My cat has stopped eating. What should I do?

2 min read Updated on October 6, 2026

In shortA cat does not “sulk” at his bowl. If he stops eating, it is almost always stress, pain or illness. And in cats, fasting for more than two days is dangerous: the liver starts to fail. If your cat has eaten nothing for twenty-four hours, it is time to see a vet, not to wait.

What it often means

A change: new kibble, bowl moved, a move, a guest, a new animal.
Dental pain: he is hungry, approaches, and gives up. Very common and underestimated.
Nausea or a digestive problem, often with lip licking and drooling.
A general illness: kidney, liver, infection, especially in older cats.

Signals to read at the same time

Is he drinking? Much more than usual is a sign in itself.
The litter box: is he urinating, straining, are the stools normal?
His mouth: odour, drooling, red gums, chewing on one side.
His energy and grooming: a sick cat neglects himself and hides.

What you can do

Offer warmed, very fragrant wet food, in a quiet spot, away from the litter box and other animals.
Check the bowl: too deep, it bothers the whiskers. A flat plate sometimes changes everything.
Remove whatever changed recently, if you can.
Count the hours. Beyond twenty-four hours without eating, or twelve for a kitten: vet.

When to see a vet

See a vet urgently if your cat has not eaten or drunk for twenty-four hours, vomits several times, cannot urinate, has white or yellow gums, or is prostrate. A cat who does not eat for three days risks hepatic lipidosis, which is serious and sometimes fatal.

Frequently asked questions

My cat eats less since I changed kibble. Is he being fussy?

Maybe, but check his mouth and general behavior first. To change food, mix gradually over a week. Refusing a new food outright may be taste; refusing all food is not.

He eats but vomits right after. Is it hairballs?

Sometimes, if the vomit contains hair and it stays occasional. Frequent vomiting, even with appetite, deserves a consultation: stomach, intestine, thyroid, food allergy.

How long can a cat go without eating?

Beyond twenty-four to forty-eight hours the risk of hepatic lipidosis rises, especially in an overweight cat. Do not test the limit: a fasting cat needs a vet, not patience.

Mimo reads behavior. It does not replace a vet.