Is your cat not eating? Cats can be picky, but severe reasons like stress, disease, and medication can cause them to lose their appetite. But how long can a cat go without eating before the situation becomes dangerous to its health? Let’s discuss the answer, the consequences of letting your cat go too long without food, and explore ways to help them quickly regain a healthy appetite.
In This Article:
- How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?
- What Happens When Cats Go Without Food Too Long?
- Monitoring Your Cat’s Appetite to Prevent Complications
- Care Tips for Cats with Loss of Appetite
How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?
Cats can survive about two weeks without food but only three days without water, according to Hillcrest Animal Hospital. However, you should never let it get to this point because it is not a safe or healthy situation. Plus, an individual cat’s tolerance may vary based on age, weight, health, and activity level.
A True Survival Story
A remarkable example of a cat’s survival is the story of “Stowaway.” This cat endured an astounding 25 days without food or water in a shipping container. When discovered, she was emaciated and dehydrated, surviving by licking condensation on the container’s walls and eating cardboard and Styrofoam due to the absence of food.
While Stowaway’s survival story is extraordinary, the reality is that prolonged periods without food can lead to severe health issues. If your cat hasn’t eaten in more than 24 hours, please seek veterinary advice to prevent complications.
Act Fast!
The longer your cat goes without essential nutrients, the more harm it can do to its body and the more difficult it will be to recover.
What Happens When Cats Go Without Food Too Long?
Without food and water, your cat risks serious health problems because it needs these crucial elements to live a healthy life.
For example, if a day or two have gone by and your cat still refuses to eat, you should be extremely concerned and go to the vet. Their liver may not have completely failed yet, but it could be close. The longer your cat goes without eating. the more its body can suffer. As a result, recovery becomes more challenging.
Please don’t wait longer than necessary; seek help as soon as possible. Without proper care, severe health conditions can occur, including dehydration, fatty liver disease, and malnutrition.
Dehydration (A Dangerous Complication of Not Eating)
By not consuming enough fluids, your cat may become dehydrated, harming its organs and resulting in kidney failure or shock. Dehydration is a particular risk for cats when vomiting or experiencing diarrhea. Here are a few red flags to look out for:
- Dry mouth and nose
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of skin elasticity
Check that your cat has access to clean, fresh water at all times, and encourage it to drink more by adding flavor or ice cubes to the water. You could also offer some wet food or broth to increase fluid intake. If severely dehydrated, your vet may suggest intravenous fluids.
Hepatic Lipidosis (A Life-Threatening Condition of Not Eating)
Cats who eat insufficiently cause their bodies to burn stored fat for energy. Hepatic lipidosis—or fatty liver disease—is a severe condition that can arise from this ongoing process and cause liver damage. If untreated, liver failure and even death may result.
Be on the lookout for:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Depression and confusion
Preventing the onset of hepatic lipidosis requires some proactive steps as a cat owner: you must ensure your pet consumes enough calories and nutrients each day. Offering supplements or appetite stimulants is a helpful way to encourage cats to eat quickly and prevent prolonged fasting. But if your cat develops this condition, they may need surgery or tube feeding.
Malnutrition (A Long-Term Consequence of Not Eating)
Cats become more susceptible to illnesses and infections when malnourished and have a weakened immune system. Here are a few signs of malnutrition—it can occur gradually, especially if they eat poor quality or insufficient food.
- Dull and brittle coat
- Muscle loss and wasting
- Poor wound healing and infection
- Anemia and low blood sugar
An underfed cat needs a balanced diet that provides all its required nutrients. A vet can provide blood work and proper nutrition guidance.
Monitoring Your Cat’s Appetite to Prevent Complications
By closely monitoring your cat’s food and water intake, and being attentive to any signs of illness or distress, you can proactively prevent many severe issues.
Managing Food Preferences
Regarding food, cats pay attention to flavor, texture, temperature, and smell. So if you abruptly switch your cat’s food or give it something it doesn’t like, it might not eat it.
Try to stick to the food they already like, and gradually introduce small changes, like:
- Warm up the food slightly to enhance the smell and taste
- Add some water or broth to moisten the food
- Mix in some treats your cat enjoys (in moderation)
- Rotate different flavors and brands of food to prevent boredom
Watching for Signs of Health Concerns
A veterinarian can diagnose or rule out conditions like infections, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, etc. Taking your cat to the vet is crucial if you notice any changes in:
- behavior
- appearance
- weight
Other valid reasons for calling the vet urgently may include:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- bad breath
Depending on the diagnosis, a veterinarian may advise medication, surgery, or other treatments. Please follow your vet’s instructions carefully and monitor your cat’s progress.
Care Tips for Cats with Loss of Appetite
If your cat is not eating much but otherwise seems okay, you might want to try some of these tips to help it eat more:
1. Offer Small and Frequent Meals
Nausea may be one of the causes of your cat’s lack of appetite. To avoid this, try offering small and frequent meals throughout the day instead of one or two large ones. This way, your cat can eat freely and healthily without feeling sick. Also, try varying the type and flavor of food for more interest.
2. Hand-Feed Your Cat or Use a Syringe
A depressed or sick cat might be too weak to get up and reach its food bowl. In this case, you could try to syringe-feed your cat or hand-feed it gently. These approaches can help provide nutrition and hydration, as well as love and care. You might also place the food near their favorite spot or where they feel comfortable.
3. Stimulate Your Cat’s Appetite with Some Catnip or a Toy
With poor taste or smell, cats often lose their appetite. To help regain an interest in food, how about stimulating its senses with some catnip or a toy before feeding? Catnip is a herb that can make some felines happy and playful, while a toy can entertain your cat. Both can increase your cat’s hunger and make it more willing to eat.
4. Praise and Reward Your Cat for Eating
Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective ways to encourage a cat to eat. Whenever your cat takes some food, praise it with affection or a treat and let it know you’re proud. This technique can boost a cat’s confidence and motivation and make it associate eating with something pleasant.
5. Never Force Your Cat to Eat
Forcing a cat to eat (or punishing it for not eating) is among the worst things you can do. Due to their independence and stubbornness, cats dislike doing anything they don’t want to do. Force-feeding it would cause more stress and anxiety, worsening its appetite and health. Instead of being angry or impatient with your feline companion, please be patient and understanding and seek care when needed.
Ideas for helping cats with loss of appetite:
| Syringe-feed liquid food or water | Hand-feed small pieces of food | Coax with treats or catnip | Determine what food they like |
| Add broth or gravy to food | Mix food with tuna juice or baby food | Use pheromones to calm your cat | Play with your cat before feeding |
| Brush or groom your cat gently | Rotate different foods to avoid boredom | Avoid sudden changes in diet or routine | Check food freshness |
| Warm up food slightly | Elevate food bowl | Remove distractions or stressors | Feed smaller portions more frequently |
Final Thoughts
How long can a cat go without eating? It depends on health, but going over 24 hours without food is dangerous and needs prompt vet advice. By understanding the risks of cats not eating regular meals, you can take steps to help your pet eat better.
The most important thing is to monitor your pet’s food and water intake, look for any signs of illness or distress, and consult your vet if you have any concerns. With your love and support, your cat can regain its appetite and enjoy its food again.
Sources and Further Reading
- Is It Dangerous for Cats to Go Without Food? | PetMD
An important sign of illness in cats is a change in appetite. For cats, going without food or water can quickly become a life-threatening emergency. - Hepatic Lipidosis | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Hepatic lipidosis is a frequently diagnosed ailment that can severely impair the health and proper functioning of a cat’s liver and, if not promptly reversed, can be fatal. - Why is My Cat Not Eating or Drinking? | Bond Vet
Cats who don’t eat for more than a day or two are at risk for a condition called fatty liver, which can cause liver failure. - Stowaway Cat Survives 25 Days Trapped in Container | CTV News
A severely emaciated cat is being nursed back to health after somehow surviving a 25-day voyage trapped inside a shipping container.
