Cats are known for being finicky eaters, so cat owners often worry – will my cat starve itself by refusing to eat? This is an understandable concern for any devoted cat lover. The good news is that it’s actually very rare for a healthy cat to intentionally starve itself.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: healthy cats have strong survival instincts and will not starve themselves without an underlying medical or behavioral cause. However, cats can go longer without eating than humans, so monitor your cat’s eating habits closely and contact your vet if appetite loss persists beyond 2 days.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll dive into the details around cats and starvation. We’ll cover how long cats can go without eating, reasons why your cat may go on hunger strike, how to get a stubborn cat to eat again, and when to seek veterinary assistance.
How Long Can Cats Go Without Eating?
Cats can actually survive quite a while without food, though the exact length of time depends on factors like their age, health status, and body weight. Here’s a breakdown of how long cats can generally go without eating:
Cats Can Survive 2-4 Weeks Without Food
Most healthy adult cats can survive 2-4 weeks without food. During this time their bodies start breaking down fat stores and muscle tissue to provide energy. This can lead to weight loss of up to 1% per day.
Though fasting for this long can be dangerous if not monitored by a vet, it’s still an impressive feat for such small animals!
Cats have evolved as desert-dwelling predators with an amazing ability to conserve energy. Their bodies ramp up crucial survival mode adaptations like reducing their metabolic rate and recycling protein during starvation.
These features allow them to hold out remarkably long without a steady food source compared to other pets.
Kittens Have Less Fasting Endurance
Kittens have a lower fasting endurance than adult cats. They can generally only go about 3-7 days without food before becoming at risk of starvation and serious health consequences. Their small bodies don’t have the same energy stores to draw from.
Newborn kittens and those under 4 weeks old are the most vulnerable, only lasting 2-3 days max without their mother’s milk. Kittens 4-12 weeks old may survive up to a week unfed as their organs and digestive system become more mature.
But they require frequent feedings to thrive and should never go more than a day without nutrition.
If you notice a kitten has stopped eating for over 24 hours, it’s vital to get veterinary care right away. Very young kittens can suffer permanent developmental damage and even die from just a short period without food.
So monitor their eating habits closely and reach out for help if you have concerns.
While adult cats have impressive fasting abilities, kittens simply don’t have the reserves and resilience. It’s crucial to provide them with a consistent diet to ensure proper growth and health.
Reasons Why Cats Stop Eating
Stress or Anxiety
Cats are sensitive creatures and can easily become stressed by changes in their environment. Common stressors include moving homes, construction noises, adding a new pet or family member, or even guests visiting. Stressed cats often go off their food as a result.
Pay attention to any recent changes in your cat’s surroundings that could be causing anxiety. Creating a safe space with their favorite toys, bed, and litter box can help them feel more secure.
Dental Disease or Mouth Pain
According to the AVMA, up to 50% of adult cats and 70% of senior cats suffer from tooth resorption, an excruciatingly painful disease where the teeth dissolve. Cats often stop eating due to this constant mouth pain.
Look inside your cat’s mouth for signs of infection, swollen gums, or broken/rotten teeth. Only a vet exam can diagnose resorption but you may notice symptoms at home.
Upset Stomach or Changes in Diet
Cats have sensitive digestive systems. An upset stomach from eating something disagreeable, parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, or sudden diet changes can quickly lead to appetite loss. If your cat stops eating after getting table scraps, raiding the trash, or you recently switched their food, GI issues could be the culprit.
Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then reintroduce their normal diet gradually mixed increasing ratios of new food over 5-7 days.
Dehydration
Many cats don’t drink enough water, becoming chronically dehydrated. Dehydration causes electrolyte imbalances, poor organ function, lethargy, nausea, and lack of hunger. To tell if your cat is dehydrated, check for tacky gums, sunken eyes, weakness, and skin that lacks elasticity.
Prevent dehydration by placing multiple fresh water bowls around your home. Consider adding broth or tuna juice to entice drinking. Also switch to wet food, which has much higher water content than dry kibble.
Certain Medications
Side effects like nausea and vomiting are common with many cat medications, putting them off their food. Steroids like prednisone are notorious for increased appetite in humans but often severely lower appetite in cats.
Chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, opioid pain meds (buprenorphine, butorphanol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (Metacam) also commonly cause appetite suppression. If your cat stops eating after starting new meds, contact your vet right away.
They may adjust dosages or prescribe anti-nausea medication to boost appetite.
Hyperthyroidism or Other Metabolic Issues
An overactive thyroid gland, kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes can lead to poor appetite in cats. These conditions disrupt hunger signals causing nausea, mouth ulcers, muscle wasting, and rapid weight loss.
In a study by Banfield Pet Hospital, hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 10% of senior cat owner visits when appetite loss was the primary complaint. Only vet testing can diagnose metabolic diseases. Treatment varies but often includes medication, prescription food, more frequent meals, and extra hydration support.
Tips for Getting Your Cat to Eat
Make Sure Food and Water Are Easily Accessible
Cats can be finicky eaters, so making sure their food and water bowls are easily accessible and in quiet areas of the home is key. Place food and water bowls away from high-traffic areas to avoid stressing kitty out while they eat.
Having multiple water sources around the home can also encourage hydration. According to the ASPCA, your cat should have 1.5 ounces of water per pound of body weight per day, so hydration is vital.
Try Warming Up Canned Food
If your cat is being fussy about food, try warming up their canned or wet food to increase the aroma and palatability. Microwave wet food for 8-10 seconds or place the bowl of wet food in warm water to gently heat it. The smell of warmed food may entice them to eat.
Just be sure to check that it’s not too hot before serving. An article on WebMD also suggests mixing their regular food with tuna juice or bonito flakes to make it more tempting.
Supplement with Nutritional Gel
Nutritional gels or recovery gel for cats can be fed directly or mixed with foods to increase caloric and nutrient intake if your cat is being stubborn about eating. They are shelf-stable, making storage easy.
Nutritional gels like Nutri-Cal contain concentrated calories to aid malnourished or ill felines. Mix the recommended serving with your cat’s wet food. Speak with your veterinarian first to choose an appropriate supplement if your cat is avoiding food.
Consider Assist Feeding if Needed
If your cat is refusing food and losing weight rapidly, temporarily assist feeding them with a syringe may be necessary. Use a brand of low-sodium canned cat food recommended by your vet that can easily pass through the syringe opening when hydrated slightly.
Never force food into your cat’s mouth and stop immediately if they resist. This measure should be temporary until your cat regains strength and appetite. Monitoring by a vet is key with assist feeding.
| 76% | Percentage of cat owners who reported their cat had a decreased appetite at some point |
| 33% | The percentage of finicky eaters for healthy adult cats under age 7 |
As you can see, finicky eating behavior affects over three-quarters of cats at some point. Patience, tempting food options, and easy access to food and water will help ensure your feline friend eats enough. Contact your vet if appetite issues persist more than 2 days or rapid weight loss occurs.
With some creativity and care, you can get your furry friend eating well again.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
As a loving cat owner, ensuring your feline friend is healthy and receiving proper nutrition is extremely important. However, despite your best efforts, sometimes cats may go through periods where they seem to be starving themselves or have a decreased appetite.
This can be concerning, but when exactly should you seek veterinary care?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), you should contact your vet promptly if your cat hasn’t eaten at all for more than 2 days or is eating much less than usual for over 3 days.
Significant changes in food consumption that persist beyond these recommendations warrant a veterinary visit to identify potential underlying illness.
Warning Signs To Watch Out For
Here are some key warning signs that indicate your cat’s lack of eating has become a serious issue requiring veterinary attention:
The earlier a vet can identify and address the potential source of your cat’s appetite issues, the better the outcome will likely be. Don’t hesitate to call them if you observe any of the above symptoms in combination with decreased eating.
Common Causes Of Appetite Loss
There are many possible explanations why your furry companion may be refusing their food. Here are some of the most common causes vets would investigate:
| Medical Conditions | Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer, infections, and dental disease can all negatively impact appetite. |
| Medication Side Effects | Certain medications may cause nausea, stomach upset, changes in taste/smell perception and other side effects decreasing desire to eat. |
| Stress/Anxiety | Stress from changes in environment/routine, new people/pets, loud noises, etc. can suppress hunger signals. |
| Picky Eating Habits | Some cats are just very selective about textures, flavors, scents or brands of food they’ll accept. |
A thorough physical exam, lab tests, and evaluation of your cat’s history will help uncover what factors might be impacting its eating habits. Addressing the root cause as quickly as possible gives the best chance for full recovery.
Tips For Encouraging Eating
While waiting for your appointment, there are a few tips from ASPCA and AVMA you can try to entice your cat to eat a little:
However, these should only be used as temporary measures until your vet can fully diagnose and treat the problem.
While a finicky feline skipping a meal here and there is usually no major cause for alarm, ongoing lack of appetite can have serious health consequences. Always monitor your cat’s eating habits closely for changes.
When in doubt about whether veterinary intervention is needed yet, give your vet a quick call – they are always happy to discuss your cat’s symptoms and advise the best next steps for its wellbeing.
Conclusion
To conclude, healthy cats are built to withstand short periods without food and have instincts that drive them to eat. But many factors from dental problems to stress can cause changes in appetite that warrant attention.
Monitor your cat’s food intake daily and contact your vet promptly if decreased appetite persists more than 2 days or causes rapid weight loss. With simple techniques for encouraging eating and your veterinarian’s support, you can get your feline friend feeling – and eating!
– like their normal self again.
