How Long Can a Cat Survive Without Food?
Cats can survive up to one week without food if they have access to water; however, without protein intake they will become malnourished and require medication or special diets in order to remain healthy.
If your cat has stopped eating and drinking, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to identify the source. As soon as this issue is addressed, sooner will they start eating normally again.
Age
If your cat stops eating, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to determine why and advise the appropriate course of action. It could be caused by illness or injury and requires monitoring because if left undiagnosed and treated it can lead to severe and even life-threatening complications.
As it depends on their age and health, it can be hard to ascertain how long a cat can survive without food. Young kittens generally only last several hours without feeding due to having small stomachs that cannot contain as much. But once a kitten reaches five weeks of age or primarily consumes solid foods they should remain safe up to six hours without sustenance before suffering hypoglycemic shock – an extreme drop in blood sugar levels.
Adult cats typically have larger stomachs which can accommodate more food. A healthy adult cat can go three days without food before its organs begin shutting down; without access to water they will begin breaking down their fat reserves for energy, which could compromise liver functionality and cause irreparable harm to their health.
An indoor-only cat tends to outlive those spending most of their time outside as there is less risk from diseases, predation and vehicular accidents; but pet cats may reach 20 years or longer!
At first, it can be challenging to determine the age of a cat, particularly one you’ve had for some time. Luckily, there are some helpful strategies available that can assist in this regard – for instance a seven year-old is considered middle-aged while those 15 or older are considered senior pets.
Health
An otherwise healthy cat can usually survive up to two weeks without food if they have access to water, but after this point serious health consequences may emerge, including liver conditions that could even prove fatal – not eating will also likely result in rapid dehydration, which requires immediate medical care at a veterinary hospital.
Cats typically derive much of their water from eating their prey; however, most don’t drink nearly enough on their own. If a sick or elderly cat goes without food for extended periods of time, he or she can become dehydrated over time due to urine loss; eventually leading to kidney failure and dehydration; unlike humans however, cats cannot replenish any fluid lost due to dehydration.
Kittens can be especially vulnerable if they do not have access to nursing. According to Alley Cat Allies rescue charity, kittens can only last 24 hours before feeling stressed and weak, potentially even suffering hypoglycemic shock if too young for nursing.
Unwell or elderly cats may become unable to eat as a result of illness or pain, and it’s essential that we determine why. A vet can quickly advise if your cat is dehydrated, providing ways for hydration.
Cats have an average lifespan of one week without food; this number decreases drastically if they go without protein-rich diets such as meat. Being obligate carnivores, cats need meat in their diet for survival and not eating may lead to serious medical conditions like gastrointestinal issues or infections that could threaten life-long wellbeing if left unchecked. Therefore, it is crucial that if your cat stops eating you immediately contact a veterinarian using services like JustAnswer where veterinary experts will answer for a small fee.
Activity level
Activity levels will dictate how long it can go between feedings. A highly active kitten may last about 12 hours before hypoglycemia becomes an imminent health threat; an adult cat would quickly become dehydrated and overwhelmed during this period.
Activity level also plays a factor in cat appetite; healthy, non-sick cats will usually be more willing to eat than ones in pain or feeling unwell, and picky eaters can usually be encouraged to do more eating by giving it different flavours or textures, using gravies or even simply warming up their food slightly.
Domestic cats rely on their owners to provide food every day; in contrast, wild cats rely on natural hunting skills to catch mice and birds for sustenance. Cats that live alone typically can only go several days without food before becoming unwell and needing care from someone.
As there can be various causes for cats to stop eating, including pain, dental issues, stress and even depression – it is imperative that any cat who stops eating be brought immediately to a veterinarian, as if left untreated it can become life-threatening.
Once a cat begins losing its appetite, it can be very challenging to restore their appetite. Although some days without food may help restore strength and appetite, for best results it is wise to continue feeding small amounts regularly.
Cats need water and food in their diet in order to remain alive, including fresh food sources like fish or poultry. Without enough food, organs will begin failing and it may ultimately result in death. Without food sources available for energy sources, cats without sufficient nourishment can begin breaking down fat reserves for energy use, leading them down the path of Hepatic Lipidosis or Fatty Liver Disease which is potentially lethal.
Diet
A healthy cat can survive up to four days without food, as long as they have access to enough water for digestion, waste removal and circulation. After this point their bodies begin utilizing fat reserves for energy use rather than eating directly, potentially leading to liver failure known as Hepatic Lipidosis which may even prove fatal – this condition being particularly hazardous among feral, picky eaters or unfed cats.
A great way to help a cat get back on its feet quickly is providing it with plenty of food and water, with moist food being preferred, warm water being best, if they haven’t been eating try offering different flavors and textures, warming up food or spending more time with them to encourage them. If a cat goes without food for an extended period of time, take them straight to the vet immediately as this could indicate illness.
As cats are obligate carnivores, it is also essential that their diet contains meat-based proteins in order to receive all of the essential vitamins and minerals their bodies cannot produce on their own – including taurine and arginine deficiency. If they fail to consume enough proteins from meat sources, deficiency symptoms could emerge including reduced eye sight or respiratory problems.
As well as meat-based proteins, cats need some carbohydrates in their diet as well. However, too much carbs can lead to obesity and health issues, so opt for foods high in fiber but low in calories such as fish, poultry or vegetables for best results.
Kittens should be brought to a veterinarian if they have not eaten in 12 hours; 24 hour fasts require IV fluids as a form of treatment. There may be numerous reasons for a cat’s loss of appetite such as illness, pain relief, dental issues or stress so it is vital that they see their veterinarian quickly in order to diagnose and address their specific issue(s).
