Cats are masters at pretending everything is fine, right up until it isn’t. A healthy adult cat can sometimes skip a meal without drama, but two full days of not eating crosses into risky territory. Cats are prone to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) after sustained anorexia, and overweight cats are especially vulnerable within 48–72 hours. This matters because early action can prevent a straightforward problem—like dental pain or nausea—from spiraling into a medical emergency. If you’re staring at untouched bowls and a cat that seems “a little off,” you’re not alone. You’ll find clear thresholds for when to call an on‑call vet, practical at‑home checks, ways to safely encourage appetite, and what to expect if you head to the clinic. The goal is simple: help you decide confidently and act quickly so your cat gets back to normal eating without unnecessary delay.
Quick Answer
Yes—contact an on-call vet now. A cat not eating for two days is urgent, especially if overweight, a senior, a kitten, or has conditions like diabetes. Offer warmed, smelly wet food while you call, but don’t wait for a third day.
Why This Matters
Cats don’t have the same metabolic buffer humans do. When they stop eating for 48–72 hours, fat is mobilized to the liver, which can trigger hepatic lipidosis—a serious condition that’s harder and more expensive to treat than the initial cause of appetite loss. Early intervention can mean a simple anti-nausea medication or appetite stimulant instead of hospitalization and feeding tubes.
Real life: an indoor cat that skips meals after a stressful move might bounce back with calming strategies and a vet-prescribed appetite stimulant. Contrast that with a cat that hasn’t eaten in two days due to a painful tooth or a foreign body; waiting could turn a treatable problem into an emergency surgery and prolonged recovery. Dehydration can creep in too, especially if your cat isn’t drinking much, and that amplifies nausea and lethargy.
Bottom line: appetite is a vital sign for cats. Two days without food is a red flag that deserves immediate attention, not a wait-and-see approach. Acting now can spare your cat pain and you the stress of a middle-of-the-night crisis.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm it’s truly two days without meaningful intake
Log what your cat has actually eaten, not just what you think. A few licks don’t count. Check for hidden food sources (housemate bowls, dropped kibble, treats from family members). Note water intake and litter box output. You might find should i contact an on-call vet for a cat not eating for two days kit helpful.
- Normal adult cats should urinate 1–3 times daily; very scant urine suggests low intake.
- Weigh the cat if possible; sudden loss (≥2% body weight in days) is concerning.
- If there’s been zero food for ~48 hours, treat this as urgent.
Step 2: Scan for red flags and take basic “vitals” at home
Look for signs that push this into emergency territory: repeated vomiting, severe lethargy, jaundice (yellowing of gums/ears), labored breathing, abdominal distension, or pain when touched.
- Gums should be pink and moist. Pale, blue, or very yellow gums are bad signs.
- Skin tent test: gently lift shoulder skin; if it stays tented, dehydration is likely.
- Normal ranges: temperature 100.0–102.5°F, respiration 20–30 breaths/min, heart rate 140–220 bpm. Don’t risk a bite—if your cat resists, skip the temp and tell the vet.
Step 3: Try safe, short-term appetite nudges
While arranging a vet call, tempt the appetite without force-feeding. You might find should i contact an on-call vet for a cat not eating for two days tool helpful.
- Warm wet food slightly (body temperature, ~100°F) to boost aroma.
- Offer smelly options: tuna water (not oil or brine), plain boiled chicken, or meat baby food with no onion/garlic.
- Reduce stress: quiet room, separate from other pets, shallow dish, hand-feeding in tiny amounts.
- Avoid new-rich treats or fatty foods that could trigger GI upset.
Step 4: Decide when to call—use firm thresholds
Two days of not eating is a call-now situation. If your cat is overweight, a senior, a kitten, diabetic, or has kidney/liver disease, contact an on-call vet even sooner (at the 24-hour mark).
- Emergency tonight: repeated vomiting, can’t keep water down, marked lethargy, jaundice, abdominal pain, or a bloated belly.
- Urgent but stable: no food for 48 hours, mild nausea, hiding behavior, or dental pain—call now for guidance and likely same-day evaluation.
Step 5: Prepare for the vet conversation or visit
Vets make faster decisions with good data. You might find should i contact an on-call vet for a cat not eating for two days equipment helpful.
- Timeline: exact last eaten amount and when, water intake, litter box changes (urine/clumps, stool quality).
- Symptoms: vomiting frequency, drooling, sneezing/nasal discharge, bad breath, dental discomfort, pain signs.
- Risks: new foods, plant exposure (lilies are dangerous), medications, chemicals, hair tie/string ingestion, recent stressors (move, new pet).
- Share any measurements (weight change, skin tent, gum color, respiration rate). Skip home meds unless a vet directs you—human drugs can be toxic to cats.
Expert Insights
Most cats don’t stop eating without a reason. In practice, the causes we see range from dental disease and nausea to pain, stress, and systemic illness like kidney or liver disease. The dangerous misconception is “cats will eat when they’re hungry.” Many won’t, and after 48–72 hours, their livers struggle to process mobilized fat, leading to hepatic lipidosis—especially in overweight cats.
Another myth: if a cat is drinking, the situation can wait. Hydration helps, but it doesn’t solve nausea, mouth pain, or an obstruction. I’d rather talk to an owner at the 24–48 hour mark and use targeted tools—anti-nausea meds (e.g., maropitant), acid reducers, and appetite stimulants (e.g., mirtazapine or capromorelin)—than meet the cat three days in with jaundice and muscle loss.
Pro tips: warm food to boost aroma, keep feeding stations calm, and use a shallow dish to avoid whisker stress. Track intake by grams with a kitchen scale; “a few bites” can be wildly overestimated. If you try syringe feeding, keep it minimal and slow to avoid aspiration, and only with vet guidance. For seniors, ask about checking thyroid (T4) and dental radiographs—hyperthyroidism and resorptive lesions are common appetite killers that aren’t obvious on quick exams.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm exact food intake over 48 hours (grams, not guesses).
- Check water intake and litter box output for changes.
- Look for red flags: vomiting, jaundice, severe lethargy, abdominal pain.
- Warm wet food and offer smelly toppers (tuna water, plain chicken).
- Assess hydration with skin tent and gum moisture/color.
- Call an on-call vet now if no food for two days or risk factors exist.
- Prepare notes: timeline, symptoms, exposures, and any measurements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a cat safely go without eating?
Not long. Many cats begin to risk hepatic lipidosis after 48–72 hours without food, especially if overweight. Kittens and seniors have less reserve and can decline faster. If your cat hasn’t eaten for 24 hours, call your vet; at 48 hours, treat it as urgent.
My cat is drinking but won’t eat—does that change things?
It helps with hydration, but the lack of calories and protein still matters. Drinking doesn’t fix nausea, mouth pain, or an obstruction. If there’s no meaningful food intake for a day or more, contact a vet to prevent a slide into fatty liver and worsening weakness.
Should I force-feed at home?
Be cautious. Force-feeding can cause aspiration if done improperly and may worsen stress. Small, slow syringe feeding can be acceptable under veterinary guidance, but it’s better to address the cause and use prescribed appetite stimulants or anti-nausea meds.
What safe foods can I offer to tempt appetite?
Try warmed, smelly wet food; tuna water (not oil or brine); plain boiled chicken; or meat baby food with no onion/garlic. Offer thumb-sized portions frequently. Avoid fatty, spicy, or unfamiliar rich foods that can aggravate the stomach.
Could stress be the reason my cat stopped eating?
Absolutely. Moves, new pets, loud renovations, or even a new litter type can suppress appetite. Provide a quiet feeding area, consistent routines, and familiar smells. If appetite doesn’t return within 24–48 hours, or your cat is losing weight, involve your vet.
What tests might the vet run for a cat not eating?
Expect a thorough exam, dental check, and abdominal palpation. Common diagnostics include bloodwork (CBC and chemistry), urinalysis, thyroid testing for seniors, and possibly X-rays or ultrasound. Many clinics can start supportive care the same day; costs vary by region, but basic exam plus labs often range a few hundred dollars.
When is this an emergency tonight rather than waiting until morning?
Go now if your cat is repeatedly vomiting, can’t keep water down, is profoundly lethargic, has yellow gums/ears, shows belly pain or distension, is breathing hard, or has a high fever (>103.5°F). If there’s been no food for two days even without those signs, call an on-call vet immediately for guidance.
Conclusion
Two full days without food isn’t a minor blip for a cat—it’s a warning sign. Call an on-call vet right now, especially if your cat is overweight or has underlying health issues. While you’re arranging the call, warm wet food and try safe appetite nudges in a quiet space, but don’t delay care. Jot down the timeline, any red flags, and measurements to speed up decisions. Early action protects your cat from complications like fatty liver and turns a worrisome situation into a manageable fix.
Related: For comprehensive information about Ask A Veterinarian , visit our main guide.