Cats can survive up to two weeks without food as long as they have access to water, although they'll likely survive only three to four days even with water. “It's important to emphasize that if a cat goes for two days without food, it'll become malnourished and unwell,” Dr.
Cats can survive for about two weeks without eating but only three days without drinking. The longer your cat goes without proper nutrition, however, the weaker they become, so it's important to contact your vet if you suspect they haven't eaten in a day or more.
If a cat doesn't eat for 24-72 hours, we need to start force feeding. To do this, you'll need to get human baby food from the grocery store or blend cat food into gruel. You'll want to get a meat based kind (like chicken or turkey), and make sure it doesn't have garlic in the ingredient list.
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. Fatty liver, or hepatic lipidosis, happens when the body moves stored fat to use for energy during anorexia. The process overwhelms the liver, which is involved in processing the stored fat.
Frequent Vomiting
If they are vomiting frequently – especially for two or more days – it could be a sign of serious problems, though. Keep in mind, too, that vomiting that persists for more than two days could lead to dehydration.
Cats are very good at hiding illness and pain, but if you have a feeling something is wrong — anything from missing the litter box, to new eating habits, to hiding or hunching or meowing more than usual — it's often a good indication that your cat could use a helping hand from your veterinary team.
If your cat is meowing, purring, or making unusually loud vocalizations, they might be in pain. Cats that are in pain might make quite a lot of noise, and this is often the first sign that your cat is not feeling very well. Cats that are meowing and fussing loudly are likely not feeling good and need to go see the vet.
In any case—ill, picky, or feral—a cat that doesn't eat might survive for as long as two weeks without food, but not without serious health consequences. A cat that goes about three days or more without eating will begin to utilize fat reserves for energy, just as a human will.
If need be encourage your cat to sniff/lick food from your finger or the back of a teaspoon. Sometimes gentle reassurance is all your cat needs. Offer smelly and strong-tasting foods such as seafood and roast chicken. If your cat does not eat, take the food away and try again a bit later.
Natural ways to stimulate appetite in cats
Try luring your cat with a few pieces of their favourite wet food or chunks of fresh tuna. You can also add low-sodium broth or tuna juice to the food as well. Provide variety: Providing variety in their meal plan can stimulate their appetite.
Never force food on a cat. Syringe feeding or pushing food into a cat's mouth is stressful and can risk severe medical complications. It can also put a cat off eating altogether (food aversion)
You must get to know your cat's food and water preferences. For instance, some cats like drinking water from a water dish while some like using a cat fountain. You want to try to encourage them to drink. However, you should never force them.
Cats may stop eating if there's something stuck in their stomach or intestines or if they aren't feeling well because of an underlying disease or infection. Your cat's lack of eating can also be a symptom of pain or discomfort. Regardless, it's a significant concern if your cat stops eating.
Medical problems such as kidney disease, pancreatitis, ingestion of non-food material, cancer, dental disease, urinary tract disease, and arthritis can all deter a cat from eating. In addition to health issues, a cat's psychological well-being can also play a role in altering a cat's hunger.
General information and causes
However, if your cat is sleeping more than usual it could be a sign that something is wrong. Lethargy can be caused by many different conditions ranging from a simple cat bite abscess to more serious problems such as kidney disease, diabetes or poisoning.
Kidney disease: This is not a common cause of excessive meowing, but some cats with kidney disease do sometimes seem more restless and vocal than other cats, especially on the “bad days.” These cats often also have a decreased appetite and increased thirst.
Before your appointment with the vet, we will ask for you to collect, or hospitalise your cat to obtain, a urine sample. Cats with kidney failure will usually have protein in their urine and sometimes blood or cells dependent on the cause. If your cat is compliant, we will advise blood pressure testing.
When kidneys start to fail, they become less capable of removing waste from the bloodstream. As this waste builds up, your cat's breath will smell worse.
Cats will often become more affectionate as they approach their last days, wanting more attention than normal and being more vocal. Other cats may become less active and more withdrawn, sleeping more than usual and losing interest in playtime or interaction with humans.
As your cat nears the end of her life she will probably be less active. She will sleep more and more and may be weak when she is awake. Some cats may also appear depressed and listless.
Sick cats often lie quietly in a hunched position. They might neglect grooming. They may be purring, which cats do not only when they're happy, but also when they're sick or in pain. A cat with breathing difficulties may refuse to lie on his side and may keep his head raised.
Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong. Changes in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem.
Some cats may show an obvious change in their facial expression when in pain, while with others it may be more subtle for example: Your cat may squint or close their eyes. Their ears may appear slightly flattened or pressed to the sides. Their mouth, nose and cheeks may appear tenser and more compressed.