If you have an old cat that no longer eats, there could be a number of reasons for this, some of which are very concerning. Since this is an older cat, there is most likely a disease behind this refusal to eat. I explain everything about this behavior, these causes, and especially how to react to it.
Old cat that no longer eats: The causes and their solutions
Older cats will tend to stop eating, sometimes for more than a week , in response to certain illnesses, here is how to recognize it and how to react to it correctly.
An oral problem
A cat with toothache or gum pain will rekindle the pain by eating and drinking. If your cat is not eating or drinking, then check the condition of his teeth and gums. If they are red or swollen, then there is a problem there.
In this case, keep a close eye on the evolution of the problem and take him to the vet if nothing changes quickly. In the meantime, you can make him drink and eat by giving him lukewarm water with a little chicken juice or tuna oil and facilitate his food intake with moist and lukewarm food, preferably crushed so that he can eat and drink without difficulty.
A chronic illness
An old cat will fall ill much more easily, but not only acutely, chronic illnesses will increase over time, and a disease affecting the intestines or kidneys can cause it to not eat.
If your cat seems tired or sick, take him to the vet, his body is too weak to defend itself, so you must take him to the vet who will carry out tests and can provide him with treatment for the disease. help on a daily basis despite the illness.
In the meantime, give her appetite-stimulating vitamin B12 and spray soothing pheromones over her bowl to encourage her to eat.
From the age of 12, chronic diseases are legion in cats, and certain habits will have to be put in place so that your cat can live its life normally.
Do not rule out other causes
Old cats often have problems due to diseases, but sometimes the cause of their refusal to eat is different, here are the other causes that can cause your old cat to stop eating:
- Stress: Stress is often due to a change, if your cat is afraid of something find the cause and remove it or get your cat used to it. For example, if a newcomer is in the household, make sure they can tame it. Another typical case is the move which is often a source of stress for felines, it will take him about 30 days to get used to it completely. In case of stress, soothing pheromones are recommended.
- Parasites: Intestinal parasites are visible in the stool and coat of the cat and must be eliminated urgently by the veterinarian because they will eventually kill him. They can be kept under control with an over-the-counter pest control solution, but the vet is recommended to get rid of them completely.
- A vaccine: After a vaccine, a cat may want to fast, but never more than 48 hours, otherwise, go to the veterinarian. Side effects from the vaccine often cause these effects.
- A stuck object: He may have an object stuck in his stomach or a hairball , especially if he coughs or drools. Take him to the vet if you suspect him. In the meantime, if you see that he has hair in his throat, put cat malt in his mouth so that he can pass the hair ball by lubricating his stomach.
- Heat: Heat can cause a loss of appetite in cats. Try to put your old cat in a cool place, the heat can tire him out a lot. A cooling mattress can also be a good idea to keep your cat cool. Giving him access to cold rooms is also a good option.
What will the vet do?
If you go to the veterinarian, he will ask you many questions about your cat, such as the history, the duration of the problem or the age of your cat.
Then, he will carry out a general clinical examination which will allow him to form a precise opinion and to detect what is wrong in order to prescribe the best treatment.
In addition to treatment, there may be things to change to preserve your cat’s health if it is a chronic age-related pathology.
What can I do myself?
To help your old cat eat, you can implement the following solutions:
- Give him food that likes: Like sardines or chicken, it will be difficult for him to resist and you will put the odds on your side to succeed. Warm food will be more appreciated.
- Give it soft food: The softer it is, the easier it will be for your cat to eat. Too dry food will tend to attack his throat or his teeth, and if the problem is at this level, then avoid at all costs.
- Brewer’s yeast and vitamin B12: Which will stimulate his appetite. You can give him salmon oil which is just as effective in making him want to eat, and tastes great to him. The idea is to get him to want to eat again without forcing him, which would be bad anyway.
Old cat who no longer eats: The final word
If your cat is no longer eating, then find the cause to get it to heal as quickly as possible and do what is necessary so that it can be cured, because there is undoubtedly a pathology behind this behavior, older cats being often affected.