In the wild, animals are not always successful in catching their food and may have to go hungry for a day or two.
But our pets have become accustomed to regular daily meals. So when a pet is not eating much or not eating at all, it is cause for concern.
If your pet refuses food for more than 24 hours, s/he should be examined by a veterinarian. Causes could be an upset stomach, painful toothache, abscess, cancer and more. Your pet will undergo a series of tests to determine the reason for the loss of appetite.
If there does not appear to be an underlying cause, your vet may prescribe certain foods to stimulate your pet’s appetite. You may have to feed your pet using a syringe. Just squirt small amounts of liquify food into the mouth several times a day.
You can also try offering your pet a favorite food. Canned tripe, even though it smells awful, often works. A change in diet may perk up a pet’s interest in food. Catnip sometimes stimulates a cat’s appetite.
If your pet becomes dehydrated, the vet will suggest placing him/her on an IV solution which includes vitamins, particularly the B vitamins which may give your pet an appetite.
Not eating can be more dangerous for cats. They can develop a fatty liver known as hepatic lipidosis, a serious condition.
For whatever reason your pet stops eating for more than a day, consult with your vet to avoid serious problems.
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