Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How long can cats go without food or water? It’s less time than you think

This is how often cats need to eat and drink

Mary Johnson
By

Cats and humans have more in common than you might think. Despite the size difference, both cats and humans require a safe place to sleep, regular meals of nutritious food, and plenty of water. However, the erroneous belief that all cats hate water is often conflated with the amount of water our feline companions need to drink each day. Research shows the evidence that cats “hate” water is anecdotal at best, and it usually stems from a negative experience, like being left outside in a rainstorm. In reality, cats can’t go for days without drinking clean water.

How long can cats go without food and water? The answer may surprise you. Here’s everything you should know.

A Himalayan cat wearing a blue collar accepts a treat
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why do cats hate water?

Contrary to popular belief, not all cats hate water. What most cats hate is being given a bath. Fortunately for pet parents, only a few cat breeds (like the Sphynx) require frequent bathing. While big cats like tigers and panthers are fond of taking a dip in lakes and streams, your miniature panther will probably avoid it at all costs — and for good reason. Cats are agile creatures, and having a drenched coat weighs your kitty down, hindering her movements.

Recommended Videos

Additionally, cats have a keen sense of smell — 14 times stronger than that of a human — which means they can pick up on chemicals in water that our comparatively rudimentary olfactory senses can’t detect. That being said, the feline hatred of water isn’t a universal trait. Abyssinians, American bobtails, American shorthairs, Bengals, Maine coons, Manx cats, Norwegian forest cats, Turkish Angoras, and Turkish Vans usually have an affinity for water. And, no matter how cats feel about swimming, they all need plenty of water to drink. 

Tiger cat drinking out of a large water bowl
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What happens if a cat doesn’t eat for 3 days? 

While it’s possible for a cat to survive for up to two weeks without food, cats can survive for only three days without water. However, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat to survive. Without a constant source of protein, it’s more likely that cats will survive only three to four days without food, regardless of whether they have access to fresh water. After three to four days without food, a cat’s organs will begin shutting down.

Dog and human livers can support the body on energy stores, meaning we can last longer without food. A cat’s liver lacks this capability, and as cats begin to lose weight from lack of nutrition, the body’s fat stores begin to infiltrate the liver. Unless a cat consumes enough calories to replace their fat stores with energy, a life-threatening complication known as hepatic lipidosis occurs, resulting in liver failure.

Cats should never be left unattended without adequate amounts of food and water. If you have to leave town, you should board your cats or hire a pet sitter to ensure that her needs will be met while you’re away.  

A long-haired calico cat eating and drinking

How long can stray cats go without food?

Just like our pampered house cats, stray — often confused with feral — cats have the same dietary requirements. Because cats are biologically hardwired to use protein as an energy source, they need meat to survive. However, unlike house cats, stray cats don’t have access to a consistent source of food and water. You may want to leave out fresh food and water if you have stray cats in your area, or you can set up a humane trap and bring them to your local no-kill shelter.

Feral cats vs. stray cats

Feral cats want nothing to do with us and will most likely run away if you approach them. If a cat seeks you out for cuddles, they’re probably a stray cat. Dealing with feral cats has become an issue of frequent debate, with some believing they should be euthanized, while others promote TNR programs (short for trap-neuter-release). Organizations capture, spay, and neuter feral cats, and then return them to their colony. Stray and feral cats have limited resources, which makes population control essential to supporting local colonies. In an ideal world, every cat would find their forever home. Until that day, shelters, rescues, and TNR programs are their best bet for survival. 

How you can help

Keep your indoor cats inside, make sure they’re vaccinated, and have your fur babies spayed and neutered to help prevent overpopulation and the spread of infectious diseases. Take in strays if you have the space for them, or foster them temporarily until a home opens up. Contact your local animal rescue, shelter, or volunteer program if you’re interested in helping feral cats in your area. 

A Himalayan cat eating a treat outdoors surrounded by fallen leaves
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What to do if your cat has stopped eating and drinking

Cats can be finicky creatures. You may only need to clean their food and water bowls to prompt them to eat. Similarly, your fur baby may turn up her nose at her food bowl if you’ve recently switched to a new cat food. Typically, cats will eat new food when they get hungry enough. But it’s time to go to the vet if your cat still refuses to eat and drink for 24 hours. Dehydration and malnutrition can have potentially fatal consequences, and you should never take chances with your fur baby’s health. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

Read more
Do cats sleep more in winter because they’re depressed? Here’s what to know about seasonal changes in felines
Find out if cats can experience seasonal depression like people do
Cat sleeping on a beige fleece blanket

When the winter weather hits and the days become shorter, gray, and overcast, it can be all too tempting to climb into your PJs early and call it a night. Chances are -- your cat is right there with you! If you think you're noticing your feline friend sleeping more frequently or for longer periods of time during the winter, you might not be imagining things.
Cats' sleeping habits can change for many reasons! It's important to keep track of your cat's sleep, though, because big changes can sometimes indicate health issues in pets. So, do cats sleep more in winter? And why do they spend so much time snoozing?

Do cats sleep more in winter? If it seems like it, you're not just imagining things
You're not crazy if you feel like cats sleep more in the winter -- it's totally true! The ASPCA reports that cats typically sleep between 12 and 20 hours per day, but in the winter, they may sleep even more.
That increase in sleep may be because the daylight hours are shorter, but your cat might also be picking up on your own changes in routine. If you're headed to bed a little earlier than usual, they might too.

Read more
3 scientific benefits of being a cat person – you’ll be surprised with what we found
Here's the scoop on what we know about cat health benefits
A dark-haired woman wearing a green sweater holds a tabby cat on her lap

Cats are our best friends, our constant companions, and our furry, purring lap warmers. While the debate between cat people and dog people seems endless, one fact remains: Pet parents are happier and healthier than those who don't have pets.

We love cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and reptiles equally here at PawTracks, but did you know that there are scientific benefits to being a cat person? We're here to share the top three cat health benefits and why sharing your home with a feline companion is the best thing you do for yourself. We'll also recommend some of our favorite beginner-friendly cat breeds.

Read more