How long can a cat go without food/water?

[spidey07]

Honest question. I went on a business trip wednesday morning and returned friday. So like a total of 60 hours. Poor kitty closed the closet door by his own accord and was locked in. Needless to say he's real happy to see me. He's plenty fine.

First thought was here's some water! Here's some food!

But the question remains - I've had cats get locked in a closet over night, even for maybe a single day. But how long before it causes problems?

And before you tear into me I take VERY good care of my kitties and they are all very happy and affectionate. He is roaming his domain calling everybody and happy he's out.

 

[FoBoT]

i have heard of them being stuck in trees for a week or so

 

[theprodigalrebel]

60 HOURS?!? My cat once got (accidentally) locked in my closet for 12 hours or so...when I finally found him, he looked like the most frightened little thing ever. Damn, 60 hours!!!

 

[dug777]

I shut our kitty in the fridge for hours at time, she comes out a bit cold and unimpressed but otherwise fine. I'm training her for the freezer netxt.

 

[Skeeedunt]

I think the water rule for humans is 72 hours. I assume cats are more human-like than camel-like, but really, I have no idea.

 

[d33pt]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
60 HOURS?!? My cat once got (accidentally) locked in my closet for 12 hours or so...when I finally found him, he looked like the most frightened little thing ever. Damn, 60 hours!!!

well he doesn't really know if it was 60 hours. the cat might have done it an hour before he came back.

 

[FoBoT]

http://www.paws-and-effect.com/pawsandeffect45.html

 

[illusion88]

Schrödinger's cat is dead?

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: dug777
I shut our kitty in the fridge for hours at time, she comes out a bit cold and unimpressed but otherwise fine. I'm training her for the freezer netxt.

Might as well train it to get you a nice cold beer while it's in there. :beer:

 

[mercanucaribe]

Syringer locked it in there in order to exact revenge on the OP.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Did anybody notice this?

: Well, there are a few factors that come into play here. First of all, cats as a species originated in desert climates, so our bodies are designed to live on a lot less water than other mammals such as humans or dogs.

Is this a talking cat or what?

wait.....wtf

 

[MX2]

Probably slept the whole time

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
60 HOURS?!? My cat once got (accidentally) locked in my closet for 12 hours or so...when I finally found him, he looked like the most frightened little thing ever. Damn, 60 hours!!!

They're well adjusted. Didn't bother him too much, just a little clingy for now but otherwise he's happy as can be. In fact he's pretty much over it now after a few hours of being out.

kitty pic

 

[KeithTalent]

You should buy a portable meat slicer so you can slice some meat and slide it under the door for the cat if it happens again.

 

[bctbct]

I would be worried about how long kitty went before he used the bathroom.

I have a retard cat that does this all the time, never meows to get out either. I called him one morning over and over to come eat, come home from work and thought where's the cat? Checked the closet....sure enough.

 

[FoBoT]

let the cat post his side of the story


you can't keep the cat down!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: MX2
Probably slept the whole time

That's what I'm thinking. He wasn't "gimme water and food!" when I let him out.

From the link Fobot posted it seems they can last much longer than we can. I KNOW that my cats have been in the closet for 24+ hours many times and been none the worse for wear. Just a 'where the F have you been? Thanks for letting me out.' kind of response.

 

[tomywishbone]

I think I read about a kitty that walked into a shipping container and was foodless & waterless for 15-16 days and he was OK. Thin & thristy & hungry but alive, and he made it.

Kitty Number 6

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango
Did anybody notice this?

: Well, there are a few factors that come into play here. First of all, cats as a species originated in desert climates, so our bodies are designed to live on a lot less water than other mammals such as humans or dogs.

Is this a talking cat or what?

wait.....wtf

Yeah, I had to reread that one real quickly. At first, it gave me a quick WTF moment.

 

[mlm]

Be sure to check the closet for any accidents. Both times our cat locked herself up, she left us a... surprise in the corner.

 

[Leros]

How do these cats go about getting locked up in the closet?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Leros
How do these cats go about getting locked up in the closet?

Cats love places they haven't scoped out before - closets are a prime target. They also like to thoroughly feel out the environment.

So in essence they say "hey! I can move this door! Wonder what happens if I jump and press on it."

Kitty locked in closet. Curiosity killed the cat ya know.

 

[lupi]

I had to leave town for 2 weeks on an emergency call once. Let a huge pan of water and food out and put a couple inches of water in the sink.


when I came back the cat was skinny. Later we found out he hade a tapeworm so otherwise he probably wouldn't have been so bad.

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: dug777
I shut our kitty in the fridge for hours at time, she comes out a bit cold and unimpressed but otherwise fine. I'm training her for the freezer netxt.

Is that an Australian thing, dug?

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: illusion88
Schrödinger's cat is dead?

Schrödinger's cat is not dead?