As a cat owner, it can be worrying and frustrating when your furry friend refuses to eat or doesn't finish their meals. But, stimulating a cat's appetite is possible, and there are many tips and tricks that can help encourage your cat to eat. In this article, we will explore some effective ways to stimulate appetite in cats. Whether your cat is a senior, a fussy eater, or recovering from an illness, these tips will help you get it back on track to a healthy and happy appetite. So, let's dive in and learn how to get your cat excited about mealtime again!

Understanding appetite loss in cats

The first step in stimulating a cat's appetite is understanding what might be causing the loss of appetite. Common causes include stress, changes in the environment, and pain or illness. It is essential that cats receive balanced nutrition every day to ensure they get all the essential nutrients their bodies need for optimal health.

A severely depressed appetite or anorexia in cats is when they lose their appetite because of illness. Additionally, some diseases will make the cat feel nauseous during eating and there is then an association between eating and nausea which will result in a lack of appetite.

Common diseases that result in appetite loss in cats include:

If appetite loss is also accompanied by other symptoms (e.g. vomiting, lethargy, hiding, etc.), it is crucial that you contact your veterinarian so they can diagnose and treat the underlying illness.

A large amount of daily moisture in cats occurs from eating, whether it's dry kibble or canned food. Therefore, regardless of the cause, inappetence in cats can and will result in dehydration and clinical dehydration will further reduce appetite in cats. This ends up being a vicious cycle of decreasing energy and health in cats.

While we do recommend adding toppers to increase palatability and stimulate appetite in cats, there is a risk of doing so. There may be a behavioral factor where cats can quickly become choosy only to receive the reward of more delicious and tasty foods. Soon enough they learn how to act in order to acquire their desired treat!

Natural ways to stimulate appetite in cats

Here we will cover the natural ways to stimulate appetite in cats without resorting to medication or other interventions. These are more successful in stimulating appetite in cats when their appetite is not reduced because of a medical issue.

  1. Lure with delicious food: Cats are naturally curious creatures and respond to strong aromas. Try luring your cat with a few pieces of their favorite wet food or chunks of fresh tuna. You can also add low-sodium broth or tuna juice to the food as well.
  2. Provide variety: Providing variety in their meal plan can stimulate their appetite. Additionally, cats much prefer buffet-style offerings compared to mixing foods together. Offer different textures (e.g., wet and dry food) and flavors. Many foods will have different types of canned food that will provide different textures such as pate, loaves, chunks gravy, etc. Many cats will prefer one texture over another so feel free to experiment.
  3. Include warm food: Warm food is more attractive to cats and stimulates their appetite due to the increased aroma of the food. You can heat up wet food or add warm water to dry kibble.
  4. Feed in different locations: Cats love this as it brings out their natural hunting instincts. Try feeding in different locations around the house, and change it daily.
  5. Food dispensing toys and puzzles: This is a great way to stimulate appetite and get cats more active. Foraging toys can be filled with dry kibble or treats that the cat needs to work for by flipping over boxes or pushing out pieces of food from a toy. This also prevents boredom and increases physical activity which can help to stimulate appetite in cats.

Another option to help stimulate your cat's appetite is to sprinkle some Fortiflora® powder onto their food. We have found this to be very helpful and beneficial for those picky eaters.

Foriflora is a probiotic and comes in individual powder sachets. It is easily found from pet stores or from your veterinarian.

Medical ways to stimulate appetite in cats

If you have attempted to stimulate your cat's appetite and are unsuccessful, it is very important to consult your veterinarian. There are medical interventions that can stimulate appetite in cats if necessary and are typically used to maintain appetite throughout the treatment of an illness.

1. Mirtazapine

Mirtazapine is a clinically proven medication that is used to stimulate appetite in cats. Mirtazapine works by affecting serotonin and histamine receptors in the brain, which can stimulate appetite and increase the desire to eat.

Mirtazapine is usually given as an oral tablet or transdermal gel and can take effect within a few hours of administration. With the transdermal gel (Mirataz®), cats show rapid and consistent absorption with repeated doses, providing effective and reliable results.

What's the dosage of mirtazapine in cats?

Studies have shown that a smaller dose every other day (1.88 mg per cat) is often enough to help with appetite without causing too many side effects.

For normal cats, 1 mg every other day is recommended. Younger cats often need it more frequently, while older or sick cats might need it less often (e.g. every 3 days).

However, it is important to note that while mirtazapine can be effective in improving appetite in cats, it should only be used under the supervision of a veterinarian, and potential side effects should be closely monitored.

Side effects of mirtazapine for cats

While mirtazapine for cats is well tolerated, potential adverse effects may occur. These can include things like changes in behavior, vomiting, or dehydration, especially when using the transdermal ointment. The oral pill form can cause muscle twitches, hyperactivity, or more meowing than usual.

Potential drug interactions

If your cat is already taking medicines for anxiety or behavior, like fluoxetine or amitriptyline, it's important to talk to your vet before starting mirtazapine. Since it increases a chemical called serotonin in the brain, it can interact with these medications.

It is essential to discuss any concerns or questions regarding the use of mirtazapine with your veterinarian to ensure the best course of treatment for your cat.

2. Capromorelin (Entyce®)

Capromorelin, commonly marketed under the name Entyce®, is a relatively new medication that has been approved by the FDA to stimulate appetite in dogs and is used off-label by veterinarians to stimulate appetite in cats.

Capromorelin works by mimicking the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates hunger in animals. By activating ghrelin receptors in the brain, capromorelin can increase appetite and encourage cats to eat. While still relatively new to the veterinary market, early studies have shown promising results in cats, with minimal side effects reported.

As with any medication, it is important to consult with your veterinarian before using capromorelin to treat your cat's loss of appetite. It is also important to note that while capromorelin can stimulate appetite, it should not be used as a substitute for treating the underlying condition causing the loss of appetite.

Other key points about stimulating appetite in cats

Appetite stimulants in cats are designed to maintain appetite to prevent dehydration and malnutrition. However, it is important to understand the underlying cause of a cat's loss of appetite and address it quickly. If you are concerned about your cat's lack of appetite, be sure to contact your veterinarian for guidance.

If your cat was hospitalized and was offered and eating a specific canned food there, it is important not to use the exact food at home. It sounds counter-intuitive but we don't want the smell of the food to remind your cat of the hospital. We want to stimulate appetite by providing an exciting and unfamiliar environment as well as offering different flavors and textures of food.

Some cats may be finicky eaters but maintain an ideal body condition. If your veterinarian finds that your cat has an ideal body condition score (BCS), steps to stimulate appetite may not be needed.

In conclusion, some cats are naturally finicky eaters and some cats will have a reduced appetite or go off food altogether (anorexia) as a result of a medical issue. It is important to work with your veterinarian to determine why your cat has a lack of appetite and work towards a plan to regain its appetite.

There are many ways to stimulate appetite in cats such as environmental enrichment and offering different flavours and textures of food. If these methods do not work, medical interventions like mirtazapine or capromorelin can be used under the supervision of a veterinarian. It is also essential to determine the underlying cause for loss of appetite so that any potential health issues can be addressed quickly. With proper care and attention, you should be able to help restore your cat’s healthy eating habits! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian!