Cat always hungry – when should I see a vet?
Book a vet visitThis is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your cat seems unwell in any other way. It can be linked to conditions such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes, parasites, some medication, pregnancy or lactation, malabsorption, genetics, boredom or stress.
Contact a vet if you see any of this
- Eating more than normal
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Drinking and weeing more than normal
- Changes to the skin or hair coat
- Lethargy
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- More active than usual or irritable
What you can do now
- Contact your vet for an appointment.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your cat rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it can mean
An increased appetite or overeating can have many different causes.[1] Possible causes include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, parasites such as worms, and certain medication such as steroids and anti-seizure medications.[1] Pregnancy and lactation, malabsorption, genetics, and boredom or stress, including after a new pet arrives, can also be linked.[1] It can come with weight loss or gain, increased drinking and weeing, coat changes, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, or increased activity or irritability.[1]
Other signs that can come with it
Possible causes
What the experts say
“Hyperthyroidism ; Diabetes ; Parasites for example worms ; Certain medication such as steroids and anti-seizure medications ; Pregnancy and lactation (producing milk) ; Malabsorption ; Genetics ; Boredom or stress for example the introduction of a new pet ;”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What can make a cat always hungry?
Possible causes include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, parasites such as worms, certain medication, pregnancy and lactation, malabsorption, genetics, and boredom or stress.[1]
What other signs can come with increased hunger?
A cat may also have weight loss or gain, drink and wee more than normal, have changes to the skin or hair coat, be lethargic, vomit or have diarrhoea, or be more active or irritable.[1]
What might the vet do?
Your vet will examine your cat and might advise blood, wee and poo samples. They might also suggest scans or x-rays.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Bad Breath
Blindness
Blood in Stool
Diarrhoea
Ear Problems
Hair Loss