Cats that react to food with allergies or intolerances do not have to go hungry in future. As soon as you have found out what your pet reacts to, you can adjust the diet accordingly. Extra-sensitive cat food is particularly suitable - this is available as wet and dry food and in various flavors, all of which are made for sensitive stomachs.

It can take several weeks for a change in diet to take effect. Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction or intolerance, it can take up to twelve weeks for your cat's body to regain its balance. Even if improvement seems to be in sight quickly, you should still show some consistency. It takes a little time until the irritation is over. Be patient - your velvet paw will thank you for it.

• Check the environment: make sure that nothing has changed in the cat's environment that could cause stress
• Vary food supply: try different types of wet or dry food, or warm the food slightly to increase the odour.
• Visit the vet: if your cat is still not eating, a visit to the vet is essential to rule out any health problems.

Force feeding is not usually advisable as it can cause additional stress. A vet can advise whether supportive measures such as special food or appetite-stimulating medication are necessary.

If your cat has diarrhoea, observe it closely and try to determine the cause of the diarrhoea. Possible causes are stress, food intolerance, a sudden change of food, poisoning, parasite infestation, an infection or a more serious illness. You should initially keep an outdoor cat indoors so that you can observe it more closely and rule out possible sources of danger outdoors. If the diarrhoea occurs only once and your cat otherwise appears normal, you should not worry too much. Make sure your cat feels comfortable and drinks enough and offer him a light diet. If your cat's diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours and the animal shows other symptoms and behavioural abnormalities, you should definitely consult a vet.

There are many possible reasons for sudden loss of appetite in cats, such as stress, sickness, changes in environment or food, toothache or digestive problems. It is important to identify the cause, as persistent loss of appetite can lead to serious health problems. It may or may not indicate a serious disease, such as kidney disease, diabetes, infection or cancer.

A healthy cat should not go without food for more than 24 hours. If the cat also shows other symptoms, such as lethargy, vomiting or weight loss, you should consult a vet immediately.