If not eating, force feed meatballs of canned cat food (or baby meat food if vomiting) 4 to 8 times daily (small kittens may need to be fed every hour or two 24 hours per day until eating well or they may get worse each time they go 3 to 8 hours without food) Discharge in the nose and eyes can be wiped clean with a ...
However, just as a cat doesn't eat a day's worth of food in one meal, you cannot syringe feed in one big session – you must spread the food over several smaller sessions a day. I use 10-‐12 ml syringes and give two syringe full at a time, but doing this every 3-‐4 hours adds up to a reasonable amount of food.
Force Feeding Instructions
They need to eat 20cc per 1 pound of bodyweight each day. This is based on the 100 calorie per 2.5oz baby food - if your food is much lower in calories increase the volume of food accordingly.
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)
The average cat can technically survive for one to two weeks without food if they have a water supply. However, without protein, it may be more like three to four days, even if they have enough water. With no water or food, it is unlikely that a cat would survive longer than three days.
Treatment for cat not eating
If your cat is anorexic due to disease or illness, treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Treatment may include intravenous fluids (a drip) to correct dehydration, antibiotics if an infection is suspected, antiemetics (anti-vomiting medication) and stomach protectants.
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.
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.
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.
For every 10 lbs (an average cat) the animal must eat 120 ml of liquefied food per day. You can divide the total into 2 meals. If the animal vomits the half day amount, reduce the amount given and feed more frequently.
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.
How much water should my cat drink? A cat should drink on average 60mls/kg per day of water. That means a 4kg cat should be drinking approximately 240mls a day (about one cup) to ensure their body functions properly.
This translates into feeding the cat their current daily caloric needs (180-220 kcal/day) divided into 4 meals over the course of the day initially, then gradually increasing the amount fed by approximately 25% each day to reach the caloric needs for weight gain (230-270 kcal/day).
The appetite stimulants megestrol acetate and dronabinol have been show to promote weight gain in anorexic patients. Appetite stimulation is most beneficial in the absence of local pathologic lesions affecting chewing and swallowing, malabsorption syndromes, and active systemic infections.
Make a Clean, Comfortable Bed Available
To make your cat feel more comfortable, add special touches to their cat bed or whatever place your cat likes to sleep. Add extra blankets for cushioning, and be sure to change the blankets regularly if your cat is having trouble getting to the litter box.
Adding canned food, low-sodium chicken broth, or tuna to dry food and then warming it makes everything smell 10 times better and is more likely to entice your cat to eat. This is particularly helpful for cats who may be stuffy from upper respiratory infections.
Some cats may seem not to care about the sick cats, while others may even seem happy and desire even more affection from their parents.”
According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the average life expectancy of a house cat is 10 to 15 years, while outdoor cats may only live on average 2 to 5 years.
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.
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.