Loss of Appetite After Vaccinations in Cats

Having your cat vaccinated is a responsible part of pet ownership. After the vaccination however, you may find your feline friend avoiding his food bowl. Loss of appetite after vaccinations is a common side effect. Although it can be distressing to both you and your cat, generally there is no reason to panic. If your cat is experiencing loss of appetite, observing him closely is the best thing you can do.

The Facts

Loss of appetite in animals is referred to as anorexia. While there are many illnesses which can cause anorexia in cats, stress can also play a factor in loss of appetite. If your cat is not accustomed to leaving the house, the car ride over alone can be very stressful. When you arrive at the veterinarian's office, your cat is inundated with smells and sounds not familiar to her, and then the shots are administered. Pain is very stressful for your cat and will most likely affect her appetite temporarily. While this is typically a very mild reaction, certain factors such as drug interaction or allergy could cause your cat's loss of appetite to become severe.

Time Frame

If your cat is prone to suffering from loss of appetite after his vaccination, the effect will usually be evident within hours of receiving the vaccination. The length of time your cat will be affected will vary from cat to cat. Some cats will be back at full appetite within hours, while others may not regain their normal feeding routine for days. It is important to observe your cat and keep track of how long he has is gone without eating.

Considerations

A mild bout of appetite loss is much less distressing compared to your cat contracting a disease his vaccination is designed to prevent. Ignoring your cat's vaccinations is far more detrimental to her health than the appetite loss she may experience. You should also keep in mind that unless your cat's loss of appetite is combined with other symptoms, going without food for a brief period of time will not harm your cat.

Prevention/Solution

It is impossible to know beforehand if your cat will suffer from loss of appetite before her first immunization. Even if she does breeze through her first round of vaccinations with no problems, it is not a guarantee that each vaccination round will be problem free. There are some actions you can take to make your cat's vaccinations as comfortable as possible. Try to get your cat to eat before you leave for the veterinarian's office. That way, if he doesn't eat for a while afterward at least you will have comfort in knowing that he did eat something shortly before the immunization. After your cat's vaccination try to avoid over stimulation by small children or other pets. Allow her to rest and have food accessible for when she feels like eating.

Warning

If your cat has not resumed his normal feeding routine after a few days and appears to be lethargic or losing weight, contact your veterinarian. Very young cats, six months and younger, cannot go as long as an adult cat without food. If you observe your cat exhibiting any other symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, or labored breathing, she may be having a severe allergic reaction to her vaccination. There also may be another medical condition causing her appetite loss. An extra trip to the vet's office is worth your time and money when your cat's health is at stake.

References

• Anorexia in Cats
• Feline Vaccinations: Benefits and Risks