Anorexia has gotten a lot of attention in recent years because so many
people—teenage girls in particular—starve themselves, leading to serious health problems because they fear being overweight and looking unattractive. Cats, needless to say, have no concern about looking slim and sexy, but cats can experience anorexia, though exactly why is not known.
It seems more common among cats placed in kennels or in hospitals. The cats simply refuse to eat, and sometimes it is necessary to insert a feeding tube into their stomachs. Curiously, the tranquilizer Valium, used to treat aggression in some cats, is also used at times to stimulate appetite.
