Quick answer
A cat not eating for more than 24 hours should see a vet, even if nothing else seems wrong. Cats can't safely go without food for long, because their body breaks down fat faster than the liver can handle, which can lead to a life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis. Common causes include dental pain, nausea, infection, stress and kidney disease.
If you’re not sure whether to go now or book a visit, our should I go to the vet check can help you decide.
Why is my cat not eating?
A cat not eating is almost always a sign of something else. It may be feeling sick, in pain, stressed, or unable to smell its food. Vets split loss of appetite in cats into two types:
- True loss of appetite: your cat doesn’t want to eat, often because of nausea, fever, pain or illness.
- Wants to eat but can’t: your cat goes to the bowl, seems interested, then walks away or drops food. This often points to mouth pain or trouble swallowing.
Telling your vet which one you see narrows down the causes quickly.
What makes a cat stop eating?
| Cause | Common signs | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease or mouth pain | Drops food, chews on one side, drooling, bad breath | See vet soon |
| Upper respiratory infection | Sneezing, runny eyes or nose, can’t smell food | See vet soon |
| Stress or change | New home, new pet, visitors, food changed recently | Monitor |
| Nausea from kidney disease | Older cat, drinking and peeing more, weight loss | See vet soon |
| Gut problems | Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss | See vet soon |
| Pancreatitis or liver disease | Hiding, lethargy, vomiting, sometimes yellow skin | Emergency |
| Swallowed object | Repeated vomiting, won’t eat, missing string or toy | Emergency |
| Urinary blockage | Straining to pee with little or nothing coming out | Emergency |
Mouth pain is one of the most overlooked causes. See our guide to cat dental disease for the signs. A stuffy nose matters too, because cats rely heavily on smell to want food. That’s why a cat upper respiratory infection often puts cats off their meals.
In older cats, a slow loss of appetite with weight loss and extra thirst is a classic sign of cat kidney disease.
How long can a cat go without eating before hepatic lipidosis?
When a cat stops eating, its body starts breaking down fat for energy. A cat’s liver can’t process large amounts of fat, so the fat builds up in the liver cells and the liver stops working properly. This is hepatic lipidosis, also called fatty liver disease.
It can start after only a few days without enough food. Overweight cats are at the highest risk, but any cat can develop it. Signs include ongoing refusal to eat, weight loss, vomiting, weakness, drooling and yellow gums or eyes.
Hepatic lipidosis is serious, but many cats recover with early treatment. That usually means a hospital stay with fluids and nutrition, often through a feeding tube for several weeks while the liver heals. The earlier it’s caught, the better the outlook. This is why “wait and see” isn’t safe for a cat that won’t eat.
When should I take my cat to the vet for not eating?
If your cat won’t eat, the timing matters more than the cause at first. Use this as a guide:
- Skipped one meal but acting normal: offer food again in a few hours and keep watching.
- No food for 24 hours: call your vet and book a visit.
- Eating much less than usual for a few days: book a visit, even if they’re eating a little.
- Kitten, senior or overweight cat: call sooner, after one or two missed meals.
- Any sign in the red box above: go now, or to an emergency vet if your clinic is closed.
Your vet will examine your cat’s mouth, weight, temperature and belly, and may recommend bloodwork, a urine test or X-rays. Treatment depends on the cause. Your vet may also prescribe an anti-nausea medicine or an appetite stimulant, and will set the dose for your cat. For typical fees, see what a cat vet visit costs.
How can I get my cat to eat at home?
These steps can help a cat that’s eating poorly while you wait for, or follow up after, a vet visit. They don’t replace one if your cat has gone a full day without food.
- Warm wet food. Warm it to about body temperature so it smells stronger. Stir it and check there are no hot spots.
- Offer a favorite. A food your cat already likes is better than a new one right now.
- Use a wide, shallow dish. Some cats dislike their whiskers touching the sides of a deep bowl.
- Feed somewhere quiet. Keep the bowl away from the litter box, other pets and noisy areas.
- Keep food fresh. Offer small amounts and remove uneaten wet food after about 30 minutes.
- Hand-feed a little. Some sick cats eat more with gentle attention. Don’t force food into your cat’s mouth, which can cause choking and a lasting food aversion.
A cat that won’t eat may be in pain or feeling sick, but human remedies aren’t the answer. Keep human appetite stimulants, painkillers and anti-nausea medicines away from your cat, since acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are toxic even in small amounts.
Track what your cat eats each day and how much. A note like “about a quarter of normal for three days” helps your vet more than “not eating much.” For other warning signs, browse our cat symptoms guides.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a cat go without eating?
Don't wait to find out. Call your vet if your cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours, or sooner if they're a kitten, a senior, overweight, or showing other signs like vomiting or hiding.
My cat won't eat but is drinking water. Should I worry?
Yes. Drinking doesn't protect against liver problems from not eating, and cats that drink more while eating less may have kidney disease, diabetes or another illness. Book a vet visit within a day.
Should I switch foods to get my cat eating again?
Offering a favorite or warmed wet food can help in the short term. Don't hold back food to force a switch to a new diet, because a hungry cat may simply refuse and become ill.
Can stress make a cat stop eating?
Yes. Moving house, a new pet, visitors or a change in routine can put some cats off food for a day. If it lasts longer than that, see your vet, because illness is still the more likely cause.
Sources
Written by the CatsMed Team from the sources above. This guide isn’t reviewed by a veterinarian and isn’t a substitute for one. See how we research.
