Cat not eating! When to worry?

I placed a foster in her new home on Friday and I just got an email from the adopter saying that she hasn't eaten yet. She didn't seem too concerned but I am. She ate around 2pm Friday and has not eaten since. I don't know if she's drank anything but I don't think so. I suggested that she try giving her some tuna under the bed where she's at and call me tomorrow if she hasn't eaten yet but I'm actually afraid that it's already been too long. The cat is a thin, small cat at about 7 pounds. She is healthy otherwise and shouldn't be at a huge risk of getting hepatic lipidosis but of course it's still a concern I have.

What do you guys think? Would waiting until tomorrow afternoon be too late? I'm so worried about her.

Is kitty eating at night when the humans are sleeping?  Also, have the new owner feed her some smelly wet food wherever the kitty is hiding.  Of course, if it were me, I'd already be concerned.

No, she hasn't eaten anything. She only eats wet food so it's pretty easy to tell if she's eaten. We'll see if feeding her under the bed and closing the door works. I'm really worried though. I wish the adopter would have told me earlier that she wasn't eating. If she hasn't eaten by tomorrow afternoon I'm going there.

Can a thin, healthy young cat really develop fatty liver in just 48 hours?

Ziggy'smom said:

No, she hasn't eaten anything. She only eats wet food so it's pretty easy to tell if she's eaten. We'll see if feeding her under the bed and closing the door works. I'm really worried though. I wish the adopter would have told me earlier that she wasn't eating. If she hasn't eaten by tomorrow afternoon I'm going there.

Can a thin, healthy young cat really develop fatty liver in just 48 hours?

Click to expand...

I'd be worried too but then I am a worry wart anyway.  I think my biggest concern would be if she is not drinking any water.  IIRC, and I may be wrong on this and don't have time to look it up this morning, a cat can go 5 days without food if they are drinking enough water.  Again, research it if you're interested.  I'm not positive my info is completely accurate.  I don't know about the fatty liver in 48 hours.  Her entire world has been rocked so maybe waiting a bit longer might be the answer.  Hopefully someone that has had this same experience will see the post and comment.

She won't develop fatty liver in 48 hours being that thin....
But a shy cat won't eat with the new owners around either..... Best thing is to put the food and water - Get Fancy Feast!!! under the bed, where she is, close the door and leave it there - it can be left for many hours.....
Lucky took a couple of days to eat, drink and use the box when she first arrived here.

Thanks everyone. I got an email late last night saying that my idea worked - Lilly did eat the tuna under the bed. I feel a lot better now that she's eaten something. She'll be getting tuna in addition to her regular food for the next few days to make sure she eats something. Tuna isn't good as a main food source since it lacks Taurine and other things but for a few days it will be fine.

Lilly is the third long timer I've adopted out in the last few months and for some reason she was much harder than the other two. The other two are outgoing and I knew they would handle the transition pretty well but Lilly is not like that. I've had her since before she opened her eyes and she's been hanging on my shoulder ever since she was able to. She is very, very attached to me and seeing her being so scared just makes my heart ache. I know she'll be okay but I still worry myself sick over her.

Aw, I'm sorry both of you are going through such a hard transition.

Lots of that Lilly adjusts to her new home soon.

And for you, too, because your heart aches for her.


Robin