My cat hasn't eaten in 2 days - when should I call the vet?
Answered by our veterinary team
If your cat has not eaten for 48 hours, this is a veterinary urgency - call your vet today. For overweight cats, even 24 hours without eating may be enough to start hepatic lipidosis.
**What is hepatic lipidosis?** When a cat stops eating, the body begins mobilising fat stores as an energy source. Cats' livers are not efficient at processing large amounts of fat, leading to fat accumulation within liver cells. This causes liver dysfunction and, if untreated, liver failure. It's one of the most common and serious liver diseases in cats - and almost always secondary to some other condition that stopped the cat eating in the first place.
Risk factors
Overweight cats are at far higher risk. Stress events like moving house, new pets, or loss of a companion can trigger food refusal.
Signs of hepatic lipidosis developing
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, whites of eyes, or gums), vomiting, drooling, profound lethargy, muscle wasting, or collapse.
What you should do right now
1. Note any other symptoms: is your cat drinking? Using the litter box? Any vomiting? 2. Check for obvious causes: is the food fresh? Has anything changed at home? 3. Try offering highly palatable food: warm it gently, try different textures, offer from your finger 4. If no improvement within 24 hours (or immediately if other symptoms are present) - call your vet
Treatment typically involves a nasoesophageal feeding tube, IV fluids, and B vitamins, plus treating the underlying cause.
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