cat seeming un hungry?

Question

most of the time my cat pigs out about 5 times a day
for the past cuople of days he has either ate a bite of his food or turned his head and just drank water.iim worried he wll get skinny Would he strave his self if food is availble to him
he s outdoors cat but comes in during the day to eat and relax
he eats dry food and can for treat.

Answer 1

Please take him to the vet today, ASAP. When a cat suddenly stops eating, whatever the cause, it is at risk for developing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome), which can become very serious if it isn't treated quickly. http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=42&sid=2

I hope he's OK.

Answer 2

Cats are creatures of habit. A change in their regular habits is usually a sign that something is off. If he's off his food, he might be sick. Keep an eye on him. See if his behaviour changes in any other way (like sleeping more, or going outside less) and if you can, try and figure out how often he's going outside to do his business. If he's looking tired and listless, or if he seems to have no energy, then you need to get him to a vet to get checked up. Outdoor cats can get sick for a lot of different reasons that indoor cats wouldn't have, so you'd need a vet to give him a full physical. If he's just off his food, but his behaviour seems okay, it might be a mild infection, or maybe he ate something that didn't agree with him and it needs to run its course. Just make sure he keeps drinking lots of water. If he doesn't start eating again in two or three days, then take him to the vet.

The other alternative is that maybe someone else is feeding him now. Does he have a collar so people know he's not a stray? You can try keeping him indoors for a few days, to see if his appetite returns as he won't be getting food elsewhere. If they're feeding him canned food all the time, that might put him off the dry.

Answer 3

I don't think there should be any issues in getting him neutered. You are posting from the UK, so laws may be different there, but in the US, once the cat leaves your property, your control over it ends also. Hunger has a way of taming even the most wary cat, but he may have had a home once, but probably not in quite some time. Seems like you have some grounds for a legal complaint against the neighborhood kids. Since he is sexually mature, and has sprayed, neutering may not completely end the spraying, as it has become behavioral. But it should greatly diminish it. Just pointing that out if you think of making him indoor only. And for a month or so after neutering, he will act like an intact cat. Good for you in caring.

Answer 4

Check your food to see if it is on a recall list and you can get updates via this site as well as links on existing recalled products:
http://www.itchmo.com
Definitely take your cat to a Vet and if it has been eating a food that has been recalled, tell the Vet. If it is something related to kidney and the Vet thinks it is related to the food, you and the Vet can report that to the FDA.
For example, today Blue Buffalo recalled all their canned spa select cat food and all their canned dog food and some treats due to rice protein concentrate that came from Wilbur Ellis. Their manufacturer is American Nutrition Inc. So it wouldn't be on a menu foods recall list, I don't think.
The Blue Buffalo co. had already recalled other product.
Check the latest updates at the link above.

Answer 5

Your best bet is to take the cat to a vet. Do you know how to check to see if the cat is dehydrated? This is a very good test to know and you should ask your vet to show you next time you are at the office. When a cat stops eating, it's a good sign that something is wrong. Other symptoms (besides dehydration) to look for are: vomitting, limping, change in the cat's coat, less springy movement, tiredness, bad breath, hiding or fearful behaviors, grumpiness, etc.

Answer 6

This happened to my cat once. It could be that he is either constipated and gassy or he has a abcteria infection in his intestines. You know how if your stomach is upset you arent really in the mood to eat...cats can get the same way...if it goes on for many days and he litterally hasn't had a bite to eat then take him to the vet. But for now as long as he is eating a little bit or at least something he'll be ok!

Answer 7

It isn't normal for a cat who likes his food to just go off it for no reason. It's usually a sign of ill health and I would say it's likely you will see other signs of ill health before long. A healthy cat will eat if food's available, but if he's lost his appetite then yes, he will starve if he doesn't get better.

It's time to get your cat checked by a vet, before he starts to vomit, have diarrhoea or become skinny or lethargic.

Chalice

Answer 8

Maybe someone else is feeding him too when he is out. Or is your cat food turning stale. Cats won't eat food that is stale.
Get him a new packet of food?

Another possibility of him losing his appetite could be he is not feeling well. Send him to a vet then.

Answer 9

Since he is an outdoor cat I would suspect his lack of appetite when home suggests he's getting fed or finding food on his own when knocking-around the neighborhood.
Worth a thought, anyway.

Answer 10

Your cat shouldn't be eating 5 times a day. Take him to the vet. If he drinks too much water, and there is blood in the urine that means he has something going wrong with his kidneys. Don't wait to see anything else. Please take him to the vet! I hope this helped and I hope your kitty is ok. =)