When to worry about not eating

I'm trying to figure out when I should actually worry if Bean stops eating. He's a 5-year-old DSH and very shy. Yesterday he skipped his morning wet food, but he was still playing with his laser pointer in the afternoon and his litter box looked normal.

I know we all worry when our cats aren't interested in their bowls, but I want to know the specific physical signs that tell me it's just a mood or stress versus something medical. Is there a checklist I should be looking for? I feel like I'm overthinking it, but I don't want to miss a warning sign.

For what it's worth, my Mochi is 2 months old and teething. He refused his food twice this week but was still zooming around the kitchen. If he's still active and using the litter box, it's often just a phase or a minor discomfort.

Check if his gums look pink or if they're red and swollen. I had to look up kitten teething signs because I was worried he was sick, but it turned out to be his teeth. If your cat is an adult, the teething angle is out, but the activity level is still a good indicator.

Activity level is important, but not the only factor. For senior cats or those with underlying issues, lethargy can be subtle. I keep Shadow at 10 and he hides more when he feels off.

Look at his posture. Is he hunched? Is he breathing fast while resting? I wrote a thread on senor cat appetite changes where I detail how to check respiratory rate. If he's eating less but still active, monitor for 24 hours. If he stops eating entirely, that's when I start looking at liver trouble signs because feline hepatic lipidosis can set in quickly.

Oh my god, I read your post and now I'm panicking about Kiwi. He's a 1-year-old Bengal and very energetic. Sometimes he just ignores the food because he's too busy playing. I always worry if I'm doing something wrong.

I found a thread on Bengal eating habits that helped me realize that some cats are just picky or have weird schedules. But I still get anxious. Do you think the fact that he's a pure breed matters? Or is it just the age? I feel like I should be checking his weight every day.

It depends on the cat's baseline health. For Bella, who is 14 and arthritic, a skipped meal is a red flag because she might be in pain and can't reach the bowl. I had to lower her station as per arthritic cat feeding.

For a healthy young cat like Bean, one skipped meal is usually not an emergency. However, the general rule I learned in nursing school is that if a cat goes more than 24 hours without food, you need to call the vet. Cats are prone to liver issues when they fast. See how long without food for the timeline. If he is still active, using the litter, and drinking water, you can wait a day. If he is hiding, not drinking, or vomiting, go in today.

Thanks everyone. I think the distinction between 'skipping a meal but active' and 'hiding and lethargic' is what I needed. Bean is still playing, so I will monitor him for the next 24 hours. If he doesn't eat tomorrow, I will call my vet. I appreciate the links to the specific conditions like the liver issues and arthritis, that helps me know what to look for physically.