[marvin]

Yep, cats can survive much longer than most animals without food and water. The hepatic lipidosis that Gautama mentioned kicks in at about two weeks of starvation. It will resolve itself if the cat starts eating again. Occasionally though, the cat will refuse to eat because of the pain from hepatic lipidosis. This has a habit of killing the cat in question. Otherwise though, cats can easily survive weeks without food without any irreversible physical damage.

As for water, who knows. I've see a couple of studies that involve water deprivation on cats, and two weeks without water is survivable for cats. They have very efficient urinary systems and can survive water loss of about 10-15% of their body weight. For reference, normal water consumption for a cat is ~ 50 mL a day.

 

[flashnolan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickknutson /img/forum/go_quote.gif My wife's cat went a whole week when we were in Jamaica getting married. And no, we didn't do that on purpose. We actually paid someone to come over to feed her, but she wouldn't eat! The frickin' cat got depressed! I don't understand cats sometimes When we got back the cat was still alive, but she was in real bad shape. It took about $5K at the vet's office to bring her back to health! That's why my wife can never say anything about this little hobby of mine!

So...you got married AND got a present when you got home. Nice.

 

[usc goose]

What an odd resurrection for a first post...

 

[nsx_23]

I'd love to have a cat, but I have a dog at the moment........

I still love him though.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsx_23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd love to have a cat, but I have a dog at the moment........ I still love him though.

Unless your dog goes after cats you can get one. If your dog is OK with cats, take him to the shelter and have them introduce cats to both of you. You should be able to find one that likes both of you.

My dog was very gentle - he mostly wanted to get a smell and an occasional lick. A couple cats hated him, but two other ones were fine with that. They'd curl up and sleep together. And my cousins got a dog a couple months back that their cat is crazy about. They play and snuggle up together.

 

[omegaman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by usc goose /img/forum/go_quote.gif What an odd resurrection for a first post...

Just thinking exactly the same thing

 

[nsx_23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unless your dog goes after cats you can get one. If your dog is OK with cats, take him to the shelter and have them introduce cats to both of you. You should be able to find one that likes both of you. My dog was very gentle - he mostly wanted to get a smell and an occasional lick. A couple cats hated him, but two other ones were fine with that. They'd curl up and sleep together. And my cousins got a dog a couple months back that their cat is crazy about. They play and snuggle up together.

He sometimes wants to chase my neighbor's cat when I take him out for a walk, but I think its more a curiosity thing rather than wanting to attack them.

I got my dog from a shelter. He's been brilliant as a first dog.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by usc goose /img/forum/go_quote.gif What an odd resurrection for a first post...

..and even a bit off-topic!
Since his cats clearly don't live to 20 plus years without food and water, as this thread are about.

 

[evilking]

So none of you have ever seen this type of forum spam?

Usually the link is pr0n/virus related. Just because this one isn't, doesn't make it any less spam...

EK

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

What an odd resurrection for a first post...

Quote:

Just thinking exactly the same thing

Quote:

..and even a bit off-topic!

Quote:

So none of you have ever seen this type of forum spam?

Spam post has been removed.

 

[ronnielee54]

So far 2 weeks

 

[catastrophy14]

my cat hasn't eaten since sunday nor had water.  vet gave some fluids on monday and that's it.  he refuses tuna or tuna water.  he's turned breatharian I think.  he seems fine.  a little weak but I'm the one in pain and who is a wreck.  I wish someone would actually answer the question of how long can a cat live without food or water of any kind.  Marvin's had the most direct answer of any i've found on google.  thank you for actually answering the question.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Er, welcome to Head-Fi and sorry about your... cat. Not what we usually get with new members here, but I sure hope your kitty is OK. If you're also interested in headphones, please stick around and join the discussion. This is a good place.

 

[sanakaku]

Quote:

 please stick around and join the discussion. This is a good place....

of Cats and Headphones!! 
 

 
best comeback post. sorry catastrophe i cant help you with that but enjoy keyboard cat

 

[Planar_head]

What is with all these new members dragging up relics of threads long dead? I think it must be some kind of trend. Some kind of ridiculous, absurd trend.