how long can a cat go without water?

Food and water are essential for the lives of all animals, including felines. 

Both wild and domestic cats require daily fluids and nutrition to stay healthy and live longer. Regardless of age or breed, all cats need to drink and eat cat food every day. Any form of “cleansing” regimen such as skipping meal days or fasting is detrimental to your pet’s health and longevity.

Unfortunately, you can’t force food or water down your cat’s throat when he refuses to eat or drink on his own. It is unusual for an adult cat or kitten to stop eating or drinking from their bowls. But you should not neglect this type of behavior. Indoor cats are not used to surviving on a wildlife diet and you have to monitor their eating habits regularly.

How long can a cat survive without water?

It may seem like nutrition is much more essential for kittens than water, but it’s actually the other way around.

Outdoor cats can survive a little longer without drinking water than their indoor counterparts because they get fluids from the prey they catch. However, as a general rule, all cats cannot go without water for more than 48 hours! before organ failure begins. Ever wondered why cats love ear rubs so much? This article answers that question by delving into the behavioral, emotional, and physical aspects that make ear rubs a beloved interaction for cats and their owners.

Water is crucial to your cat’s survival, especially when it loses its appetite and refuses to eat. Explore how to manage your cat’s countertop behavior with our expert tips and recommendations. Enjoy a clutter-free and cat-free kitchen environment with the strategies provided in our article. 

Unfortunately, cats do not have a strong feeling of dehydration. And without sufficient amounts of water, they can quickly become ill even if they eat regularly. Uncover the connection between scratching and cats in our comprehensive article. We explain the reasons behind your cat’s litter box behavior and offer tips on how to manage and improve this aspect of their hygiene.

Lack of water will immediately worsen any current health complications. Kittens and hyperactive feline breeds will burn fluid faster than lazier adult cats. Therefore it will not be able to go without water for long.

What to do if your cat doesn’t eat or drink enough?

If you suspect that your feline friend is not eating or drinking enough on a daily basis, you should definitely keep an eye on him.

If your cat doesn’t drink water, take a look at the article we linked above, where you’ll find tips to get him to drink more.

Another way to get your cat to drink more fluids is to use their favorite canned food. Just add a little water to it. Not only will it increase the kitten’s body fluids, but this method will also provide nutrition.

If the kitten is not eating his food, try switching to something new. Try heating canned foods or trying other types of food. You can also try changing the containers where he eats.

• Do you want a quick, simple, and effective solution?
• A cat fountain is what you need!

How long can a cat survive without food?

Although there is no universally applied schedule for every cat, all felines will experience the same physical and emotional changes when their bodies are deprived of food. Explore the intricate connection between tails and cat behavior. This article examines how a cat’s tail reflects their emotions and intentions, helping you gain deeper insights into your pet’s actions and moods. Understand the role of the tail in shaping your cat’s behavior.

When your cat doesn’t get enough nutrition, his body attacks body fat as a way to find energy. The feline liver actually helps process fat reserve and energy reserve. If the liver does not get enough protein, it cannot function properly. In that case, it enters a process known as liver failure. Once hunger causes such serious organ damage, your pet’s life is in serious danger.

On average, cats can survive (not live) without food for a week, but that largely depends on the amount of water they drink and their overall health.

Other factors that influence the survival rate are:

• Age
• Climate
• Environment
• Genetics
• Emotional state

Adult cats will last a little longer than kittens and elderly cats. Depending on each pet’s activity levels, stress and other negative emotions, hot or cold weather conditions, and genetic inheritance, their organs could begin to suffer even after a few days.

What to do if your cat doesn’t drink or eat?

If you’re worried about your cat not drinking or eating (and who wouldn’t be…) , you could try giving him some treats in liquid form.

As we have repeatedly said, water is essential for your cat’s survival and, if you can get him to drink in any way, it is already a step forward.

Try giving him water mixed with tuna, he might like the fishy smell and taste of the water and, in addition to drinking, he will also eat, thus obtaining important nutrients that will allow him to live.

And of course, if your cat refuses to drink or eat anything, you should contact your vet immediately.

Reasons why a cat doesn’t drink or eat

Lack of appetite could mean many things: depression, diabetes, food is not to your liking or simple stomach ache.

Again, your veterinarian is the best person you can rely on in certain cases.

Hepatic lipidosis

The condition most linked to poor appetite is hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome.

This condition occurs when there has been an accumulation of fat in the cells and tissues of the liver, thus leading to dysfunction of the biliary tract and organs in general.

If a cat is going through a period in which it doesn’t eat or drink, the central nervous system, to stay active, will look for the necessary nourishment in the cells, metabolizing them. Discover the eco-friendly aspects of using wood-based cat litter in our article. We highlight the advantages of this sustainable litter option and its potential to create a more environmentally responsible choice for your cat’s hygiene.

All animals that suffer from hunger have this bodily reaction. The body literally eats itself as it searches for energy.

In any case, this disease also brings a lot of liver problems, as fat-filled cells will continue to accumulate in the liver preventing it from functioning as it should.

Here are some causes why your cat suddenly seems disinterested at feeding time:

There are some specific reasons why your cat refuses to eat or drink. Cats are picky eaters and love to make choices when it comes to food. So, if you are thinking: why doesn’t my cat eat anything, here are some reasons:

Illness

Many times cats don’t eat anything because they are unwell and sick. The disease makes eating painful. If you notice symptoms such as nausea, fever, and tiredness in your cat, consult your vet immediately.

Food allergy

Check to see if your cat is behaving differently or lacking an appetite. This could indicate that your cat has food allergies. Symptoms such as skin problems and tummy trouble can appear for a few days to several weeks. If you have changed their diet and food and your cat exhibits these symptoms, it means they may have an underlying food allergy.

Lack of flavor

Cats only eat the food they like, even if they are hungry. So, another reason why your cat isn’t drinking or eating anything is that your cat is bored with the food. Try adding some flavors and tidbits to make the food interesting.

Ache

Sometimes dry food can cause problems with your cat’s teeth. This usually happens in older cats or cats with sensitive teeth, which cause pain when eating.

Breathing problems

Cats like to smell food when they eat, and if your cat suffers from respiratory conditions such as a stuffy nose, he won’t eat anything.

Digestive problems

Why doesn’t my cat eat? Maybe because your feline has digestive problems!

When a cat suffers from gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, it stops eating.

Anxiety and depression

Just like humans, cats can also suffer from anxiety and depression. One of the main signs that kittens are sad is when they stop eating. Sometimes they even refuse their favorite meals and treats. When it comes to anxiety, every cat has different reactions. Some felines stop eating and freeze in their posture, while others become more vocal.

Voyage

Travel can make your cat sick. Any type of change in a cat’s daily routine can cause stress and decreased appetite. This is why it is essential to consult your veterinarian about your travel plan and ask him whether your cat can travel or not.

Medications or vaccinations

Is your cat taking any medications? Or has he had any vaccinations recently?

If so, this could be the reason for your lack of appetite. Vaccines and medications have minor side effects, usually lasting a few hours to a day

Serious underlying health conditions

Sometimes there may be a serious health problem. When your cat suddenly stops eating, there are likely serious health problems, such as:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Kidney diseases
• Pancreatitis
• Liver problems

When does hepatic lipidosis affect the cat’s body?

It can change. A fatter cat will die sooner due to excessive fats deposited in the cells. However, on average the animal can survive a maximum of 2 to 10 days before death.

If the vet suspects that a cat has hepatic lipidosis, he will first of all measure the level of enzymes in the liver and, if this is too high, it means that the cat is sick.

X-rays or ultrasounds may also be done, but the most effective way to confirm the disease is to perform a liver biopsy.

conclusion

A cat can survive a maximum of a few days without water. Without food, he could survive for up to 2 weeks, but his body would suffer irreparable damage.

If your cat stops eating or drinking inexplicably, our advice is to call your vet immediately.