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.
She will be under a lot of stress from healing and dealing with her condition, so she will need more energy to deal with these changes. However, she may be reluctant to eat. Most food won't have the right consistency or taste for cats who don't feel like eating.
Nutrition for Injured Cats
Cats have special considerations when it comes to nutrition after an injury or surgery. Many will refuse to eat, making a nutritious diet especially important. Your vet may recommend a therapeutic food for immune support or extra calories while your pet is recovering.
Encourage your cat to eat small, frequent meals of a palatable, high energy, highly digestible food. Warming food to body temperature often makes it more appealing. Some sick cats can be encouraged to eat more by hand feeding. Your veterinarian will advise you if there are any foods that you should not offer.
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.
Illness or injuries can often lead to sadness and depression. Pain, nausea, hormonal imbalances, or lack of energy accompanying illnesses can affect your cat's happiness level.
Your Cat May Be Recovering From an Illness or Hospital Stay
Some cats will develop a food aversion, most commonly after an illness or hospital stay. Such cats associate a particular food with feeling sick or with the stress of hospitalization, and then refuse to eat that food.
Flush the wound – For small cuts and abrasions, you can gently clean the wound with a clean wet cloth and iodine or a saline solution. You may first need to move excess hair from the wound area, or even clip the hair if necessary. Try to clear any debris from the wound site as best as you can without rubbing.
As long as your cat is not licking incessantly at the wounds and there is no swelling, bleeding, pus, odor, or pain, these can heal on their own with little to no therapy.
With appropriate treatment, most abscesses should heal within five to seven days. The swelling associated with cellulitis may take longer. If you believe the wound is not healing normally, ask your veterinarian to re-examine it.
Is cat saliva antiseptic? Unfortunately, by licking their wounds, your cat is more likely to cause an infection than prevent one. Bacteria thrive in cats' mouths.
Stomach and digestive illness such as bacterial infections, viruses, and inflammation disorders can all cause a cat to stop eating. If these illnesses are not very serious, however, your cat may not show other signs and may continue acting normally despite being sick.
You should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately when your adult cat hasn't eaten in more than 24 hours or just 12 hours for kittens younger than 6 weeks old. Make an appointment with your vet if this occurs.
Sick cats usually become withdrawn and may hide, although this does depend on the personality of the individual cat. Some cats become more clingy or demanding of attention, while others just become cranky. As a general rule, cats that are sick will have lower energy levels.
Cats who are painful may withdraw from their usual family interactions, may become less engaged in their surroundings, and may start hiding. You may notice decreased eating and/or drinking. You may also notice changes in sleeping patterns. Some may sleep more, while others may sleep less.
“Most signs of illness or injury are subtle, including sleeping more than normal; not getting up to greet you, if that is normal behavior; or laying and sleeping in the same position for long periods of time.” Other changes pet owners should be aware of include the cat withdrawing or being reluctant to be petted.
Behaviour signs of a cat in pain
Being withdrawn and hiding away. Appearing lame and experiencing increased sensitivity to touch in specific areas of their body. Reduction in movement and activity.
This may include a change in food type or consistency; some cats may be enticed to eat by offering canned foods when they are unwell. In more extreme cases, veterinarians may prescribe medicines that act as appetite stimulants or recommend syringe-feeding your cat a liquid diet.
Signs Of Obvious Distress
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. 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.
On the other end of the spectrum, if your cat is drinking more water than usual in combination with not eating, this could be a symptom of a health problem such as diabetes or kidney disease. It's important you talk to your vet if this is happening to your pet.
Loss of appetite is one of the key indicators that something is wrong. So be sure to pay attention if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of different conditions may be responsible, including infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer.
Cats and Lethargy
For cats, fevers are a common cause of lethargy and might be the result of an infection. Cats that are lethargic or sedated is frequently a sick cat. Older cats might be experiencing age-related body changes, and arthritis and/or joint disease will certainly slow down most cats.
Lethargic and Not Eating / Drinking—Like lethargy, not eating or drinking well are nonspecific clinical signs that are seen with many cat diseases. Lethargic and Losing Weight—A poor appetite can lead to weight loss, but so can diseases like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, even if your cat is eating well.
Cats are well-known for their ability to heal quickly from their own broken bones, and the incidences of joint problems and bone cancer in cats are low.
As cats are natural groomers in order to prevent your cat from licking the wound or pulling at the bandage I would recommend using a Kong EZ soft collar. It is a much gentler alternative to using a plastic Elizabethan collar as is soft around your cats neck and will be much less stressful.