Cats on the streets cannot effortlessly find food to eat. Cat owners might also have their own cat that has not been eating for long periods. In these cases, you could be thinking, How long can cats go without food? This is a serious problem for cats if ignored by humans. This issue can sometimes require a consultation with the veterinarian.
If you are clueless about how long house or stray cats can safely go without food and water, read this blog to learn more. You can also find knowledge on the effects of skipping food and water for cats.
How Long Can Cats Go Without Food?
According to experts, the answer to how long can cats go without food is simply one or rarely 2 weeks, given there is good water. But, most of the time, if your cat is not eating for longer than 24 hours, then you should not ignore it. The longer your cat exists without minimum nutrition, the weaker it will get. This raises vulnerability to other animal attacks that happen outdoors. If cats didn’t consume for 2 to 7 days, they might get a brutal liver problem called hepatic lipidosis.
It is worth taking your cat to its doctor if you see it’s eating negligible amounts in the last 24 hours. Learn that random fasting on certain days doesn’t damage cats’ health. But if you intervene early, you can avoid huge health issues that can harm them and require intensive treatments. At times, if cats face bad health problems, they can’t eat.
At times, cats can vomit multiple times and move in a lethargic way. This mostly means it has some kind of trouble in its body. In this situation, you should safely move the cat to the vet quickly and should not waste even a day.
Can a Cat Go 24 Hours Without Food?
So, how long can a cat go without food depends on its genetics and age, but any average adult cat could probably survive nearly two weeks with water. But serious issues show up after two days without food.
But that doesn’t prove it’s healthy for their bodies. It’s good to meet a cat vet because it solves the things that are wrong with your cat, and you can get help within 24 hours.
If you see a kitten that doesn’t feed itself for 24 hours, then meeting a veterinarian truly becomes a necessity. This is because their physical health can degrade surprisingly fast.
How Long Can Cats Go Without Water?
To people’s shock, cats can manage being short of water for at least 2 to 3 days. But this situation, for more than 1 day, will create dehydration in their efficient bodies. If you still think, How long can a cat go without food and water. It’s only about three days before dehydration and organ damage happen.
Check if your cats surely get fresh water at least once a day. But there should be nothing to worry about if a healthy cat eats food but is not drinking water, because cats can get enough water just from the food alone.
The environment plays a role when it comes to cats’ survival without water. If the climate is moderately hot, cats’ bodies will quickly face dehydration. Help the cats if they refuse to take in water straight through their mouths.
What Happens If Cats Don’t Drink Water for a Few Days?
Two to three days without water is normal for lots of healthy cats. As already mentioned, cats can meet their water requirements from wet food. But when learning how long can cats go without food, know that not eating can cause them physical trouble and quickly make them dehydrated.
Not offering fresh water every day for cats is bad. Using an old or uncomfortable bowl for water is also bad. These are reasons why cats don’t like slurping water. Try to give them water from the tap running on low. Realize that something is wrong if their water drinking habits are unusual and different.
Sometimes, some cats can be seen drinking excessive amounts of water. This is a sign of cat dehydration most of the time and sometimes an underlying health issue. This is also a sign for the guardian to examine the cat at a good vet clinic.
How Long Can Kittens Go Without Food?
Kittens are tiny cats, but they grow fast. So, they need all categories of nutrients to achieve powerful maturity. How long can a cat go without food or water is arguably close to three or four days, as the lack of food and water immediately makes way for fatal dehydration and other problems.
Very young kittens are alive because of their mother cat. These must not be left to starve for more than a few hours. But older kittens can manage for 2 days without edibles.
But they will go malnourished and weak within 24 hours. They are smaller and they have developing physiques, so a lack of nutrients can drastically misshape them. If you notice kittens that are not eating, you gently move them quickly to the vet.
What Happens If Cats Don’t Eat for a Few Days?
There are some health risks you should be aware of when learning how long can cats go without food. It can lead to severe liver disease as the body attempts to use stored fat for energy but struggles to process it. This is especially likely in an overweight cat that suddenly stops eating.
If you notice that your cat has had a sudden change in their eating habits and hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours, it’s important to contact your vet. A cat not eating can be a sign of illness, so they must be checked out.
Final Thoughts
So, to put it shortly, how long can cats go without food is one to two weeks if they have water, but more than 24 hours without eating is already dangerous for cats. If you’re concerned about your cat not eating, it’s always important to contact your veterinarian for advice and treatment to prevent the situation from getting worse.
