While it may be tempting to think that your cat’s just being picky, a cat refusing to eat is often a sign that something is wrong with them. This is especially true for young cats, whose immune systems have yet to properly develop, rendering them vulnerable to bacterial or viral infections that cause them to lose their appetite and energy levels.
Elderly cats are also prone to losing their appetites due to acute illnesses, such as acute kidney injury, or having chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), worsen. To make matters worse, a loss of appetite, combined with a loss of energy levels and/or weight can greatly exacerbate their decline.
In such situations, it is imperative that you take your cat to the veterinarian for a much-needed checkup and treatment session. Cats tend to hide their pain, making it hard to know when they need help. As such, signs that something may be wrong, like a refusal to eat, should be treated with the concern and speed that it deserves.
