June 25, 2025, 2:38 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Cats can be quite finicky eaters. A quick sniff—no, I don’t like that. But why do so many cats exhibit this behavior, and when should owners be concerned?
Many of you are likely familiar with the situation: The cat meows heartbreakingly, as if it’s about to starve, eagerly runs to the bowl, sniffs the food once–and turns away. Does the food not taste good? Is she in pain or sick? These are the thoughts many have when the cat seems interested in the food but ultimately doesn’t eat. Fortunately, the reasons are usually harmless and–I’m sorry to say–often self-inflicted. However, you should closely observe the behavior, especially if it continues after several food changes, as illnesses or dental problems could be the cause.
Cat Has No Appetite
The most common reason a cat sniffs the food but doesn’t eat is a lack of appetite. This can have various causes. Either the cat simply isn’t in the mood for the current type of food, or the hunger isn’t as great as it seemed.
Many owners also make the mistake of immediately rushing to the bowl to refill it 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, this behavior is not the cat’s fault, but the human’s. Many give in too quickly and open a second type of food when the cat doesn’t eat.
But it’s worth waiting. I often observe that cats initially make a long face when 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 at all.
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 various types of food from different manufacturers. This also helps 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 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 as needed.
Loss of Smell
Cats can also lose their sense of smell–for example, during a cold. Just like us, everything tastes bland then. Or the cat sniffs the food but can hardly detect any scent 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.
Dental Problems
A classic–and unfortunately often recognized too late in many cats–are 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.
Is Your Cat Suddenly Drooling? These Are the Possible Reasons
How to Tell if Your Turtle Is Unwell
Can Cats Actually Cry?
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 related to the metabolism of fat in the liver. After a day of fasting, the body activates fat reserves, releasing a large amount of fatty acids stored in the liver. This can quickly lead to liver fattening. Veterinarians refer to this as hepatic lipidosis, which can be fatal if untreated. Overweight or older cats are at high risk. 3
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!
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.