What Disease Would Cause a Cat to Stop Eating?
It is alarming to pet owners when their cats show signs of illness, especially anorexia (lack of appetite and/or cessation of eating). Cats might refuse to eat because of appetite fatigue (tired of the same food), as a means to get attention, due to stress or anxiety, or because they have sneaked food without you being aware of them having eaten. There are also several medical conditions that can cause a cat not to eat. If it has no appetite for more than 24 hours, you should take it to the vet.
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Gastrointestinal Upset
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If the cat has an upset stomach, it likely won't want to eat. Pancreatic issues, eating spoiled food, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal parasites can all cause the cat to have little or no appetite. With any of these disorders, the cat would probably have other signs of illness, including vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea.
Bacterial Infections
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If your cat gets a bacterial infection, it can cause anorexia. The cat will also be susceptible to bladder, uterine, eye, ear, respiratory and nasal cavity infections. Watch for signs like fever, lethargy and discharge with the loss of appetite.
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Dental Health
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If your cat has an abscess, sore tooth, mouth infection, gingivitis or periodontal disease, it can be painful for it to chew. This can cause it to shun food. Try offering something the cat doesn't normally eat, such as canned food instead of dry kibble, to see if it piques its interest. If it seems to suffer while chewing, take the cat to the vet for a dental exam. Injuries or illnesses that affect the cat's throat, tongue or esophagus can also lead to anorexia.
Endocrine Disorders
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Your cat is vulnerable to several of the same illnesses as humans. These include diabetes, glandular disorders, hormonal imbalances, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and Addison's disease. There will probably be other symptoms accompanying any of these disorders. Look for hair loss, excessive thirst, anxiety, weight loss or weight gain, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. Anorexia is often the first sign of these illnesses.
Viruses
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Viral infections can cause your cat to want to avoid eating. Cats can acquire several viral infections, including Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Herpes and Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV). These are all serious, and will require palliative care to make the cat more comfortable.
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