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My cat is throwing up, not eating or drinking for 2 days. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My cat threw up multiple times yesterday. Has not eaten or had water for almost 2days. What should we du?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on July 23rd, 2015

Your cat should be seen by a vet right away. The vomiting and not drinking has likely made him dehydrated, which can interfere with electrolyte levels, which in turn affects heart function, among other things. 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.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 15th, 2018

    It sounds as Mano is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet URGENTLY, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on February 21st, 2020

    You can try warming the food slightly or mixing in a teaspoon of baby food. Since it has been 2 days though, an exam with your veterinarian would be strongly recommended. A cat that has not eaten for 2+ days is at risk of serious liver related complications. A loss of appetite has many causes and should be properly addressed by your vet.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 18th, 2019

    Oh no, poor Livvie! She sounds very sick, and it's actually quite serious when a cat won't eat. If they don't eat going on 72 hours, they will develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. This has to be avoided, so try to tempt her to eat with some boiled white meat chicken (no bones) with some gently warmed low sodium chicken broth. Should she eat it, feed her this bland diet for a couple of days, and then slowly add back in her normal diet. If she refuses to eat this, take her into the vet first thing in the morning.

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