Can I feed my cat every 24 hours? (2023)

How many hours apart should I feed my cat?

Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.

"Once cats reach adulthood, once a day feeding is fine as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems suggesting a reason to feed differently," says Dr. Kallfelz.

The average cat can technically survive for one to two weeks without food if they have a water supply. However, without protein, it may be more like three to four days, even if they have enough water. With no water or food, it is unlikely that a cat would survive longer than three days.

Without food or water, cats can experience serious medical concerns in as little as a day. If the hunger strike continues for more than a day, call your vet right away for an examination. After three days of a cat not eating, extra fat begins breaking down, leading to serious medical conditions.

High protein, low carb diets are touted by some to be less likely to cause obesity in cats, but this has been disproven in feeding studies; total calories consumed is most important. Most cats need 4-5 ounces of canned food per day, total.

When feeding the adult indoor cat we recommend 1/4 of an eight ounce cup of dry cat food each day fed with 2.5 ounces of canned food (about 1/2 of a normal can of cat food).

Cats are notoriously picky eaters but skipping meals entirely can be cause for real concern. When cats stop eating, their bodies run out of reserve protein and they have to burn fat for fuel. The urgent need for energy leads to a condition called hepatic lipidosis, which can cause liver failure.

Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food.

Cats can survive for about two weeks without eating but only three days without drinking. The longer your cat goes without proper nutrition, however, the weaker they become, so it's important to contact your vet if you suspect they haven't eaten in a day or more.

Many cats will be fine on their own for up to two days. However, you need to ensure they have access to fresh food and water at all times. For a one-day trip, filling up their food and water before you leave should be sufficient. But for anything longer, you'll probably want an automatic feeder and waterer.

How long can a cat be left alone?

Most felines will be perfectly content being left alone for up to 8 hours while you're at work. As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive.

Unfortunately, while some cats will automatically self-regulate their food intake, there are others who lack the capacity to register that they aren't actually hungry, as well as get so much enjoyment out of eating that they persistently overeat anyway.

So when it comes to water, the average time a cat can survive without it is three to four days. “Within 24 hours of not drinking water, cats will become dehydrated,” Dr. Burch told The Dodo. “The longer a cat is not drinking water, the worse dehydration will become, electrolyte imbalances will occur and organ damage.”

The bottom line is that a kitten cannot go for more than a few hours without eating and an adult cat should never go longer than 24 hours without eating.

Cooked, lean meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, liver and lamb are all ok for you cat to eat. However, it's important that you take great care when serving to make sure the meat's cooked through – never give cats raw meat – and remove all skin and bones before feeding your cat.

Skipping Meals is Different for Cats

Even a healthy cat who is hydrated can succumb to organ failure due to malnutrition in just three or four days. In comparison, a healthy human being can live up to two months without food, as long as they are hydrated.

Skipping Meals Longer Than 24 Is Potentially Serious

If your furry companions refuse to eat for a period of longer than 24 hours, he or she may have a potentially serious underlying medical problem that requires immediate attention.

The reality that for most cats, a 100% dry diet will be perfectly adequate, and no reason to feel guilty. I recommend spending as much as you can, as it's clear that urinary problems go down as quality goes up. I also need you to understand feline water needs.

There is a debate on how long wet cat food can sit out, but the general consensus is that it should only be left out for 1-2 hours indoors at room temperature. After a couple of hours, wet cat food will dry up and congeal and become less appealing to your kitty, and become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Ultimately, your cat will decide whether she prefers dry or wet cat food. Purina nutritionists recommend feeding a combination of wet and dry food, though. This helps ensure she gets plenty of moisture in her diet, plus the dental benefits of dry food, all while adding variety to keep her interested.

What liquid food can I feed my cat?

Yes, cats can have “off” days just like us. Usually it's a 24 hour thing and usually not a serious cause for concern. More than 1 day is troublesome and needs to be addressed. Vet time if he's not back to normal within 48 hours.

Leaving a cat alone for a week can end in a disaster.

If you have to go away for the entire week, you must find someone to at least check in on your feline. A friend, a family member, or a pet sitter are all viable options. If no one is available, consider a boarding facility.

Their eyes are intelligently designed

According to Catster , the reason cats' night vision is so excellent is because of the intelligent design of their eyes. They possess a curved cornea and large lens, and in low light their pupils can dilate to full circles to allow in maximum light.

Cats, while often independent creatures, still crave attention and love, in addition to their obvious nutritional needs of fresh water, clean litter, and food. If you decide to bring a cat or kitten into your home, you should be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes a day giving your cat loving one-on-one attention.