# AI recommends a sudden diet change for a cat without warning about hepatic lipidosis from fasting

- **ID:** `pet-safety/ai-recommends-sudden-diet-change-for-cat-without-weaning`
- **Domain:** pet-safety
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Error Code:** `PET-DIET-CAT-002`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 92%

## Root Cause

Cats are obligate carnivores with strict metabolic needs; sudden diet change can cause anorexia within 24-48 hours, triggering hepatic lipidosis due to rapid fat mobilization.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| GPT-4-2023-03-14 | active | — | — |
| Claude-2-2023-07-11 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Transition over 7-10 days: Day 1-2: 75% old + 25% new; Day 3-4: 50/50; Day 5-6: 25% old + 75% new; Day 7+: 100% new. Monitor appetite daily.** (95% success)
   ```
   Transition over 7-10 days: Day 1-2: 75% old + 25% new; Day 3-4: 50/50; Day 5-6: 25% old + 75% new; Day 7+: 100% new. Monitor appetite daily.
   ```
2. **If cat refuses new food after 24 hours, revert to old food and consult a veterinarian for appetite stimulants like mirtazapine** (85% success)
   ```
   If cat refuses new food after 24 hours, revert to old food and consult a veterinarian for appetite stimulants like mirtazapine
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Transition should take 7-10 days; 1 day is insufficient, still risks anorexia (80% fail)
- **** — Tuna contains high mercury and can cause picky eating habits, worsening refusal of new food (65% fail)
- **** — Fasting in cats is extremely dangerous; even 12 hours can trigger hepatic lipidosis in predisposed cats (90% fail)