A Persian cat eating less after a food change: an online vet case

The case at a glance

Patient

Persian cat

Age

6 years

Seen

Live video call, October 2026

Vet

A MatchVet vet

What the owner told us

The cat's food intake had dropped over a few days, and her diet had recently been changed.

The owner hadn't noticed any weight loss and reported no other problems.

What the vet advised

• A live video consult, with a MatchVet vet on the call.
• A short course of medicines for 5 to 7 days, given with food.
• A clear limit: if she was still not eating after 24 hours, visit a clinic or vet in person.

We don't publish medicine names or doses. They were worked out for this animal, and copying them can harm yours.

What happened next

The owner had a treatment plan and a clear point at which to stop waiting. Our record of this case ends with the prescription, so we aren't claiming an outcome here.

What other owners can learn from this

A cat that stops eating can't wait long. When a cat goes without food for a couple of days, fat moves into the liver and can cause hepatic lipidosis, a serious condition. Overweight cats are at particular risk. Don't wait it out.

Change food slowly. Mix a little more of the new food into the old one each day over 5 to 7 days. Many cats refuse a sudden switch, and a fussy phase can turn into not eating at all.

A video call has limits, so set a deadline. Not eating has many causes, and some need hands on the belly or a blood test. That's why the plan had a 24-hour limit. If yours doesn't have one, ask your vet for one.

Emergency? Trouble breathing, seizures, heavy bleeding, not passing urine or poisoning need a clinic now, not a video call.

Read next

• Cat not eating? What to do
• Online vet consultation