Reasons Why Cats Refuse Food

How to Tell Finicky Habits from Medical and Dental Problems

May 31, 2008

When a cat won't eat, he might have an illness, or there may be a problem with the food, the bowl or the dining environment.

The reasons why cats avoid eating can be divided into four categories: problems with the food, problems with the food bowl or its location, obtaining food from other sources, and medical or dental problems.

Problems with the Food

Cats will often refuse to eat for the following reasons:

The food is stale – dry food can become stale, particularly in warm weather when it is more likely to be exposed to moisture. A bag or box of dry food may need to be replaced if the cat has suddenly gone off it.
The food is too cold – cats like their food warm, or at least at room temperature. If the wet food has been in the refrigerator, it will be unappealing to the cat. In this case, food should be heated in a pan on the stove top until warm to the touch.
The food doesn’t provide sufficient protein – many cat foods are made primarily of filler such as corn meal or rice. Check the ingredients list on your cat’s food to ensure that the first ingredient is meat, ideally high-quality meat rather than a by-product. Only feed your cat good quality commercial foods or natural diets recommended by your veterinarian.
The cat dislikes or has become bored with the brand or flavor of food – if you have tried replacing stale dry food and heating wet food and still your cat refuses to eat, providing something new may rekindle your his interest in food.

Problems with the Food Bowl or its Location

Many cats will lose their appetite if:

They have an audience – most cats want privacy while they eat, so it’s a good idea to keep the cat’s bowls away from high-traffic areas of the house.
He is bothered by the presence of other pets – if your cat seems anxious eating with other household cats or dogs, you may want to feed the pets in separate areas, if possible.
The food bowl is dirty – cats will usually refuse fresh food from a bowl that has bits of old stale food clinging to it, as this can cause bacterial contamination.
Your cat is allergic to his food bowl – some cats develop an allergy to plastic food bowls, which can cause tiny sores on their lips.
Your cat’s food bowl gives off electric shocks – some metal bowls give off small static electric shocks, particularly in cold, dry weather.

Obtaining Food from Other Sources

Sometimes cats refuse food because they are already full, or they are holding out for something better. A cat may ignore his food if:

He has already eaten – outdoor cats may snack over the course of their travels, either catching small prey or eating food that neighbors put out for their own pets. Cats that receive table scraps regularly are also more likely to turn up their noses at regular cat food.
He is manipulating you – if you give your cat treats every time he refuses his regular cat food, he’ll quickly learn that he can easily trick you by pretending to lose his appetite.

Medical and Dental Problems

Even a cat suffering from stress or not fond of his brand of food will eventually succumb to hunger as long as he is healthy. If it has been 24 hours and your cat is still refusing food, you should get him to the veterinarian as soon as possible to check for medical problems.

A cat suffering from severe gingivitis or mouth abscess may find it too painful to eat. If your cat has bad breath, swollen or red gums, or allows food to fall from his mouth, you should bring him to your veterinarian for a check-up.