How to care for an older Cat not eating
Ailurophile always tries his best to nourish it accurately. When a cat becomes older it asks for extra care. A cat lover is always worried about the cat’s nutrition, health, food timing, and also their time of relaxation. Every time Ailurophile is doing their best for his kitty.
Cats are the innocent as well as sensitive creation in the world. Sometimes, when a cat does not eat food or leaves food in the bowl then, this is a critical situation. The habit of appetite and the method of eating food is different in younger cats from older ones. Don’t worry, it’s natural. Some cats want to eat less often than they were younger, while others do not want to eat food they love anymore. However, an older cat not eating or eating a little bit and also eating food but losing weight then is a sign of worry. The ailurophile should take immediate action to that condition.
Signs of aging when cats got old
- Change in the sleep-wake cycle
- Change in vision
- A more sensitive stomach and digestive system
- Decrease sense of smell
- Loss of elastic skin
- Decrease of appetites
- Change in behaviour
- Weight loss
- Change in vocalization
Reasons for not eating by an old cat
When your cat is not eating any food, eating little food, or just wastes the food, then this is a serious issue with your cat. Many people ignore this issue and leave the cat in her condition, and in the end, they lose their beautiful cat. As an ailurophile, you must notice a little issue with a cat. If your cat is not eating for some days, then some reasons behind it are out of your sight.
It is possible that when you check your cat, whether it eats food or not, then at that time, your cat may be full. The cat is unable to eat more. It would be the reason for your worry. Its solution is that you give food to the cat at an irregular time and then check her at regular intervals of time.
When cats become aged, it quits possible that they lack their sense of smell. So they can’t find the food even if you put the bowl in front of them. The cat just stared at the bowl. That’s why cats do not eat. This condition is responsible for the loss of weight.
A swelling mouth and pain in teeth are other factors that decrease the cat’s appetites. Since cats are unable to tell us when they are in pain, so it is important to watch out for any signs of injuries. In older age, teeth are 80% weaker than at young age. So check your mouth as well as teeth regularly.
Some serious medical issue also inhabits the appetites of pets. An increase in hunger, together with weight loss, is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism (a disease usually caused by a benign tumor within the thyroid gland). Decreases in appetite are usually seen in kidney diseases. Intake of low food also is present in cat’s dental disease or cancer. Sometimes due to intake of calories enriched food cause stomach ulcer that also decreases the cat’s appetites.
The appetites of cats depend upon the condition of the food. Cold and stale food is also the reason for a cat to refuse their food. One thing must remember is that cat only prefers meal that is at body temperature.
The different daily routines of feeding, time of relaxation, and change of food bowl cause stress on your cat. Stress can also cause by the addition of new family members, bad disturbing music, construction inside or outside, and also by social conflict with other animals in household. All these changes may seem insignificant, but they can cause too much stress for cats, which can cause your cat not to eat.
Treatment for an old cat not eating
What to do if your cat’s not eating?
There are many different ways of treating cats’ appetites, but they depend upon the cause and symptoms. In case of medical issues, book an emergency appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible and tell him all the habits and conditions of the cat. He will examine your cat and give you medicine.
Use appetites stimulators. These stimulators will increase cat’s hunger, and slowly your cat begins to eat.
A balanced diet is essential to keep your cat healthy and fit. Diets should be according to the body temperature of the pet. Warm the food (up to body temperature) to increase aroma. Avoid stress at the time of dining, so keep calm environment at the time of dining. If cats do not want to eat food, try different varieties of food. Especially change the flavor of food. It will help to increase the appetites of cats.
Give the cat something it hasn’t eaten before. In case of mouth swelling and tooth pain, avoid hardening food and try to give soft food. You may also use semi-liquid food. If the cat is not ready to eat, then put the food in the feeder and give her with your own hand.
