My cat won't eat for days and is eating kitty litter, what's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | 22 lbs
Hi I have a question about my cat he hasn't eaten for two to three days and he is eating kitty litter
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 22nd, 2018
This is an emergency. Cats eating kitty litter usually are seriously ill. It is a general sign of serious illness, so there is no way to tell what is making him ill without a hands-on exam. Not eating for 2+ days is also life threatening to a cat. You will need to take him to a PetER right away please.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 22nd, 2018
This is very concerning. Your cat needs to be seen by a veterinarian today. Please take your kitty to a PetER. Unfortunately cats can actually get very ill when they do not eat, in addition to the disease that actually caused him not eating. So, this is an emergency.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My one-year-old cat hasn’t been eating for the last two days
This is very concerning. Your cat needs to be seen by a veterinarian today. Please take your kitty to a PetER. Unfortunately cats can actually get very ill when they do not eat, in addition to the disease that actually caused him not eating. So, this is an emergency.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My cat won't eat the food I put out. Dry food, wet food, table food. Nothing
Not eating is a serious concern in cats. If a cat does not eat for two days or longer it can develop a severe liver condition in addition to the initial cause for not eating. Your kitty may have bad teeth, which hurt and therefore might not eat, or an infection or organ condition that causes her to not eat. Please take Kitcat to an emergency veterinarian tonight for an exam and blood work and other diagnostics as indicated by the hands-on exam of the vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my cat not eating her food or rarely using the litter box?
If your cat is not eating at all, she needs to be seen by a vet immediately. Cats can only go a few days without eating before they suffer serious liver dysfunction. 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. If she's just being picky about food but will eat some things, some cats can be that way. 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. Some cats like to be petted w
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What do you guys recommend giving to a cat who hasn’t eaten anything or use the cat litter? I see him moving very little and he just sits down or sit in the corner and sleep. We’re worried about Kong’s well-being.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Kong. When a cat doesn't eat, it's extremely serious. That's because if the cat goes long enough without eating (about 72 hours), they will develop a fatty liver. A fatty liver is fatal without treatment. The fact that he won't eat or use the litter box tells me he is quite sick or injured. I would consider his symptoms a medical emergency that cannot be treat at home. Please take him into a vet immediately. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat isn't eating and not used her litter box for 2 days she is an in door cat and 12 years old
Missy has to see a vet as soon as possible. When a cat doesn't eat for three days, they develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. She needs to see a vet now to prevent that from happening. In a senior cat like Missy, her anorexia could be caused by kidney failure, cancer, diabetes, and liver failure among other causes. It's also serious that she hasn't used the litter box in two days. She needs a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis to diagnose what is causing her symptoms so she can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My cat wont eat his food and has been licking dirt instead. I don't understand why or how to get him to eat again. He has been acting very sickly sense all this started 4 days ago .
Poor Maverick sounds quite ill! It's actually very serious when a cat won't eat his food. When cats do not eat, they become prone to developing a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. It becomes an emergency when they don't eat for longer than 24 hours because you want to avoid the cat developing a fatty liver. There could be numerous causes for him not eating including dental disease, systemic illness, infection, inflammation, or injury. The best thing you can do for him is to get him into a vet immediately. The vet can diagnose what is causing him to not eat and act sick, and can treat him for it. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat stopped eating 3 days ago. He still runs to the bowl when I put food out- smells it and walks away. He has mixed wet/dry diet, And is on PEG
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. Some cats like to be petted while they eat, some want to be left alone. You'll know your cat's habits and be able to act accordingly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
So i have two kittens and one is eating wet food just fine but my other kitten (squid) refuses to eat. he doesn’t seem sick as he acts normal like he sleeps, uses the litter box (poop looks normal) plays a lot, interacts a lot with me and my fiancé a
That's concerning! Refusing to eat is often a sign of illness, and without seeing Squid in person, I can't say for sure what is going on. I can also say it can be really serious when a kitten won't eat, as if they go long enough without eating (about 72 hours), they will develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. I'd take him into the vet first thing to take for a health check. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I have a kitten, and I was wondering what to do cause she's starting to eat the cat litter.
Eating things that aren't food, called pica, can sometimes be a sign of inadequate nutrition or intestinal parasitism. I would recommend bringing your kitty to the vet along with a stool sample so they can check for intestinal parasites. I would also bring the food you are using along with you so your vet can assess if it is appropriate for your kitten and if your kitten is a good weight. A high quality kitten food such as Purina Pro Plan or Royal Canin is recommended. Also be sure your kitten has plenty of toys so she is not playing with kitty litter as a form of entertainment. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What can I do when my cat refuses to eat
Not eating is often a sign of illness. Since your cat can't talk and tell you what is wrong, I recommend to have you cat examined by the veterinarian today. Bring in a fresh stool sample for parasite testing if possible. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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