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Illness – Cats that are suffering from any sort of inflammation or infection may stop eating, particularly if they have a fever (high temperature).If the ingredients are different from the previous diet, they may also have allergies to new ingredients. Cats are sensitive to diet change and commonly suffer gastrointestinal upset if their diet is changed suddenly. This is something that can’t be helped sometimes but it can cause illness in cats. Many owners have bought a different brand of cat food at the shop if the regular food isn’t in stock. New food – This is a very common cause.These behaviors include being withdrawn, hiding away, and even aggression. Cats that are stressed may have a change in appetite but also behavioral changes. Potential stressors include a new baby in the home, a new cat, or a house move. Stress – Cats that are severely stressed are unlikely to eat normally, if at all.Reasons for inappetence (loss of appetite) include but aren’t limited to Cats that aren’t eating can go downhill very fast so it’s important to find out why they aren’t eating. There are many reasons for a cat to stop eating and none of them should be ignored. Like people, cats may stop eating for a variety of reasons, from underlying health issues to stress. Earlier intervention and treatment may save your cat’s life.Īlso Read: 10 Subtle Signs Your Cat May Be Sick What Causes Cats To Stop Eating? Your vet will examine your cat and possibly perform some blood work and imaging ( x-rays, ultrasound). Even if they’re drinking and seem to be in good spirits, there could be something seriously wrong. If your cat hasn’t eaten for over 24 hours, take them to their veterinarian.

However, a cat should never be in a situation where they are without food for this long. residual kidney disease).Īlso Read: Why Is My Cat Thin At The Back End? When Should You Bring Your Cat To The Vet?Īs we’ve established a cat may survive without food for 1-2 weeks but can develop serious life-threatening consequences if they haven’t eaten for 3-4 days. These can include malnutrition, weight loss, and medical issues (e.g. Certain underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can predispose cats to dehydration.Įven if cats survive starvation or dehydration it still often leads to health problems. This is called hepatic lipidosis/fatty liver and leads to liver failure.Ĭats that become dehydrated, from a lack of food and water, often develop kidney failure and multi-organ dysfunction. As their protein becomes depleted, their body starts to break down fat which leads to an accumulation of fat in their liver. After 3-4 days without eating, cats start to suffer from disease.

While cats can survive 1-2 weeks without food, doing so can have dire consequences for their overall health.Ī cat may survive without food for 1-2 weeks but doing so has dire consequences. Always seek veterinary attention and if you’re going away, hire a cat sitter or use a cattery.Īlong with causing undue suffering and stress and being potentially fatal, going without food for a long period of time is harmful to a cat’s body, and it has consequences.Īlso Read: What Is The Best Food For Feeding Feral Cats? What Does Starvation Do To A Cat?

For example, an older cat with underlying kidney disease living in a very cold climate, likely won’t live very long at all without food and enough water.Įven though cats can survive without food for 1-2 weeks (and many feral cats may do so), it is never recommended to allow them to. This depends on the cat’s health, age, breed, and environmental conditions. However, this isn’t always the case and cats may not survive this long without food and water. Cats will only survive approximately 3 days without drinking water. The simple answer to this question is that cats may survive without food for 1-2 weeks as long as they have access to water. There are a number of tips and tricks that can help cat owners encourage cats to eat, such as providing the right food for the individual cat and placing plenty of food and water resources around the home.