Appetite Stimulants for Cats: What Are They? And How Do They Work?

Cats usually love mealtimes and are excited about eating their food. But when your kitty starts picking at their food, does not finish meals, or completely stops eating (anorexia), there’s usually a medical problem or illness that could be serious. 

Because loss of appetite in cats typically does not resolve with home care, anorexia is considered a medical emergency.  

Take your cat to the vet right away so they can identify the cause and provide the appropriate treatment. 

Vets commonly prescribe appetite stimulants for cats to help them start eating again. The sooner your anorexic cat receives veterinary care, the better the outcome. 

PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet. 

What Are Appetite Stimulants for Cats?

Appetite stimulants are prescription veterinary medications that work through various internal pathways in the body to stimulate a cat’s appetite. 

Because not eating for 24–36 hours can cause serious health problems in a cat, an appetite stimulant can be a lifesaving medication. 

What Causes Loss of Appetite in Cats?

There are several situations that cause a loss of appetite in cats, including: 

• Illness (viral or bacterial infection, inflammatory disease) 

• Dental disease 

• Side effect of a medication (antibiotics) 

• Digestive issues (nausea, worms/parasites, toxin exposure/ingestion, constipation, ingesting something that didn’t agree with your cat, pancreatitis) 

• Internal conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease) 

• Recovering from surgery 

• Stress, such as a newly adopted cat who is highly anxious, shy, or fearful 

• Heart disease 

• Cancer 

Does My Cat Need an Appetite Stimulant?

After reviewing your cat’s full medical history and performing a comprehensive physical examination, your vet will determine if your cat needs an appetite stimulant. 

There are several reasons your vet might prescribe an appetite stimulant: 

• To help your cat recover from illness faster 

• For short-term treatment while your vet is waiting on test results 

• To reduce the risk of life-threatening consequences of anorexia, including fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) 

• To encourage eating after surgery 

• To help a highly stressed, shy, anxious cat maintain their nutrition 

• To support nutrition in cats with chronic illness (like chronic kidney disease) or cancer 

However, some cats are too sick for an appetite stimulant to work. If your cat is critically ill or severely malnourished, a feeding tube may be a better choice than an appetite stimulant, to ensure that your cat receives adequate nutrition. 

It’s important to consider that even if a cat is eating, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re getting enough calories.  

Your vet will instruct you to weigh your cat every day using a scale accurate for cats to make sure they’re gaining weight appropriately. 

Prescription Appetite Stimulants for Cats

Vets may prescribe the following appetite stimulants: 

Mirtazapine (Mirataz) 

Mirataz is the most common appetite stimulant used in cats. 

FDA-approved for unintended weight loss in cats, mirtazapine (the active ingredient in Mirataz) is an antidepressant that blocks the chemical messengers involved with nausea and appetite inhibition. It is believed that mirtazapine works through several pathways in the body. 

Mirtazapine is available in the following forms:  

• Transdermal ointment 

• Oral tablets 

• Compounded formulations, including flavored liquid suspensions 

Side effects of Mirataz include: 

• Redness or irritation at the application site (inside of ear) 

• Grogginess 

• Vomiting 

• Vocalization and agitation 

Capromorelin (Elura) 

Elura is FDA-approved for unintended weight loss in cats associated with chronic kidney disease. 

Capromorelin (active ingredient in Elura) increases the level of growth hormone in the body and signals the brain to stimulate appetite. 

Elura is available as a liquid oral medication and some of the common side effects include: 

• Vomiting 

• Low energy 

• Loss of appetite 

Maropitant Citrate (Cerenia) 

Cerenia blocks nausea in cats, and while it is not technically an appetite stimulant, it can help nauseated, anorexic cats start eating again. 

The injectable form of Cerenia is FDA-approved in cats for treatment of sudden onset of vomiting.  

Oral formulations of Cerenia (including tablets and compounded tablets and capsules), on the other hand, are not FDA-approved for use in cats. However, it is readily utilized in the veterinary field, and veterinarians can legally prescribe certain human drugs for animals in certain circumstances. This is called extra-label or off-label use because this use isn’t described on the drug label. 

Maropitant (active ingredient in Cerenia) blocks the vomiting center in the brain, which relieves nausea in cats and can help them feel like eating again. 

Side effects of Cerenia injection include pain and vocalization upon injection. 

Cyproheptadine 

Cyproheptadine is a human prescription antihistamine used as an appetite stimulant in cats, except in those with hepatic lipidosis. Cyproheptadine blocks a chemical messenger in the brain involved with appetite suppression. 

Because it may take a few days to work, cyproheptadine is used as a longer-term appetite stimulant. 

Available as a generic tablet and as a compounded tablet/capsule, cyproheptadine is currently not FDA-approved as a veterinary medication. But in certain circumstances, veterinarians may prescribe this medication in an extra-label manner. 

Side effects of cyproheptadine include: 

• Hyperexcitability or sedation 

• Dry mouth 

Natural Appetite Stimulants for Cats

Loss of appetite is typically caused by a medical issue that could be serious. If your cat has stopped eating, please make an appointment with your vet right away.  

Probiotic Supplements 

Probiotics are healthy live microorganisms that can restore or improve the balance of bacteria in your kitty’s gastrointestinal system, helping to improve your kitty’s digestion.  

In powdered form (Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora, Nutramax Proviable), a probiotic supplement sprinkled on top of your kitty’s food or mixed in to their food can entice finicky cats to eat. Most cats love the taste! 

Canned Food and Toppers 

Offering delicious, canned food to your cat is a great way to encourage their appetite. 

Your vet may recommend trying over-the-counter foods and toppers, including Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin, Purina Sensitive Skin and Stomach, Fancy Feast, and Friskies Lil’ Soups Topper. 

Or your vet may prescribe a therapeutic diet (Royal Canin Recovery, Hill’s a/d Urgent Care) that’s high in protein with added fats. 

Other Ways To Encourage Your Cat To Eat

Here are a few other tips for helping your cat to eat: 

• Provide a private area for your kitty to eat, away from other pets. 

• Clean food and water bowls daily. 

• Keep food and water bowls in another room far away from the litter box. 

• Offer food on plates to avoid whisker fatigue (whiskers bumping into the sides of the bowl). 

• Lightly warm your cat’s canned food to increase the aroma. 

• Hide dry kibbles in a food puzzle or cat treat toy so your cat enjoys solving the puzzle to eat their food.