In this short article, we will answer the question “How long can a cat go without eating?”, discuss the factors that can interfere with this account and give a quick guide about what you should do if your cat refuses to eat.
How long can a cat go without eating?
A cat can go without food for a maximum of about two weeks as long as it has access to enough water. However, if the cat is very ill, this extreme limit may be lower due to a variety of other circumstances.
Additionally, a cat’s chance of surviving depends on where it came from. Usually, feral cats are more tolerant of food shortages and high temperatures.
What variables affect how long a cat can go without food?
the availability of water, age, and condition of health. For instance, we should be aware that the maximum amount of time a newborn cat may go without feeding is one week. If their milk intake is discontinued, these infants pass away in a matter of hours.
For this reason, we must start artificially feeding any abandoned litter as soon as possible after taking them to the veterinarian. If there is any chance of surviving without food, it is greatly reduced in the absence of water.
The maximum amount of time a cat may go without drinking water is three days. Naturally, these data are generated in extreme circumstances, such as when the cat is abandoned or trapped.
It is crucial to call the vet if our cat fully stops eating or doesn’t drink anything for 24 hours. It is unmistakably a symptom of either a physical or mental disorder.
What should I do if my cat hasn’t eaten in a week?
We estimate that a cat can survive without food for around three weeks, but even then, we cannot let the animal suffer. Particularly vulnerable cats include young kittens and sick or elderly adult cats.
If we observe that they are not eating as they usually do throughout the day, we should call the veterinarian. If a healthy cat stops eating and exhibits additional symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, altered frequency of urine, pain, etc., we should also seek medical advice.
It is crucial to take him to a veterinarian for a diagnosis after evaluating the cat and performing the necessary tests because anorexia is a symptom of numerous illnesses. However, a cat stopping eating may not always have a physical cause.
Cats are extremely sensitive to change, and when we move houses, acquire new cats, or have new family members, they might become so overwhelmed that they stop eating. It is initially necessary to rule out any medical factors before making a psychological diagnosis.