How long can cats go without eating?

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Luke Sineath - 03 Mar 2004 01:48 GMT

I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
lot of weight. He was pretty fat, but now he's kind of of bony, but
otherwise seems healthy (his fur is soft and shiny, his personality is
intact, etc.) But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been eating all this time, if
I should feed him something special?

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Cheryl - 03 Mar 2004 02:22 GMT

Mar 2004:

> I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again,
> but he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's
> lost a lot of weight. He was pretty fat, but now he's kind of of
> bony, but otherwise seems healthy (his fur is soft and shiny, his
> personality is intact, etc.) But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been
> eating all this time, if I should feed him something special?

Is he eating ok now that he is back home? That is the important thing.
If they go long enough without eating to start liver damage, they won't
eat much at all if anything unless steps are taken to heal the liver. If
he's eating as much or even close to what he used to eat, I wouldn't
worry.

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Mary - 03 Mar 2004 05:31 GMT

> But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been eating all this time, if
>I should feed him something special?

Start him on fluids then slowly give him little bits of food. If you give him a
huge meal all at once, he may puke if he hasn't eaten in a while. Maybe he was
locked in someone's garage, basement or tool shed. That happens a lot.

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M.C. Mullen - 03 Mar 2004 08:32 GMT

| I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
| he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
| lot of weight. He was pretty fat, but now he's kind of of bony, but
| otherwise seems healthy (his fur is soft and shiny, his personality is
| intact, etc.) But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been eating all this time, if
| I should feed him something special?

An extra treat to welcome him home!!
And less or light food to prevent him from becoming fat again.

Carola

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~*Connie*~ - 03 Mar 2004 11:44 GMT

> I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
> he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
> lot of weight. He was pretty fat, but now he's kind of of bony, but
> otherwise seems healthy (his fur is soft and shiny, his personality is
> intact, etc.) But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been eating all this time, if
> I should feed him something special?

Congrats on getting him back.. :) bet that was a happy day.

If he is eating well, probably what ever you were feeding him is fine.. Id
offer plenty of dry, and generous portions of wet.. if he's not eating well,
I might switch to a high quality brand of food to entice him to eat more..
if he is picky and lethargic, Id get him to a vet..

Good luck!

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rbinca - 04 Mar 2004 06:08 GMT

~*Connie*~ said:

>>I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
>>he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> offer plenty of dry, and generous portions of wet.. if he's not eating well,
> I might switch to a high quality brand of food to entice him to eat more..

I have to add - If he is not eating well eating ANY type of food is
preferable to barely eating. In any case a vet visit is in order.

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philo - 03 Mar 2004 13:33 GMT

don't feed him too much at once!

i heard of a cat that had somehow gotten into a car that was shipped across
the ocean and survived after going without food or water for about a month!

the person who had purchased the car...found the near-dead cat and nursed it
back to health...and kept the cat (of course)

i don't recall the exact story but IIRC he named the cat : Mercedes

(after the car...which is really a woman's name anyway)

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Luke Sineath - 04 Mar 2004 13:50 GMT

Well, he's eating just fine, and actually eating lots. He seems fine,
really. Are there kitty vitamins I could give him? Thanks everyone!

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Luvskats00 - 06 Mar 2004 11:00 GMT

"Luke Sineath" l.v.sineath45688@att.net

>I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
>he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
>lot of weight.

Not one mention of any thought to keeping your cat indoors from now on. I
wonder what's wrong with you.

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catlover4422 - 28 May 2007 21:17 GMT

>I lost my cat for three weeks! I thought I would never see him again, but
>he came home last night. We think he was trapped somewhere; he's lost a
>lot of weight. He was pretty fat, but now he's kind of of bony, but
>otherwise seems healthy (his fur is soft and shiny, his personality is
>intact, etc.) But I'm wondering, If he hasn't been eating all this time, if
>I should feed him something special?

Dear Luke Sineath,
I am right now having the same problem with my cat. (almost the same). Wel
actually, my cat Mischief is right now missing. He has been missing for four
days. I'm very worried, but thanks to you i feel a lot better! Thank you!!
How did you feel when your cat was away??
Thanks again, Mads

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