Skip to Content

Senior Pets

“My Cat Is in Pain When He Eats”

March 26th, 2020 by Cherished Companions

Two cats eating - one cat is in pain while he eats

Resorptive lesions may be to blame. Here’s what you need to know…

Lately, you’ve noticed that your cat is in pain when he (or she) eats. Maybe:

  • Your cat is eating more slowly.
  • Your cat is taking small bites and dropping the kibble.
  • You’ve noticed big changes in your cat’s eating habits. For example, your normally-picky eater is now gulping food. Or your normally-fast eater is not eating his food.
  • Your cat is drooling, pawing and rubbing at his face, and has bad breath, or…
  • You can hear a clicking or crunching noise when your cat eats.

There are different reasons for changes in your cat’s eating habits, but if your cat appears to be in pain, a common culprit is a “resorptive lesion.”

What are resorptive lesions in cats?

In layman’s terms, a resorptive lesion is like a cavity in human teeth.

It’s a defect in the enamel and tissue of the tooth.

The tooth enamel starts to dissolve. It opens up and exposes the inside of your cat’s tooth (where the nerves and blood supply are).

Ouch!

Resorptive lesions can lead to other issues in your cat’s mouth, like infections.

Cinnamon, the cat, rests on her owner's arms after eating.

Are resorptive lesions painful?

Yes, they expose the pulp cavity of your cat’s teeth.

What causes resorptive lesions in cats?

There are several theories on what causes resorptive lesions, but there’s no known cause yet.

Even cats with fairly clean mouths can get resorptive lesions, so this is one way these lesions are different than human cavities.

Some cats will get a resorptive lesion in one tooth and never have an issue again.

Other cats will get multiple resorptive lesions over their lifetimes.

Every cat is different.

Resorptive lesions tend to be more common in middle-aged to older cats, but our cat veterinarians have seen them in younger cats too.

Resorptive lesions are much more common in cats than dogs.

What is the treatment?

Any time your cat has a resorptive lesion, that tooth needs to be fully removed.

There is no treatment to save that tooth.

If your cat has multiple resorptive lesions, you may want to plan on more frequent dental cleanings. This way, we can catch the lesions before they become problematic and painful for your cat.

Related article

Help your cat feel better

If your cat is in pain while eating and you live near Castle Rock, Colorado, reach out to our cat veterinarians at 303-688-3757 or:

Book your visit here 

Cherished Companions Animal Clinic is a veterinary clinic in Castle Rock, Colorado. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum.

This article is intended to provide general guidance on resorptive lesions — a possible reason your cat may be in pain while eating. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian. (If you live in or around Castle Rock, we welcome your call: 303-688-3757.)

© 2020, Cherished Companions Animal Clinic, All Rights Reserved


“My Cat Isn’t Eating as Much as Usual. What’s Going on?”

January 30th, 2020 by Cherished Companions

An orange cat feels lethargic because he hasn't been eating as much as usual.

Our cats march to the beat of their own drums (and we love them for it), but you’re smart to be on high alert if you notice: “My cat isn’t eating as much as usual.”

In this article, you’ll find:

  1. Common reasons your cat may not be eating all his or her food
  2. What you can do at home
  3. When to be concerned

Let’s jump into possible reasons your cat is eating less than usual…

Your cat may be finding other food sources

Yep, your cat may be getting meals elsewhere.

It’s worth investigating:

  • Has your cat gotten into a spare bag of cat food — or dog food — without you knowing it?
  • If your cat spends time outside, could your cat be catching mice or having a neighbor feed your cat? (Plenty of people put food out for stray cats.)
  • Do you have a guest staying in your home or a child home from college who may be feeding your cat in-between normal mealtimes without you knowing it?

Miss Maisie, the cat, rubs on her person's legs in the kitchen. She hasn't been eating as much as usual.

Stress-related issues

Some cats eat less (or stop eating) when they get stressed.

If your cat is stressed, you also may notice your cat is hiding more and/or you may see blood in your cat’s urine.

While it can be hard to predict what’s causing the stress, cats can get stressed from things like:

  • A move to a new home
  • A renovation project in your home
  • A house guest who is staying with you
  • A new cat in the neighborhood that’s prowling
  • A new pet in the house
  • Your travel plans

Has anything been going on that could be stressing your cat?

Mouth-related issues

There are a number of things that could be going on in your cat’s mouth:

  • Dental disease (aka, “periodontal disease”). Most adult cats have some stage of dental disease. One of the things you may notice is your cat is still eating… but your cat’s eating habits have changed. For example, your cat doesn’t want to eat wet food anymore (or vice versa with dry food). Some cats will start swallowing their food whole. They stop trying to bite into it.
  • A resorptive lesion. This means there’s a defect in the enamel of one of your cat’s teeth. (It’s similar to having a cavity.) It can be painful for your cat.
  • Trauma to your cat’s mouth or head, such as loose teeth or an injury from a cat fight.
  • Other painful conditions in your cat’s mouth. Not too long ago, our cat veterinarians saw a kitten that had chewed an electrical cord. The kitten got shocked and had sores in its mouth. (Poor lil’ thing!)
  • Cancer of the mouth. This is more common in older cats than younger cats. (Your cat may be drooling and have bad breath too.)

Systematic issues (mainly in older cats)

If your cat isn’t eating as much as he used to, there also could be issues going on in other parts of your cat’s body. Your cat may have:

  • Cat kidney disease (known as “cat renal disease”). As this disease progresses, cats get pickier and don’t want to eat as much as they used to.
  • Liver disease. Your cat may feel nauseous and not want to eat.
  • Gastro Similar to liver disease, your cat may feel nauseous and not want to eat — or be picky with eating.

Of these cat diseases, kidney disease is the most common.

“What should I do if my cat isn’t eating as much as usual?”

If you ever have questions about your cat, we always recommend reaching out to a veterinarian, but…

Let’s say you aren’t ready to contact a veterinarian yet.

Maybe you have multiple pets in your home, and you aren’t exactly sure who’s eating what!

It’s time to put on your detective hat.

You may want to confine your cat to one room (like a bathroom or a small bedroom) for 24 to 48 hours.

Make your cat comfortable with food, water, a litter box and comfortable bedding.

This way, you can observe what’s happening with your cat’s eating habits.

You also can monitor if your cat is having any urinary issues or diarrhea issues.

Joel snuggles with his cat while trying to figure out why she hasn't been eating.

Another option…

You can try to look in your cat’s mouth.

(We know some cats are more on board with this than others!)

You may be able to notice symptoms like:

  • Red gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • A bad smell in your cat’s mouth
  • A lot of tartar build-up, or
  • Loose teeth

These symptoms usually suggest a mouth-related issue.

If your cat isn’t eating and is hiding…

Or, you notice other behavior changes…

That’s usually a sign that your cat is sick and not feeling well.

When to be concerned

If cat doesn’t eat one meal and then returns to normal eating habits, this usually isn’t a concern.

But if your cat is not eating for days, it’s important to reach out to a veterinarian.

Dogs can go much longer than cats without eating. When cats stop eating, they start introducing the risk of different diseases.

Soon, you may find yourself needing to address multiple issues, rather than just the original reason your cat wasn’t eating!

Not to mention, your cat is likely is not feeling well and may be in some discomfort.

Help your cat feel better

If your cat isn’t eating as much as usual and you live near Castle Rock, Colorado, we welcome your call. Reach out to our cat veterinarians at 303-688-3757 or:

Book your visit here 

Cherished Companions Animal Clinic is a veterinary clinic in Castle Rock, Colorado. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum.

This article is intended to provide general guidance on why your cat may not be eating as much as usual. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian. (If you live in or around Castle Rock, Colorado, we welcome your call: 303-688-3757.)

© 2020, Cherished Companions Animal Clinic, All Rights Reserved


What to Do If Your Cat Is Peeing Blood & How Fast to Act

September 24th, 2019 by Cherished Companions

A beautiful cat sits next to a red litter box. This cat has been peeing blood lately.

What to Do If Your Cat Is Peeing Blood

It can make your heart race a little faster when you discover your cat is peeing blood. (We totally get it!)

(more…)


Blood in Your Cat’s Urine | 4 Possible Causes

August 13th, 2019 by Cherished Companions

Sophie, the cat, sits in a litter box. She's been leaving blood in her urine in the litter box.

You’ve noticed your cat is leaving blood spots around the house…

Or perhaps, you’ve seeing blood in your cat’s urine in the litter box.

We know this can be unsettling! (more…)


What Is the Best Diet for Dogs? 5 Things to Consider

July 9th, 2019 by Cherished Companions

This spaniel chows down his kibble (he loves it) after his pet parent researched the best diet for dogs.

The best diet for dogs is a healthy diet, but

It can be really hard to figure out what a healthy diet is!

There’s a lot of confusing advertising about what your dog should be eating.

(more…)


Have a Diabetic Cat? Tips for Feeding, Insulin Shots, and Glucose Checks

April 16th, 2019 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

Bandit, a diabetic cat, happily rolls on the ground. He has been able to lead a normal life since getting on a consistent feeding, insulin and glucose check schedule.

If you recently learned your cat has diabetes, take heart…

A diabetic cat can have a fairly normal life, particularly if:

  • Your cat regulates glucose well and
  • You’re committed to your kitty’s care

And yes, your cat may be able to live a fairly normal life expectancy!

(more…)


You See Bleeding or an Abscess on Your Dog’s Bottom… What Does It Mean?

February 11th, 2019 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

Piper, the dog, looks quizzically at the camera from her bed. Do her bleeding scent glands need veterinary attention?

Your dog has anal glands — specifically, anal sacs — on either side of his (or her) anus

These scent glands on your dog’s bottom are a normal part of your pup’s anatomy.

Anal glands contain fluid that’s normally expressed when your dog is excited or goes potty.

(more…)


Adopting an Older Dog vs a Puppy: Pros and Cons

November 27th, 2018 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

Scooby, an adult dog, sits among the grasses.

Getting a dog will change your life!

To help you choose the best dog for your family, here are some pros and cons of adopting an older dog vs. a puppy.

(more…)


Cat Lymphoma: What You Need to Know About This Feline Cancer

April 25th, 2018 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

Madeline, a young girl, hugs on Maisie, her beloved cat with lymphoma.

Cat lymphoma is one of the most common types of feline cancers.

In our Castle Rock veterinary clinic, we see a handful of cases every year.

(more…)


How to Slow – or Help Prevent – Arthritis in Cats

April 5th, 2018 by Cherished Companions Animal Clinic

A cute cat pauses from playing. Staying active is a good way to slow down arthritis in cats.

While you can’t cure arthritis in cats, you can slow its progression

Our veterinarians are often asked: “Can my cat recover from arthritis?”

At this time, there is no cure for arthritis in cats.

However, there are things you can do to reduce pain and inflammation, so your furry friend feels better.

(more…)


Back to top