My cat is eating less food. Is it the summer heat or a health issue?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Simba. Yes, heat and humidity can affect a dog's appetite. However, so can many disease processes. It is important to have him evaluated by his veterinarian to ensure that he is not sick. I hope this information helps!

It is probably not normal. I suggest you schedule an exam with your veterinarian for your cat. Your cat may have dental problems (gingivitis and/or tartar, tooth infections), diabetes or another endocrine disease. Oder kitties also often have problems with their kidneys. A thorough clinical exam and blood tests can at least rule out any serious disease that could cause eating less than usual.

Unfortunately, those are very vague symptoms, so the best course of action would be to see a vet when you can if they continue. Heat can definitely make things worse and may make it so your cat wants to stay low or on tile that is cooler. Making sure he has access to water at all times and cool shaded spots to sleep in may help. However, if he doesn't perk up even with the weather cools, can't urinate at all, or shows any other signs of illness, trying to find a vet near you ASAP is best.

In an older cat, my first thought would be dental disease. This would be painful for Krinkle, cause him to eat less, and subsequent weight loss. It could also be that he has diabetes, kidney failure, or hyperthyroidism. Having him seen by a vet this week is a good idea. I hope this helps!

Monitor Cash very closely for any other signs of illness such as vomiting, loose stool, sleeping more or not playing as much. If you see anything else that looks like an illness, have him examined. If you notice that his appetite is continuing to decline, have him examined as well. Sometimes you can see the appetite have some minor variation. When in doubt, have him examined. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Kittens typically start teething around four months of age. so if Angel is about six months of age, she would be at the tail end of teething. It's certainly possible that teething could be causing her lack of appetite. Teething is painful, and some cats will avoid eating when teething. Try soaking her food in tuna juice to make it softer for her to eat. It's unlikely to be her first heat causing a loss of appetite. When cats go into their first heat, they become more affectionate and more vocal. In fact, cats in heat can be extremely annoying! I would recommend having her spayed to avoid annoying behaviors as well as urine marking, wanting to roam, and kittens. If Angel refuses to eat her softened food, then it could be something else causing her to not eat such as a systemic illness, inflammation, injury, or infection. In that case, I would take her to the vet tomorrow for a health check. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Hello, and thank you for your question. Disinterest in food and weight loss are red flags, and I would be concerned with a medical issue causing these symptoms. I would recommend a visit with your veterinarian in the next 24 hours. They can perform a head to toe examination, assess for pain or discomfort, dehydration, or fever. Possible causes include infection, pancreatitis, gastric foreign body, or inflammatory bowel disease. Your vet may recommend blood work or ultrasound to help reach a diagnosis. In the meantime, continue to offer different types of food and free access to fresh water. Monitor for any vomiting or loose stools. I hope this helps, and that Kika feels better soon.