Why won't my cat eat or drink? He can't open his mouth or blink.

Your cat needs to see his veterinarian ASAP. It is possible that your cat has a tooth abscess, severe periodontal disease, something lodged inside the mouth, an injury, or an oral tumor. Regardless of cause, this is a serious medical condition since it is preventing him from eating and drinking normally. Your cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated and developing a condition called hepatic liposis, which can lead to liver failure. Even going 24 hours without food can cause changes in liver functioning.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sam. I recommend that he sees an emergency veterinarian today. He needs to be examined. If there is a smell coming from his mouth, I worry that he has a wound. If he is painful, then he will not open his mouth. There are also other causes of not being able to use the mouth properly such as infectious and inflammatory conditions. The veterinarian will examine him and may recommend some testing. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help him feel better. I worry that he will become dehydrated from not eating and drinking properly. This may need to be addressed as well. I hope this information helps!

I am so sorry that your pet Tucker seems to be having some kind of neurological issue or even just trauma to his face. He definitely needs to see a vet soon to get this looked into. The vet will do a bried neuro exam and determine if he is in pain. If the problem seems to be too involved, then a referral to a neurologist or internal specialist may be needed to help Tucker moving forward. It is best to get him seen quickly, especially since he can't eat. If he seems to be in distress (panting, labored breathing, painful) at any point, then its best to get him seen by an ER vet tonight and not wait until morning. I do hope that Tucker can stabilize his condition soon! Best of luck moving forward and take care.

If Shadow was out and about outside it is possible he got into a fight or was injured. Since he isn't opening his eyes and also isn't acting his usual self, it would be best to bring him into your vet for an exam. They can check for any injuries or other causes of his symptoms and help get him feeling better.

Hello, sorry to hear about Ringo. It sounds like she could have some oral pain which could be associated with a tooth ache or in cats inflammation of her gums and teeth known as stomatitis. I would recommend that you have Ringo evaluated if you notice excessive drooling, preference for wet food over dry food, constantly licking lips, chattering, or any foul smell from his mouth. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is possible that Oscar was bitten inside the mouth by an insect such as an ant or bee and this has caused oral pain / irritation. As long as he is eating and drinking ok and the behavior resolves, I would not be too concerned about this. I would monitor him for the next 2-3 days and if the problem resolves, I would not worry about it any further. If the problem persists or worsens, I would have the veterinarian recheck the mouth. He may need to be sedated to have a complete oral examination to make sure something is not stuck in his mouth like a small piece of material like wood, glass, metal, etc. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be happy to help you further.

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very concerning as it is clearly affecting Nibbler's appetite and demeanor. What you describe could be due to things like an oral abscess or even cancer, among other possibilities. I highly recommend that you have Nibbler evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. I really hope that it is something that she can recover from quickly! Good luck!