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My cat isn't eating for days, drinks water, and hides. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 20 lbs

My cat has not ate In 3 days but is drinking water and she is staying hidden under my bed all day only to come out to drink water

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on July 24th, 2017

Poor Gizmo Hill! If she has not eaten in three days, this is a very serious problem - cats can develop a life-threatening illness called hepatic lipidosis from not eating for multiple days in a row, so it's very important to find out what is causing her to not eat and get her started on appropriate treatment right away. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to - she may need blood work and x-rays to help diagnose the problem so that she can be treated before things get worse.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 19th, 2020
Hi and thanks for your request. If she is fine otherwise, this prolonged inappetence does not seem to be affecting her as much and it may be just the case to find a good alternative to what your giving. Try with different type of food, different flavours, different consistencies. Boiled chicken or white fish is often a good option.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 5th, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. If tabatha is not eating and not feeling well, I would recommend getting her in to be seen by a veterinarian for further testing and treatment recommendations. I would recommend having her blood tested to check for any abnormalities as a starting point and go from there. I hooe this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why is my cat suddenly hiding, not moving, and refusing to eat?

Any cat that is hiding and not eating is sick. She needs to see a vet ASAP. When cats don't eat for about 3 days their liver starts to mobilize fats for energy and this causes fatty liver disease. So, she may get fatty liver disease on top of already having another illness which will make her prognosis even worse. Please get her to a vet ASAP.

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My cat is lethargic, not eating or drinking for 3 days. What to do?

Your cat really needs to be seen by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. She is likely dehydrated from not eating or drinking well and will require subcutaneous or intravenous fluids. Because she hasn't been eating, she is also at risk of developing a condition called hepatic lipodosis. This disease is the most common cause of metabolic liver failure. At home encourage your cat to eat by offering highly palatable food, such as fish-flavored canned cat food or Stage 1 strained chicken or turkey baby food (no onions or garlic). If necessary, gently open her mouth and place a small amount of moist food on her tongue. Watch to see if she swallows it. If she does, place a couple more dollops of food on her tongue, then encourage her to eat a bit on her own.

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Neighborhood cat not eating for 3 days, only drinking. What to do?

Not eating is quite serious for a cat, and when they don't eat going on 72 hours, they will develop a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment, so that has to be avoided. I would take Simba into a vet immediately to get checked out. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is hiding under the bed all day, not eating. Is she sick?

Cats tend to hide when they do not feel well. Please find her under the bed and take her to a veterinarian ASAP. You may want to try hand feeding her with canned catfood or cooked chicken. If you warm it up, it will entice some cats to eat, But do take her to your vet in the morning.

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My cat stopped eating, drinks a lot, and seems sad. What's wrong?

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why won't my cat eat but still drinks water and uses the litter box?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is in fact a concerning sign in cats as inappetence can be observed with conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney disease (most likely chronic in nature), dietary indiscretion and diabetes, just to mention a few possibilities. Cats can develop serious illness when they stop eating. This is known as hepatic lipidosis which is directly related to anorexia. I recommend that if Nutmeg is not eating by tomorrow morning, to have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. General labwork and thoracic/abdominal imaging may be recommended for work-up. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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