Like people, cats can go longer without food than water. 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.
A cat that goes about three days or more without eating will begin to utilize fat reserves for energy, just as a human will. But a cat's body is designed primarily to utilize protein for energy. Cats are obligate carnivores—meaning they must have meat in their diets to survive.
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.
So when it comes to water, the average time a cat can survive without it is three to four days. “Within 24 hours of not drinking water, cats will become dehydrated,” Dr. Burch told The Dodo. “The longer a cat is not drinking water, the worse dehydration will become, electrolyte imbalances will occur and organ damage.”
Dr. Ochoa says effects on the liver can begin within 48 to 72 hours of not eating. If you spot these signs, contact your vet to prevent permanent cat liver damage: Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
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.
Try buying a few types of canned food (pate-style, flaked, etc.) in different flavors. Place some on a small plate and warm it slightly. If your cat shows no interest, try adding a little fish oil, chicken broth, tuna juice, or cooked egg.
Signs of dehydration include lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, dry mucous membranes, and, in more severe cases, eyes that are sunken into their sockets. The most common causes of dehydration in cats are diseases that cause increased water loss.
But if your kitty is also eating less than usual, or if you are concerned, go ahead and schedule a veterinary appointment. 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.
Dehydrated cats will continue to urinate, as the body has to get rid of waste products.
Some cats eat less (or stop eating) when they get stressed. If your cat is stressed, you also may notice your cat is hiding more and/or you may see blood in your cat's urine. While it can be hard to predict what's causing the stress, cats can get stressed from things like: A move to a new home.
Although they urinate a few times during the day too, cats are definitely able to hold their pee inside. Therefore, even if a cat has had food or water recently, it should be able to hold the urine inside somewhere between 24 and 48 hours.
Cats are particularly problematic if they don't eat. Inappetence for just a couple of days can result in a condition called 'hepatic lipidosis', or 'fatty liver'.
Most adult cats are fine being left home alone for up to 24 hours, under the right conditions (more on that below). If you need to leave for two or three days, a full week, or longer, you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily.
No matter how independent your cat is, we do not recommend leaving your cat alone without daily visits from a friend or a professional cat-sitter for more than two or three days. Today, there are many options to care for your cat while you are away. Keep in mind that, cats tend to be independent, territorial animals.
Do cats actually miss their owners? Yes, they do. The cats miss the owners whenever they are away or have been detached from the owner. They notice the absence of all the showered love their owners have left for them.
If there's an obvious reason for your cat skipping a meal there most likely isn't anything seriously wrong. That being said, if it's been more than 24 hours since your cat has eaten or had any water, or they are exhibiting any other symptoms besides lack of appetite, it's time for the emergency vet.
Sunken eyes generally signify a cat who is very sick. If your cat's dehydration has reached a severe level, she may have sunken eyes and may look quite sick in the face as well. The sunken eyes symptom may also be accompanied with eyes that look glossy, which is another sign of a sick cat.
Fresh water should be available at all times. Healthy cats that eat canned food often drink very little because the food contains a high proportion of water. If your cat stops eating, she will need to have additional fluids. Fluids can be administered by mouth using a syringe.
Tempting a sick cat to eat
Invalids often do not wish to eat. To tempt them, warm their food to release aroma, and try strong smelling items such as pilchards (in small quantities so they do not cause digestive upsets). Do not leave uneaten food down – it may cause your cat to feel nauseous.
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.
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.