Why Is My Cat Not Eating? Reasons and What to Do

Cats are often creatures of habit, so a sudden loss of appetite can be worrying. Most cats will occasionally skip a meal, but refusing food for longer than usual can be a sign that something isn’t right. After more than a day without food, cats can become ill quickly.

This guide covers the common causes of appetite loss in cats, what you can do at home, and when it’s time to see a vet.

As a general guide, it's best to contact your local vet if your cat hasn't eaten anything for more than 24 hours.

Why is my cat not eating?

There are many different reasons cats lose their appetite. Sometimes the cause is minor, such as stress or a sudden change in diet. In other cases, reduced appetite can be a sign of pain, mild illness, or an underlying medical condition.

Common reasons cats stop eating

Food changes or picky eating

Some cats are simply fussy and may refuse unfamiliar food, or become sensitive to changes in texture, smell, bowl placement, or feeding routine.

Warming wet food slightly can help strengthen the smell and encourage cats to eat.

Stress or anxiety

Cats are sensitive to changes in their environment, and stress can affect their appetite. Common triggers can include:

Moving house
New pets or people
Changes in routine
Loud noises
Conflict with other cats

Some cats hide, become quieter than usual, or avoid their food bowl entirely when stressed. Setting up a calm, quiet feeding area and fewer routine changes can help.

Nausea or digestive problems

Cats that feel nauseous often refuse food even when they seem hungry. Things to watch for are:

Licking their lips
Drooling
Sniffing food without eating
Vomiting
Repeated swallowing

Digestive problems such as constipation or gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) can affect appetite too.

Illness or infection

Many illnesses can reduce a cat's appetite, including:

Stomach upset
Cat flu or other upper respiratory infections
Viral infections
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Diabetes
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Age-related appetite changes

Age can affect appetite at both ends of life. Kittens have high energy needs and lower stored energy reserves, so a skipped meal is more of a concern in a kitten than in an adult cat.

At the other end of the scale, a cat's sense of taste and smell can decline with age, making them either less interested in food or more selective about what they eat. Bad teeth or other age-related illnesses can make this worse.

A routine check-up can help rule out a treatable cause behind a change in an older cat's appetite.

Dental problems

Dental disease is a common cause of reduced eating in cats. Sore teeth, inflamed gums or mouth ulcers can make eating painful. Because cats instinctively hide pain, these aren’t always obvious. A cat that seems interested in food but walks away after trying to eat may be dealing with dental discomfort rather than fussiness.

What should I do if my cat won't eat?

If your cat misses one meal but otherwise seems normal, monitor them closely and encourage eating with foods familiar to them. You can also try:

Offering wet food with a strong smell
Feeding small amounts more frequently
Providing a quiet feeding area
Ensuring fresh water is always available
Warming the food slightly (around 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave, in a microwave-safe dish). Stir well and check it’s lukewarm, not hot, before offering

If your cat continues refusing food, or develops other symptoms, please arrange to see a vet.

When should I speak to a vet?

You should seek veterinary attention if your cat:

Hasn't eaten for 24 hours or more
Seems lethargic or weak
Is vomiting or has diarrhoea
Is losing weight
Has difficulty breathing
Is drooling excessively
Stops drinking as well as eating

Kittens, elderly cats, and cats with existing health conditions may need urgent attention sooner if they stop eating.

The 24-hour guideline matters more for cats than it might seem. Going without food for just three to four consecutive days can trigger hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which is a potentially fatal condition, and the risk is higher in cats who were already overweight beforehand. It’s one of the main reasons vets take a cat going off their food seriously, even when the cat otherwise seems well.

Final thoughts

Cats stop eating for many different reasons, ranging from stress and dental pain to serious illness. While some cases are mild and temporary, ongoing appetite loss is concerning, so paying attention to changes in behaviour, eating habits, and energy levels can help you spot when your cat needs veterinary care.

If you're ever unsure, please don't hesitate to reach out to our clinical team via phone or via WhatsApp - we're always happy to help.

FAQs

How long can a cat safely go without eating?

As a general guide, contact a vet if your cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours. Cats can be at risk of a serious liver condition (fatty liver disease) after three to four days without food, so don't wait to see if they'll come round on their own. This is especially true for kittens, senior cats, and cats with existing health conditions.

Could my cat be refusing food because they're bored of it?

It's possible. Some cats do get fussy, especially with dry food, but if a normally food-motivated cat suddenly stops eating, it's worth ruling out pain, illness, or stress before assuming it's simply boredom.

Is it normal for cats to eat less in hot weather?

A slight dip in appetite during hot weather is common, since cats are naturally less active and burn less energy. A significant or prolonged drop, however, is still worth having checked rather than put down to the heat.

Can stress from a new baby or pet in the home cause my cat to stop eating?

Yes. Cats can be very sensitive to changes in their household, and a new baby, pet, or person can be enough to put a cat off their food temporarily.

A calm, predictable space and time to adjust usually helps, but a prolonged loss of appetite should still be checked by a vet.

Why does my cat sniff their food but not eat it?

This can be a sign of nausea, a reduced sense of smell, or simply not being keen on what's on offer. If it happens occasionally in an otherwise healthy, active cat, it's usually not a concern, but persistent refusal is worth mentioning to your vet.

Is it more urgent if a kitten stops eating compared to an adult cat?

Yes. Kittens have very little energy reserve and can become seriously unwell much faster than adult cats, so a kitten who skips more than one meal, or seems lethargic, should be seen by a vet promptly, ideally before 24 hours elapse.