If your cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days, you’re right to be concerned.
As a rule of thumb, if a cat goes longer than 24 hours without peeing or pooping, it’s a sign that they have a health issue.
Two days without passing urine or feces is starting to get serious, a trip to the vet is recommended!
How Long Can Cats Go without Pooping and Peeing?
A healthy cat shouldn’t go more than 24 hours without peeing or pooping.
If you don’t think your cat has used their litter box or gone to the bathroom in over 24 hours, it might be time to take them to the vet.
If they are acting completely normal, so not lethargic or off in any way, and still eating and drinking, you can wait a little longer.
However, if your cat is also clearly not well, especially if they are not drinking normally, you should get on the phone with your vet and explain what’s happening.
What Causes a Cat to Stop Pooping and Peeing?
There are many reasons why a cat may stop peeing or pooping, including:
- Dehydration
- Constipation (here is how to use olive oil to help with constipation!)
- Urinary tract infection
- Kidney disease
These are just a few of the possible causes, so it’s important to visit the vet to find out what is going on with your cat.
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of a cat not peeing or pooping.
If your cat is not drinking enough water, their body will start to shut down functions that are not essential to survival, and urination is one of the first things to go.
Cats can also become constipated, which can lead to a complete blockage and an inability to urinate or defecate.
Of course, if your cat is not drinking enough, this likely means there is an underlying health issue causing this.
A urinary tract infection can also cause a cat to stop peeing if their bladder becomes inflamed or they have stones in their bladder.
What Should I Do if My Cat Hasn’t Peed in 2 Days?
If your cat hasn’t peed in two days, you should take them to the vet as soon as you possibly can.
It’s a serious issue that can quickly become life-threatening, so it’s important to get your cat checked out as soon as possible.
Your vet will likely run some tests to determine what is causing your cat’s issues and will be best placed to advise the best possible solution.
In the meantime, you can try to encourage your cat to drink more water by adding wet food to their diet or using a water fountain.
You should also make sure your cat has access to a litter box at all times in case there is any anxiety there about using their box.
How Can I Stimulate My Cat to Pee?
If your cat is not urinating on their own, you may need to stimulate them to do so.
I’ve had to do this with one of my cats that had a broken leg some time ago, and it’s actually not that difficult.
I put her into the bath, and then gently massaged their tummy in a clockwise direction or using a warm, wet washcloth.
What you shouldn’t do is force your cat to pee by holding them down or simply pressing their bladders!
If you are at all concerned, it is best to take them to the vet. Your vet might show you what you need to do, it’s easier once you’ve seen it in person.
Can a Cat Go 2 Days without Pooping?
A cat shouldn’t go more than 48 hours without pooping.
If your cat hasn’t pooped in two days, it’s time to take them to the vet.
There are many possible causes of constipation in cats, from dehydration to dietary issues, so it’s important to get your cat checked out as soon as possible.
There are some home remedies that can help stimulate a cat to poop, but it’s a serious health issue and not something you want to stall for very long.
I remember a couple of years ago one of our cats didn’t poop for 48 hours. We took her to our vet and she took an x-ray, we could clearly see the poop backed up!
We found out she had a condition called megacolon, which is the weakening of the colon muscles.
Fortunately, our vet was able to massage the poop out with a little laxative, and by changing up her diet we managed to avoid any future incidents of constipation.
Related – More on how long cats can (or shouldn’t) hold their poop!
How Can I Stimulate My Cat to Poop?
There are a few things you can try to stimulate your cat to poop, but it’s always best to check with your vet first.
There are stool softeners and mild laxatives available, and you can also try stimulating your cat by massaging their butt with a warm dishcloth.
However, if your cat hasn’t pooped for at least two days and you’re not aware of why it’s best to seek professional advice as there are such serious health implications at risk.
In Summary
If your cat hasn’t peed or pooped in two days, it’s time to take them to the vet.
There are many possible causes of this, from dehydration to constipation, and it can quickly become a serious health issue.
Your vet will be able to help your cat pass urine or feces in the short term, and advise you of dietary changes and any other treatments needed in the long run.
Resources
Image credits – Photo by Felice Wölke on Unsplash
