A Singapura cat's refusal to eat can typically be categorized into physiological anorexia and pathological anorexia. Physiological anorexia is often observed during teething, heat cycles, or pregnancy in cats. Changes in environment, sudden temperature fluctuations, or instances of being startled can also trigger stress responses, leading to a loss of appetite. Pathological anorexia, conversely, often manifests as an early symptom of oral diseases, gastrointestinal issues, or viral infections.
Reasons and Solutions for a Singapura Cat Not Eating
1. Physiological Anorexia
Physiological anorexia commonly occurs during periods like teething, heat, and pregnancy. Usually, there are no other abnormal symptoms, and the cat's overall condition, including spirit, temperature, breathing, eating, drinking, and bowel movements, remain normal. Stressful situations can also cause a cat to stop eating. These situations may involve environmental changes, sudden temperature shifts, being startled, or the presence of frequent visitors. Additionally, overeating or consuming hard-to-digest foods can also result in a loss of appetite.
If the lack of appetite stems from physiological reasons or a stress response, there's generally no need for significant worry. Enhancing the palatability of their food by offering wet food or treats, ensuring sufficient water intake, spending more quality time with your cat, and using treats or toys to divert their attention are all helpful steps. Typically, with a day or two of monitoring, your cat should recover on its own. In cases where overeating or indigestion is the cause, probiotics (like those from Miao Shou Doctor) can be administered. A 24-36 hour fasting period and gentle abdominal massage can aid digestion.
2. Pathological Anorexia
Pathological anorexia is often an initial symptom of an underlying illness, frequently accompanied by symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or abdominal pain. Common causes include stomatitis, periodontitis, oral ulcers, gastrointestinal diseases, or early-stage viral infectious diseases.
If you observe that your cat's loss of appetite is accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or abdominal pain, it’s crucial to take your cat to a veterinarian for a thorough examination to pinpoint the specific cause and subsequently administer the appropriate treatment.