Why Won't My Cat Eat? Digestive Problems In The Older Cat

Cats don't age as dramatically as dogs. But they do age. Somewhere around the age of ten- to seventeen-years-old, you'll notice your "senior kitty-zen" slowing down. You'll notice their joints stiffening, their appetite shrinking. You'll notice your older cat rejecting the food they have always loved, even tuna!

If you have an indoor cat, you'll probably find that your cat is living longer than their outdoor counterparts. Indoor cats live 2.5 times longer than outdoor cats, and cats who divide their time between the indoors and outdoors. This is partly because indoor cats don't come across poisonous plants, poisons left for rats, infections caught from other cats, arguments with other cats, dogs, and the dangers of our roads.

Elderly cats and eating

Cat owners (or slaves, to put across the cat's viewpoint), frequently worry that their cat doesn't seem to eat what we offer. We become worried when our cat refuses to eat anything we provide for several days. Older cats appear to be frequently fussy, walking away from the teeming bowl without even eating one bite.

But is it fussiness?

There are many possible causes of anorexia (lack of appetite) in cats.

Our first little piece of advice is (if your cat has been refusing to each everything all day) to offer your cat something you know they'd always choose to eat. A small portion of tuna in spring water or a little freshly-cooked chicken are favourites. If your cat eats it, they're probably just being a little fussy that day. However, if they reject their favourite treat, you might be looking at a more serious problem.

If your cat hasn't eaten for three days or more, see a vet. See a vet immediately if your cat isn't drinking, has diarrhoea, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, or is showing any sign of pain (yowling, crying, wincing).

The Diet of the Older Cat

If your older cat has been eating only dry food, your first step if they refuse to eat (without other symptoms) is to offer a wet-food diet. Older cats need a diet that's easy to eat, and often thrive on a diet that's high in meat and natural fat. That's more easily found in wet-food. Wet-food is also particularly important to stave off dehydration and kidney disease (which can cause or exacerbate eating issues). Always go for a wet-food with a high meat or fish content.

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 Acid Reflux

Older people suffer from acid reflux. So do older cats. You might notice this if your cat is having thin, acidic vomiting in the morning. There are two very simple remedies for this problem. First, have some cat-grass in an accessible place (a windowsill is ideal). This will give your cat something to nibble when she feels sick. Secondly (and this is the best thing you can do) raise her bowls to chest level, so she doesn't have to bend down so far when she eats. This will prevent acids rising up her throat.

If you are still worried, see a vet. The vet can prescribe an antacid. Never give your cat medication without veterinary supervision.

Other Causes Of Anorexia In Older Cats

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a usually acute condition that causes an inflamed digestive tract and can occur in cats of any age. It's usually a response to eating spoiled food, swallowing unhealthy plants, intestinal parasites, or eating a bad spider. It may cause loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas (the organ essential for the production of insulin). It often inflames rapidly and can lead to death if not quickly treated. Symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, dehydration, difficulty breathing, lethargy, weight loss and fatigue.

Malabsorption

This is the poor absorption of nutrients, due to disease in the small intestine. Symptoms include loss of appetite and diarrhoea. Long-term dietary modification will be necessary once diagnosis has been made.

Gastrointestinal ulcers

Cats with stomach ulcers may have no signs, or show only loss of appetite. However, ulcers should be suspected in any cat with a history of loss of appetite and abdominal discomfort. They are detected by endoscopy (a camera down the throat and into the stomach) and biopsy, taken under anaesthetic. Once diagnosed, gastrointestinal ulcers are treated with approximately six weeks of medication and a bland diet (such as chicken, rice and cottage cheese).

Cancer of the digestive system

Sadly, cats can get cancer, the same as humans. Fortunately, less than 1% of cats will develop cancer of the digestive system, but that doesn't make it less sad for those people who find their cat is suffering from the disease. Cancer of the digestive system most commonly develops on the small intestine. Signs of cancer vary, but most commonly include, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, and signs of anaemia (such as pale gums). Like humans, the cancer is possible to treat if caught early enough. The outlook can be excellent, if the tumour can be removed. Otherwise, the outlook for cats with cancer of the digestive system is very poor.

Cardiomyopathy (Heart Disease)

Although not a digestive problem, heart disease can cause loss of appetite in cats. Cats mask heart disease well and it may be difficult to treat if left too long (early treatment is usually with beta blockers and diuretics). Watch out for these signs: loss of appetite, vomiting, difficulty breathing, being withdrawn, no longer wanting to play, distended abdomen, fainting, and lethargy. If your notice those symptoms, take your cat to the vet.

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Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is really common in older cats. The most common sign is drinking excessively, but many cats drink in secret, so monitor how many times you have to fill their water bowl. Check, too, how many times you empty their litter-tray, as frequent urination is another common sign. Also watch out for the following: loss of appetite, bloody or cloudy urination, bad breath (like ammonia), vomiting, and lethargy. Although these signs are similar to many other illnesses, they are serious. Your vet will run urine and blood tests to check what's going on in your cat's kidneys. Treatment aims to minimise the symptoms, and give your cat the best quality of life for as long as possible.

Although older cats can have some problems, it's possible - with attentiveness, quick diagnosis and your loving care - to give your friend a good and happy life into the future.