What To Do If Your Cat Won’t Eat or Drink

It can be frightening or depressing when your cat won’t eat or drink. And the truth is this behavior is a guaranteed sign that something is wrong. If your cat suddenly won’t eat or drink, the best thing you can do is to get it to a vet ASAP. As with all other medical problems, picking up on these symptoms and getting your cat medical attention early is the best thing you can do for it.

So what does it normally mean if your cat won’t eat or drink? These symptoms are most commonly caused by some kind of intestinal blockage. Hairballs can be a prime culprit, especially if you have an older, long-haired cat. Usually this kind of internal blockage is accompanied by vomiting as the cat attempts to clear out the blockage. If the cat can’t hold down a meal when it does attempt to eat, this is another warning sign. Hard, dry stool or no bowl movements at all can also be a tip-off.

Intestinal blockage is a very serious problem, and the sooner you catch it the better. Cats with blocked digestive systems can become dehydrated in a matter of days, which will often be characterized by a listless attitude. But there is good news! Once you notice that your cat won’t eat or drink and get it to a vet, intestinal blockage is relatively easy to treat. While, like most vet-related expenses, the treatment is not exactly cheap, it’s not that bad compared to treating other ailments. The vet will begin the intravenous hydration process and also check the cat’s abdomen for bulges that might indicate the blockage.

That is a best-case scenario if your cat won’t eat or drink. Unfortunately, it could also be indicative of several more complicated scenarios, and a professional will need to diagnose your cat’s specific condition. This can include anything from liver disease to an acidic stomach to a viral infection. Many times, the vet will recommend force feeding the cat liquid cat food with a syringe dropper for the duration of the condition. It can be frustrating because, often, expensive blood work will prove inconclusive when the only symptom is that the cat won’t eat or drink. Some owners report that their cats throw up a “frothy” “white” saliva-like substance when they’re not eating, which would seem to indicate that the cat ate something toxic. When this is the case, the condition usually passes and these cat owners report having luck tempting the cat to eat with Gerber’s baby food (pick up a jar of one of the meats, like chicken, beef or pork.) Still, the best thing you can do if you notice that your cat won’t eat or drink is to consult a professional and hope for a solid diagnosis.