How do I switch a picky cat to a healthier food?
Go slow and accept that “slow” for a fussy cat may mean longer than the 7 to 10 days you would use for a typical switch. Start with 90 percent old food and 10 p…
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Why won’t my cat eat right after I switched foods?
Cats are wired to be cautious about unfamiliar food. A sudden full switch from one brand or format to another commonly triggers refusal, sometimes with stomach …
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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 th…
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Why has my cat suddenly become a picky eater?
Sudden pickiness usually has a cause worth investigating. Dental pain is one of the most common: a cat with a sore tooth still wants to eat but eating hurts, so…
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Can dental or tooth pain make a cat stop eating?
Yes, and it is one of the more common hidden causes of fussy or reduced eating in adult cats. Between 50 and 90 percent of cats over four have some form of dent…
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If I just wait, will my hungry cat eventually eat?
This is the single most dangerous piece of advice for cat owners. Cats are not like dogs: a healthy adult cat that goes 24 to 48 hours without eating is at real…
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Why does my cat prefer running water?
Movement, freshness and a safer spot all play a part. What the research actually shows about fountains and intake.
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How long can a cat safely go without eating?
A healthy adult cat can usually go 24 hours without food, but past that point the risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) starts climbing, and at 48 hours of no…
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What’s whisker fatigue, and does it affect my cat’s drinking?
Whiskers are sensitive, and pressing them into a deep narrow bowl bothers some cats enough to avoid drinking. The simple fix.
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Can cats get dehydrated in winter?
Yes. Indoor heating dries the air and many cats drink less when temperatures drop. What to watch for in colder months.