My Cat’s Not Eating as Much. Should I Be Worried?
Q: Hi Dr. Kris,
My 11-year-old cat, Cosmo, lives with me in Calgary. Over the past week, he’s been eating less than usual. He’s still drinking water and using the litter box normally, but he’s lost interest in his dry food. I tried switching to wet food and he licks it a bit, but doesn’t finish.
He had a full vet check about 6 months ago and everything was fine, but this new change is stressing me out. Should I be rushing him to the vet, or can I monitor him for a few more days?
Thank you for all you do,
A:
I don’t like it when cats stop eating. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I really really don’t like it. Cats are not good intermittent fasters. They didn’t read that page on the wellness blog entitled “how to lose weight after the divorce”. They’re built for consistency with calories, and when they don’t eat, things can go sideways.
The most dramatic example? An overweight cat goes on a hunger strike (maybe from stress, maybe illness, or maybe because you dared to go on vacation), and within 3 to 4 days their liver throws a tantrum. We call it hepatic lipidosis, but you’ll call it “a very expensive mistake” if not caught and treated in time.
But let me not go all doom and gloom - let’s get back to your cat.
First things first: check the food.
Is it dry kibble? Open the bag. Take a whiff. Does it smell normal, or like forgotten corn chips at the bottom of a hot car? Are the kibbles clumping together? Is it older than 3 months? Is it a jumbo bag of food? Every time you open that big bag, oxygen sneaks in like a mischievous raccoon, oxidizing fats, degrading vitamins, and turning dinner into "Nope."
Check for recalls, too. Sometimes even big brands make mistakes.
Next up: test the waters.
Will your cat eat something else? Break out the bribes: food toppers, treats, tuna water, baby food (the plain kind!). You’re not spoiling them. You’re gathering intel.
Now, let’s get into triage mode, cat-style:
Code White:
Your cat is otherwise bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Hydration is good, litter box use is normal, and weight is stable.
You switched foods and suddenly life is purr-fect again.
No need to panic. Keep monitoring, but you’ve likely solved the mystery.
Code Yellow:
It’s been 2–3 days, your cat still won’t eat.
No major weight loss yet, but you’re officially worried.
Time to call your vet and schedule a checkup. The sooner you investigate, the less chance this becomes a full-blown crisis.
Code Red:
No appetite.
Noticeable weight loss—not just from the past few days, but likely creeping over weeks or months.
Maybe you’re seeing other changes: less grooming, hiding more, just not right.
Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
Go directly to your phone and call your vet. A physical exam and bloodwork are your starting line. Illnesses can sneak up on even the most observant humans—and sometimes, even the vet is fooled at first. Cats are clever secret-keepers.
Loss of appetite can mean many things. But no matter the cause, goal number one is to get that appetite back, fast. That’s where we start.
And even if your cat doesn’t have CKD, my book will still help. I wrote it for cat parents who want real strategies to help their feline friend bounce back. You’ll find tips, tricks, and enough cat wisdom to get them back eating.
