A cat that has stopped eating could be at a minor or severe risk depending on the cause behind this behavior. If the cat refuses to consume food for more than a day, then it is best to have her undergo a medical examination.
There could be various reasons why your cat has stopped eating.
One such factor is stress. Stress is known to bring about changes in appetite in humans. The same thing may apply to cats as well.
Cats are creatures of habit and when changes are introduced in their surroundings such as the arrival of a new pet, a new home or even rearranged furniture in the home, they are likely to experience stress. If you find that your cat is not eating due to any one of these reasons, then she needs some extra care and attention so that the stress can be relieved and normal behavior may be resumed. If the stressful factor is the introduction of a new pet, then your cat needs to be gradually introduced to the new entrant. It is advisable to feed the new pet in another room for some time. This will allow your cat time to adjust to the new changes. Stress can also result from conflict with another cat. Disputes over territory often take place among cats which spend a lot of time outdoors. In this case, keeping your cat indoors will ensure that she is protected from potential dangers. Cats may sometimes stop eating when they have been obtaining food from somewhere else. Cats that roam freely outdoors may have captured a prey or may be fed by another at another house.
Cats often display finicky tendencies and may not eat if they see a change in their regular food. When introducing new foods into the cat diet, it is advisable to mix the new food with some of her regular food. Then you can slowly increase the quantity of new food. This needs to continue for about two weeks until the cat grows accustomed to it. Sudden changes in diet can upset the digestion of the cat. Cat loss of appetite can also be due to illness such as infection, digestive problems, dental disease or kidney disease. If there are other symptoms such as irritability or lethargy, it is advisable to consult a vet. The vet will also advise you on how much to feed cat and the proper ways to do it.
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