For female cats who haven't been spayed, the heat cycle is inevitable. Cats enter into heat every two to three weeks, which means they are prepared and ready to reproduce. The cycle causes a lot of unusual symptoms in our furry pals, appetite loss being just one of them.
Appetite
Say your feline typically has a ravenous appetite and then all of a sudden appears about as interested in her bowl as she is in international relations. This points to a high likelihood she is in heat. Since heat usually lasts for more than a week in length, monitor her appetite patterns. If her appetite is gone for at least that period of time, you may have your answer.
Illness
If your cat all of a sudden isn't eating, don't always assume she's in heat, especially if the poor appetite lasts longer than a normal heat cycle. To be on the safe side, get your precious kitty checked out at the veterinarian. Sometimes, loss of appetite in cats is a symptom of a health problem -- anything from serious respiratory disorders to issues such as fleas.
Signs
If you want to be totally certain that your cat's appetite issues are related to her cycle, familiarize yourself with the other common symptoms. That way you can observe your pet's behavior in order to determine what truly is going on. Other telltale signs of heat are loud and persistent yowling, spraying, uncharacteristically loving and tactile behavior, excessive licking and restlessness.
Spaying
Instead of spending time monitoring your cat's eating patterns like a hawk, go ahead and get her spayed. Once a female cat is spayed, she no longer goes into heat. This saves her the physical stress of the cycles and pregnancy, saves you the stress of having to tolerate the heat cycle symptoms, and helps keep kitty overpopulation at bay -- a win-win-win for sure!
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.