Glossary

Hepatic lipidosis

A serious liver disease in which fat builds up in liver cells after a cat stops eating, most often in overweight cats.

Also called: fatty liver, feline fatty liver syndrome, liver lipidosis

Hepatic lipidosis, often called fatty liver, happens when a cat eats little or nothing for days. The body starts to break down stored fat for energy, but the liver cannot process the flood of fat fast enough. Fat collects inside liver cells and the organ begins to fail. Overweight cats are at greatest risk, which is why a crash diet is dangerous for them.

It often follows another problem that stopped the cat from eating, such as stress from a move or a new pet, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, dental pain or cancer. Signs are loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, drooling, lethargy and sometimes yellowing of the gums, whites of the eyes and ear flaps, known as jaundice.

A cat that has not eaten for a day, or that eats much less than usual, should see a vet, particularly if it is overweight. The vet will run blood tests, an ultrasound scan and sometimes a needle sample of the liver. Treatment centers on nutrition. Many cats need a feeding tube for weeks, plus fluids and treatment of the underlying disease. Most cats recover if caught in time. Do not try to force-feed at home. Ask your vet how to help your cat eat safely.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Obesity Excess body fat that harms a cat's health, raising the risk of diabetes, arthritis and urinary disease. Pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas, a hard-to-spot illness in cats that often causes only tiredness and loss of appetite. Diabetes mellitus A disease in which a cat's body cannot make or use insulin properly, so blood sugar stays too high. Inflammatory bowel disease A group of long-lasting digestive conditions in which immune cells inflame the intestinal wall, causing vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Blood panel A set of blood tests that counts cells and measures chemicals to show how a cat's organs are working.

Related guides

Bringing home an adult shelter cat How to prepare for an adult shelter cat, the first days at home, the settling period, the vet visit and the signs that mean a problem. How often to feed a cat How many meals a day suit kittens, adults and seniors, when free feeding works, and how to spot overfeeding or underfeeding. Signs of stress and anxiety in cats How to spot stress in a cat, from hiding and overgrooming to litter box changes, what usually causes it, how to ease it and when to call a vet. Signs a cat may be ill The quiet signs that a cat is unwell, what to track at home, which changes need a vet the same day, and why cats hide illness. When to call the vet about your cat A clear guide to which cat problems need an emergency vet now, which need an appointment today, and which can wait for a routine visit. Why a cat may be losing weight Common reasons a cat loses weight, how to tell real loss from a change in shape, what to record, and why unexplained loss needs a vet.