Cats are not known as milky eaters for nothing. However, if your domestic cat shows sudden changes in its eating behavior, this can be unsettling at first. The fact that your cat is fit, but suddenly eats less, can have numerous causes - with sometimes surprisingly simple solutions. Let's take a look at a few possibilities.
1. Exclude health causes
Sudden changes in feeding behavior are not uncommon in domestic cats. However, if your cat completely abstains from food or the cause is not found in a timely manner, a visit to the veterinarian is absolutely necessary. Organic causes, more serious diseases but also dental problems can be the trigger here.
Especially older cats, who can still be fit, tend to have problems with teeth and teeth. In any case, have these examined once in oldies to rule out that pain arises when eating.
If your cat eats little but is still fit, but you find conspicuously altered stools in the litter box, this could also be a sign of a pathological cause. Parasites, such as maggots and worms, but also a gastrointestinal infection come into question.
Like us humans, cats can also catch a cold. If they then suffer from a sore throat, of course, eating also hurts and is neglected. Since infections do not always have to affect the general condition of your pet, only the veterinarian can determine this with certainty.
Poisoning, on the other hand, is a serious matter, but is usually also noticeable by other symptoms, such as vomiting or general fatigue. Nevertheless, care must be taken to ensure that no poisonous plants, food or, of course, chemicals and detergents can be found within cat reach.
2. Cats are routine animals
Domestic cats love a regular everyday life and routine processes. Even the slightest change can cause them stress. This can also manifest itself in the fact that they eat less, but are otherwise fit and healthy.
The choice of possible causes is huge. It can start big: a move, new family members or the loss of a family member, big cleaning campaigns, changed furniture or unusually much noise and hustle and bustle due to visits.
But it can also be a new bowl or a new cleaning agent. Even small changes in the recipe of the food taste the little gourmets. Also check the storage of the feed. If it is already a bit dry or changed in taste due to incorrect storage or an exhausted best-before date, your cat will notice this.
Preventive measures can be the right bowl here: it should be as flat and wide as possible. The feeding place should not be near the litter box and especially with several cats there should be the possibility to eat in peace and separately.
3. Cat eats little because of a change in food
The most obvious reason why your cat eats less but is otherwise fit can of course be found in the food itself. As already mentioned, even a small recipe change or a little too old food can be sufficient.
Or, of course, new and unknown food. If you want to change the food, it is helpful to implement the piece by piece. First, mix small portions of the new food with the old one and increase the amount over time to make it easier for your cat to make the switch.
But it can also happen that your cat suddenly spurns previously coveted food. Maybe your cat is just bored with the same food in the long run. Then it's time to bring variety into the bowl. Either through new, high-quality food or you occasionally mix small treats, such as .B tuna, with the old food to make it more interesting again.
Food intolerances can also trigger sudden changes in feeding behaviour. These are often accompanied by diarrhea or softer stools. The veterinarian can also assist in the reliable determination of such a system.
Apart from proper long-term storage, pay attention to the temperature of the food when you serve it to your cat. Is it very warm because it was in the sun right before or too cold because it comes directly from the fridge? For sensitive cats, this can also be a no-go.
4. Summer and mating season
At high temperatures, cats also become sluggish. If your cat eats little, but apart from that is fit, this is completely normal. It moves less and therefore requires fewer calories, i.e. less food.
Smaller portions throughout the day are generally healthier and are also better accepted in the summer months. Of course, it is particularly important that no cat absorbs enough fluids and drinks enough.
If she doesn't do that via the water bowl or a drinking fountain, you can also mix some water into the food.
Even in the mating season, food can suddenly lose importance. In some cases, this busy time increases the appetite, but it may also be that your cat simply does not have a head to eat. It is literally hormone-controlled and can then eat less.
5. Cat eats little because of freedom
In cats that enjoy freedom, the reason for the fact that no cat eats less, but still in top shape is a very simple one: The belly is already full. Your cat may already have its belly full elsewhere while you diligently move food bowls and study ingredients.
Food that is freely accessible outside or even a particularly successful hunt can have completely satisfied your cat's appetite. Of course, this is difficult to determine. But if your cat is otherwise fit and definitely healthy, you could take a small test.
Leave her in the apartment for a day or two and see if she still spurns the domestic food. If this is still the case, it is necessary to continue to investigate the causes.
Cat eats little but is fit – conclusion:
Since our four-legged roommates unfortunately can't just tell us why they seem to have less appetite than usual, finding the reason why your cat eats little but is otherwise fit can sometimes be difficult.
Health problems must be ruled out by the veterinarian. If your cat even refuses food completely, that's a serious matter.
But it can also be minimal changes, seasonal, as well as in the cat's everyday life, which cause sudden food problems. Or the food itself, as well as an oversupply elsewhere can be to blame.
Offer your cat small portions throughout the day and make sure she drinks enough. Even if the cause research turns out to be a rather tricky detective game, don't give up! Sometimes the aha effect comes quite unexpectedly.
Thanks for reading: Cat eats little, but is fit – 5 reasons 2022, Sorry, my English is bad:)