Why Is My Senior Cat Not Eating for Three Days? (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Karyn is a small animal veterinarian originally from Australia, now based in the UK. She holds degrees in Veterinary Science (2010) and Zoology. When not helping pets, she tends to her 5 cats and garden!
The Question
Why has my cat not been eating for about 3 days?
Quick Info about Luke
📹 Vet's Video Reply (scroll down to see text answer)
Hi Charles,
I’m sorry for the delay in getting back to you and hope that Luke has started to improve. The trickiest part of having cats that come and go is that we can never know what they get up to when they’re out of the house.
From what you’ve described, there are a few things that could be going on here. It’s possible that Luke was stuck somewhere and became overheated and dehydrated, in which case it’s a good thing that he’s been resting and drinking. Cats in this situation will always prioritize water over food, so it’s not all that unusual that he might not be feeling like eating, and it's a good thing that he is drinking, though I would expect and hope that after a few days his appetite would return.
He may have been in a fight, which would also explain his lethargy, lack of interest in food, and skittish behavior. He may have a fight wound that’s given him a fever.
For a cat of Luke’s age, I would also be wanting to make sure Luke’s kidney function is okay. Older cats are prone to developing kidney disease, and the signs of this include reduced appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and increased urination.
Even if he’s feeling better now, I would recommend getting him checked over by a vet and having some bloodwork done to make sure everything is as it should be, even just for your own peace of mind.
When it’s really hot out there, make sure he has plenty of cool places to hide, and try to encourage him to stay indoors where you can make sure he’s not becoming too warm.
All the best,
Dr Karyn