Why Is My Cat Not Eating or Drinking?

There are many reasons a cat may stop eating and drinking, including stress reactions, parasite infections, oral problems, digestive issues, and liver disease. When a cat moves to a new environment or is frightened, it often shows a reduced appetite as a stress response. Parasite infection that upsets the stomach or conditions like gastroenteritis can also cause a cat to stop eating. In addition, oral diseases such as stomatitis or periodontitis make eating painful, so the cat avoids food. In short, the causes are numerous and treatment must target the underlying problem.