Lost indoor cat in shock, not eating or drinking. What should I do?

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Sheeba has been unwell since arriving home. It is possible her behaviour is related to stress and anxiety. However, it could also be related to a medical problem. Whatever the cause, when a cat does not eat or drink for several days, this can lead to dehydration, weakness, and secondary liver problems, especially for a kitten. Because of this, I would recommend taking Sheeba to the vet within the next 24 hours. They can perform a full physical exam and run some tests to rule out a medical issue. They can also provide supportive medications to improve her hydration, appetite, and comfort. If the vet confirms she is in good physical health, you can try using Feliway, a feline pheromone spray designed to reduce stress in cats. Also ensure she has easy access to food and water in the place where she is hiding. You can gradually try interacting with her more and more, through offering treats, and speaking to her softly and gently. With time, she should start to open up and learn to trust you and be comfortable in her environment. I hope this helps, and that Sheeba feels better soon!

Probably severe dehydration is her main issue at this time. She may also have developed a liver condition called hepatic lipidosis which occurs when cats don't eat for many days. Is also possible that she was injured when she was out and missing, and she may have some pain and or an infection related to that. Take her in to the vet as soon as you can today! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Poor Murphy! If she is not eating or drinking she could indeed be injured, and should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Please search for a 24 hour veterinary clinic in your area if your regular veterinarian isn’t available. It is also possible that Murphy could be pregnant, and you will need to see your veterinarian asap to help provide care for this as needed, and consider having her spayed to prevent unwanted litters. Spaying stops the heat cycle, eliminates the risk and cost of unwanted breeding, and early spaying can reduce the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, as well as reduce the risk of potentially fatal uterine infections and breast cancer. If you are unable to take her to a vet, call your local Humane Society or shelter to see if they can direct you on where to go for help.

Cindy needs to see a vet immediately. She could have been injured while missing, and it sounds like she is in poor health. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.

Oh dear, poor Meow! Since she is not moving, eating or drinking, my main concern is that she has experienced significant trauma in her travels, either from a long fall or being hit by a car. These traumatic events can cause major head trauma, rib fractures, or internal injuries that can be quite severe and painful. At this point, Meow needs to go to an emergency vet immediately for evaluation and treatment. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

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.

This is a medical emergency, and your cat needs to see a vet now. I'm very concerned he could have gotten into sometime toxic or has a very serious illness. He needs to have veterinary care right away, or I'm afraid this could be fatal. Please take him into a vet immediately.