Hepatic lipidosis is the most common severe liver disease in cats, developing rapidly when a cat stops eating, and its prevention through maintaining appetite is a critical welfare responsibility for cat owners.
Hepatic lipidosis creates a welfare paradox: a condition caused by not eating that then makes the cat too nauseated to eat, creating a vicious cycle. Jaundiced cats feel profoundly ill — uraemic nausea, weakness and disorientation from hepatic encephalopathy create severe discomfort. The treatment itself is welfare-intensive: oesophageal tube placement requires sedation, and the tube must be managed for weeks with careful hygiene. Cats being tube-fed at home — a genuine and achievable treatment approach — often tolerate feeding well once the tube is placed, but require significant owner commitment. The preventable nature of hepatic lipidosis makes owner education crucial: any cat that has not eaten for 48-72 hours should receive immediate veterinary attention regardless of the apparent cause of the anorexia. Diet changes should never be made abruptly, and cats should not be placed on food restriction diets without veterinary supervision — both can trigger the anorexia that starts the lipidosis cascade.