My cat has a URI and isn't eating. How long can she safely go without food?

An upper respiratory infection often involves nasal discharge or swelling of the mucous membranes which can then disable the sense of smell and then cats do not want to eat. One way of helping that is to 1) remove any discharge from the nose as often as possible with a moist tissue. 2) feed her fishy canned food, preferably pate style, and warm it up in the microwave. This will intensify the aroma of the food. Clavamox tastes not so good, and sometimes it can also make a cat not hungry. However, it is absolutely necessary that your kitty eats at least a little bit every day in order not to get a serious liver disease. Try to hand feed her, if she will not eat from the bowl. If she does not eat at all she will need to be seen by your vet for a recheck.

Poor Sourpatch! You typically should start to see some improvement within 24-48 hours, but it can be longer based on the severity of the infection. He likely isn't using the litter box because he hasn't eaten or drank, so he has no need to pass anything. When cats have a respiratory infection, they can't smell their food. Smell is very important to cats, and they won't eat something if they can't smell it. To tempt him to eat, I would gently warm up really smelly wet food, such as sardine or fished based. That will get some moisture in him as well, and hopefully he will start eating soon. If he still isn't eating after trying this in another 24 hours, I would take him back into the vet.

This is serious as cats can develop serious liver disease when not eating. Since cats rely on their sense of smell, it is important to clean her nostrils from discharge and warm up her food, maybe ad some tuna water. You should also take her back for a recheck at the vet's on Monday,

Hi there! So sorry to hear about Hazel's troubles! The medications are the hardest part. You can try wrapping her in a towel gently jut snugly, tucking her legs in there as well. Try giving her a little bit at a time. If you're really having trouble, give your vet a call and let them know. They may have some alternative medications to try that are given differently. It's never good to stress cats out too much giving them medication. For her appetite you can try warming up the baby food and tuna so see if it has a stronger smell to her. If she is pretty congested try taking her into the bathroom while someone in the household showers. This can help clear her nasal passages a little bit and she may be able to smell better and may be more encouraged to eat. I always also tell people to try weruva seafood canned food and tiki cat. Cats seem to really like those foods.

Hello. Thank you for reaching out to Pet Coach. I am not familar with the antibiotic that you specifically have mentioned. However, in the US we do use something that sounds similar, called Clavamox. Either way, all antibiotics should be given with food if at all possible to avoid upset stomach. Many cats have a reduced appetite when they have a fever, so it is not surprising that Haro Kitaru is not eating on her own. I am very sorry that she is feeling ill and has a fever. If you are able to give her a small amount of chicken or turkey baby food before administering the antibiotic that would be best. This will reduce the chance of causing an upset stomach. Or you can offer her canned tuna or chicken as well. Best of luck with your kitty. I hope she is feeling better soon.

It may take 7-10 days for the condition to resolve. As long as he is still eating, breathing normal, and has normal energy then continue the medications as directed and monitor his condition. If he has a viral infection then it will need to just run it's course as the antibiotics will only treat a bacterial infection. If he stops eating, becomes lethargic, or has any breathing issues then he should be rechecked by a vet.

No, you need to bring him to the vet urgently, a cat that does not eat for more than 3 days starts developing a condition called fatty liver and this must be treated with iv fluids, anti emetic medications and other medications to support the liver, this is even before your vet finds and treats the original condition that caused him to stop eating in the first place. you must take him to the vet today otherwise he will not survive and you cannot treat this at home.