Dr. rer. nat. Saskia Schneider Managing Editor

September 24, 2026, 3:07 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Cat Has No Appetite

The most common reason why a cat sniffs the food but doesn’t eat is a lack of appetite. This can have various causes. Either the cat simply doesn’t have an appetite for the current type of food, or the hunger isn’t as great as expected.

Many owners also make the mistake of immediately refilling the bowl whenever the cat meows in front of them. The animal might be asking for playtime or petting, or it might just be bored. This can quickly lead to some cats being fed too often, which can reduce their appetite and result in them not eating every time.

Age can also play a role. Just like with humans, the appetite of older cats decreases. ^{1, 2}

Cat Has Conditioned Us Well

Cats are masters of manipulation. They know exactly how to get their humans to fill the bowl with whatever their majesty currently desires. However, it’s not the cat’s fault but the human’s. Many give in too quickly and open a second type of food if the cat doesn’t eat.

But it’s worth waiting. I often observe that cats initially make a long face if the desired food doesn’t land in the bowl, but then start eating after some time. However, you shouldn’t leave the food in the bowl for more than an hour–at least not with wet food. Contact with air can cause it to dry out, and then many cats won’t want to eat it even more.

My tip: Leave the food out for a maximum of half an hour, then put it away so the cat can’t smell it and it doesn’t dry out. After an hour, you can try again.

Cat Doesn’t Eat Due to Bad Experiences

Anyone who has ever had an upset stomach knows that the dish or food you last ate can make you feel nauseous. Something similar can happen with cats. The food doesn’t even have to be the cause of the stomach upset. But I’ve often observed with my cat Sweety that she wouldn’t eat the type of food she last had after a gastrointestinal infection (which she unfortunately got more often).

It’s worth getting your cat used to more than one type of food, otherwise switching can be difficult. That’s why I feed different types of food from various manufacturers. This also prevents issues if a food is reformulated (another reason why a cat might suddenly stop eating) or taken off the market.

Also interesting: Feeding your cat only twice a day can risk its health

Food Doesn’t Smell Strong Enough

For cats, it’s not the appearance but mainly the smell that matters. That’s why many manufacturers ensure the food smells strong and appealing to cats. However, the food can lose its scent, especially dry food. While many packages are airtight, constant contact with air over time can lead to a loss of smell.

Food that comes from the fridge and is cold can also smell less strong. Aside from the fact that cats should never be given food directly from the fridge, it can be worthwhile to slightly warm wet food to release more aroma. For dry food, I freeze smaller portions and thaw them fresh as needed.

Loss of Smell

Cats can also lose their sense of smell–for example, during a cold. Just like us, everything tastes a bit bland then. Or the cat sniffs the food but can hardly perceive any smell and therefore doesn’t eat. Usually, the loss of smell is associated with an illness and is only temporary. However, there are rare cases where cats can permanently lose their sense of smell. In such cases, you should definitely discuss the cause and further steps with a veterinarian.

Illnesses

In addition to illnesses like colds, which come with a loss of smell, fever, gastrointestinal diseases, or pain can also cause a cat to sniff the food but not eat. Usually, the animals appear generally lethargic, sleep a lot, or don’t come at the usual times to loudly beg for food. You should observe all these signs and, in case of doubt, visit a veterinarian.

Also interesting: Why Cats Leave Food on the Edge of the Bowl

More on the topic

Expert Explains Cat Needs an Appetizer Before Eating! Possible Reasons

Bowl Remains Half Full Researchers Solve the Mystery of Why Cats Don’t Finish Their Food

Dental Problems

A classic issue–and unfortunately recognized too late in many cats–is dental problems. Inflammations in the mouth, broken teeth, or the dental disease FORL can cause a cat to stop eating. The tricky part is that many dental diseases progress slowly and are often diagnosed too late.

Cat Doesn’t Eat–When to See a Vet?

Unlike dogs, which can handle fasting for a day or two, it becomes critical for cats after 24 hours. This is due to the metabolism of fat in the liver. After a day of fasting, the body activates fat reserves, leading to a large amount of fatty acids being stored in the liver. This can quickly result in liver fattening. Veterinarians refer to this as hepatic lipidosis, which can be fatal if untreated. Overweight or older cats are at high risk.

If your cat doesn’t eat for more than 24 hours, you should see a vet. In this case, it’s better to be too early than too late!

Dr. rer. nat. Saskia Schneider Managing Editor

About the Author

Dr. Saskia Schneider is a biologist with a Ph.D. During her studies at the Free University of Berlin, she focused on zoology and animal behavior. In addition to training as an editor, she completed training as a behavior consultant with a focus on cats.