Why Is My Cat Not Eating?

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Food Flavor
Cats can be particular about their food. A cat may eat one flavor of the same brand but completely reject a new flavor due to preference. A sudden rejection of food may occur if food manufacturers change flavors and ingredients without any obvious signs on the packagingyour cat may take notice and rebel. On the other hand some cats prefer a variety and will get bored with the same food flavor over time.
Food Shape or Texture
Your cat can also be sensitive to certain shapes and textures when it comes to food. Some cats like triangle shapes others like round shapes and others will only eat crunchy dry food or canned wet food. Some are even picky about the consistency of wet food they may prefer chunks in gravy over pate or the other way around.
Food Spoilage
If you give your cat expired or spoiled food they may not want to eat it. Check the expiration date on the food and ensure it has been stored properly. At the very least give it a sniff to see if it smells rancid.
Tip
Did you know that dry cat food can become stale or rancid? Vitamins and fats can erode if the food isnt properly stored. Keep food in its original bag for a good reason. The bag may have a special barrier to keep food fresher for longer. To ensure the foods best freshness put the original bag in a sealed container and place it in a cool dry environment. For best results use opened bags of dry food within two to three months 4
What to Do If Your Cat Wont Eat
If your cat has stopped eating their normal food check to see if theres a recall on that particular brand and formula. This is another reason to keep your

cats dry food in the original bag so you can check the bar code. Sometimes a cat can sense that something is wrong with their food and wont eat it. If you offer new food and your cat still wont eat then its time to contact your veterinarian.
When cats stop eating they can quickly develop hepatic lipidosis by going without food for a few days. This disease is often referred to as fatty liver disease or fatty liver syndrome and it can be fatal if left untreated. And it occurs more often in obese cats 5 This is the main reason why its so important to make sure your cat keeps eating especially if theyre overweight.
Treatment for Loss of Appetite in Cats
Since cats may stop eating for a number of reasons the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will do a physical examination and may recommend lab tests and imaging such as Xrays or an ultrasound. Your cats treatment plan will be based on these results.
Depending on the reason why your cat has stopped eating you may be able to coax your kitty to start eating again. However its not normal for a cat to stop eating if their food has not changed so a trip to your veterinarian is essential to rule out medical reasons. 
If an upper respiratory disease has caused your cat to be congested and unable to smell food your vet may recommend athome treatment to help clear your cats nasal passages. This may involve nebulizing your cat in a steamy bathroom or placing saline drops in the nostrils. This breaks up the nasal discharge and helps your cat breathe easily so they can once again smell food.
Tweak your cats wet food to entice them to eat again. Try heating up cold wet