Cat Not Eating: Causes and What to Do

Published on 07/30/2025

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A cat not eating can be scary, confusing, and frustrating for a lot of pet parents. There’s so much to figure out: Is the cat sick, finicky, in pain, scared…or just being a cat? On top of that, most pet parents wonder: how long can a cat go without eating? And, most importantly, how do you get a cat to eat?

Finding answers to these questions isn’t just important, it’s critical to your cat’s survival. Feline metabolism is different from canine metabolism. Unlike dogs, cats need to eat every single day.

Without enough food, cats can get really sick, really fast. If your cat isn’t eating properly, then they need support from you and possibly your veterinarian to help them stay healthy.

In this article, we’ll answer the top questions pet parents have about a cat not eating. You’ll learn what causes poor appetite in cats, warning signs to watch out for, when to worry, and what to do. That way, you can ensure your cat gets the critical nutrition and nourishment they need to thrive.

Why is My Cat Not Eating?

Orange cat looking at bowl of food and bowl of water

In order to recognize problems with your cat’s appetite, it is helpful to know what normal looks like. However, normal feline eating patterns can vary from cat to cat.

In the wild, it’s common for feral felines to catch and consume small meals throughout the day. By comparison, domesticated cats have it much easier. They may enjoy regular meals served up throughout the day, free feeding (food bowl always kept full), or even “earn” their food from a puzzle feeder.

However you feed your feline, adult cats typically eat 2-3 times per day, while kittens generally consume 3-5 meals a day.

If you notice a dramatic change in your cat’s eating habits, it may be due to a number of things. Reasons for a cat not eating typically fall into three categories–behavioral, medical, and social.

Here’s a quick rundown of causes for cat loss of appetite.

Behavioral Reasons

Food aversion – avoiding certain foods due to a past negative experience, such as illness from eating spoiled food)
New food – cats with strong food preferences may stop eating at the slightest change in taste or texture
New setting – for example, if the food bowl is moved to a high traffic zone or anywhere a cat feels threatened
Stress or anxiety
Changes in feeding time or routine
Recent veterinary or grooming visit
Recent vaccinations or surgery
Rehoming
Overfeeding treats or human food
Grief (loss of a companion)
Boredom

Medical Reasons

Unfortunately, there can be many medical reasons behind a cat not eating–too many to list. These can range from osteoarthritis, to kidney disease, to bladder pain, to dental disease. Anything that causes pain or makes a cat nauseous, stressed, or depressed can trigger your pet to stop eating.

Social Reasons

Resource guarding (bullying) by other pets around the food bowl

Cat Won’t Eat: What to Watch Out For

It is critical for cats to consume enough calories to support their metabolism. That said, not every missed (or underappreciated) meal is cause for alarm.

As you can see from the various causes of a cat not eating as much above, there are many things that can throw a cat off their feed. And they range in severity from mild to very serious.

So here are some guidelines to help you determine what to do and when for a cat who won’t eat.

Cat not eating but drinking water

If your cat misses (or picks at) one meal and is otherwise looking and acting normal, you don’t have to do anything right away. If they are acting happy and drinking, then it is ok to monitor them at home and see if they eat their next meal.

Cat refuses to eat or drink

A cat not eating and drinking is a more serious matter. In this case, take them to the veterinarian the same day for evaluation and treatment, as they are at risk for immediate dehydration.

Cat doesn’t want to eat and acts sick

If your cat is not eating and is acting sick in any way, take them to the veterinarian. Here are sick symptoms to watch out for when your cat isn’t eating:

Vomiting
Bloody diarrhea or stool
Diarrhea for longer than a day or severe diarrhea
Not drinking
Hiding
Limping
Fever
Excessive drooling
Red, pale, or blue gums
Dull, lethargic, or depressed, or other changes in personality
Seizures
Straining to urinate or defecate, spending more time in the litter box
Bloody urine
Unexplained lumps or bumps
Swollen abdomen
Open wounds, broken bones
Swollen anus
Head tilt or excessive head shaking and scratching
Excessive scratching or other signs of skin disease
Prolapsed third eyelid
Red eyes
Snotty nose

Cat not eating for two days

As a general rule, if a cat goes longer than 48 hours without eating, then you need to take them to the veterinarian.

If you call for an appointment and you can’t get in right away, evaluate their condition. If they are still not eating, but looking and acting normal and drinking, then it is ok to take them in the next day.

However, it’s always a good idea to let the veterinary staff know that your pet hasn’t eaten for two days. They may be able to find time in the schedule or refer you to another vet who can see your cat right away.

If your cat is acting sick in any way AND hasn’t eaten for 48 hours, they need immediate veterinary treatment. Take them to your vet or an emergency vet clinic right away to get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan for a cat not eating.

How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?

A cat not eating for several days is at risk for developing a secondary disease called hepatic lipidosis (also called fatty liver syndrome). This disease is a life-threatening acute liver condition, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.

Cats typically develop hepatic lipidosis after not eating for 3-4 days. Cats who are still eating, but less than usual, may develop the condition over a longer period of time. The likelihood of developing the condition increases in cats who are overweight or obese.

Cases of hepatic lipidosis in cats can take pet parents by surprise if they don’t realize that their cat stopped (or decreased) eating. That’s why it is important to know what is normal for your cat and to take note of a cat not eating.

How to Get a Cat to Eat

If your cat isn’t eating and your vet confirms there’s nothing wrong with their health, that’s good news. However, you still need to figure out how to get your cat’s appetite back on track. Here are some suggestions for stimulating cats’ appetite you can try at home:

Cat not eating? Improve the food bowl vibe

Place the food bowl in a quiet, low-traffic area to encourage distraction-free dining.
Wash the food bowl in the dishwasher once a week. If you serve wet food, wash the bowl/dish after each use.
Throw out wet food if you notice your cat not eating it within a couple of hours.
Use a stainless steel or porcelain bowl instead of plastic.
If you have multiple cats, ensure each cat has their own food and water bowls in separate locations. Monitor your pets around meal time to ensure there is no bullying.

Cat not eating? Reduce stress, offer enrichment

Stick to a regular routine of feeding, playing, and sleeping.
Give your cat vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces with multiple substrates (carpet, cardboard, sisal rope).
Increase vertical space for mental enrichment, climbing, and spying (cat tree, shelves).
In multiple-cat households, make sure each cat has their own resting spot. Always have one more litterbox than the number of cats in your home.
Use food puzzles and no-bowl feeders to stimulate their minds.
Play with your cat daily. Three to four 15-minute sessions are ideal.
Use a feline pheromone spray or offer a small amount of catnip to encourage appetite in a cat not eating.

Cat not eating? Tempt their tastebuds

Warm the food briefly in the microwave (15-20 seconds) to enhance the flavor and aroma of their meal.
Add a topper, chicken broth, or tuna juice.
Variety is the spice of life. If they don’t want to eat dry food, try canned, and vice versa. Consider cat food for picky eaters to stimulate your pet’s appetite.
Offer shredded, plain, white-meat chicken prepared with no spices. (And no skin!) If they like this, use it as a topper to encourage eating. Then, gradually decrease the amount of chicken you add to their regular food over a period of days.
If you recently switched food, that could be the cause of a cat not eating. Go back to the old food until their appetite returns to normal. When you attempt to switch diets again, do so very slowly.

Start by mixing a small amount of new food into the old food for a couple of meals. Then, gradually increase the ratio of new food to old food over two weeks. If at any time your cat stops eating, stop trying to feed the new food and call your vet for guidance.

If your cat won’t eat what’s in their food bowl, but will happily dine on table scraps or treats, it’s time for some tough love. Stop offering your cat any people food or cat treats. If they beg, do not cave. You may have to separate yourself from them during mealtime for a while so they can relearn how to eat their own nutritious food.

If you try all this and your cat still won’t eat, then it is time to get professional help. Schedule an appointment with your vet or another professional who can help with a cat not eating.

It could be that your cat still has an undiagnosed issue or needs an appetite stimulant to get them going. Or, you may need a behavior expert to help your kitty overcome poor eating habits. Whatever the case may be, getting your cat back on a healthy eating regimen is vital to their health and wellness. So don’t hesitate to reach out to your local veterinarian and support team for help.