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My senior cat won't eat, drink, or use the litter box. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 3 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

Hi, my 13 year old cat has stopped eating and drinking. He has not used the bathroom in over 24 hours. They can’t determine what is wrong. I’ve attached his blood work for your review. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 9th, 2017

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I am sorry to hear that Kitty is not feeling very well. With the description and blood results, I worry about a condition known as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) or triaditis (inflammation of the pancreas, liver and small intestines). For fatty liver disease, a feeding tube is generally recommended to help bring cats out of this condition as nutritional support is key and extremely important in these cases. I would recommend an abdominal ultrasound as the next diagnostic step to help better determine what the cause could be. If Kitty is still not wanting to eat, you need to consider hospitalization and feeding tube placement to help her get through this. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Veterinarian
Published on April 9th, 2017
Your poor kitty sounds like she is in really rough shape! I strongly urge you to take her to an emergency veterinarian asap. She may be in organ failure, or have a tumor growing in her mouth that is oozing blood. If she is unable to walk, she is in need of medical care immediately.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on August 20th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. This could also be due to mouth pain from having a broken tooth. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 12th, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about your kitty. I'm sorry she's so sick. I'm wondering that if there was something in her intestines it could be lymphoma. That could certainly cause her symptoms. An ultrasound of her abdomen may help diagnosis it. The vet likely recommended taking her to the ER vet because she is too sick to be at home, and the vet may not have after hours care. In all honesty, she is an old cat and if you don't want to spend the money to find a diagnosis, which may be ultimately untreatable, it would be best to let her go peacefully now. I know that is not what you want to hear, but that may be best for her given her current symptoms. I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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