June 11, 2025, 3:20 pm | Read time: 5 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? Could it be in pain or sick? These are common thoughts when a cat seems interested in food but ultimately doesn’t eat. Fortunately, the reasons are usually harmless and–sorry to say–often self-inflicted. However, you should closely observe this behavior, especially if it continues after several food changes, as it could also indicate illnesses or dental problems.
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 it’s not as hungry as it seems.
Many owners also make the mistake of immediately refilling the bowl whenever the cat meows in front of them. The cat 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 look disappointed when the desired food isn’t 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, making many cats even less inclined to eat it.
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 they last ate can make them 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 frequently).
It’s worth getting your cat used to more than one type of food, as switching can otherwise 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 discontinued.
Also interesting: Feeding your cat only twice a day risks 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, food can lose its scent, especially dry food. While many packages are airtight, constant exposure to air over time can lead to a loss of smell.
Food from the fridge that’s cold can also smell less strong. Aside from the fact that cats should never be given food directly from the fridge, it can be beneficial 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’t detect much scent and therefore doesn’t eat. Usually, the loss of smell accompanies 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 seem generally lethargic, sleep a lot, or don’t come at their usual times to loudly beg for food. All these signs should be observed, and in case of doubt, a visit to the veterinarian is advised.
Dental Problems
A classic issue–and unfortunately often 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 therefore often diagnosed too late.
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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. 3
If your cat doesn’t eat for more than 24 hours, you should see a veterinarian. 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.