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Why is my cat not eating or drinking water?
Loss of appetite is one of the key indicators that something is wrong. So be sure to pay attention if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of different conditions may be responsible, including infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer.
How long is it safe for a cat to not drink water?
When You Should Take Your Cat to the Vet If a cat goes 48-72 hours without drinking, or if the change in drinking habits is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as a reduction in urinating or defecating, or loss of appetite, be sure to have a vet take a look.
How long can a sick cat go without food and water?
A sick cat should never go without food for more than 48 hours or 24 hours without water. Water helps the blood flow and ensures that internal organs work optimally. Starvation and dehydration will make existing health problems worse. Unless your cat gets fluids and nutrition, it will not be strong enough to recover.
Can I force my cat to drink water?
You must get to know your cat’s food and water preferences. For instance, some cats like drinking water from a water dish while some like using a cat fountain. You want to try to encourage them to drink. However, you should never force them.
What happens if cats don’t drink water?
When a cat doesn’t consume enough water, she is at risk for dehydration. “Dehydration occurs when the normal body fluids, including water and electrolytes, fall below required needs,” describes Petcha, causing problems in her energy, skin and organ function.
Can a cat recover from dehydration?
A dog or cat suffering from mild dehydration will recover quickly after they have replenished the lost fluid. A pet with severe dehydration will take longer to recover, and their recovery time will depend on the extent of their dehydration and the underlying cause.
What to do when your cat won’t eat?
While there are many potential reasons for a cat to refuse food, here are some simple tricks you can try to tempt their appetite: Give them some canned/wet food (the stinkier the better — try seafood varieties) Give them some meat baby food. Add some water from a can of tuna or anchovies to their food.
Why is my cat eating but not drinking?
Losing appetite on cats can vary from kidney failure, infection, pancreatitis and even cancer. The new environment that is causing your cat to stop eating or drinking because of stress. Changes to their regular routine and home space can cause them to lose their appetite.
How long can a sick cat go without eating and drinking?
A cat can live up to two weeks without eating as long as she is still drinking water. But if the cat is also not drinking water, she won’t live for more than a few days. And also remember not eating for a day or two can have a negative and permanent damage that may plague them for the rest of their lives.
Why is my elderly cat not eating?
Another common cause for cats, particularly older cats, not to eat is kidney disease. Like GI problems, kidney disease causes nausea which will cause your cat not to eat.