days, the fellinologist is obliged to show maximum attention to the pet. It is possible that the pet suffers from some kind of latent illness. It is necessary to record everything that happens to the pet in writing, so that when applying for veterinary help, you can answer the questions of the diagnostician.

Symptoms

A sign that the cat is sick is a combination of drowsiness with additional symptoms:

Nose is always dry.
Hyperthermia.
Loss of appetite.
Diarrhea.
Vomit.
Exhaustion.
Belly swollen.
Painful look, watery eyes.
The third eyelid becomes visible.
The cat stopped licking.
The animal is lame.

Causes

There are the following causes of diseases accompanied by increased drowsiness:

Rhinotracheitis.
Leukemia.
Diabetes.
Coronavirus peritonitis.
Worms.

Rhinotracheitis

An extremely contagious infection, symptoms resemble those of the human flu. In addition to drowsiness, cough, runny nose, lacrimation, hyperthermia are observed. Apply immunomodulators, symptomatic agents that eliminate the above symptoms. The most dangerous conjunctivitisleading to loss of vision. Prevention consists in regular immunization of the animal.

Leukemia

Called by a retrovirus. The hematopoietic system is affected. The body is defenseless against all kinds of contagions. Hyperthermia, anemia, respiratory diseases develop. With crowded content, the disease spreads rapidly. Specific treatment is ineffective. Symptomatic means can prolong the life of the pet. Timely immunization helps to protect the cat from the disease.

Urolithiasis disease

The first signs are subtle. Activity decreases, appetite disappears, discomfort is observed during urination. The state of health worsens gradually:

The abdomen becomes distended and painful.
When urinating, the animal hurts, the cat meows plaintively.
Demonstrative urination begins anywhere.
Hematuria is manifested by pink discoloration of urine.

Blockage of the urethra with stones is characterized by vomiting, convulsions, cessation of nutrition, and a rupture of the bladder is possible. In such situations, surgical intervention is required. Treatment involves alleviating the suffering of the animal and prolonging its life.

Diabetes

Predominantly obese older animals suffer. The disease is characterized by a high concentration of glucose. To dilute the blood, the cat constantly drinks. Another way to remove excess sugar is to urinate frequently. Since tissues do not absorb glucose, they require additional nutrition, which is manifested by gluttony. In this case, the cat begins to gradually lose weight.

Wool becomes disheveled, falls out. For therapeutic purposes, a special diet is used. A fellinologist caring for a sick cat will have to learn how to administer insulin and do it for life at intervals set by the veterinarian.

Worms

Constipation alternates with diarrhoea.
Shaky gait.
Regurgitation with balls of worms.
Conjunctivitis.
Anal itching.
The abdomen is bloated.
In the feces, impurities of blood, mucus, fragments of helminths or whole individuals are found.
Cough. Roundworm larvae injure the lungs.
Allergic reactions.
The coat becomes dull and falls out.
Appetite increases and body weight decreases.

For treatment, antihelminthic drugs are used.

Panleukopenia

A dangerous disease with a high mortality rate. The causative agent is parvovirus. Young and old cats suffer. Animals become infected through the bites of blood-sucking arthropods, as well as by oral route. First, the virus infects the bone marrow, leukopoiesis is disturbed, and panleukopenia occurs. There is little food for contagion, it moves to the intestines, causing enteritis.

Among the many signs of the disease are the following:

Loss of appetite.
Refusal to drink.
Hyperthermia followed by hypothermia.
Vomit.
Diarrhea.
Blue gums.
Cardiac pathologies.
Rhinitis.
Conjunctivitis.

The concept of treatment provides for the following areas.

Cat owners note that their pets spend a lot of time in a nap or sleep, nestled in a cozy place. Games and amusements often tire them and sleep helps to replenish strength. But many are worried about why cats sleep all the time, considering this behavior to be a deviation from the norm.

Most often, there is no reason to worry, because cats are naturally sleepy. A short period of vigor is replaced by a deep sleep or a long nap. This is not at all a malaise, as it might seem at first glance, if the cat looks healthy in general. Alarm bells that join drowsiness can be:

sluggish behavior during wakefulness, when favorite games become a burden, apathy, lack of mood and gleam in the eyes,
refusal to eat and drink, even favorite treats,
dry nose, pale integument, fever.

These symptoms indicate that your pet is sick and needs to be seen by a doctor.

Sleep features

Cats spend almost two-thirds of the day sleeping, but any deviation in the direction of a significant decrease or increase in hours of sleep should make the owner take a closer look at the pet. Little kittens in general can sleep almost all the time, interrupted only by food and a short exploration of the world around them. Adults, on the other hand, become more active, mobile, and periods of wakefulness are longer and more interesting.

Several factors can influence sleep duration.:

seasonality and weather conditions, in hot weather, cats become drowsy,
age, small kittens and older individuals sleep more,
how full the pet is, the feeling of satiety always tends to sleep,
the atmosphere of the house, the calmer and more comfortable, the more serene the pet is resting,
activity and health.

At the same time, it is worth noting that well-fed cats can sleep more than normal and be less active and mobile than their "slender" counterparts.

Cats cannot be called continuous sleep. He goes through phases, the first of which is drowsiness. At this time, processes slow down, but the cat can return from slumber to wakefulness instantly. If nothing interferes, then he falls into a deep sleep. And then complete relaxation sets in, during which it is rather difficult to wake the pet.

These two phases constantly alternate. At the same time, you still need to leave time for games, entertainment and, of course, delicious food.

Long sleep and its causes

There are several reasons for prolonged sleep. If they are not associated with general lethargy and refusal to eat, then they are considered normal.

Cats are naturally very active. It is vital for them to replenish their strength and sleep is the best medicine for this.

Again, returning to the natural prerequisites, it should be noted that in nature, cats are predators. Their main diet is food rich in proteins. Pets also eat mainly protein foods that require long digestion.

After sterilization, the cat may sleep longer than usual.

Long sleep: norm or pathology?

In general, only a veterinarian can make conclusions about the health of a pet. Perhaps the cat is sick, and sleep is the result of malaise, weakness and loss of strength.

Kitten, little cat sleeps all the time and that's okay. Her sleep may be interrupted by short games and meals. At the same time, during the rest, he can twitch his paws and squeak quietly. Do not worry, these are signs of emotionality experienced during the day of events.

Experts believe that the number of hours a pet naps and sleeps is greatly influenced by weather conditions. Since thermoregulation is important for animals, in the summer, especially on hot days, the rest period may increase and it will seem that the cat sleeps all day.

The combination of drowsiness with a lack of appetite should alert. This is when you need to take your pet to the vet.

In general, prolonged sleep is normal for cats, if during wakefulness there are no obvious deviations in behavior, there are no problems with appetite and stool.

Signs of the disease

An attentive owner will always notice that something is happening to the cat. Lethargy is always a sign of illness, as are the following symptoms:

appetite is absent or significantly reduced, the pet may even refuse favorite treats,
the nose became dry and hot,
the cat sleeps all day, apathy appeared,
refusal of water
elevated body temperature,
diarrhea and vomiting are noted,
the coat has acquired a dull shade, the mucous membranes have turned pale.

Any of these symptoms is a reason to consult a specialist doctor. The presence of two or more signs at the same time can be a sign of an acute or chronic disease.

The main reasons that the cat has become lethargic and always sleeps can be diseases such as worms, ticks, poisoning, problems with the intestines or urogenital area, as well as injuries of a different nature. And the sooner the disease is detected, the faster and easier it is to defeat it.

After sterilization

It should be noted that after the sterilization operation, the cat does not eat and sleeps all the time, this is a normal state after anesthesia. If this period lasts for a day, then there is nothing to worry about. If the day has passed, and the condition does not change, you need to urgently see a veterinarian.

The first day you do not need to force the cat to get up, wake up if she does not want to. As well as insist on food and drink. Give her a little rest, recover and she will again delight you with her cheerful look.

If the effect of anesthesia has not ended, and the cat does not sleep, gets up and tries to move around the apartment, do not lose sight of it so that it does not accidentally get injured. Better take her in your arms, calm her down and maybe she will fall asleep. Sleep here is the best medicine.

How to change sleep patterns

The cat is a relative of predators and the usual hunting time for them is evening and morning. It is nature and instincts that cannot be taken away. But it is unlikely that any of the owners wants to get up with the first rays of the sun to feed their meowing friend. Curtain the windows, and let him take a little longer naps, and frolic a little longer during the day.

When I moved to a new place of residence, I had a similar problem. But then I did not know about stress and everything else, and I was frightened in earnest. The cat was afraid of the new apartment and constantly hid from me. He didn’t go to the toilet for several days, and he didn’t eat at all for about 4 days, probably. But over time, it began to slowly climb out, and then I breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was fine, but how scared I was then.

Savoon Elizabeth

My cat has had stress too. After talking with the dog, or rather, after she chased it. So, no veterinary drugs and drugs helped her. The cat closed up and behaved strangely for two days. I took her to the veterinarian, who prescribed several drugs, but to no avail. And you know what? The usual valerian helped!! I gave the cat a few drops and she purred, as if nothing had happened! So sometimes the answer lies right under your nose.

My cat does not eat or drink for 3 days, I give Rigedron 2 ml each - an interval of 10 minutes - I give activated charcoal - I give milk a little with a syringe - sweet water -glucose. The veterinarian in our city is strange - he refused to put a dropper out of fear that the cat would scratch (this is not a veterinarian, I think, but an idiot). Help with advice: what should I do, the cat sleeps upside down all the time! I would put the system myself, but I don't know how.

Sabachka girl 4 years old, stopped eating, does not drink water at all, just licks and constantly sleeps, what to do, tell me

Hello, my cat recently disappeared and was on the street for two weeks, earlier she didn’t leave the apartment at all, she ate only whiskey in dry and liquid form after I found her, she was emaciated and didn’t eat at all, and today I found pieces of blade in the feces and paper, etc., and she vilifies and her nose is dry, what should I do?

Sergei Zhidenko

To begin with, stop feeding the cat with whiskas - it's like eating chips and crackers for a person, such a diet does not bode well for the pet (overweight, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, heart). Similar symptoms are typical for an intestinal infection, take the animal to the clinic, the doctor will prescribe the necessary antibacterial and supportive treatment.

my cat is 18 years old .. abruptly stopped eating .. now he doesn’t even drink water .. he doesn’t even reach the tray. lies in a dark corner. I have already started going to the toilet under myself .. what should I do?

Kitten 3 months old. Sluggish, does not eat or drink, the nose is dry and often vomits (some kind of bile). There are no normal veterinarians in the vicinity ((. Is it possible to cure him at home?

Kitten 1 month old. He doesn't eat or go to the toilet. Only screams.

The kitten needs help to go to the toilet, I take soft toilet paper, smooth it in several layers and gently massage the ass and make it pee. You need a lot of paper.

The cat is almost 10 years old.
The last few days (since 12.08) he has been eating almost nothing. Sometimes he drinks. He lies on the floor, bed or window sill all day long in one position: on his side.
What to do?

Hello! Help me please. My cat has not eaten or drunk anything for three days. Lost weight terribly. I do not know what to do. She gave activated charcoal, analgin, diluted the antibiotic with milk, nothing helps, she doesn’t eat herself - I feed through a syringe. At first glance, there are no fractures, she can jump or jump off the couch herself, she walks, but not much. What to do? We don't have veterinarians.

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! Animal age? What preceded such a state (new food, pregnancy, childbirth, absence from home)? What temperature? Analgin is contraindicated for cats. It's hard to say without seeing it. If there is no doctor, although this is doubtful, I can advise the cat to pierce a course of antibiotic (Ceftriaxone (1 g), dilute 5 ml of novocaine) 0.5 ml 2 times a day for 5 days. Vitamins (Katozal 0.7 ml subcutaneously 1 r / day for 5 days).

Hello kitty 23! He does not eat, does not drink, lies with his eyes open, does not react to anything. What to do?

christina

Good evening. This is the problem of a cat (approximately pivrichny) we have three days, two of which we don’t eat and don’t eat anything, today tearing the wound, bringing it in .... they gave a pill for worms, more than half of the virva, to sleep for the whole hour. please scho work!!!

Specialist Ysatik

Good day! Possibly, troublingly, if you are on the street, there may be a helminthic invasion. At the same time, it is necessary to normalize the state: Polysorb skin for 2 years, antibiotics in injections (Sinulox, Ceftriaxone, Pharmazin toshcho), after normalization I will start again with antihilmint and polysorb after 2 years.

Hello. Bought a kitten Scots, the third day as. The first day was active, playful. Yesterday and today he sleeps almost the whole day, and sleeps at night. I pick it up and bring it to food, it eats a gramulka, literally. Laknet a couple of times and that's it. Can drink a little water or milk. Doesn't want to play. Is this an adjustment period or what?

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! If on the first day the kitten behaved actively, now it is unlikely that he will adapt, most likely he is unwell. It is necessary to measure the temperature, pay attention to urine and feces (their presence, color, consistency), look for some other symptoms.

Tell me, please, we have a cat for almost 2 months. today, recently, they accidentally stepped on her paw, behaved normally, then she became slow and kind of sleepy, often sleeps, eats and goes to the toilet, but what is this behavior connected with. (Vaccinations and antihelminthic suspensions have not yet been done)?

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! Does an animal step on its paw? If so, then the paw is fine. Why it became sleepy is hard to say. If it eats, recovers, then there is no reason to worry. But with deworming, I would not pull in your place. Observe the condition of the cat for a day or two, and if there are no obvious signs of illness, carry out antihelminthic treatment.

My cat is about a year old. But for 5 days he does not eat anything. On the first day, he vomited from eating and that was it, and he fell ill. Lies heavily breathing and meowing heavily wheezing. Rarely walks. Doesn't eat or drink. By and large, I went once in 5 days. All lost weight.

My cat is 2 years old, bad breath appeared, became lethargic, sleeps almost all the time, huddled in a secluded place, eats, drinks very little for 3 days, the cat is a yard, does not ask to go outside, once a day we put him out for half an hour, walks whether he went to the toilet - it was not possible to trace, the stomach is soft, painless, there are no bruises either, what could it be?

Anastasia Chernova

Hello! These symptoms only speak for themselves. that the cat is unwell, to determine what the reason will be only after examination in the clinic.

Christina

Elena, good afternoon! My cat has the same symptoms. She is 2 years and 7 months old. How did you cure the cat? Tell me, help!

Miroslava

Hello! I have a cat 3 years old, no breed. For the second day, he hardly moves, does not eat, does not drink, does not go to the tray. Dilated pupils and accelerated breathing! Horror how scary for your bundle of happiness. What to do?! At the moment there is no way to contact the veterinarian!

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! Judging by the description, the cat has a severe pain syndrome, which must be urgently stopped. Until you contact the veterinarian, and this must be done URGENTLY, subcutaneously (in the area between the shoulder blades) physical. solution and glucose 5%, 25 ml. Intramuscularly 0.5 ml of papaverine and 0.5 ml of ceftriaxone (diluted with 5 ml of novocaine). If the animal does not urinate, it may be stones that have clogged the urethra and then no medication will help.

Your mouse, my kitten died just like that (vomited with bile and didn’t eat or drink, it hurt to swallow) it’s a shame, I hope he survived with you

Hello, my cat is 7 years old, just yesterday he came home to eat, and this afternoon a neighbor brought him immobilized, he doesn’t eat anything. She gave me water, lost weight too, is frail and lies all day, breathes hard and does not open his eyes. At one time he tried to get up, but everything was even - he immediately fell down. Tell me what to do?

Specialist Ysatik

Urgently take the cat to the clinic, he needs emergency treatment.

Hello, my cat is 1 year and 6 months old. I don’t know what to do, he lost weight, he didn’t eat for 3-4 days. just drinking and sleeping. what to do, we do not have a veterinarian nearby, is it possible to cure a cat at home?

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! It is difficult to treat an animal without examination and some characteristic symptoms. If the situation is completely hopeless, then you can pierce a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Please help, we don't have veterinarians at all! Cat 11 months old, suddenly fell ill. On the morning of the 12th, he began to feel sluggish, by the evening the temperature rose high, gave half a tablet of paracetamol, as in childhood, after half an hour the cat had dilated pupils and drooling (that evening he peed and went down normally). I didn’t vomit and it doesn’t work, I can’t take water, I don’t eat, when we try to give water it starts to choke as if to suffocate, today with the same actions there are convulsions, some doctor said to inject ampicillin with navocain and vitamin B12, understand we have no other help , and the animal suffers and wants to go outside.

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! Paracetamol is toxic to cats. Inject a cat with an antibiotic (ampicillin is generally suitable), actively solder with a solution of polysorb (an tablespoon per glass of water) - drink 5-10 ml every 2 hours. From vitamin B 12 will not be worse. In the mouth crushed streptocid 2 r a day for half a tablet. Novocaine is not worth it. If there is a strong temperature, then you can drink 1/6 of a packet of nimesil (dilute with water), provide the animal with peace. But of course, you need to see a doctor!

Hello, the cat is about 8-9 months old, I don’t know for sure, since it’s a foundling. She doesn’t drink or eat for two and a half days, and in the morning she was an ordinary kitten, she only pulled out two leaves from a flower, and after dinner she vomited foam, first white, the next day yellow. But it breaks only after we give it water to drink. Temperature 38.8. The nose, when not sleeping, is cold and wet, does not go to the tray itself, but when I take it there, it urinates, but very little. Not walking for the most part. The abdomen is soft, does not respond to palpation, only slightly expresses dissatisfaction with the tail, the tongue is pink. There is a very unpleasant smell from the mouth. I am now singing rehydronone, it seems that she does not have the urge to vomit. Maybe it's a transitional age that manifests itself? Or something serious?

Specialist Ysatik

Hello! It's definitely not transitional. From which plant did you pull out the leaves? There is a suspicion of poisoning - drink Polysorb for 2-3 days (st. Spoon per glass of water), 3-5 ml at a time every 2-3 hours. If there is no bowel movement, then an enema or a mild laxative. Perhaps the pit is clogged with wool, then a special paste for its dissolution. And of course a visit to the veterinarian.

A healthy appetite is one of the main indicators of a pet's well-being. But refusal to eat is not always a violation of behavior or a sign of illness, in some cases this is the norm. It is important to know why the cat is not eating in order to be able to correctly assess the condition of the pet and provide timely assistance if necessary.

change

Cats are known conservatives. Some pets hate change so much that even after rearranging the furniture. What can we say about changing the diet? There is nothing unusual in the fact that a cat refuses food if it is not the usual food in front of it, but something unfamiliar: a different consistency, temperature, a different shape of granules, a new smell and taste. For this reason, the pet should not be transferred to a new food immediately, but for at least a week, gradually mixing it into her usual food.

If you are worried about the health of your pet and do not know how much a cat can not eat, striking against a change in diet, proceed from the following parameters:

a healthy young cat can fast for about five days without harm to the body;

healthy - about three days;

- maximum day;

a pet suffering from any chronic disease, regardless of the stage and degree of manifestation of the disease, should not starve for more than two days.

These deadlines can only be met if the cat does not eat anything in protest, but. Clean water should be freely available at all times.

In addition to changing food, a pet may go on strike due to a change in feeding place or replacement of old bowls with new dishes. Cats with a labile nervous system also refuse to eat for less serious reasons: they put a tub with a plant next to the bowls, changed the rug under the bowls, washed the bowls with a cleaning agent, etc.

Fasting day

Sometimes a cat refuses food for about a day for no apparent reason. Some veterinarians believe that cats voluntarily arrange a fasting day for themselves, cleansing the intestines in a simple way. Their opponents argue that there are no hunger strikes for no reason, and the following factors may be the reason for refusing food for a day or a little more:

the day before the cat overate;

the pet ate something indigestible;

the cat actively ran and played after eating, which caused temporary difficulties with digestion;

the pet is “offended” by one of the family members, for example, for not wanting to stroke or play.

Be that as it may, if the cat does not eat anything for a day or two, but at the same time feels great, the temperature and stools are normal, the behavior is normal, there is no reason to panic.

thermoregulation

People who keep dogs on a leash or in enclosures are well aware of the following feature: in winter, a dog eats greedily and a lot, in summer - less and with less appetite. Seasonal deterioration or improvement of appetite is one of the manifestations of the thermoregulation mechanism. How long can a cat not eat if the unbearable heat has been going on for several weeks? Usually, the terms vary from a day to three days, and in between the pet eats in small portions. After all, the more calories a cat receives, the more heat will be generated during digestion and the more difficult it will be to cope with the heat.

Summer is clear. Why doesn't a cat eat in winter when it's cold outside? The reason may be in the central heating operating at maximum. People often overlook the fact that domestic cats live in an apartment microclimate. We go to work, visit, etc., but the cat, if it is not walked and let out on the street, almost does not react to the change of seasons.

sexual instinct

Sensitive cats lose their appetite in as little as a week. Depending on physiological characteristics, appetite may return with the onset of estrus or only at the end of this period. Some owners note that during estrus, their cat does not eat for a week, spending all the time sleeping and loud calls from a partner - this is the norm if the pet is in good health and drinks enough water.

It is advisable to show the veterinarian for cats and cats that are rapidly experiencing periods of hunting. Perhaps the hormonal background of the pet is disturbed - then the veterinarian will most likely recommend castrating the pet.

Cats are less likely to deny themselves gastronomic pleasures. But in the event that a cat lives in the neighborhood, which is in the period of sexual hunting, even the most restrained pet can lose its appetite.

stress factor

If, after rearranging furniture, repairs, the appearance of a new pet in the house, during the absence of the owner or after sterilization, the cat does not eat, perhaps. From a human point of view, the reasons may be less significant, such as the arrival of guests or a small quarrel between family members.

Active games, affectionate communication, new toys - any positive emotions help to cope with stress. In severe cases, the doctor will recommend a mild sedative. Be careful: stress can signal the onset of an illness or an exacerbation of a chronic illness.

Malaise

postpartum period

If the cat does not eat after giving birth for a maximum of a day, but at the same time both she and the kittens feel satisfactory, there is no need to try to force feed the pet. There are several reasons for fasting:

mommy is afraid to leave the kittens;

the cat ate more than one placenta during childbirth;

an inexperienced cat experiences postpartum stress;

the birth was difficult, and the pet just needs more time to recover.

If the cat does not eat for more than one day, be sure to contact the veterinarian, even if everything seems to be in order. Urgent consultation is necessary if the following symptoms are added to the refusal of food: lethargy, high or low temperature, profuse discharge from the vulva, vomiting and / or diarrhea, painful tight abdomen. If a nursing cat does not eat, you should also consult a doctor as soon as possible: milk production takes a lot of strength and nutrients from the mother's body, and therefore, normally, lactation is accompanied by an increase, and not a loss of appetite.

Consequence of anesthesia

As a rule, the cat does not eat after the operation for up to two days - this is the norm, if there are no other reasons for concern. Drugs for the introduction of narcotic sleep inhibit all body functions to one degree or another. This effect is especially noticeable when assessing the motor and digestive functions - the muscles are relaxed, the coordination of movements is disturbed, and the appetite is reduced. It is difficult for a pet to walk, it is even difficult to keep his head in a natural position. In addition, the swallowing reflex is disturbed, so it’s even good that the cat does not eat after sterilization for some time - it will not choke.

Appetite should return five to eight hours after complete recovery from anesthesia. Complete exit is when there are no signs of the drug’s action left, coordination of movements is restored, the cat does not stagger, the temperature is stable, etc. It is a mistake to count eight hours from the moment when the cat opened its eyes - this is only the coming to consciousness, the drug will be excreted from the body for several more hours.

If you don't want, we'll force you

If you're wondering how to get a cat to eat, think twice if it's worth it. Of course, there are situations when this is necessary. For example, the pet is sick, the appetite is reduced - the veterinarian recommends feeding from a syringe or from a spoon, just to eat something. But without consulting a doctor, you should not try to force feed a cat! It is important to find out the reason for the refusal of food and return the pet to a normal appetite.

If everything is in order with health, the pet is not stressed, the food is familiar, but for inexplicable reasons it remains untouched, arrange a home interrogation with passion. Perhaps someone is feeding your pet delicious treats in your absence.

What to do if the cat does not eat and behaves actively - the owner decides, here you need to focus on the educational moment. And if the cat refuses to eat and looks lethargic, unhealthy, or behaves inappropriately, this is already a sign of the disease.

For gourmet cats, refusal to eat should have very, very good reasons: either the food is stale, or the food is not the one the animal is used to, or it has experienced stress. In any case, these reasons must be clarified so that further actions do not harm the cat. An animal's refusal to eat has two shades: safe (when the cat is simply naughty or requires a change in food) and threatening the health of the animal.

Cat and her bowl - habit and love

Sometimes things that are unremarkable for a person, but shocking for an animal, become the cause of a cat's "hunger strike":

buying a new bowl;
moving familiar eating utensils to another place;
moving to a new place of residence;
dirty bowl;
a bowl washed with a chemical agent.

We propose to consider and analyze each problem in more detail.

The owner decided to pamper his pet with a new bright bowl, bought the most beautiful one, poured food with a slide, and the cat does not eat anything, what should I do?

It is possible that the dishes have an unpleasant pungent odor (low-quality plastic emits a very strong odor that even blocks the breath of a person, let alone a cat with a more developed sense of smell!).

Solution: buy other dishes from a different material and wait until the animal gets used to it.

They moved the cat's bowl to a more convenient place from the point of view of a person, but the cat does not consider it convenient and refuses to eat. What to do if the cat does not eat from the usual dishes in an unusual environment?

Solution: just put everything back the way it was.

When moving into a new home, or even after a home renovation, it can be stressful for an animal to find that everything has changed drastically. Usually, a stressful state in animals is manifested by a loss of appetite.

Solution: pay more attention to the animal, wait patiently until the cat gets used to the new place.

Every cat owner should understand that for a noble and clean animal, clean dishes are no less important than for the owner himself. And if you can’t understand why the cat stopped eating and what to do, check the bowl: you may have washed it poorly and spoiled food residues disgust the animal. Perhaps you offered your pet food “not the first freshness” - in this case, you can’t count on his good appetite: the cat eats only high-quality foods.
Washing a cat's bowl with dish soap is not a good idea. The bowl will shine and smell, but the cat will refuse to eat from it precisely because it smells. Cats don't like strong scents, and cats find the mixture of food and chemical smells very unpleasant and try to avoid it.

Overate or naughty?

The cat refuses to eat, what to do? The answer to the question can be found without the intervention of a veterinarian, if you yourself have spoiled the animal, indulging its every whim. Cats are not stupid creatures, they understand from the first time what the owner’s weakness is, and use it to their advantage.

One of the cat's interests is to get some delicacies every day instead of buckwheat and soup. Noticing that the cat does not touch food for one or two days, do not sound the alarm - she did not get sick.

Important! It is even useful for cats to unload, giving rest to the digestive system, and they do this periodically.

But these animals are also great masters of manipulation, so along the way they beg the owners for something tasty.

Knowing that the “big man” has several circles of sausage in the refrigerator, the cat will not touch the porridge, but will wait until it is treated to something more interesting.

The solution to the problem (although what a problem it is!) lies in the display of restraint by the owner. But it is so difficult not to treat your pet if she purrs, rubs against her legs and does not take her eyes off you.

Another option why the cat does not eat is that the owner takes care of his pet so much that he offers her large, simply huge, portions. The animal eats or even overeats and lives with a feeling of constant satiety. And it is natural that at some point the cat will want to take a break from food and starve a little.

The cat does not eat, but is active and cheerful

What to do if the cat does not want to eat, but does not look hungry, leads a normal life, without losing either form or inherent cheerfulness? Watch the animals. It doesn't look like it has completely given up food, most likely, the cat has found an additional source of food for itself. This type of refusal is typical for cats living in the private sector and having free access to the street: they can catch mice or birds, they can be fed by neighbors.

In summer, the cat may refuse to eat due to extreme heat. He replaces food with drink, loses a little weight, but remains active and playful.

Refusal to eat before and after lambing

Cats have a special relationship with food, they become very fastidious and picky during pregnancy, and just before lambing they refuse to eat at all.

All the resources of the cat's body during this period are directed to the process of giving birth to offspring - and although rumor has attributed amazing ease to cat birth, it is not so easy for an animal to cope. Food takes a lot of time and effort necessary for a cat to safely resolve the burden, and the animal saves - it does not eat, and sometimes does not drink, until the last cub from the lamb is born.

The situation with refusal to eat can continue after the kittens have been safely born. After all, cats have different personalities and each of them has a different level of responsibility. One, some time after lambing, will go to recuperate, and the other, even being very hungry, will not leave the newborn kittens. What if the cat does not eat, how will she feed the kittens?

Important! If your cat is one of these sacrificial mothers, place a bowl of food next to the basket (box) in which she sits with kittens - so she can both eat and keep the cubs in sight.

In one of the previous sections there is a point about the stress that a cat goes through not finding a bowl in its usual place, but when the animal is responsible for the babies, the moved bowl becomes not such an essential detail.

If a cat after childbirth does not touch the food for a day, this is not a cause for concern: she needs time to recover. But if the animal does not eat for a longer period, it is necessary to call the veterinarian.

Not eating and behaving inappropriately

If the cat has suddenly lost interest in food (and these animals love to eat), which in itself seemed strange to you, plus everything, he periodically has bouts of inadequate running around, and he began to shit in the corners, and after all, from childhood he has been accustomed to tray, this may be a sign of the appearance of worms in the animal.

When the cat stopped eating and drinking, what should the owner do? In any case, show the animal to the doctor: if the pet has worms, then he will not refuse water, but if the intestines are obstructed, the animal will not be able to drink or eat.

It is not so difficult to get rid of worms - the veterinarian will prescribe the necessary drug and course of treatment, but obstruction can cause serious problems, often fatal. The cause of intestinal obstruction can be a tumor, volvulus, ingestion of inedible objects by animals (sausage skins, Christmas tree rain, own wool when licked).

Important! Even if you are sure that the pet ate something wrong, do not take any measures on your own: do not give an enema, do not give a laxative, do not drink the cat. Only a qualified specialist can help the animal in this case.

Loss of appetite with viral infection

The disease knocks out any living creature from the usual mode - if a hyperactive cat suddenly lost interest in food and games, it is necessary to show the animal to a veterinarian - an infection is possible.

The most common diseases are feline herpes and feline calcivirus. They do not pose a great danger to the animal, but require timely and competent treatment. Loss of appetite, nasal discharge, sneezing, red eyes and watery eyes are the main symptoms of these diseases.

Loss of appetite is a symptom of feline calcivirus

What to do if the cat does not eat during the illness, you can ask the doctor directly. The answer will be unequivocal: do not force, do not stuff from a syringe. These methods will do absolutely nothing. The cat itself will determine when it needs to eat - the appetite will return as the animal recovers.

What should be done if the cat is not eating? was last modified: September 12th, 2016 by Ekaterina Efimova

Sometimes a situation arises when your beloved cat does not eat anything, and you begin to painfully think: what to do in this case? If a pet has lost its appetite, then there can be many reasons for this, from the most common to very serious. Let's see why the cat does not eat anything.

Reasons why cats refuse to eat

Very often, a cat's appetite disappears during estrus, especially for the first time. In a few days everything will be fine and such a lack of appetite should not cause cause for concern.

The cat may not eat anything if the room is very hot, and this is quite normal.

If you abruptly transfer the cat to a new species, which she also did not like, then she may completely refuse food. Therefore, the transition of the animal to a new food must be gradual.

In long-haired cats, regurgitation or vomiting is often observed along with the refusal of food. This may indicate that the cat's stomach has accumulated hair, which he swallows while licking. In this case, it is necessary to use a special paste to remove such hairballs.

However, there are many other reasons why a healthy cat does not want to eat: maybe you have moved to a new place of residence, or perhaps very noisy guests have come to you, etc. However, despite the various reasons for refusing food, if the animal does not eat during the day, then this can already cause negative consequences in his body.

In addition, if the cat is lethargic, hides and does not eat anything, she has a dry nose - these are signs that she is sick. Severe pain in itself can also cause refusal to eat. In this case, you need to immediately contact the veterinary clinic, where the doctor will diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment for your pet.

With age, the cat's digestive system begins to work weaker, it develops various diseases, the old cat does not eat and sleeps a lot. In this case, the animal must be taken to the veterinarian, who will diagnose and prescribe, if necessary, treatment, as well as advise you on how to care for the old cat.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why your cat does not eat, and a veterinarian will help you figure out what to do in each case, who you should definitely contact for advice.

Many owners of domestic cats are faced with an unpleasant problem - the animal stops eating and drinking, respectively, it loses weight and becomes weaker. It is very important to know the main causes of what is happening in order to take emergency measures and contact the veterinary clinic in a timely manner for advice and subsequent treatment, if necessary.

Anorexia in a cat (the cat refuses to eat)

Anorexia in a cat.

Loss of appetite in a cat is called anorexia.

The desire to eat arises in an animal if it receives positive emotions, the absence of diseases, or as a result of building an associative series, for example, food packaging will make the cat remember food. Loss of appetite in animals is associated primarily with the appearance of a negative factor - disease that requires immediate medical attention.

Important! It is impossible to self-medicate and test various methods on an animal, since various diseases can be the reason for the lack of desire to eat.

Why does a cat eat poorly and lose weight

Moderately well-fed cat abruptly began to eat poorly and lose weight.

The first and main reason for the refusal of a cat to eat is the presence of a focus of inflammation or other disease . Therefore, such a condition can be regarded as a symptom that requires special attention. The reasons for the refusal of the animal to take food or water are divided into psychological and medical.

Psychological factor

Many diseases in cats can manifest themselves after stress. In this case, the cat is said to have been latently infected.

If the psychological factor is the basis, then the appetite is completely absent. This can happen for the following reasons:

moving to another place;
change of owner;
the appearance of a new person in the environment;
diet change.

Medical factors

Medical causes are varied, they can only be identified by undergoing an examination by a specialist.

The body may show inflammatory processes, disorders in the work of internal organs, blood diseases. Painful and unpleasant sensations also affect the lack of appetite and refusal to eat. Such reasons are the basis for concern and immediate treatment to the veterinarian.

Increased salivation can be a sign of an incipient disease.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between medical and psychological causes. So in case of ill health, the following symptoms are added to the lack of appetite:

lethargy;
delayed reactions;
lack of mobility and desire to play;
labored or heavy breathing;
discharge of pus;
nausea and;
change in habitual behavior.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract and other diseases

GI tract of the cat.

Similar symptoms may indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract - indigestion, problems with internal organs.

Each of the possible diseases requires a specific therapy, which can be developed solely on the basis of the results of the tests.

What should be done if the cat is weak?

Change food and watch the cat.

In the event that the cat refuses to eat for a long time, has lost weight and weakened, but has no other manifestations of the presence of the disease, then for up to 12–24 hours it should leave the cat alone and also change the food- Perhaps the refusal to eat is only psychological in nature.

However, if at least one negative symptom is added to the refusal of food and weight loss, one should contact a specialist immediately for qualified help or advice.

In the clinic, the necessary tests will be taken, an ultrasound scan will be carried out - all this will help to establish the true cause that influenced such a reaction on the part of the cat.

And also will be held:

examination of the oral cavity;
palpation of the abdomen;
temperature measurement;
weighing.

Examination of the oral cavity.

Treatment and care at home

When treating with antibiotics, it is necessary to determine the sensitivity to antibiotics in the cat's body.

The main treatment is prescribed by the veterinarian based on the results of the diagnosis and tests, since it is specific to each disease. The chosen therapy is aimed at eliminating not only the symptoms, but also the cause that caused the discomfort and, as a result, refusal to eat, followed by weight loss.

Help at home should be provided after consulting a doctor, since the owner may not recognize the true reason for refusing to eat, therefore, the animal may become worse after self-treatment. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the cat, as this will allow you to verify the presence or absence of symptoms. You can slightly warm the food (canned meat), so its smell will be stronger. It is important that it is not very hot.

Complete refusal to eat

Try mixing her favorite food and treatment.

Sometimes lack of appetite, weakness, and weight loss are due to the fact that the cat refuses a new food, for example, diet food, which is prescribed by a specialist for the treatment of another disease. In this case, you should gradually mix the food familiar to the animal with the diet.. Then the probability that the cat will not refuse food and will be higher.

It is important to remember that special attention should be paid to the process of feeding kittens under the age of six months. You can include cow's milk in your diet.

conclusions

Thus, if a cat refuses to eat, quickly loses weight and weakens, this may indicate serious problems with his health. It is necessary to show maximum attention and determine whether there are other manifestations of the disease, since such behavior may be associated with some kind of psychological trauma that the cat received in the recent past - moving to a new place, changing his usual food, or the appearance of an unknown person.