How long can your cat go without food and water?

• Quick answer: cats can survive around a week without food if they have water, but health problems start within 24 to 48 hours.
• Water is more urgent than food: cats can only last two to four days without it, and become dehydrated within 24 hours.
• Kittens have far less tolerance than adult cats and need help much sooner.
• If your cat has not eaten or drunk anything for 24 hours, contact your vet.

Cats are obligate carnivores so they need plenty of animal-based proteins and water to survive. In the wild, cats naturally choose to eat several small meals a day, which is why if you leave out dry food you’ll notice your cat grazing on it throughout the day. Domestic cats living in our homes as pets need to eat at least once or twice a day, but ideally three meals, and most cats will drink between 100-150 ml of water daily. 

These figures can vary between cats depending on their size, activity level, health and diet. 

However, if you’re wondering how long cats can go without any food, the truth is not very long at all. Within 24-48 hours, cats will begin to experience issues. The longer a cat goes without food, the more dire the situation becomes.

In this article, we look at how long cats can go without food and water compared to how long a kitten can go without food and water, and how to help your feline friend in these situations.

How long can cats go without food?

How long can a cat go without food? Cats need to eat every day, but when faced with illness or crisis, most healthy adult cats could survive about a week without food if they drink water, although their body will start to experience serious health problems within a few days. After the first few days of fasting, a cat’s body will use their fat reserves for energy. However, since a cat’s liver is not as efficient as a human’s at metabolising fat, there is a high risk of your cat developing hepatic lipidosis – a serious condition known as fatty liver disease.

It can be difficult to identify when a cat that goes outdoors has stopped eating. If you notice your cat is not eating, monitor them closely. Typically a cat should not go more than 24 hours without food. Contact your veterinarian as soon as concerning signs appear. In the meantime, it may help your cat’s appetite to offer a treat or something highly palatable to help determine if they are refusing to eat because they feel ill or cannot eat because they have a painful mouth. Just make sure you know how many treats to give a cat and what treats are right for your cat.

How long can kittens go without food?

Kittens can go without food for a much shorter period than adult cats. They have different nutritional needs than adult cats as they are growing and developing rapidly, they must eat throughout the day to sustain this. While most healthy adult cats can go up to a week without food, weaned kittens would only survive a few days and unweaned kittens only a few hours. 

However, within 24 hours of not eating, kittens would become weak, lethargic and dehydrated. The longer kittens go without food, the more severe the complications can be.

It’s crucial to consult a veterinarian immediately if your kitten is not eating enough. With small bodies and high energy requirements, your kitten needs to eat regular meals. Find more advice if your cat is not eating. 

How long can cats go without water?

So, how long can cats go without water? Like humans, cats can go longer without food than without water. On average, cats may live up to 2-4 days without water, depending on their age, health and climate. However, even after the first 24 hours without water, cats will become dehydrated, which can have serious and lasting health implications.

Your cat must always have access to clean and fresh drinking water. Wet food does provide some moisture, but you should still check the water bowl regularly. If you’re worried about your cat not drinking water, they may be getting enough moisture from their wet food. Regardless, hydration is essential to your cat’s health, and we look at the specific health effects of cats not drinking water below.

What happens if cats don’t drink water for a few days?

Cats are at risk of dehydration after 24 hours of not drinking water, and there are other severe health implications as the lack of water begins to affect their bodily functions. The longer your cat goes without water, the more stress it will cause on their organs due to low blood pressure and poor circulation, leading to organ damage and potentially multiple organ failure. 

Their kidneys will likely be affected first, as without water they will be ineffective in filtering waste from the blood and removing toxins through urine. This can result in acute kidney failure, a life-threatening condition that requires an emergency veterinarian. There is also an increased risk of urinary tract issues, including infections and blockages. 

It’s essential to contact a veterinarian if your cat is not drinking water after 24 hours, especially if wet food is not part of their diet. This is crucial if your cat has preexisting health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, as they can be severely affected by dehydration. Look out for symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, sunken eyes, dry gums and decreased skin elasticity, and take your cat to the veterinarian immediately if you notice these.

What to do if your cat stops eating or drinking

Cats can’t go too long without food or water so if your cat stops eating or drinking, follow these steps to protect their health:

• Check for signs of illness, as refusal of food and water is often the first sign that something else is wrong. If your cat has other symptoms, like lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, there may be an underlying health issue that needs veterinary attention.
• Ensure food and water bowls are clean. Clean your cat’s bowls daily before putting in fresh food and water to ensure there is no harmful bacteria growing inside.
• Try different types of food. If you have recently changed your cat’s food, this could be why they’re refusing to eat. On the other hand, if you haven’t, your cat might be bored of the same food, so you could try a different flavour or brand. Try tempting them with tuna or warming wet food to heighten its aroma.
• Offer treats. You can entice your cat to eat by offering their favourite treats. Read more on when and why to give cats treats.
• Try a water fountain. Cats prefer to drink fresh running water, so a water fountain could have a novelty effect and be more exciting for your cat. This could encourage them to drink more water. 
• Provide a calm environment. Sometimes a cat’s refusal of food and water is linked to stress, especially if there are changes in their environment. Ensure your cat’s food and water bowl are in a quiet and safe location. 
• Check their mouth to see if there is anything that could be causing your cat pain or discomfort and preventing them from eating. 
• Seek out veterinary support. It’s essential to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any concerning symptoms of your cat’s eating or drinking behaviour. This is even more crucial if you have a kitten, as a kitten cannot go too long without food or water.

Things to consider if your cat won’t eat or drink

If your cat is refusing to eat or drink, you should consider the following risk factors:

• Age – Kittens and senior cats are most at risk. Kittens are rapidly developing and must consume food and water more frequently to sustain themselves, while senior cats have less resilience against organ stress and often possess weaker thirst drives.
• Existing Conditions – Cats with conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or pancreatitis can deteriorate rapidly without food or water.
• Body Weight – Refusing to eat poses a risk of hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease, where fat floods the liver and causes organ failure. This is particularly a risk for overweight cats.
• Diet – Sudden changes in food flavour or brand can cause your cat to refuse it, while too little variation can cause them to grow bored of it.
• Temperature – If it is hot outside, this may be a contributing factor in your cat’s missing appetite, but it is also all the more reason why they must hydrate.

If you’re looking to keep a fussy cat interested day to day, shop DREAMIES™ treats.

How long can cats go without food - FAQs

Can a cat go 24 hours without eating?

Yes, a cat can go 24 hours without eating and could technically survive up to a week, but there would be serious repercussions on their health the longer the time. Cats can’t go too long without food so if your cat hasn’t eaten for 24-48 hours, contact a veterinarian immediately.

How long can you leave a cat without food?

You can leave a cat without food for up to 48 hours but it is strongly discouraged. A cat can only go 24 hours without food before there are serious health risks. If your cat isn’t eating after a day, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

How long can a cat survive without food or water?

Cats can only go without water for up to 24 hours, as a lack of hydration would begin to cause organ failure after this point. They are technically capable of lasting around 48 hours with no food before muscle and fat begin to break down, though this is already far too long to leave a cat unfed.

Is it normal for a cat to skip a meal?

It is not typically normal for a cat to skip a meal or refuse to eat for longer periods of time. This could be due to stress, illness, or injury, though it may also simply be that your cat has found food elsewhere while outside. It is important to keep an eye on their behaviour if they avoid food for more than 24 hours.

How can I encourage my cat to eat again?

To encourage your cat to eat after they’ve refused their meals, there are a few things you can try.

Warming up wet food before serving it can deliver a more potent aroma, which can arouse a cat’s appetite. Adding strong-smelling toppers like tuna juice to food can create the same effect. 

Though it is not recommended as a regular occurrence, offering small amounts of cheese, or better yet, Dreamies treats, can also be a great way to break a cat out of their refusal to eat.