Cats can be picky about what they eat, where they eat and How long they want to be served. Even with the choice of wet and dry food Filling the vital nutritional market, your ferocious feline can get their attention on your carefully crafted meals. Whether you’re eating a fussy eater or your mind suddenly changes in appetite — you might be wondering how long a cat can go without food.
If your favorite cat has been skipping meals for 24 hours, that’s a clue that you should monitor your cat for signs of illness, pain, or dislike of his current menu. Experts say that if cats go without food for a day and only drink water, they will not suffer long-term medical effects. Without food or water, cats can experience serious medical problems within a day.
If the hunger strike continues for more than a day, call your veterinarian immediately for an examination. After three days of not eating, the excess fat begins to break down, leading to serious medical conditions. These timelines may differ from feral cats, whose bodies have not yet adapted to the usual human-fed meals.
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Why won’t my cat eat?
The list of reasons why cats suddenly won’t eat or have decreased appetite is long. Noting unusual behavior or other symptoms will help your veterinarian understand the reason for the change in eating habits.
Food allergy
Food allergy not easy to identify without the help of your trusted veterinarian, say Rebecca Greenstein, Rover Dog People Panelist and Chief Veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital. “If you notice unusual symptoms such as loss of appetite, skin problems, or abdominal pain and they occur within a few weeks of changing your diet or introducing a new treatment,” she says. , it could be a sign of a dietary allergy.
Respiratory problems
A stuffy nose is no fun, especially for cats that rely on their keen sense of smell to stimulate their appetite.
Choose
“Cats can be very skillful eaters,” Victoria Carmella, said DVM, Director of Veterinary Science at Blue Buffalo. Anything from the taste, texture or smell of food can cause your cat to skip meals. If a cat’s favorite food discourages typical cravings within 24 hours, it’s time to consult a veterinarian.
Digestive problems
“If a cat is experiencing any kind of digestive upset such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort, they may be reluctant to eat or drink,” says Dr. Unfortunately, lack of food and water can aggravate the condition.
Sadness and depression:
Like us, our four-legged friends can play the blues too. Sad and depressed Mikel Delgado Rover, feline expert at The Dog People Panel, says cats can have a variety of symptoms. If your cat suddenly stops eating and refuses their favorite treats, they may be depressed.
Traveling
“You should always check with your veterinarian about whether it is safe for your cat to walk,” says Dr. Delgado. Any change in routine can be stressful, causing decreased sensation. cravings, illness, and other stress-related conditions. The movement of the vehicle itself can cause motion sickness leading to short-term feelings of nausea and loss of appetite.
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Worry
Worry may look different from one kitten to another. Some cats may become more tender than usual, frozen in position and silent. Others become more voice, embraceor a change in appetite and eating habits.
Foreign object
Excessive hairballs and other foreign objects such as rope can clog your cat’s digestive tract. “If you think your cat has swallowed a foreign object or is losing appetite, vomiting, or appears to be in pain, contact your veterinarian immediately,” Dr. Delgado says.
Dental disease
If your cat is anorexic and with it too much drooling, bleeddiscomfort while eating, or stinky breath, they may need to see a cat dentist. Common dental problems in cats can include gingivitis, toothache, and broken teeth.
Medicines or vaccinations
Although important, vaccines and drugs can have side Effects– including anorexia. Side effects should be mild and short-term, but if they persist for more than a day or two, contact your veterinarian.
Basic health condition
It’s not easy to understand why your cat suddenly stops eating. Sometimes, only your vet can address the root cause. Laura Robinson, DVM, Some medical problems that can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss include:
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Parasites
- Evil
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What if a cat stops eating?
If cats don’t eat for 24 hours, they may not feel as interested. Dr. Sara OchoaDVM, veterinary consultant at Dog Lab says 24 hours without food won’t permanently harm a healthy adult cat, but watch out for any common behaviors that could indicate underlying health condition. If your cat hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours, it’s time to consult your veterinarian.
Cats’ nutritional needs vary widely depending on life stage, activity level, reproductive status, and any underlying medical conditions, with young kittens most susceptible to the most severe reactions to these changes. in eating habits. If you notice any changes in your cat’s eating habits, it’s best to consult your veterinarian sooner rather than later.
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“If your cat doesn’t eat for three days, their body will use the excess fat and break it down into energy for the body to use,” Dr. Ochoa explains. “This can cause fat accumulation in the cat’s liver.”
This accumulation of fat in the liver is known as fatty liver – aka fatty liver. It develops when the cat stops eating or when the cat loses too much weight in a short time. Because overweight cat There are more fats that can be broken down, they are more at risk of developing fatty liver.
Fortunately, fatty liver is treatable, and the effects can be reversed when detected quickly. How long can a cat go without food before suffering liver damage? Dr. Ochoa says the effects on the liver can begin within 48 to 72 hours of not eating. If you spot these signs, contact your veterinarian to prevent permanent liver damage in your cat:
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Vomiting
- Comatose
- Diarrhea
- Do not eat
How can I feed my cat?
Will my cat starve if he doesn’t like his food? Yes, your cat can accidentally starve yourself if they don’t like their food. Not eating is a dangerous cycle that can quickly lead to cats becoming weak and unwell, causing them to lose their appetite.
Within the first 24 hours, you can encourage your cat to eat by:
- Replace the food bowl. One Food bowl Dirty or exhausting whiskers can cause cats to lose their appetite. Dr. Robinson added that switching from metal to ceramic could also do the trick.
- Move the food bowl. Dr. Robinson says that food bowls placed in active areas, near other cats, or near litter boxes or water can cause cats to stop eating.
- Change the type of food. Food transitions — like dry to wet — can cause cats to stop eating. Allow the cat to eat foods they like until normal behavior returns. The transition of any food should be done slowly and gradually.
- Make food more smelly. “Cats love the smell so in addition to adding a fragrant, fragrant coating to their food, for picky eaters or sick cats, you can reheat their food because it chemically makes them smells better,” says Dr. Greenstein.
If home remedies don’t start your cat’s appetite, there could be a serious underlying health condition at play. Immediately make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will determine the best treatment and the underlying cause.
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For mild cases of anorexia, your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-nausea medication or an appetite stimulant. “For more severe cases, the veterinarian will give the cat intravenous fluids and, when needed, a feeding tube to help provide nutrition to the cat. Many cats with aggressive treatment will improve,” says Dr. Ochoa.
If your veterinarian rules out illness, you’ll want to discuss environmental factors that may be causing your cat to be stressed, anxious, or depressed.
Take it
Changing eating habits should not be taken lightly. Anorexia can signal illness, stress, or another important need. If your cat goes more than 24 hours without eating, or if the change in eating habits is accompanied by other related symptoms, be sure to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.
When cats are sly, secretive, and especially about their eating habits, it’s hard to pinpoint the reason behind the hunger strike. If you are in doubt about your cat’s eating habits, you should check with your veterinarian.
