Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat won't eat, not even his favorite, and only drinks water. Help!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Himalayan | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 2.205 lbs

Paandu is not eating food (Including his favourite food ). Only drinks a little bit of water. How to feed him?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 28th, 2020

Try warming the food slightly or mixing in a teaspoon if plain baby food. If he doesn't begin eating in the next 24 hours, have him physically examined by your veterinarian. A cat that does not eat for 2+ days is a serious risk of developing liver disease which may complicate any underlying condition.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 16th, 2019
Your cat may have a problem with his teeth or may have ulcers or an injury in his mouth. He will need to be seen by a veterinary doctor for an exam. Not eating normally is a problem and there is a chance that he gets liver disease from not eating. Please take him to a vet today.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 26th, 2018
There are several causes for this and you need to take him to a vet for an exam.
1) he may have bad teeth, gingivitis, excessive tartar, which would keep him from eating properly and can cause him to get skinny due to infection as well as be unable to properly groom himself.
2) he may be hyperthyroid which causes him to lose weight, eat lots, and give him trouble with his heart. A blood test can rule this out. Treatments vary, from tablets/transdermal ointment to irradiation to surgery.
3) he may have kidney disease...a blood test can rule this out as well.

Please take him to a vet for an exam and blood work. He will also need to be brushed or combed regularly if he cannot groom himself.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on December 29th, 2017
Poor Matou! There are so many things that can cause a decreased appetite and weakness like certain viral infections, respiratory infections, bladder infections, kidney or liver disease, cancer and much more. If cats go a few days without eating, they can actually get worse because their liver will start to shut down and they get really dehydrated. Since it has alresdy been two days, i would strongly recommend to have your vet take a look at him. Your vet will be able to do a fecal, blood work and even X-rays if needed. Your vet will be able to get him on the proper meds and give him fluids if needed to help him feel better. You can try to entice him to eat with just plain chicken or tuna or different type of canned cat food. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My cat stopped eating but keeps drinking water. What should I do?

There could be several reasons why your [cat will not eat](https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-isnt-my-cat-eating). Take a look inside your cat's mouth and under its tongue if you can do it safely. If you see any redness, inflammation or bleeding of the gums or around teeth, there may be [periodontal disease](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/dental-disease-1/) present. Confirm there are no foreign objects (or string) in the mouth or under the tongue. If you see anything that does not appear "normal", schedule an exam with your veterinarian. Other potential causes include [kidney disease](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-should-know-about-kidney-disease-in-cats), [pancreatitis](https://www.petcoach.co/article/pancreatitis) or gastrointestinal issues. These may require blood work and x-rays to diagnose. If the mouth is clear, try warming the food slightly or adding some liquid from a can of tuna to stimulate appetite. If your cat does not eat for 3+ days, see your vet immediately to avoid complications involving [liver function](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/hepatic-lipidosis/).

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My 7-month-old cat isn't eating food, only drinking water. Why?

Ginger needs to be examined by the veterinarian. Any pet that does not eat for 48 hours needs to be checked. It's possible she is sick or has gotten into something and it's best to play it safe. The doctor will likely want to check some bloodwork to make sure there's no evidence Ginger picked up an Advil or something else of that nature. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat won't eat her food, but she eats treats. Why is this happening?

Try warming it slightly or mixing in a teaspoon of baby food. If Leelee will allow, check her mouth and teeth for signs of periodontal disease (redness, bleeding, swollen gums, loose teeth, bad breath, etc). See your veterinarian for an exam if necessary or if she doesn't eat for more than 2 days. If she has significant periodontal disease, she may need a dental cleaning. If the decreased appetite has another cause, a physical exam and blood work may diagnose it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat won't eat after a death. How long can he survive without food?

It’s a medical emergency when a cat won’t eat, and if they go longer than 72 hours without eating, they will develop a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment. Koko cannot wait until Monday to be seen, i strongly urge you to take him into an ER vet now.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 1-month-old kitten is weak and not eating. What should I do?

Your kitten needs to be seen by a vet immediately. Cats cannot go without eating for more than a few days without suffering liver damage. Your kitten is likely very dehydrated and weak and will need supportive care to help him survive. Right now, make sure he stays warm and mix some honey or corn syrup with warm water and very carefully use a syringe or dropper to get him to swallow some of this to help rehydrate him and give him some calories. Be very careful because it is easy to choke him when he is this weak.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat is licking lips, lethargic, not eating or drinking. What to do?

Your cat needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible for an exam and labwork so that he can be treated for his ailment right away. Not eating is a serious matter in cats. They cannot go more than a few days without eating or they risk liver damage. Your cat needs to be seen by your vet for an exam and bloodwork to determine the cause for your cat’s loss of appetite. Based on the findings, your vet will be able to give you a clearer picture of what is going on with your cat and be able to offer you treatment options. Try enticing your pet to eat with beef or chicken baby food that does not contain onion or garlic powder. Onion and garlic causes anemia. Warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. Stir it with your finger first to make sure there are no hot spots and that it isn't too hot. This makes it more aromatic and appealing to your pet. Wetting dry food or mixing wet food with low sodium chicken broth, also warmed, might entice your pet to eat. Some cats like to be petted while they eat, some want to be left alone. You'll know your cat's habits and be able to act accordingly.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share