My cat isn't eating and is quiet. Is this a sign of illness?

I am sorry to hear about Annabelle. If she is not eating and now not drinking these are definitely signs of concern that require evaluation by a veterinarian. In particular, if she is an overweight cat (it says on your information that she is 14 pounds) then she is at risk of developing a dangerous liver condition called hepatic lipidosis if she isn't eating. There are many possible underlying causes for her symptoms, including primary GI disease (such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, stomach ulcer, gi tumors, gi infection, pancreatitis, cholangiohepatitis) or disease of the liver or kidney (either of these can cause increased thirst). The vet will want to do an examination and will likely recommend bloodwork and an x-ray to try to determine the cause of her symptoms. She may need to be prescribed an appetite stimulant, and may need fluid therapy if she is dehydrated.

It sound like your cat isn't feeling well. Anorexia (not eating) and lethargy are symptoms of many different illnesses, so without more symptoms, I can't pin down what might be causing her to act this way. I can say that any sudden change in behavior from the normal should be investigated your vet because there might be a medical cause behind it. In this case, I think it would be a good idea for your cat to see a vet, and I recommend taking her into your vet's normal business hours for a health check. Your vet would be best to determine if there is a medical illness, and how best to treat it.

Your cat should be examined by a veterinarian for a work up and treatment. There are a lot of diseases that could cause those signs including diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues, thyroid disease, and cardiac disease. Your vet may need to run lab-work and take X-rays to diagnose.

Since it sounds like KD never skips a meal, its possible he is getting sick. Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from bacterial over growth to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian if he is not eating for 24 hours, not drinking well or if he is getting worse. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. I hope KD starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions!

I can understand your concern. Cats can hide illness quite well. But typical signs of illness can include: decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and unusual behavior (like hiding or seeking more attention than normal). If you are still concerned that your kitty may be ill then you can request that your vet do a general health check via bloodwork and urine testing as well. A fecal exam is also indicated if Noushmc is having loose stool. Best wishes and take care.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Shadow's appetite is decreased and she is lethargic, I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would have her blood tested in addition to the physical examination to see if there are any obvious abnormalities. I hope this helps and that Shadow gets better soon! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Mr. Peabody seems to be experiencing very general symptoms of illness, meaning this could be pretty much any disease. when cats behave this way it's usually because they feel very ill or are painful, and it's usually a sign of a serious condition. i strongly recommend that you take him to the vet in order to get it checked and treated ASAP.