Can a cat actually starve itself by being picky?
Yes, and cats are unusual among pets in this respect. When a cat stops eating, fat moves from her body to the liver faster than the liver can process it, and the result is hepatic lipidosis, a condition that can be fatal without treatment. Overweight cats are at the highest risk. This is why it is never a good idea to “wait out” a picky cat by withholding food. A genuinely hungry, healthy cat will usually eat within a meal or two of a slow food change. One who refuses for 24 to 48 hours needs a vet.