Generally, healthy cats that have no stress at home will eat their food and have regular eating patterns. However, there are few reasons why your cat may become a fussy eater:
Any changes to your cat’s environment can cause them to feel stressed and this can lead them to not eating.
To help prevent stress:
There are small changes you can try to entice your cat to eat, these include:
It is important that your cat keeps it’s ideal weight to remain healthy. Regular weighing is a good way to ensure that your cat remains an ideal the weight. Both gaining or losing weight can be signs of health problems. If your cat is losing weight unintentionally, even if you have not recognised a change in their eating pattern, it could be a sign of an underlying disease and you should consult your veterinarian.
It is important to identify any changes to your cats eating habits as quickly as possible as changes in feeding could be an indication of other problems such as dental problems, digestive problems or a more serious medical condition.
Cats have unique dietary requirements and do not tolerate even brief periods of poor nutrition. If your cat refuses to eat for more than 24 hours or just 12 hours for kittens younger than 6 weeks old, it may be an indication your cat is sick, and it is advised to get your cat checked by your veterinarian.
Also, if your cat has lost weight without any recognisable signs it is advised to take your cat to the vets as soon as possible. Even if you have not recognised a decrease in the amount of food your cat is eating, for example, you fill the bowl when it starts to be empty and do not monitor the amount your cat eats per day. A small weight loss can be of significance and a sign of a chronic condition.