How Long Can a Cat Go Without Food? The Shocking Answer!

Did you think how long can a cat go without eating food?

You are not alone with furry friends who think about it. You have to think about it and take quick action to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Cats are known for being independent; they actually rely more on someone to look after their food and health than people may realize. If your cat is refusing meals, this means that there is another critical situation that you are not expecting. It is very important for you to know how long a cat goes without food. This is the simple key point to keeping your friend healthy and happy forever.

Scientists have researched this a long time ago about the question, “How long can a cat go without eating food and water? The answer is as simple to know as you know about the importance of survival. Everyone knows about the importance of survival and also knows that food and water are the basics to survive for every living being. A healthy cat could survive one to two weeks without eating if there is access to water for them. The topic we are discussing here is the survival of cats.

Cats Need Regular Meals; Why?

The unique metabolism of cats requires meals for their better health. Cats require nutrients found only in food designed for animals. Animal-designed food is rich in protein. Their stomach is designed to process small meals rather than fasting for long periods. They need food after a short period of time.

When a cat skips meals, their liver struggles very hard to turn fats into energy and make the cat energetic. This can lead cats to dangerous health issues and weakness. The serious conditions include fatty liver disease, hepatic lipidosis, and much more. You have to know every situation about how much wet food you should feed your cat. Not feeding your cat for a long period of time is very dangerous for its health and happy life.

Warning Signs of Starvation for Cats

When a cat is hungry, then their body begins to show warning signs. The signs include something is happening wrong with their metabolism and health. Recognizing these early symptoms can act positively to keep your cat healthy and active.

I still remember when I was busy doing my work and no one was there to take care of my cat. My cat started to lose weight gradually. I figured out some reasons that make my cat week. After knowing some reasons, I started taking care of my cat more than I was doing.

Common Symptoms of How Long Can a Cat Go Without Food

Knowing some common symptoms about your animal’s starvation is very important for pet caretakers. Some common symptoms are mentioned. These key features to know what your cat’s starvation is will help you very much.

Symptoms

• Your cat will become unusually tired or weak. They may sleep more and lack energy to play. Like when you play with your cat, it will avoid playing with you compared to routine.
• Your cat will lose weight if you lack food because the nutrition it’s body needs will not be completed.
• A cat with an empty stomach might act irritable and restless. It will also feel anxious and may avoid you. Some will hide more than usual.
• Without eating food, cats might stop drinking water, and this serious situation will lead to dry gums or a lack of skin elasticity.
•  If you give your cat less nutrients compared to their needs, they can easily get sick, and their digestive system might be damaged.
• Fast action will be required after seeing these symptoms in your cat. You have to take quick action if your cat has not eaten for 12 hours to 24 hours because this situation might be serious.

Why Cat Refuse Food

Cats can be picky eaters. That means it can reject food to eat that they do not like. Some people feed their dog cat food and feed cats dog food; this might be the reason for the rejection of their food. As the caretaker of your pet, you have to know about every liked and disliked food by your cat. The signal to a disturbed digestive track of your cat is that it might start refusing meals on a daily routine. After knowing some common reasons for the rejection of food by your cat, you can keep your cat healthy and happy. 

Reasons

• Due to health issues and several joint issues, your cat could reject food.
• Changes in the environment can also be the reason for the rejection of food. This can also cause your cat to get anxiety and stress.
• Cats sometimes refuse food because they dislike the taste, texture, or even the temperature.

Encourage Your Cat to Eat

It could be very stressful for you if your cat is not eating much. There are simple tricks that you can try at home from which you can encourage your furry friend to eat more. Calling your vet when needed is important for you as well.

 Tips to Encourage your Cat

• Give your cat warm food because heating your cat’s wet food can slightly enhance the taste and smell of the meal. It may encourage the cat to eat more.
• Keep doing experiments with the food by changing the flavors and texture of the food. Cats can be picky about the texture; if they reject dry food, then try with the wet one.
• Some addition to their food as a topping for the taste and looking of the food can also increase the diet of your cat.
• Try to feed them with your hands. Gentle feeding food by hand can enhance the diet of your cat.
• Try to serve your cat fresh food. Feeding old food may disturb the diet of your cat. Don’t forget to wash the bowl of your cat daily.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Food Strikes?

Knowing how to prevent your cat from food strikes is very important. You can keep your cat healthy and happy. Some tips may help you to protect your cat.

Protective Tips

• Having a good feeding routine for your cat is important. Feeding them at the same time every day to build a reliable routine is very important.
• Provide your cat fresh water daily. Fresh water always ensures your catch has access to clean.
• Try to make a list of the flavors that your cat likes and feed those flavors as the day changes.
• You have to choose high-quality food for your cat because it can easily digest and is healthy and rich in nutrients.

Conclusion

Animals like cats might be independent, but they are not invincible. You have to understand how long a cat can go without food. Recognizing some key signs in the behavior of your cat can help you to prevent it from developing digestive diseases. You have to check balance on your cat’s behavior. A slight change in your cat’s behavior means its digestive system is unhealthy and is feeling uncomfortable. You are completely responsible for the health of your cat. Not caring for your pet may lead to several issues and diseases. 

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