We all I’ve busy lives these days and as we have more and more to get done each day, it is only natural that we will end up forgetting things. If we have a new pet cat that we are not in a routine or feeding yet or we have been asked to temporarily take care of a friend or family member’s cat then it is understandable how some people forget to feed their cat.
We see people reaching out about what they should do if they have forgot to feed a cat a couple of times each month so we have decided to publish this article to try and help our readers.
If you forgot to feed your cat, the first thing you should do is not panic. It is not the end of the world and your cat will probably be just fine. The next thing you should do is to immediately feed your cat and get them on a regular feeding schedule so that this does not happen again in the future.
Is It Ok Not To Feed Your Cat For A Day?
The vast majority of healthy domesticated cats can easily go without food for a day due to how well they are fed normally. We have seen some reports of people’s cats going missing in situations where it is unlikely for three days or even more and being totally fine when they get back.
You have to realize that domesticated cats are on a set feeding schedule where as wild cats may naturally go for days without food anyway. The evolutionary path of domesticated cats still has them very close to wild cats in the grand scheme of things and although a domesticated cat may be new to hunger pains, their body will still perform fine.
That being said, it is not ideal to forget to feed your cat or leave them without food for extended periods of time. Don’t go thinking that you can leave your cat without food for a week because of this…you should still stick to a standard feeding schedule with your cat, we are just saying that if you have accidentally forgotten to feed your cat for a day, it will probably be fine.
What Should I Do If I Forgot To Feed My Cat?
The first thing you should do if you forgot to feed your cat is not to panic. It is not the end of the world and your cat will probably be just fine. The next thing you should do is to immediately feed your cat and get them on a regular feeding schedule so that this does not happen again in the future.
Don’t make the common mistake of overfeeding your cat on its next meal like some people make. A normal portion of food is all your cat needs, they don’t need to be compensated for the missed meal and in all honesty, with the amount of treats some cats get, missing a meal or a day of feeding can actually be food for them.
If your cat hasn’t eaten for a day due to you accidentally forgetting to feed it then its stomach will have shrunk and the cat will be hungry. If you do offer the cat twice its normal food portion or leave a big bowl of food out, the chances are that the cat will gorge itself and make itself ill. A normal portion is all that is needed, just feed them as you would normally.
Will My Cat Go Back To Eating Normally?
If you have forgot to feed your cat or they have not eaten for a day, when you do offer them food, they will initially be very ravenous and eat their meal without issue. This is fine and nothing to worry about, and the vast majority of healthy cats will simply rotate back onto their normal feeding schedule as usual without having any problems.
However, in some cases, a cat may be hesitant to eat its next meal after going without food for a day. If this is the case with your cat, don’t worry, just offer them their normal portion of food and see how they go. Some cats may take a little time to get back into their eating routine but will eventually eat their food if it is left out for them.
If your cat has been left without drinking water for a day then you may want to offer them some wet food as this will help to rehydrate them but they should be offered water before they are offered food in most cases. However, if your cat is eating and drinking normally then there is no need to worry about offering them wet food as they will probably just ignore it anyway.
You also have to factor in that your cat may have drank sources of water that are not necessarily good for it too. Everyone’s mind always drifts to toilet water but provided the toiled was flushed after it was used last, that water is usually fine. We mean the water some people leave their dirty plates and bowls in that may have dish soap in it.
If your cat has been drinking this soapy water then it may experience some tummy troubles and this is why it may refuse the food you are offering it. You can book a video call with a veterinarian to have them assess your pet cat and offer advice if you think that this may be the situation with your cat.
Am I A Bad Cat Owner If I Forgot To Feed My Cat?
No, you are not a bad cat owner if you forgot to feed your cat. It is an easy mistake to make and one that most cat owners have made at least once in their lives. Just make sure that it does not happen too often as your cat will become malnourished if it goes without food for extended periods of time.
If you have forgot to feed your cat, just make sure that you get them on a regular feeding schedule and stick to it. It is also a good idea to set an alarm or reminders on your phone so that you don’t forget to feed them again in the future.
The most important thing to focus on is that you love and care for your cat to the best of your ability and that you provide them with everything they need to live a happy and healthy life. Just don’t forget to feed them moving forward!
What If I Forget To Give My Cat Drinking Water?
It is important that you offer your cat drinking water as soon as possible if you have forgotten to feed them. A cat can go without food for a day or two, but it will become very dehydrated if it does not have any water. You can offer your cat drinking water by putting a small bowl of water next to their food bowl.
Most homes have water sources that your cat will be able to sniff out and drink from if it is desperate. The toilet water is the obvious option but the sink can also have water in it to help get your pet cat through a day without water.
