Can my cat go 8 hours without eating

How long can cats go without food?

Do you want to know how long can cats go without food before you need to take them to the veterinarian? We provide all the information you require.

How long cats can go without food is a common concern among devoted pet parents, who frequently express worries that their feline child has unexpectedly lost interest in foods they once found appetizing.

It can be unsettling when your beloved moggys eating habits change and you discover their kibble sitting untouched in their bowl night after night because you likely spent a lot of time researching the best cat foods for them.

The good news is that cats are remarkably resilient, so a few days of little to no eating dont always indicate a serious problem. When your cat isnt eating, there are a lot of things you can check that might indicate an issue that is simple to resolve.

The most frequent causes of a cat not eating, when to visit the vet, some helpful tips to get your feline friend to chow down, and of course, the answer to the burning question How long can cats go without food? are all provided below.

You might be interested in reading: Can cats eat cheese? Is cheese good for cats? 3 kinds of cheese that cats can eat

How long can cats go without food?

If you love food as much as we do, you probably find the idea of skipping a meal horrifying. Your feline friend, however, has a different relationship with food and, as long as they have access to plenty of fresh water, they can go up to two weeks without their kibble. Without it, their chances of surviving longer than a couple of days are slim.

Having said that, just because your cat could theoretically go that long without food doesnt mean they wont get very sick and starve. Cats get all the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive from food, just like humans do, so going without is not a good idea.

Never leave a domestic cat without access to food. Although we frequently believe that cats could live without us, not all felines are skilled at foraging for food on their own. This is particularly true for indoor cats, who lack the hunting prowess of their mostly outdoor siblings.

However, if you regularly fill your cats food bowl with dry cat food or wet cat food and you notice that they no longer gobble it down with lightning speed but now merely sniff it, it may be time to look into why.

Read: Do cats love their owners?

Can a Cat Go 12 Hours Without Food?

Yes, cats can go 12 hours without food.

Cats, however, should ideally be fed ad libitum, which means that their bowl should always be filled with cat food, and they are free to nibble whenever they please.

Can my cat go without food for a full day?

Yes, a cat can go 24, or even 48, hours safely without food.

This, however, should not be a common practice. Specifically, going without food for a single 24-hour period is acceptable. Outside cats frequently go longer periods without eating. But it is advised that cat owners who are going on a trip look for a cat sitter who will take care of the cats needs and prepare meals. They shouldnt rely on the cats capacity to go without food all day.

When should I become concerned if my cat isnt eating?

Call a veterinarian if your cat stops eating on its own for 24 hours as there may be a health problem. Some indoor cats, however, are grazers and may not consume as much food. In this instance, pay close attention to their weight and energy levels. Its time to call your vet if you notice significant weight loss and you notice your cat hasnt been eating. The vet may then recommend changing the cats diet or prescribing medication to increase the cats appetite.

Why does my cat no longer eat?

While some cat owners struggle with their cats eating too quickly and excessively, others struggle with their cats ceasing to eat altogether. Although your cats lack of appetite may indicate a health issue, there are other, less concerning causes for it. The most typical ones are:

• A recent vaccination or new medication
• Anxiety or stress brought on by a change in routine
• New food
• A slower metabolism is common in older cats.
• Digestive issues
• Dental/tooth pain
• Kidney disease
• An obstruction/indigestion/constipation
• Pancreatitis
• Boredom/fussiness

Allergies to foods

Without the assistance of your dependable veterinarian, food allergies are difficult to identify.

Respiratory problems

For cats who depend on their keen sense of smell to pique their appetite, a stuffy nose is no fun. One of the many symptoms of respiratory illnesses is a decrease in appetite.

Digestive problems

Cats may be reluctant to eat or drink if they have any sort of gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

Sadness and depression

Our canine companions can experience the blues just like us. Cats can exhibit a wide range of symptoms when they are sad or depressed. Your cat may be depressed if they abruptly stop eating and refuse its favorite treats.

Travel

Always consult your veterinarian to determine whether traveling with your specific cat is safe. A decrease in appetite, illness and other stress-related conditions can result from any change in routine. Motion sickness could be brought on by the movement of the car itself and manifest as momentary nausea and loss of appetite.

Anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety can vary from cat to cat. Some cats may become silent, frozen in place, and more subdued than usual. Some people become more talkative, overgroom, or change their appetites and eating patterns.

Foreign objects

The digestive system of your cat can become clogged by excessive hairballs and other foreign objects, such as string. Contact your veterinarian right away if you believe your cat has ingested a foreign object, has lost its appetite, is vomiting, or appears to be in pain.

Dental diseases

Your cat may require a visit to the feline dentist if they have lost their appetite and it is accompanied by excessive drooling, bleeds, discomfort while eating, or bad breath (which can be treated by brushing your cats teeth). Cats frequently suffer from gingivitis, toothaches, and broken teeth.

Medications or vaccinations

Although necessary, vaccines and medications may have side effects, such as appetite loss. If side effects persist for more than a day or two, speak with your veterinarian. Side effects should be minor and transient.

Underlying medical issue

Its difficult to comprehend why your cat stopped eating all of a sudden. Sometimes the only person who can diagnose the issue is your veterinarian. The following are some examples of potential medical conditions that could cause loss of appetite and weight loss:

• Kidney disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver issues
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Parasites
• Cancer

Given the complexity of cat behavior, there could be a wide range of explanations for why your moggy has stopped visiting its food bowl. While some of these explanations warrant concern, others will probably go away just as quickly as they arrived. which naturally raises the question of when your cats lack of appetite is severe enough to require a trip to the veterinarian.

How to trick your cat into eating

There are a few tricks you can try to see if you can get your cat to eat before you take them to the vet. It may only require switching to a different brand of food, experimenting with flavors or textures, switching from dry to wet cat food, or, if youve been keeping leftover food in the refrigerator, gently warming it to remove the chill.

If your cat will allow it, you can also open its mouth, put a little food on its tongue, and see if that increases its appetite. If your cat is apprehensive about being handled in this manner, try putting a little bit on your finger and watching to see if they lick it off.

When it comes to getting your cat to go to their food bowl, having a variety of high-quality cat treats on hand can be helpful. Try adding some to wet food or putting a few in your hands palm. Additionally, you might try giving them food from a fresh bowl, moving their eating spot, and making sure their food is always fresh.

Final Thoughts: How long can cats go without food?

It is one thing if your cat doesnt eat as frequently as usual because of a stressful day or a cold. However, if your cat goes for longer than 24 hours without eating, this may be cause for concern, and he should visit a veterinarian. Monitoring your cat regularly will help to ensure that she has food available at all times. This will guarantee that she didnt end up being trapped somewhere. There have been reports of this happening despite its rarity of it.

Related :

Do cats love their owners?

Why do cats cover their face when they sleep?

Why does my cat chew on me? 6 Reasons you should know.

Hair loss in cats: identifying and solving the problem!

References:

https://www.petmd.com/cat/

Photos Sources Pexels.com

How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?

Cats can slow or stop eating for a multitude of reasons. Whether you have a cat that is a picky eater, a stressed pet, or even if you feel that your feline friend is under the weather, your cat can only go without eating for so long without health problems becoming a concern. Find out how long can a cat go without eating and what you can do if they stop eating.

Dr. Jess explains it all below:

Lets Talk Cats:

Cats, also known as felines, are small mammals that are a popular choice in house pets. There are tens and tens of different cat breeds in the U.S. and world-wide.

Not only are there domesticated cats, but there are farm cats that are primarily used for hunting rodents, as well as feral cats that are not tamed, the exact opposite of a domesticated house cat.

Some domesticated cats are bred to be show cats and enter into shows to compete with other cats of the same breed over their conformation, or how closely they are built like how the breed was intended.

Cats are natural-born hunters, chasing and hunting prey such as mice, rats, and other small rodents.

Cats, being mammals, have fur, produce milk and nurse their babies, have sharp pointed teeth and retractable claws to help hunt down their prey and to protect themselves.

A healthy cat should be on a routine eating, drinking, urinating, and defecating schedule.

Their claws also help them climb.

Cats are quite fast and nimble.

They are playful and curious.

Cats can range in size and shape, with most cats weighing between 10 15 pounds as healthy active adults. Of course there are always outliers to both ends of this spectrum.

Cats can live up to 20+ years old if very lucky remember the old adage cats have 9 lives!

What Do Cats Eat?

This is a hard question to answer because each cat is going to be so different from the next.

Lets start with this cats are carnivores, meaning that they eat meat. This is great news since they are natural born hunters!

That being said, most cats prefer meat, or meat-flavored foods and cat treats.

A cats diet can include many things. It depends on your cats flavor preferences, their medical conditions, their stage of life, and your living situation and your preferences too.

Most cats that I have seen in practice, eat a selection of commercial cats foods, including wet and dry foods.

Dry kibble is ideal for cats that have no problem chewing their food. There is the added benefit that the texture of the dry kibble helps to keep the teeth clean.

Wet food is softer and easier to eat and also has a much higher moisture content than dry kibble does. The extra water content in wet food will help to keep your cat hydrated.

Some clients get their cats food through brick and mortar stores like PetsMart or Petco, others order online through stores like Chewy like me, and others purchase commercial feed that needs a prescription from a veterinarian because of specific medical concerns.

Cats need a complete and balanced diet.

Whichever food you choose for your cat, whether it is a commercial food or another protein source, fresh meat or store-bought kibble, it needs to have the AAFCO label indicating the diet is complete and balanced for your cats life stage.

AAFCO approved foods have gone through testing and compliance to make sure that the diet is safe and healthy for your pet.

Check that label small print! Look for the AAFCO statement that reads complete and balanced nutrition for cats based on AAFCO feeding trials on the label.

The AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), tests pet feeds to see the nutritional makeup in the foods that you are serving to your pet.

Some foods meet the requirement that the AAFCO sets forth during their testing, but they have not actually been tested by the AAFCO.

Be careful of the tricky language, as it could mean a big difference to your cat!

If your cats commercial food is the only food that you are offering to your cat or kitten, make sure that it is complete and balanced, meaning that your feline friend will not need to be supplemented with anything because the food you are giving them has all the daily nutritional requirements necessary for proper growth, development, and daily management.

Be very concerned if your cat food does not describe the above verbiage.

Cats can get everything that they need from their AAFCO-approved kibble or canned food because they are complete and balanced.

There are a few ingredients that should be avoided in a cats food.

Milk has been misrepresented as a healthy snack for our feline friends. The truth is that they may like the taste but many kittens and cats cant handle the milk, leading to an upset digestive system.

Also avoid raw meat ingredients (including fish and egg ingredients) unless approved by your veterinarian beforehand, as these choices may be harboring harmful bacteria or parasites.

Make sure you talk to your veterinarian before starting or changing your cats diet program!

Also note, that cats need fresh food, free of bugs and other pests, and fresh, clean water.

When Do Cats Usually Eat?

Some cats do well with having scheduled feeding times. Their bodies run best on a schedule. Some cats like to be fed once a day, while others prefer multiple times a day.

Then, there are other cats who like to have their food out for long stretches of time to self-feed when their schedule allows them the opportunity to snack I like to call these cats the grazers.

Some cats are allowed the choice of when to eat or how many times their owners can offer them food.

Other cats needs to eat at certain times or have a certain number of times they must eat each day, due to medical conditions or medications that they may be taking.

Talk to your veterinarian about how often or at which times, you should be offering food to your cat.

Why Do Cats Stop Eating?

Why do cats stopping eating?

Well, this is a difficult question to answer because there are 1000 reasons why a cat does anything they do what they want.

However, there are a few common medical reasons why your cat may slow down and eat less or stopping eating all together that I have dealt with in my years as a veterinarian. Some common reasons include:

• Your cat doesnt feel well or is sick: When your cat is under the weather, they may not be up for eating much or anything at all. Even vaccinations can make them feel like taking a step back from their food bowls. When your cat isnt well, one common sign many pet owners will notice, is that their cat is not wanting to eat like they normally do.
• Your cat is scared or angry: When your cat is scared of something in their surroundings, particularly if it is near their food source or reminds them of something near their food source, chances are that they may ditch their food altogether if they are scared enough. This is seen a lot when traveling with your cat or moving your cat into a new home or welcome a new family member or guest. Same thing goes for an angry cat until they forgive or forget whatever it is making them angry or upset, they may decide to forgo some or all of heir food for a short while.
• Your cat is a picky eater: If your cat is a picky eater and decides that they do not like their food, some cats will decrease the amount they consume or stop eating all together in protest of something yummier to fill their bellies and appease their palates.

How Long Can a Cat Go Without Eating?

This is a great question! How long can a cat go without eating?

Well it is fair to say that a cat cannot go very long without eating and stay healthy.

If a cat goes too long without eating, they can go through a series of very serious medical consequences.

It is best to always monitor your cats food intake and when you notice a change, whether it is a decrease in the amount of food ingested, or if they stop eating all together, contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.

They may want to see your cat and run some tests to further evaluate how serious of a problem Fluffys decreased appetite really is.

To really answer this question my overarching generic answer is cats can go 24 hours without eating.

If your cat has not eaten in 24 hours, they need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately in case there is something medically wrong. I dont like pushing the time boundaries here because medical concerns become larger and larger the longer your cat is off of food. So get in contact with your local vet if your cat has not consumed food in the past day.

If there isnt a medical concern at the moment, one could be brewing and forming, the longer your cat is not eating.

Ill explain more about this in the next section on medical concerns.

Medical Issues Associated With Cats Not Eating:

When a cat stops eating, many body systems inside of them are affected.

One of the organs that can be affected the most by this anorexia is your cats liver, during a condition termed hepatic lipidosis.

Hepatic lipidosis, also known as Fatty Liver Disease in cats, occurs when your cats body tries to find energy sources to replace the food that your cat is no longer consuming.

In a typical animal, when the animal stops eating, the body will reach out and use fat stores in other areas of the body, bringing it to the liver to convert it to a lipoprotein (fat-protein complex), to use as an energy source.

Basically, the fat is taken out of fat cells, brought into the bloodstream, and delivered to the liver where the fat can be converted into glucose, AKA energy!

However, the cats system doesnt necessarily work that way when it comes to fat usage.

In fact, when a cat stops eating, the fat is brought to the liver, that is not equipped to handle the increased amount of fat.

Fat will accumulate in the liver, making it less and less efficient in its many jobs, such as protein synthesis (production of important proteins), production of blood clotting factors, breakdown of red blood cells, the emulsification of fats, and a handful of other functions.

This fatty liver interferes withthe normal functions of the liver and therefore many of the body processes needed for your cat to stay healthy and functioning properly.

Common Signs Seen With Hepatic Lipidosis, Fatty Liver Disease in Cats:

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Jaundice: yellowing skin such as around and in the ear and face, yellowing of the eyes, and of the mucous membranes such as the gums
• Lethargy and body weakness
• Depression and/or reclusiveness
• Constipation
• Drooling

Summary:

There are many reasons why a cat may slow or stop eating their food.

The most common reasons why your cat may become anorexic for a period of time include illness, stress, and food preferences to name a few.

No matter what reason your cat has for not eating, cats can only go about 24 hours before you need to seek medical attention.

Cats going longer than 24 hours without eating are predisposing themselves to medical issues, including Hepatic Lipidosis.

Hepatic lipidosis, also known as Fatty Liver Disease in cats, occurs when your cats body tries to find energy sources to replace the food that your cat is no longer consuming.

When your cat stops eating, the fat is brought to the liver. Your cats liver is not equipped to handle the increased amount of fat being brought to it.

This new fatty liver interferes withthe normal functions of the liver (protein and blood clotting factor production, red blood cell breakdown, etc.) and therefore many of the body processes needed for your cat to stay healthy.

If you believe that your cat has stopped eating, especially if longer than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Your vet will likely you to bring in your pet for an evaluation to make sure that your pet is not in danger.

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary help. For medical advice, contact your veterinarian.