Your cat won’t eat. It’s a worry, right? You want your furry friend healthy and strong. When pets skip meals, it often feels like something is wrong. But for cats, it’s not always so simple.
Experts say many things can make a cat refuse food. The main thing is to watch your pet closely. Look for other serious signs. Most times, it’s just a phase. Cats can be a bit weird, sometimes they just don’t want to eat. Still, you should investigate. Don’t take big steps without a vet’s advice.
How many days can a cat live without food?
A normal cat can go about 14 days without food, if they have water. But without protein, most cats won’t last more than 4 to 5 days, even with water. If there’s no food and no water, a cat likely won’t make it past three days.
All living things, including cats, need good food to survive. Your cat needs to eat and drink regularly. If your cat hasn’t eaten for a couple of days, it could get sick quickly. It might become weak and look thin. If you see any of these signs, get your cat to the vet fast.
Not eating versus not drinking
Both not eating and not drinking can harm your cat. But they affect the body in different ways. When a cat doesn’t eat for days, it loses energy and important nutrients. Once it starts eating again, it usually bounces back.
If your pet doesn’t drink water for days, that’s more serious. Its body systems can fail. It can also cause harm to its organs inside. Water is very important for organs to work right. Dehydration can really hurt your cat’s body.
Why cats don’t eat
Cats are not easy to figure out. Many things can make them stop eating. The clearest reason is a health problem. This could be something minor, like indigestion or a small injury. It could also be a more serious issue, such as:
- Diabetes
- Liver problems
- Heart conditions
- Even feline depression
Sometimes, a cat might skip meals due to dental issues, like sore gums or a bad tooth. An upset stomach can also be a cause. If your cat is on medicine or just had its shots, it might naturally lose its appetite. Or maybe it’s just bored. Cats can be finicky. Or stressed. That’s just how cats are sometimes.
Good ways to give your cat food often
You can’t force your cat to eat, especially when it doesn’t want to. But you can always make food available. An automatic cat feeder helps a lot. It gives your cat food without you worrying about meal times. Less stress for you, more freedom for your cat.
These feeders also help with portion control. Some can switch between dry and wet food. A few even let you record a message to call your cat. If your cat isn’t eating because of separation anxiety, some feeders have cameras. You can “video chat” with your cat. Maybe seeing your face and hearing your voice is all they need.
An auto-feeder also lets your cat decide when mealtime is “regular.” Our idea of a schedule isn’t always theirs. Just having food there when they want it can be enough.
You should also try giving your cat different foods. Switch up the types of cat food. This can make mealtime more exciting. There are many cat food products out there for adult cats and kittens.
You might need to try a few things to find what your cat likes. Give it time to explore new tastes. Cats, like people, can get tired of the same food every day. So, offer your pet some variety.
How to help a cat that won’t eat
It’s so important to take your cat to the vet as soon as you see it’s not eating. Your vet will check your cat for any injuries. They might even keep her at the clinic for proper care.
If you can’t get to a vet, you need to be creative. Use a dropper to give it water. Offer soft foods to give its body nutrients.
Knowing your cat’s favorite foods is also helpful. Whether it’s tuna or biscuits, it’s often enough to get a good meal into them until they’re feeling better. Tuna water is great for hydration, too. The main thing is to pay attention to your pet’s needs. React quickly. The faster you spot the signs, the sooner you can get help. This means your cat is less likely to have major health issues.
Final thoughts
If your cat often ignores her food bowl, get an automatic feeder. This way, food is always there when she feels hungry. Don’t think your pet can just take care of herself and find food. Most house cats rely on their owners for meals. They might not even know how to look for food themselves. If you’re concerned, always take her to the vet for a check-up.