When a cat stops eating, it’s crucial to get her back to feeding her regular food.
Incorporating new flavors into her old diet can help her avoid developing a digestive disorder. I suggest that you consult a veterinarian if you suspect her pH balance is affected.
So, why has your cat stopped eating dry food? There are many reasons why a cat stops eating dry food.
There can be a dietary or nutritional issue. If your cat is eating less or gaining weight, she could be eating less food than she needs to maintain her body weight or she could be eating too much food for her activity level, resulting in weight gain.
There could be a digestive issue. If your cat vomits her food frequently or has diarrhea, it could be caused by a gastrointestinal problem.
There could be a medical issue such as a disease that attacks the pancreas or kidneys that are causing her not to eat and dry food is too hard and dense for her to digest and absorb nutrients.
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Why Has My Cat Stopped Eating Dry Food?
Fatigue
One of the most underappreciated reasons cats stop eating dry food is fatigue.
If a cat refuses to consume dry food, it may indicate that she is truly not interested in the food she has in her bowl.
When a cat does not receive proper nutrition, it can result in a number of health complications.
This is extremely prevalent in people, but can also be a problem for cats as well.
If this does not occur, your cat will not have enough energy to pursue her natural behaviors.
This includes how it feels in her body and how it feels in her emotions.
One of the consequences of not getting proper nutrition can be apathy, which is defined as a lack of emotion and interest in things.
It may seek other food when given the opportunity because this alternative is more palatable.
You must establish a pattern in which you know she is coming to eat.
This is the only surefire way of making sure that your cat gets the proper amount of nutrition every single day.
Dehydration
A cat will get dehydrated very quickly if they do not receive any water to drink throughout the day.
This is a typical problem when a fresh dish of water is not readily available at all times for your cat to drink.
As a result, the cat feels dehydrated and acts out with negative behavior as a result.
The ideal method is to put the cat’s water bowl in the location that it is most likely to drink it throughout the day.
Cat Food Spoiled
This is a simpler way to keep the cat hydrated than constantly pouring water from the bowl and placing the bowl back on a flat surface.
It’s likely that your dry cat won’t eat it if it’s been contaminated by a dog or human with wet hands or food, so you might want to avoid this altogether.
When this occurs, the cat will get sick from going to the bathroom in its food and there is the possibility that this can cause death in extreme cases.
Check the box to check it before you open the box and before you offer it to your cat.
Because the dry cat foods are made from the most natural ingredients, you do not have to worry about any chemicals or dyes being added to the food.
They will sense the difference and you will also see the cat behavior change for the better.
Excess Treats
If a cat has stopped eating dry food it may be because it has started eating treats or anything else that it can get easily in its mouth.
When cats are overexposed to stresses, they may become afflicted with this condition.
Those snacks are intended to provide an ‘instant gratification’ reward and when taken too often, cats actually learn to expect these rewards and will feel less satisfied.
As a consequence, cat owners tend to select dry cat foods that are light in calories for his or her feline companions.
It is the only method to ensure that the dry food that you are buying is the best cat food for your feline companion.
Lack of Routine
It’s conceivable that the feline’s need has been substituted by that of the mouse chasing.
Most cats have a defined regimen for eating, and a dry diet offers that consistency, which is essential in maintaining healthy cats.
If this pattern is thrown off by a sudden change in diet or feeding schedule, the cat may simply stop eating or lose interest in eating altogether.
This may drive the cat to desire and consume other things than dry cat foods.
You must prevent this by monitoring how much treats your cat is getting and be aware of what they are eating.
Unexpected Environmental Change
This may be the reason why your feline friend has quit eating the dry food that you have purchased.
Cats are not accustomed to being taken up and fed whenever the mood strikes, but you may be doing this.
If there are other cats in your household, they may have taken an interest in eating your kitty’s dry food bowl, so make a point of keeping it separate with its own food and water.
When this occurs, the cat will starve itself rather than eat anything that resembles or smells like food that is normally eaten.
In this scenario, you should go back to feeding your cats their usual dry diet as soon as possible.
Anxiety
Cats are just like us when it comes to stress and worry, and they can suffer from anxiety just like humans do.
They do have to put a lot of effort into being sure that all food predators are away before they can eat their food in peace.
cope with mental health disorders better compared to humans, and this largely depends on the care that they receive from their cat owners.
A elderly cat, for example, may suffer from anxiety and may not want to eat its regular diet.
As the cat ages, diseases may play a part in its appetite reduction.
As a result, the diet needs to be enhanced with supplements and vitamins.
Each situation is unique, but the important thing is to keep the cat as comfortable and happy as possible.
Dry cat food might also contain something that causes an allergic reaction that your cat is allergic too.
This is why it is important you feed your cat only the type of dry food that is recommended to your cat’s age, weight and activity level.
Dental Problems
When a cat is not eating dry food properly, there are chances it either has dental problems or is attempting to hide pain to mask dental problems.
Because the mouth is the initial site of infection for many problems, a cat’s dental health plays an extremely important role in its overall health.
Unfortunately, this may not be the case when you try to buy a dry food that is suitable for your cat’s age, weight and activity level.
You must treat the gum issues first so that your cat feels fresh and comfortable enough to chew its food and eat properly.
Vets will gladly examine your cat’s teeth to see if there are any signs of an infection or other problems.
The discomfort caused by biting on hard foods cannot be overlooked either, because the cat could be trying to manage the pain by pulling off or chewing its teeth.
Inflammatory Digestive Problems
Another cause of a rapid change in appetite or sudden loss of appetite is often an inflammatory disease such as inflammatory bowel disease in cats.
Your cat may avoid its food because it doesn’t feel well or is trying to hide the pain or discomfort it is experiencing.
This is less probable if your old cat suddenly stops eating dry cat food but you should ask your vet about this possibility if you think this is the case.
Nonetheless, it is prudent to regularly have your cat checked by your local veterinarian for tartar buildup, periodontal disease or other dental problems.
It is the most serious condition that can affect a cat’s organs, and can cause various health problems if left untreated.
If your cat has this ailment, they will have additional vomitting and diarrhea and vet bills will be going up quickly.
Your veterinarian will check your cat’s gums, teeth and throat to see if there are signs of inflammation or other illnesses that could be causing your cat not to eat.
Parasites
Parasites may have also entered your cat’s system via fleas or ticks, and they may be causing your feline friend to be sick or uncomfortable, as well.
This might be preventing your feline friend from eating the dry food that is readily available.
There are several microscopic parasites, but the most common in cats are roundworms and hookworms, both of which can lead to severe damage if left untreated.
Parasites seldom cause substantial injury or worry in cats and usually are discovered when a pet appears unwell and a vet examines them and finds worms in their intestines.
Other signs of parasite infections include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, pale or yellow colored mucus or stool and a dull coat.
Your veterinarian, on the other hand, will be able to do a simple fecal analysis to determine if there are worms in your pet’s system.
Discovered a New Food Source
If you observe your cat not eating much or the cat seems to have lost interest in food, your cat may be sick or suffering from some type of GI irritation.
Instead, they may be obtaining food elsewhere, such as at an outside source like a bird or rodent.
Of course, this is only part of the problem and could be related to some dietary or health concerns as well.
If you do allow your cat outdoors, make sure they have a collar with identification on them and that you keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t wander off and get lost.
This should dissuade good Samaritans from bringing your cat home with them.
It’s also possible that your litter box isn’t clean enough and your cat is avoiding the litter box altogether.
While hunting is a normal activity for cats, you should still be concerned about whether your cat is getting enough to eat or has lost interest in his food if they’re spending all their time outdoors searching for prey.
Is It Bad If My Cat Won’t Eat Dry Food?
There are certain benefits to feeding your cat canned or fresh food as opposed to dry food.
When your cat just eats dry food, they sometimes digest bits and pieces of the food and this can lead to digestion issues.
Dry kibbles are less stinky and untidy than wet food, so they’re easier for people to keep clean as well.
Many people believe that dry food is healthier for cats than canned food because of the higher protein content found in dry food.
Studies comparing bacterial levels(opens in new window) in stools of cats that were fed exclusively dry food versus wet food showed that there was no significant difference in bacterial levels between the two.
It is important to remember that brushing your kitty’s teeth is also very important when it comes to maintaining proper dental health.
It doesn’t matter whether your cat is eating wet or dry food, they should have their teeth brushed twice a week.
It is considerably more vital to keep track about the weight of pet cats, as many cats are getting obese these days and the overweight kitties are posing a threat to their well-being.
How to Get Your Cat to Eat Dry Food
If you want your cat to eat dry food, you have to make it appealing.
- Because cats on dry food don’t get the moisture they need from their food, you need to make sure that you’re giving your cat plenty of fresh water every day as well.
- Make sure to feed new biscuits every day and switch to another brand if he gets picky or stops eating the new brand after a few days.
- Try wetting the kibble before you feed it to your cat – this will help to moisten it and make it more attractive to your cat.
- Soaking them in warm water or broth can help to make the wet food more appealing to a cat that really isn’t too keen on eating it raw and wet.
- Change brands to a different high-quality brand or cat canned food.
- Have them examined by a vet to rule out illnesses like diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
- Dental or jaw problems could be creating the problem as well so a vet examination is a good idea as well; this will also give you an idea about whether your cat is overweight or underweight.
Also Read: Why Is My Cat Not Eating Food But Only Eats Treats?
Conclusion
If your cat has stopped eating dry food, a trip to the vet is needed to make sure there are no underlying health issues behind the change in appetite.
If your cat prefers wet food to dry food, keep on offering the wet food as it will provide your cat with all the moisture he needs to stay healthy.
