Do not force-feed
Do not put food or water into the mouth unless a veterinarian instructs you. Cornell notes that forced feeding can worsen food aversion.
Cat health · Japan
My cat is not eating: when to call a vet
Do not assume your cat is only being picky. Appetite loss can be caused by dental pain, stomach or organ disease, stress and other problems that need a veterinary examination.
Call a veterinarian now for emergency signs
Do not wait for 24 hours if your cat has trouble breathing, collapses, cannot stand, has repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful abdomen, seizures, suspected poisoning, cannot drink, or has pale, blue or yellow gums or skin. Call the clinic before travelling and confirm that it can accept your cat.
Do not use 24 hours as a reason to delay
Cornell University’s Feline Health Center says sustained appetite loss can seriously affect a mature cat in as little as 24 hours, and advises owners to contact a veterinarian as soon as signs of feline anorexia are noticed. A kitten, an older cat, or a cat with diabetes, kidney disease or another condition may need help sooner.
Cats that stop eating can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome), especially when overweight. The cause of the appetite loss still needs to be identified and treated by a veterinarian.
Record these facts before you call
- Time and amount of the last normal meal
- Whether the cat drinks and keeps water down
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, urine and stool changes
- Breathing, alertness, hiding, drooling or signs of pain
- Current weight and any recent weight loss
- New food, medicine, plants, chemicals or possible foreign objects
- Medical conditions, medicines and recent treatment
- Age, sex, breed and whether the cat is neutered
Short Japanese call script for a veterinary clinic
Replace the brackets before calling. If the clinic cannot communicate in English, ask a Japanese-speaking person to help.
猫が食べません。 [時間]から、何も／ほとんど食べていません。 水は[飲めます／飲めません]。 [嘔吐・下痢・元気がない・呼吸が苦しそう]があります。 年齢は[ ]歳、体重は[ ]kgです。 持病は[ ]、薬は[ ]です。 今から診てもらえますか？ My cat is not eating. Since [time], my cat has eaten [nothing / very little]. My cat [can / cannot] drink water. There is [vomiting / diarrhoea / lethargy / breathing difficulty]. Age: [ ], weight: [ ] kg. Medical conditions: [ ], medicines: [ ]. Can you examine my cat now?
If breathing is difficult, the cat has collapsed or poisoning is possible, say that first.
What not to do while waiting for advice
Do not give human medicine
Many human medicines are unsafe for cats. Ask a veterinarian before giving any drug or supplement.
Do not keep changing diets
Repeatedly offering unfamiliar foods can hide the pattern. Record what was offered and follow veterinary advice.
Questions and answers
How long can I wait if my cat is not eating?
Contact a veterinarian when you notice the appetite loss. Cornell states that a mature cat can be seriously affected when it persists for as little as 24 hours. Do not wait if other symptoms are present.
Should I force-feed my cat?
No, unless a veterinarian gives specific instructions. Forcing food can make food aversion worse and can be unsafe in a sick cat.
What should I tell a veterinary clinic in Japan?
Give the last normal meal time, water intake, vomiting, urine and stool, activity, medical history, medicines and your expected arrival time. Use the bilingual script above.
Veterinary sources
Sources checked 14 November 2026. This guide does not diagnose a cause and does not replace a veterinary examination.