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.
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.
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.
If cats don't eat for more than 3-5 days, they can develop inappropriate fat infiltration into the liver—what we call hepatic lipidosis or “fatty liver.”
In the final stages of unmedicated death, a cat's breathing may continue to falter, and cats may appear to be gasping for breath. Their body temperature will begin to fall, and their extremities may feel cooler to the touch. Cats are typically unable to rise and will typically show no interest in eating or drinking.
You will notice your cat becoming more lethargic, sedentary and refusing to move. Their weakness will be very apparent in their hind legs, and they will also sleep a great deal more than usual.
When a cat's organs begin to shut down, toxins build up in the body and cause a bad smell. If your cat is near death her breath and body may have a foul odor that gets worse and worse over time, since she has no way of eliminating toxins. See if the cat seeks solitude.
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.
Liver Failure Signs
Lack of appetite alongside anorexia and vomiting are key signs. If your cat stops eating for one to two days you need to visit your vet.
Signs include fever, enlarged liver, abdominal pain, jaundice, lethargy, vomiting, poor appetite, and weight loss. The syndrome is typically seen in young or middle-aged adults. Affected cats have an increased risk for infections from the digestive tract.
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.
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.
If your cat won't eat, some causes may be evident through a vet's physical exam of your cat, while others may require diagnostic tests like blood work or x-rays. If your adult cat has had a poor appetite or simply won't eat for more than two days, take your cat to your veterinarian to find out the cause.
You'll know it's time to euthanize your cat when your veterinarian has given a terminal diagnosis such as cancer or kidney failure and the quality of life has become dramatically affected. There may be drastic weight loss, difficulty moving and persistent breathing difficulties.
With an increased risk of dehydration older cats can become constipated which further reduces the urge to eat. Older cats are more likely to be suffering from pain (eg arthritis, dental disease) and many have chronic (long term) diseases all of which can suppress appetite.
In cats with acute renal failure, clinical signs include:
Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea. Ammonia-like odor to the breath (due to uremic toxins building up in the blood) Changes in urination (large amounts or cessation) Abdominal pain due to swollen kidneys (seen in cases of acute renal failure)
Some of the symptoms that people with end-stage liver disease experience in the final stages of their life include: Fatigue: People often experience severe fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness. Itching: People with liver failure may develop itchy skin, also known as pruritus.
Cats can show a wide range of behavioral changes when they are dying. The exact changes will vary from cat-to-cat, but what matters is that her behavior has indeed changed. Some cats will become more reclusive, and may be cranky and more irritable (this might be due to pain or cognitive dysfunction).
Decreased Appetite and Thirst
If your cat seems to have lost interest in eating or drinking, it could be a sign that they are experiencing pain. Changes in eating and drinking habits could be symptoms of many other serious medical problems, too, so it is always best to alert your veterinarian.
If your cat is feeling especially bony and no longer has as much muscle covering these areas, some muscle loss is likely happening. Obesity can make this harder to appreciate, since fat can cover these areas, making it harder to feel muscle tone.
It is common for cats to move to a quiet place when they are very close to passing. They may eat less, groom themselves less, and behave differently than normal. Some cats may become irritable and growl or hiss when interacting with other animals or humans. They may also seem anxious or restless.
Kidney Disease: When the kidneys aren't working properly, your cat may be dehydrated. This causes them to drink more and urinate more. Common causes of kidney problems in cats can be kidney stones, a kidney infection, or even kidney failure.