CATS · OWNER EDUCATION
Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver) in Cats
When a cat—especially an overweight cat—stops eating, fat can accumulate in the liver and cause life-threatening liver dysfunction.
THE SHORT VERSION
Understanding supports better veterinary conversations.
When a cat—especially an overweight cat—stops eating, fat can accumulate in the liver and cause life-threatening liver dysfunction. The same outward signs can occur with several diseases, so an examination and appropriately selected testing are important.
What is this condition?
When a cat—especially an overweight cat—stops eating, fat can accumulate in the liver and cause life-threatening liver dysfunction. The same outward signs can occur with several diseases, so an examination and appropriately selected testing are important.
Which animals can be affected?
Risk factors, examination findings and management can differ between species and individual patients.
Why can it happen?
- Several days of inadequate calorie intake, often triggered by another illness or stressor.
- Overweight cats are at increased risk, but any cat with prolonged appetite loss needs care.
What might an owner notice?
- Little or no appetite, rapid weight loss and weakness.
- Yellow gums, ears or eyes, vomiting, drooling or behavior change.
How is the problem investigated?
- Bloodwork and ultrasound with sampling when needed to confirm the cause.
- Evaluation for the disease or stressor that caused appetite loss.
What might treatment involve?
- Reliable nutrition support, often through a temporary feeding tube, plus treatment of the trigger.
- Fluids, nausea control and electrolyte monitoring.
This is an overview, not a prescription or a recommendation for a specific individual animal.
What can owners do at home?
- Write down when the problem began and track appetite, drinking, waste, activity, breathing and medication use.
- Bring clear photos or short videos when they can be taken without stressing the animal.
- Follow the veterinary team's instructions for medication, feeding, isolation, environmental changes and rechecks.
Avoid actions that could make care less safe.
- Do not use human medication, leftover antibiotics or another animal's treatment without veterinary direction.
- Do not force food or water into an animal that cannot swallow normally, is struggling to breathe or may have an obstruction.
- Do not delay veterinary care when pain, breathing, appetite, urination, movement or responsiveness changes quickly.
What can the longer-term outlook involve?
The outlook depends on the underlying cause, severity, species and how quickly effective care begins.
Can risk be reduced?
- Provide species-appropriate nutrition, housing, sanitation and routine veterinary care.
- Learn the animal's normal behavior, appetite, body condition and waste pattern so meaningful changes are noticed early.
When should you arrange care?
- Contact a veterinarian promptly for little or no appetite, rapid weight loss and weakness. or yellow gums, ears or eyes, vomiting, drooling or behavior change..
- Arrange reassessment if signs return, worsen or do not improve as expected.
Seek emergency veterinary care if you notice:
SEEK EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE- A cat not eating for more than a day, yellow tissue, repeated vomiting, collapse or severe weakness.
Sources behind this guide
VeterinaryPartner — client education from the Veterinary Information NetworkPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: animal health topicsPrimary veterinary or veterinary-university guidance ↗Content last reviewed: September 17, 2026. Review status: veterinary-informed; independent veterinarian review not yet completed.