My cat is eating less. Is it serious? What to do before a vet visit?

Cats will often go off their food and be more lethargic when they are coming down with an illness. This is usually due to an upper respiratory infection (aka cat flu) or an infection of the stomach or intestines. While she may not be having nose/eye discharge, or diarrhea right now, you may see this in a day or two. Their are a couple of other diseases that I worry about with a fighting cat, because they can cause them to feel bad like this and be spread through biting. FIV and FeLV are two viral diseases that can depress the immune system and possibly lead to long-term infections. These can be easily tested for by a vet. If she is eating a little, then make sure there is plenty of water mixed in the food, because I worry most about dehydration. Sometimes warming up the food will entice them to eat it, so try that along with trying different, tasty foods. The best thing to do for Alba is to take her to the vet. She may be running a fever and could already be dehydrated. They also may see something else that indicates what her specific aliment is. It doesn't seem like an emergency right now, but it would be best to get her to the vet within a day or two. I hope that helps and Alba gets better soon.

Hi, I am concerned your cat is sick with something serious. She really needs to see a vet for some blood work to see if she has kidney or liver issues. Until you can get her to a vet, you can blend up canned cat food in a blender and add water to make it a paste. use a syringe with no needle and drip it into her mouth. She needs nutrition somehow. If she vomits it up, there's not much you can do and she needs to see a vet. If she keeps it down, continue syringe feeding her food and make an appointment to see a vet. I am sorry there are no home remedies for this. Good luck!

Yes it is necessary to have her seen by a vet. It's very serious when a cat eats less and in a cat her age, this can be a sign of disease like kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or cancer. Hyperthyroidism can make a cat more vocal, which could explain the noises she is now making. Please take her into a vet today for a geriatric blood and urinalysis. I hope this helps, you please stay safe too!

Your kitty needs to be seen by a vet. These are concerning symptoms in an older cat. They can become dehydrated very easily. Not eating can be caused by numerous things including things with the gi tract itself and diseases of any other organ system (kidneys, liver, etc). Your vet can perform an exam and then likely will recommend starting with bloodwork +/- xrays. This is the best plan to figure out what is going on and to get your kitty feeling better. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello, and thank you for your question. Cats are notoriously good at hiding their signs of pain and illness. Often the only indication is a decrease in energy and appetite. Possible causes could include pancreatitis, systemic infection, gut parasites, or dental or abdominal pain. If her symptoms are not improving within the next 24 hours, I would recommend taking her to the vet. They can perform a full physical exam, checking for any areas of pain or discomfort, and check for fever and dehydration. They may recommend bloodwork and viral testing to pinpoint a diagnosis. At minimum, they can help rehydrate her if she is dehydrated, and offer medications to improve her appetite and comfort while searching for a diagnosis. In the meantime, offer her some other wet and dry food options in case she has just become picky with her food, and monitor her for any vomiting or diarrhea. I hope this helps, and that Oreo feels better soon!

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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Princess. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. Cats typically hide signs of illness well. So when there is a decrease in appetite, this is significant. She will be examined and will likely need laboratory work to help diagnose her problem. Kidney disease, thyroid disorders, pancreatitis and diabetes are commonly seen in older cats. I hope this information helps!