Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is the most common serious liver disease in cats, triggered by even short periods of food refusal and requiring urgent veterinary intervention.
Hepatic lipidosis causes significant suffering including nausea, profound weakness, jaundice, and progressive liver failure. The disease is insidious because cats often hide initial illness, and owners may not notice reduced food intake until the cat is already severely ill. The treatment is intensive and requires placement of a feeding tube, but even after recovery many cats remain fragile. Prevention focuses on maintaining a healthy weight, identifying stressors that reduce appetite, and monitoring food intake carefully in multi-cat households.