All animals need to eat to survive. But despite this need to eat, sometimes your cat may not want anything to do with food. You may think they are simply rebelling until they get their way, and although this could be the case, there are actually many other reasons why your feline may be avoiding licking its food bowl clean.

Here are five reasons why your cat may not be eating, courtesy of a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS:

• Illness: One of the obvious signs that your cat is ill or isn’t feeling like its normal self is that it’s not eating. This is because cats and many other animals tend to lose their appetites when they are feeling ill. There isn’t one specific illness that can cause your cat to stop eating, so it is important to pay close attention to your feline’s eating habits. It will help you recognize when there is a problem and allow you to seek help in a timely manner.
• Strange and unfamiliar surroundings: Cats love to be in their own space, which means that when they are anywhere away from their homes, they may feel uncomfortable and not behave in the way they normally do. Not only can cats be less social when they are in an unfamiliar place, they can stop eating as well. Until they are comfortable or back in a space they recognize, they may not eat at all.
• Travel: Dogs may get excited about joining the family on vacation, but cats are rarely enthusiastic about getting into a car or riding on a plane. Most cats get motion sickness or start to feel ill when traveling, so it wouldn’t be uncommon for the same to happen to your cat. If this does occur, they may refuse to eat because they don’t have an appetite or simply can’t keep anything down. Hopefully, this will change once the trip is complete and they are more comfortable.
• Anxiety or depression: Sometimes, a cat doesn’t have to be physically ill to experience a loss of appetite. Similar to humans, when cats are depressed or feeling anxious, eating may be the last thing they want to do. These two psychological issues can be brought on by various things, including changes in the household (such as another animal being brought into the home) or a shift in their daily routine.
• Vaccinations: Your cat will probably visit the vet regularly for checkups and any other animal care that you cannot take care of yourself, like vaccinations. There isn’t really any animal that looks forward to getting vaccinations, and cats are no exception. After getting a vaccination, cats tend to experience a number of side effects. Along with fatigue, they may lose their appetite. Like many of the factors that may cause your cat not to eat, this is temporary and will not last very long.

It is never okay to let your cat go for days without eating. Whether or not you know what is wrong, not eating can cause them to grow weak and make things worse. Should your cat go too long without a meal, seeking assistance from a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS is of the utmost importance.

Are you concerned about your cat’s eating habits and need answers to your questions? You can contact a veterinarian at the D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital today for more information.