If your cat is not eating or drinking, it could be due to illness, stress, dental pain, or dietary changes. Monitor closely, offer wet food or water alternatives, and consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist over 24–48 hours. Early action is key to prevent dehydration and serious health issues.
Cats can be picky, but if your furry friend stops eating or drinking, it’s a serious concern. Many cat owners get confused about what’s normal versus when to worry. Understanding the reasons, early signs, and corrective actions can save your cat from severe health problems like dehydration or organ issues.
In this guide, you’ll learn why a cat may not eat or drink, the difference between temporary refusal and serious illness, and simple ways to encourage feeding and hydration. Even beginners will feel confident spotting the signs and knowing the next steps.
What Does “Not Eating” and “Not Drinking” Mean?
- Not eating: Refusal to eat regular meals or treats for several hours or days.
- Not drinking: Refusal to drink water, milk substitutes, or liquids.
Part of speech: Both are verbal phrases describing actions (verb + gerund).
Examples:
- My cat has been not eating since yesterday.
- Luna is not drinking water from her bowl.
- When a cat is not eating or drinking, dehydration can set in quickly.
Story analogy: Imagine if you skipped meals and water for a day — you’d feel weak and dizzy. For cats, even short periods without food or water can become dangerous.
The Key Difference Between “Not Eating” and “Not Drinking”
While both behaviors are alarming, they affect your cat differently. Eating affects energy and nutrient intake, while drinking affects hydration.
| Behavior | Main Concern | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Not Eating | Lack of nutrients, energy loss | My cat is not eating and seems very lethargic. |
| Not Drinking | Risk of dehydration, kidney issues | Luna is not drinking enough water today. |
Quick Tip:
- If your cat stops eating, offer tempting food or try wet options.
- If your cat stops drinking, add water to food or use water fountains to encourage drinking.
Common Mistakes Cat Owners Make
- Ignoring the signs: Assuming cats can go without food or water for days.
- Correction: Seek veterinary care if your cat refuses food or water for more than 24 hours.
- Offering the same food repeatedly: Cats may reject food if stressed or bored.
- Correction: Introduce wet food, warmed meals, or small variations.
- Forcing water: Some owners try syringes without guidance, causing stress.
- Correction: Encourage hydration using bowls, fountains, or flavored water.
Why mistakes happen: Owners often underestimate how quickly cats can dehydrate or lose weight.
Causes of a Cat Not Eating
- Illness: Infections, kidney disease, or gastrointestinal issues.
- Dental pain: Toothaches or gum inflammation make eating painful.
- Stress or anxiety: Moving, new pets, or loud noises can reduce appetite.
- Dietary changes: Sudden change in food can cause rejection.
- Medications: Some medications reduce appetite.
Examples in real life:
- A cat refusing dry food after switching to a new brand.
- A cat avoiding meals after a vet visit or surgery.
Causes of a Cat Not Drinking
- Illness: Kidney or liver disease may reduce thirst.
- Temperature: Cold water bowls or hot weather can affect drinking.
- Bowl preference: Some cats dislike metal or plastic bowls.
- Stress: New home environment or loud surroundings.
Memory hack: Think “Not drinking = dehydration danger”. Hydration is more urgent than appetite in short-term scenarios.
How to Encourage Eating
- Offer wet food or pate instead of dry kibble.
- Warm food slightly to enhance aroma.
- Add a little tuna juice or broth to tempt picky cats.
- Feed in quiet, safe spaces away from other pets.
- Maintain a regular feeding schedule to encourage routine.
How to Encourage Drinking
- Use cat water fountains — many cats prefer running water.
- Add water or broth to wet food to increase hydration.
- Place multiple water bowls around the house.
- Offer ice cubes or small water droplets for playful cats.
Quick Recap: Not Eating vs Not Drinking
- Not Eating: Immediate effect on energy and nutrients; address with tasty, gentle food.
- Not Drinking: Immediate effect on hydration; risk of kidney issues and dehydration.
- Rule: Monitor both closely; 24 hours without water is dangerous.
- Tip: Small, frequent meals and hydration help recovery.
Advanced Tips
- Origin: “Eat” comes from Old English etan meaning “to consume food.” “Drink” comes from Old English drincan meaning “to consume liquids.”
- Formal advice: Vets recommend immediate action if a cat refuses food or water beyond 24 hours.
- Online misinformation: Avoid giving milk; it can upset digestion. Focus on water, broths, and veterinary-approved foods.
Mini Quiz
Fill in the blanks with not eating or not drinking:
- My kitten is ________ since this morning and seems very weak.
- Luna is ________ her water, so I added broth to her bowl.
- A cat that is ________ can develop dehydration quickly.
- I offered wet food because my cat was ________.
- Stress can make a cat stop ________ temporarily.
- Dental pain often causes cats to be ________.
- Always call a vet if your cat is ________ for more than 24 hours.
Answers:
- not eating
- not drinking
- not drinking
- not eating
- not eating
- not eating
- not eating or drinking
FAQs
- How long can a cat go without eating?
Typically 24–48 hours, but prolonged fasting can cause liver issues. - How long can a cat go without drinking?
Cats can dehydrate within 24 hours; water refusal is urgent. - What are signs my cat is seriously ill?
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, hiding, and refusal to eat or drink. - Can I force my cat to eat or drink?
Only with vet guidance; syringe feeding can cause stress or injury. - What foods encourage a cat to eat?
Wet food, pate, soft treats, or tuna/flavored broths work best.
Conclusion
If your cat is not eating or drinking, it’s a red flag. Early action — offering wet food, ensuring hydration, and consulting a veterinarian — is key to preventing serious health issues. Remember, even picky cats need proper nutrition and hydration daily.
Tip: Observe your cat’s behavior closely, provide gentle encouragement, and act promptly if refusal continues. With the right care, your cat will regain appetite and energy quickly.
Kael Donovan is a language enthusiast and writer at Definevs.com, simplifying complex words and grammar rules into fun, easy-to-understand guides for readers.
