Loss of appetite after Prednisone in cats

The FDA has received 206 reports of loss of appetite in cats after Prednisone. That is 23% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

206Reports

66%Marked serious

20%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

41 25%

1–2 days

30 18%

3–7 days

21 13%

1–4 weeks

34 20%

Over a month

40 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

34 17%

Recovered with lasting effects

7 3.4%

Still unwell when reported

76 37%

Died

14 6.8%

Euthanised

38 18%

Not known

37 18%

Problems reported at the same time

92 45%

66 32%

52 25%

51 25%

32 16%

28 14%

28 14%

27 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause loss of appetite in cats?: 206 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 5 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

Loss of appetite after Prednisolone 317 reports · 26% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 224 reports · 28% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone 252 reports · 33% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in cats · Medicines most reported with loss of appetite