Cat Not Eating After Urinary Blockage refers to a situation where a cat stops eating normally after experiencing a blockage in its urinary tract. This blockage prevents the cat from being able to urinate properly. It is a serious medical condition that requires prompt veterinary attention.
Cat Not Eating After Urinary Blockage. This concerning combination of symptoms can indicate your cat is in distress. When a cat stops eating after a urinary blockage, it is likely experiencing pain, nausea and other discomforts making it disinterested in food. This loss of appetite warrants an urgent vet visit to relieve the blockage and restore normal urinary function.
A cat not eating after urinary blockage should raise immediate red flags for any pet owner. The lack of appetite stems from the cat feeling unwell due to its inability to pass urine properly. To relieve the cat’s discomfort, the underlying urinary blockage needs to be addressed by a veterinarian. Catching this promptly can prevent lasting harm and get your cat eagerly eating again.
Cat Stopped Eating Cat Food After A Urinary Blockage
It is common for cats to experience a decreased appetite after undergoing treatment for a urinary blockage. The blockage itself causes pain, stress, and other issues that suppress appetite.
Even after the blockage is relieved, can a spayed cat nurse kittens the cat may continue avoiding food due to lingering discomfort, side effects of treatment, or an association of the food with the negative experience.
Causes Appetite Loss In Cats After Urinary Blockages
Causes of appetite loss after a urinary blockage can include pain and inflammation in the urinary tract, side effects of medications, stress, nausea, and a learned aversion to the food eaten before or during the blockage episode. The invasive nature of clearing the obstruction also may traumatize the cat, putting it off its normal food.
Long Might My Cat Refuse Cat Food After This Procedure
The duration of appetite loss varies between cats. Some may return to normal eating within a day or two as pain and stress subside. Others might refuse food for over a week due to more severe inflammation or a stronger learned aversion. If appetite loss persists beyond a few days, veterinary attention is warranted.
Could Pain From The Urinary Blockage Reduce My Cat’s Appetite?
Yes, pain is a major cause of appetite suppression after urinary blockage treatment. The obstruction causes immense pain and discomfort, which lingers even once relieved. Inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract can make urination painful for days after, indirectly curbing the cat’s desire to eat.
The Cat Food Diet Play A Role In Post-Blockage Eating
The pre-blockage diet may negatively impact post-blockage eating if the cat associates that specific food with the painful obstruction episode. To encourage eating, vets usually recommend transitioning to a veterinary urinary or recovery formula diet optimized to promote healing and prevent future blockages. Making this diet change can help dissociate food from the trauma.
Get My Cat To Start Eating Cat Food Again After A Blockage
After an intestinal blockage, a cat may be hesitant to eat again due to nausea or associating food with pain from the recent obstruction. It is important to slowly reintroduce bland, easy to digest wet cat foods, while monitoring for signs of continued nausea or discomfort. Handfeeding small, frequent meals can help ease a cat back into eating.
Should I Try Hand-Feeding My Cat Or Changing Cat Foods?
Hand-feeding a cat is recommended after an intestinal obstruction to control portions and encourage eating. Offer foods that are extra smelly and palatable like canned kitten food, tuna, or chicken. Avoid any dry kibble initially as it may be too difficult to digest. Stick to wet, low fiber foods.
Could Appetite Stimulants Help My Cat Eat Cat Food Again?
Appetite stimulating medications prescribed by a vet can be very helpful to encourage a cat to resume eating after a blockage. Mirtazapine is commonly prescribed and works by enhancing food smell and taste. Steroids may also stimulate hunger. But hand-feeding and diet changes should be tried first before medicating.
Steps Can Encourage My Cat To Resume Eating Cat Food
Getting a cat to eat again takes patience. First, rule out illness. Take the cat to the vet. Tests may be needed.
If the cat is healthy, try different tricks. Here are some ideas:
- Warm up canned cat food to bring out smell
- Add broth or water to dry food to soften it
- Hand feed small bites of favorite flavors
- Use catnip or treats to stimulate appetite
- Try new food textures like gravy or pate
Be patient and calm. Never force feed. Feed by routine meals, not free feeding. Give cat space to try food alone. Reward with affection if cat eats.
If cat still refuses food after 2 days, go back to the vet. More treatment may be needed.
| Step | Description |
| See the vet | Rule out illness causing lack of appetite |
| Warm food | Brings out smell to stimulate appetite |
| Soften dry food | Add broth or water to dry kibble |
| Hand feeding | Feed small bites by hand to encourage eating |
| Catnip/treats | Use to stimulate appetite before meals |
| New textures | Try pate, gravy, chunks to spark interest |
| Patience | Don’t force feed, allow cat space to eat |
| Reward | Give affection if cat eats as positive reinforcement |
| Return to vet | If no eating after 2 days, urgent vet care needed |
Should I Call The Vet About My Cat’s Lack Of Eating Cat Food
Contact the veterinarian if a cat is still refusing all food and water 24 hours after returning home from obstruction treatment. Also call if symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, crying in pain, or lethargy reappear. A cat needs to start eating again within 48 hours to avoid complications like fatty liver disease. Anorexia despite interventions warrants another vet visit for fluids, feeding tube, or appetite stimulants.
Health Risks Can Result From My Cat Not Eating Cat Food
If a cat does not eat cat food for an extended period, they can develop serious health issues like liver damage, fatty liver disease, hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, vitamin deficiencies, and more. Lack of proper nutrition makes cats prone to infections and can be life-threatening over time.
Quickly Do Cats Weaken Without Eating Cat Food
Cats can start to show signs of weakness in as little as 2-3 days without eating cat food. Effects like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid weight loss can happen quickly. After 4-5 days vital organs like the liver and kidneys can start shutting down, leading to death if untreated.
Could My Cat’s Urinary Tract Be Re-Blocked If Not Eating Cat Food?
Yes, lack of water and proper nutrition from cat food increases the risk of urinary tract blockages returning in cats prone to this issue. Crystals and bladder stones can redevelop without the moisture and balanced diet cat food provides.
Liver Damage Occur If My Cat Won’t Eat Cat Food Long-Term
Absolutely. After just 2-3 days of not eating substantial cat food, cats can develop a dangerous condition called hepatic lipidosis that damages the liver. It is seen most often in overweight, inactive cats that stop eating. Liver failure, jaundice, vomiting, and death can occur if left untreated.
Lab Work Can Assess My Cat’s Health Without Cat Food Intake
Vets often recommend baseline blood work like a CBC, chemistry panel, urinalysis, bile acids test, and imaging like radiographs or ultrasound to check a cat’s overall health if they are not eating cat food. These tests help find issues like anemia, organ damage, infection, cancer.
My Cat Have Anxiety Preventing Them From Eating Cat Food
Yes, cats can develop anxiety that causes them to stop eating cat food. Common causes of feline anxiety include changes in environment or routine, introduction of new people or animals, loud noises, or illness/injury.
Anxious cats may hide, act aggressively, urinate outside the litterbox, or refuse food. If your cat stops eating due to stressors, try minimizing changes and creating a calming environment to help them return to normal eating habits.
Cats Associate Cat Food With Pain After Urinary Issues
Cats that have experienced painful urinary issues can come to associate the pain with eating cat food or using the litterbox. This can cause them to avoid cat food or have difficulty urinating. Consulting your vet is important, as urinary blockages can become life-threatening. Your vet can provide medication for pain/inflammation and recommend urinary or calming diets to help your cat eat comfortably again.
Can Medications Reduce Anxieties Impacting My Cat’s Cat Food Intake?
Yes, medications can help reduce anxiety and increase appetite in cats. Anti-anxiety supplements containing ingredients like alpha-casozepine can increase relaxation and calm stressed cats. Probiotics with beneficial bacteria may also blunt cortisol production and support immune function during stress.
Pain medications prescribed by your vet can target discomfort associated with litterbox use or eating. Medications can take weeks to reach full effect, so be patient.
What Calming Aids Might Help My Cat Return To Eating Cat Food?
Non-medical calming options include pheromone collars/diffusers, toys/treat puzzles, elevated feeding stations, quiet spaces, and consistent routines. Playtime and training also build confidence and security. Calming diets with ingredients to soothe skin, stomach, and urinary tract irritation may also help cats eat comfortably. Finding the right solution takes trial and error since each cat is different.
Make Cat Food Time Relaxing Again
Making a peaceful mealtime environment can encourage your cat to eat calmly. Try a quiet, low-traffic area with consistent location/timing, soft music, calming pheromones, and limited distractions. Hand feeding small portions or use of puzzle feeders can rebuild positive associations. Patience, positive interactions, and veterinary behaviorist guidance may also help your cat relax enough to eat freely again. Consult your vet if appetite or behavior problems persist.
Steps Should I Take If My Cat Still Refuses Cat Food
If your cat continues to refuse cat food after trying different foods, flavors, textures, etc., the next step is to schedule a veterinary exam.
Cats that go 24 hours without eating risk developing hepatic lipidosis, a dangerous liver disease. Your vet can run bloodwork and evaluate for underlying illness causing inappetence.
They may prescribe appetite stimulants or recommend assisted feeding with a syringe or feeding tube. Monitor urine and stool output at home, and track your cat’s food intake and weight.
When Is A Feeding Tube Necessary If My Cat Won’t Eat Cat Food?
If a cat hasn’t eaten for over 48 hours, a feeding tube may be placed to provide nutrition and prevent starvation. Tubes can be temporary or permanent depending on the cause and prognosis.
Permanent tubes are considered for chronic conditions when cats can’t or won’t eat enough on their own. They carry risks like infection and irritation. Temporary tubes allow time to diagnose and treat an underlying condition while maintaining nutrition short-term.
Could There Be Other Underlying Causes For My Cat Not Eating Cat Food?
Many conditions can cause inappetence in cats – dental disease, cancer, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal issues, parasites, viral infections, etc. Stress and changes in environment can also contribute.
Kittens may refuse food due to birth defects, low blood sugar, dehydration or inadequate milk supply from the mother. The specific cause determines treatment, but assisting cats to eat is crucial, especially when an underlying condition exists.
What Exams Help Identify Why My Cat Stopped Eating Cat Food?
Initial exams include a physical, bloodwork, urinalysis and imaging like x-rays or ultrasound. These help evaluate organ function, look for masses, foreign material, etc. Further testing like biopsies, endoscopy or exploratory surgery may be warranted.
For kittens, weighing daily and examining the mother’s milk supply and health are important. Ongoing monitoring of food intake, weight, bloodwork and symptoms help gauge treatment efficacy.
Who Can I Turn To If My Cat Won’t Eat Cat Food Long-Term?
Your veterinarian is the first resource for identifying why your cat stopped eating Cat Food and creating a treatment plan. Long-term, you may need to work closely with a veterinary internal medicine specialist if your cat requires a permanent feeding tube or has a chronic condition causing inappetence.
These specialists can provide nutritional support, prescribe medications, and develop home care plans for assisted feeding. They will collaborate with your general vet for follow up care. Support from veterinary nurses may also help manage tube feedings.
Frequently Asked Question
Why has my cat stopped eating after a urinary blockage?
Discomfort, stress or associating food with pain may reduce appetite.
How long can a cat go without eating after a urinary obstruction?
More than 1-2 days without food can become dangerous and requires prompt veterinary attention.
What home remedies help a cat start eating again after urinary issues?
Encouraging play, pheromones, puzzles and patience can rebuild positive associations with food.
Should I change my cat’s diet after treatment for a urinary blockage?
Yes, veterinary prescription diets help prevent recurrence of crystals and stones.
Is loss of appetite after a urinary obstruction an emergency?
Yes, consult a vet promptly if your cat stops eating as health can deteriorate rapidly.
Conclusion
A urinary blockage is very dangerous for cats. It stops them from peeing. This can badly hurt their body. It can even kill them if not treated fast.
A cat not eating after a urinary blockage is also very serious. Their body is already weak from the blockage. Not eating makes it worse. It can lead to liver disease. And their organs could start failing. This would likely be fatal for the cat. Getting a cat eating again after a blockage takes vet care.
The cat may need assisted feedings, medicines, or IV fluids. With quick vet treatment, most cats recover after a urinary blockage. But they need special food and care at home too. This helps stop blockages from happening again.
