Hepatic lipidosis in cats
Also known as Feline fatty liver disease.
When a cat, especially an overweight one, stops eating for a few days, the liver fills with fat and stops working. It is serious, but with tube feeding most cats survive.
An overweight cat that has not eaten for two days needs a vet now.
- System
- Digestive system
- Is it urgent?
- Usually
- Spreads to other cats
- No
- Spreads to people
- No
- Typical cost in Spain
- Hospitalisation and feeding tube, €1,000–3,000.
Symptoms
- Has not eaten for days
- Jaundice: yellow gums, ears and eyes
- Listlessness and drooling
- Vomiting
- Muscle wasting
Causes
Going without food in an obese cat, due to stress, a house move, a change of food it will not accept or another illness that takes away its appetite.
How it is diagnosed
Blood tests with liver enzymes and bilirubin, ultrasound and, sometimes, liver cytology.
Treatment
Assisted feeding through a tube (usually an oesophagostomy tube) for several weeks, fluids and treatment of the cause.
No doses, on purpose: any medicine must be prescribed by your vet for your cat.
Prognosis
Good if treated in time: most cats recover completely.
Prevention
Never let a cat go more than two days without eating, and slim cats down slowly, never through fasting.
Frequently asked questions
What causes hepatic lipidosis?
Going without food in an obese cat, due to stress, a house move, a change of food it will not accept or another illness that takes away its appetite.
Can hepatic lipidosis be cured?
Good if treated in time: most cats recover completely. Assisted feeding through a tube (usually an oesophagostomy tube) for several weeks, fluids and treatment of the cause.
How much does it cost to treat hepatic lipidosis?
As a guide for Spain in 2026: Hospitalisation and feeding tube, €1,000–3,000. Prices vary a lot between clinics and cities, and out-of-hours emergencies cost more.
How can hepatic lipidosis be prevented?
Never let a cat go more than two days without eating, and slim cats down slowly, never through fasting.
More in digestive system
Educational content from Michipedia. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a vet: if you have any doubt about your cat's health, ask. Costs are a guide for Spain in 2026.