Why isn’t my cat eating?

Original Question: We adopted this 10-year-old cat from the SPCA 2 weeks ago. She will not eat and we are force-feeding her. We took her to vet and he says it’s anxiety - she is not on medication. - Audrey

Jun 26, 2018

Hi Audrey,

Thanks for writing to us.

Any time a cat refuses to eat for an extended period, this is a cause for concern. You did the right thing in taking her to your vet to see what might be going on. There are many reasons why a cat may not eat. In this case, trying to reduce any possible sources of stress (such as interactions with other pets, loud noises, etc.) could help, and sometimes offering food in a quiet, secluded area may help when nervous cat behavior is displayed. You may also want to try offering different types of food. Many cats have strong food texture preferences and may prefer canned, dry or a mixture, and refuse to eat anything else. I certainly would encourage you to consult with your vet again and investigate things further if the inappetence continues.