Why hasn't my 12-year-old cat eaten or used litter box for 2 days?

I'm so sorry to hear that Miss Kitty is not feeling well. Ideally Miss Kitty should be seen by a veterinarian for diagnostics and/or supportive care. When cats stop eating it is usually a sign that they are very ill. If Miss Kitty is not urinating/defecting at all that is also very concerning and should be further investigated by a veterinarian. She could be experiencing illness related to her kidney's, which is very common in cats. The most important thing is Miss Kitty's comfort and quality of life. I think having her examined by a veterinarian will answer those questions and help you make the best decisions for Miss Kitty moving forward. In the interim you can try to get Miss Kitty to eat something. At this point she can have anything that she is willing to eat (i.e. chicken, tuna, any canned wet food). Usually the smellier the food the more enticing it is for cats. Some other tricks are to offer warmed up a canned food or offering baby food. You just want to make sure the food is not piping hot and just warm. If you offer baby food be sure that the flavor you get does not have onions in it. Hopefully this helps and I hope Miss Kitty feels better soon.

Poor Lilly sounds extremely ill, and I would have her seen by a vet immediately. When a cat doesn't eat for at least three days, they develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. She could have a number of serious problems wrong with her causing her anorexia, such as kidney failure, liver failure, severe dental problems, or even cancer. I would have her seen by a vet now for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to diagnose what may be causing her symptoms. Once a cause is found, the vet can discuss treatment options with you.

This is a medical emergency, and Daisy has to see a vet now. It's very serious when a cat won't eat, and if they don't eat going on 72 hours, they will develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. She's probably not pooping because she isn't eating. She has to see a vet immediately, please take her into one right away. Best of luck.

It certainly sounds as though Grey is not feeling well! Inappetance, hiding and vocalization can indicate a number of underlying conditions, but hyperthyroidism is at the top of the list. I recommend taking Grey to her vet for an exam and lab testing (CBC, chemistry, T4/thyroid hormone, urinalysis) to get to the bottom of things. Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) when the stop eating, so her condition is fairly urgent.

I'm sorry to hear that Lily has been feeling so poorly today. As Dr. Melanie mentioned, lethargy and a loss of appetite can be due to many underlying health conditions. Since she seems to prefer laying down, it's also possible that she's experiencing some degree of pain or discomfort. Some of these possible conditions include pancreatitis, infectious diseases (FIV, feline leukemia, FIP, etc.), constipation, kidney disease, liver disease, toxin exposure (did she eat a plant, medication or something else she shouldn't have?), or many other conditions. The fact that she hasn't been using the litter box normally might be a sign that she is dehydrated, even though she's drinking water when it's placed in front of her. At this point, it would be best to take Lily to her vet fairly urgently for evaluation. Your vet will need to examine her and will likely recommend some diagnostic testing, which may include blood work, an ultrasound or x-rays, to get to the bottom of this issue. I hope that she feels better soon!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kong. When a cat doesn't eat, it's extremely serious. That's because if the cat goes long enough without eating (about 72 hours), they will develop a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment. The fact that he won't eat or use the litter box tells me he is quite sick or injured. I would consider his symptoms a medical emergency that cannot be treat at home. Please take him into a vet immediately. Best of luck.

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!