Cats are known for their love of food and the excitement they show at mealtimes. So, it can be concerning when your feline friend starts to become finicky, only nibbling at their food, leaving meals unfinished, or worse, refusing to eat altogether (a condition known as anorexia). This loss of appetite in cats is often a sign of an underlying medical issue that could be serious and needs attention.
It’s crucial to understand that a cat’s refusal to eat is rarely just a matter of being picky. Loss of appetite in cats can quickly lead to significant health complications, and home remedies are usually not sufficient to resolve it. In fact, anorexia in cats is considered a medical emergency.
If your cat is showing signs of appetite loss, a prompt visit to the veterinarian is essential. Veterinarians are skilled at diagnosing the root cause of the issue and providing the right treatment plan. Often, vets will prescribe appetite stimulants for cats as a crucial part of getting them back to eating and recovering. The sooner your anorexic cat receives professional veterinary care, the better their chances of a positive outcome.
Please remember, while this article provides information about cat appetite stimulants, it is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your veterinarian for any health concerns your cat may have.
Why Cats Lose Their Appetite: Common Causes
Several factors can contribute to a decreased appetite in cats. Identifying the underlying cause is key to effective treatment. Here are some common reasons why your cat might stop eating:
- Underlying Illness: Infections, whether viral or bacterial, and inflammatory diseases can significantly impact a cat’s desire to eat. These conditions often cause systemic upset, making your cat feel unwell and uninterested in food.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can sometimes have the unintended side effect of reducing appetite in cats. If your cat has recently started a new medication and is eating less, discuss this with your veterinarian.
- Internal Health Issues: Chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus in cats, feline kidney disease, and liver disease in cats can all lead to a loss of appetite. These diseases often affect metabolic processes and overall well-being, impacting hunger signals.
- Stress and Anxiety: Cats are sensitive creatures, and stress in cats can manifest in various ways, including a decreased appetite. New environments, changes in routine, or the presence of new pets or people can trigger stress and anxiety in cats, leading to reduced eating. Even fearful cats might stop eating in situations they perceive as threatening.
- Cancer: Unfortunately, cancer in cats is another potential cause of appetite loss. Cancer can affect various bodily functions and cause general malaise, leading to anorexia.
When Are Appetite Stimulants Necessary for Cats?
Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination, reviewing your cat’s medical history and performing a physical check-up to determine if an appetite stimulant is the right course of action. There are several scenarios where your vet might decide to prescribe these medications:
- Post-Illness Recovery: Appetite stimulants can be very helpful in speeding up a cat’s recovery after an illness. When cats are unwell, they often stop eating, and getting them back to a normal eating pattern is crucial for regaining strength.
- Short-Term Support During Diagnosis: While waiting for diagnostic test results, your vet might prescribe an appetite stimulant as a short-term measure. This ensures your cat receives some nutritional support while the underlying cause of appetite loss is being investigated.
- Post-Surgical Recovery: After surgery, cats may experience decreased appetite due to anesthesia, pain, or stress. Appetite stimulants can encourage them to eat and aid in their recovery process.
- Managing Chronic Conditions: For cats with chronic illnesses like chronic kidney disease or cancer, appetite stimulants can be a valuable tool to support their nutritional needs and maintain their quality of life. These conditions can persistently reduce appetite, and stimulants can help ensure they continue to eat.
However, it’s important to recognize that appetite stimulants are not a universal solution. In cases where a cat is critically ill or severely malnourished, appetite stimulants might not be effective enough. In such situations, a feeding tube may be a more appropriate and necessary intervention to provide adequate nutrition and support recovery.
Chart of tube feeding in cats.
It’s also vital to remember that even if your cat is eating something, it doesn’t automatically mean they are consuming enough calories to maintain their health. Your veterinarian will likely advise you to weigh your cat regularly, ideally daily, using a scale accurate for pets. This helps monitor whether they are gaining weight appropriately and receiving sufficient nutrition.
Types of Prescription Cat Appetite Stimulants
Veterinarians have several prescription appetite stimulants available to help cats regain their appetite. Here are some of the most commonly used options:
Mirtazapine (Mirataz): A Widely Used Option
Mirataz, containing the active ingredient mirtazapine, is often the first-line appetite stimulant prescribed for cats. It’s even FDA-approved for unintended weight loss in cats, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing appetite issues. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant that works by blocking chemical messengers in the brain that are associated with nausea and appetite suppression. It’s thought to stimulate appetite through multiple pathways in the feline body.
Mirtazapine is available in different formulations:
- Oral Tablets: Tablets are a common form for oral administration.
- Transdermal Ointment (Mirataz): Mirataz is formulated as a topical ointment that is applied to the inner ear, making it easier to administer, especially to cats who resist oral medication.
Potential side effects of Mirataz can include:
- Application Site Reactions: Redness or irritation at the application site when using the transdermal ointment.
- Sedation or Grogginess: Some cats may become drowsy or less alert after receiving mirtazapine.
- Agitation or Vocalization: In some cases, mirtazapine can paradoxically cause increased vocalization or restlessness.
Capromorelin (Elura): Specifically for Chronic Kidney Disease
Elura, with the active ingredient capromorelin, is FDA-approved for managing unintended weight loss associated with chronic kidney disease in cats. This makes it a targeted option for cats whose appetite loss is linked to this specific condition. Capromorelin functions by increasing growth hormone levels, which in turn signals the brain to stimulate appetite.
Elura is available as a liquid oral medication, which is administered directly into the cat’s mouth.
Common side effects associated with Elura may include:
- Vomiting: Some cats might experience vomiting after taking Elura.
- Decreased Appetite: Ironically, in some instances, Elura can lead to a temporary decrease in appetite.
Maropitant Citrate (Cerenia): Targeting Nausea-Induced Appetite Loss
Cerenia contains maropitant citrate and is primarily an anti-nausea medication. While not technically classified as an appetite stimulant, it can be incredibly beneficial for cats experiencing nausea-related anorexia. By effectively blocking nausea in cats, Cerenia can help alleviate discomfort and indirectly encourage them to start eating again.
The injectable form of Cerenia is FDA-approved for cats for the treatment of sudden vomiting. Oral formulations, including tablets and compounded versions, are not FDA-approved for cats, but veterinarians commonly use them off-label. This “extra-label” use is legal and allows vets to utilize medications approved for humans or other animals when they believe it will benefit their feline patients.
Maropitant, the active ingredient in Cerenia, works by blocking the vomiting center in the brain. This action reduces nausea, allowing cats to feel more comfortable and potentially regain their appetite.
A common side effect of Cerenia injection is pain or vocalization at the injection site.
Cyproheptadine: A Longer-Term Appetite Support
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine medication that is also used as an appetite stimulant in cats, except in cases of hepatic lipidosis in cats (fatty liver disease). It works by blocking histamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that can suppress appetite.
Cyproheptadine is often chosen for longer-term appetite stimulation because it may take a few days to become fully effective.
It is available in:
- Generic Tablets: Cyproheptadine is available as a generic tablet.
- Compounded Tablets/Capsules: It can also be obtained in compounded forms, such as capsules or flavored tablets, which can be easier to administer.
Currently, cyproheptadine is not FDA-approved for veterinary use, but vets can legally prescribe it in an extra-label manner when they deem it appropriate.
Side effects of cyproheptadine can include:
- Sedation or Hyperexcitability: Cats may exhibit either drowsiness or, paradoxically, increased excitability.
- Dry Mouth: Reduced saliva production can occur as a side effect.
Natural Ways to Encourage Your Cat to Eat (and When They’re Not Enough)
While prescription appetite stimulants are often necessary for cats with significant appetite loss, there are also some natural approaches you can try to encourage your cat to eat, especially for milder cases or to supplement veterinary treatment. However, remember that if your cat has stopped eating, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian first to rule out any serious underlying medical conditions.
Probiotic Supplements: Supporting Gut Health
Probiotics for cats are beneficial live microorganisms that can help restore a healthy balance of bacteria in your cat’s digestive system. This improved gut health can enhance digestion and sometimes stimulate appetite.
Probiotic supplements are often available in powdered form, such as Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora or Nutramax Proviable. Sprinkling these powders on top of your cat’s food or mixing them in can make the food more appealing, especially to picky eaters. Many cats find the taste of probiotics enticing.
Palatable Food Options: Canned Food and Toppers
Offering highly palatable canned cat food is a simple yet effective way to stimulate appetite. Canned food generally has a stronger aroma and softer texture that can be more appealing to cats, especially those with a reduced appetite.
Your veterinarian might recommend trying specific over-the-counter palatable foods and toppers, including options like Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach, Fancy Feast, and Friskies Lil’ Soups Toppers.
In some cases, your vet may prescribe a therapeutic diet, such as Royal Canin Recovery or Hill’s Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care. These diets are specifically formulated to be highly palatable and nutrient-dense, often containing high levels of protein and fats to encourage eating and support recovery.
Other Tips to Tempt a Fussy Cat
Beyond specific foods and supplements, you can also try these general strategies to encourage your cat to eat:
- Provide a Quiet Eating Space: Offer your cat a peaceful and private area to eat, away from other pets or household commotion. This can reduce stress and make them feel more comfortable eating.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Wash food and water bowls daily. Cats are sensitive to odors, and clean bowls make mealtime more appealing.
- Separate Food and Water from Litter Box: Cats are instinctively averse to eating near their elimination areas. Keep food and water bowls in a separate room and far away from the litter box.
- Warm Up Canned Food: Lightly warming canned food can enhance its aroma, making it more enticing to cats with a diminished appetite.
Cat Appetite Stimulants FAQs
What is the best appetite stimulant for cats?
The “best” appetite stimulant depends on the individual cat and the underlying cause of their appetite loss. However, commonly prescribed and effective options include Mirataz, Elura, Cerenia, and cyproheptadine. These are all available by prescription from your veterinarian.
How quickly do appetite stimulants work in cats?
Most appetite stimulants start to show effects within a few hours of administration. Cyproheptadine may take a bit longer, around two and a half days, to become fully effective. If your cat is still not eating adequately after two to three days on an appetite stimulant, it’s crucial to revisit your veterinarian for a re-evaluation.
How can I stimulate my cat’s appetite naturally?
You can try offering savory canned food, gently warming their food, adding a sprinkle of probiotic powder, or using food toppers to enhance palatability. For dry food, consider using a food puzzle toy to make mealtime more engaging. However, remember that decreased appetite is often a sign of an underlying medical issue, so consulting with your veterinarian to determine the cause is essential.
References
- Agnew W, Korman R. Pharmacological appetite stimulation: Rational choices in the inappetent cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. August 2014.
