How long can a cat safely go without eating?
A healthy adult cat can usually go 24 hours without food, but past that point the risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) starts climbing, and at 48 hours of no eating it is a real emergency. Overweight cats are at the highest risk because they have more fat to mobilize. Kittens and senior cats have much less margin and should see a vet within 12 to 18 hours of refusing food. If your cat has eaten almost nothing for a day, call your vet rather than waiting it out.
