My Cat Hasn’t Peed Or Pooped In 2 Days! (Explained)

Cats have good digestive systems and will often follow a set schedule for relieving themselves. However, there are times when a cat isn’t going to be eating as well as it is supposed to and this can create issues with its overall well-being. When a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days, you are going to be alarmed and it becomes important to figure out what’s going on.

The reasons why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in a few days can include an unclean litter box, anxiety, and/or constipation. It’s recommended to clean the litter box and make it more accessible to see whether or not this improves the cat’s health.

Please note, you shouldn’t be waiting around in a situation such as this. It is an emergency and if nothing worse, you will want to take the time to consult with a vet!

Key factors include:

Cat’s Overall Health
Age of the Cat
Condition of the Litter Box

When learning more about why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days, you are going to go through everything associated with the cat’s health. This includes what the cat was eating recently, what the indoor conditions are like, and whether or not the cat is healthy.

There are specific details that you are going to want to focus on in a situation such as this.

This article will provide tips on what to do when it comes to a situation such as this. Learn why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days.

Table of Contents

Best Litter Box For Cats (EDITOR’S CHOICE)

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Tips On What To Do If Cat Hasn’t Peed Or Pooped In 2 Days

1. Clean and Change the Litter Box

The first tip for a cat that hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days is to look at the litter box.

A lot of the times, your real issue is going to stem from the litter box. Cats are quite particular about where they relieve themselves and that comes from their natural instinct to find a good spot to defecate.

Unfortunately, if you have left the area unclean, this is going to make them want to stop relieving themselves inside the litter box!

It is important to clean and/or change the litter box while also relocating it.

There are times when a litter box is too far away from a cat and that is what causes it to not want to use it. This is a simple change and one that might be the problem.

2. Check the Cat’s Diet

When it comes to a why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days, you will want to also account for the cat’s dietary intake.

This includes what type of foods the cat is eating, whether or not it is eating enough, and even when it is eating the food.

Sometimes, a simple change in what the cat ate can have an adverse effect on their health.

This is why you have to stay patient and make sure you are focusing on figuring out what is going on with the cat over the long haul.

3. Consult With A Vet

When a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days, you will want to take the time to speak to a vet.

You should always take the time to speak to a medical professional when it comes to analyzing a cat’s health. There are times when things are out of your control.

This can include an infection and/or other digestive health issues that need to be treated with proper medication.

It doesn’t hurt to get your cat checked out and it should be a top priority for you moving forward.

Start here and make sure the cat is in good health before looking at other factors associated with this type of behavior including anxiety or fear.

Final Thoughts

These are the tips on why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in 2 days.

Take the time to implement these tips and ensure the cat is in good health. Whether it is the litter box, anxiety, and/or dietary issues, you want to get to the bottom of things immediately.

Here’s more on cats – reasons a cat is getting more attached to you, leaving cat inside a bathroom, reasons cat stays low, and reasons cat isn’t using the litter box.

— Update: 14-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Signs Your Cat Needs Medical Attention from the website www.zoetispetcare.com for the keyword cat hasn’t pooped or peed in 2 days.

Eating or Drinking More Than Normal

If your cat’s appetite or thirst suddenly increases, and it’s not easily explained away by pregnancy or an increase in activity, it could be a sign of a number of conditions, including an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), kidney failure, diabetes, and many others.

Eating or Drinking Less Than Normal

If your cat’s appetite or thirst suddenly decreases, it could be a sign of a range of problems, too. Among the possible causes for these signs are pain (like from arthritis or dental/tooth pain), digestive upset or obstruction, advanced kidney disease, an infection, and a host of other possible medical issues. If your cat isn’t eating, don’t wait to contact your veterinarian. If this isn’t addressed quickly, it can lead to a type of liver disease that is often fatal.

Vomiting

If your cat is throwing up, it can be a sign of a digestive blockage, irritation, infection, or even heartworm disease. It can also be a sign of pancreatitis or a metabolic disorder, such as kidney failure. It’s important to take your cat to the vet if they’ve been vomiting longer than a day, if there’s any blood or foreign material in their vomit, if their vomiting is associated with a decrease in their urination, or they’ve vomited more than 3 times in a 24-hour period. And even if they’re “just” bringing up hairballs, anything more frequent than once per week warrants a medical workup to look for an underlying cause.

Diarrhea

Cats will have soft poops occasionally, but when it lasts for more than a day, has blood in it, or is accompanied by other concerning signs, it’s best to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Change in Weight

Whether it be weight gain or loss, changes in your cat’s weight can be possible indicators of underlying problems. Sure, weight gain could just be that you’re overfeeding them, but it could also be diabetes, fluid buildup (e.g., from heart disease or liver problems), or another medical condition. Similarly, weight loss could indicate kidney disease, cancer, an overactive thyroid gland, intestinal worms or other parasites, and a host of other issues. Either way, a veterinary check-up sooner rather than later is always a good idea.

Decreased Energy

If your crazy cat suddenly (or even gradually) becomes lethargic, that’s a concerning change. It could indicate pain (like from arthritis or even an infected cat bite abscess), anemia (condition of decreased red blood cells), heart disease (including heartworm disease), or another issue.

Peeing or Pooping Outside of Their Litter Boxes

Not only is this inconvenient and upsetting for you, but these signs can also indicate a range of problems for your cat. It could be that something in their environment is stressing them out or it could indicate a medical problem that warrants investigation. It’s important to note that cats don’t do this out of revenge — cats with osteoarthritis, for example, may not be able to climb over the sides of the litterbox. Either way, bring them to your veterinarian sooner rather than later so you can quickly get to the bottom of it, for everyone’s benefit.

Itching or Chewing on Fur

Cats are fastidious by nature and may scratch at themselves occasionally, but an overall increase in itching behavior could indicate parasites (e.g., fleas, mites), a skin infection with bacteria and/or yeast, ringworm (which is actually a fungus, not a worm), or even allergies.

Coughing

Coughing in cats isn’t always obvious and many people mistake it for a cat trying (unsuccessfully) to bring up a hairball. But coughing is often a sign of asthma, heartworm disease, pneumonia, and many other problems of the heart and lungs in cats.

Don’t wait until your cat is sick to visit the veterinarian. Establishing a relationship with your vet allows them to notice changes over time that you may overlook or not know to look for. If your cat’s stress keeps you from taking them to the hospital, learn what you can do to ensure your cat has a stress-free vet visit.

— Update: 14-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article My Cat Hasn’t Peed Or Pooped In 2 Days! (Helpful Tips) from the website www.21cats.org for the keyword cat hasn’t pooped or peed in 2 days.

When your kitty hasn’t peed or pooped in two days after you adopted him, it’s common to worry.

It’s crucial to check him for symptoms. In some cases, his digestive system may have not yet been established.

So, why doesn’t my cat has peed or pooped in 2 days? When a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in two days after you adopted him, it’s common to worry.

Often his digestive system may have not yet been established, so your cat can’t pee or poop yet and he may be constipated. Your cat should have started peeing and pooping after a couple of days of eating food in your house and being at home with you.

Why Does a Cat Stop Peeing and Pooing?

A cat may stop peeing or pooping for any number of reasons, including the cat’s health.

One of the most prevalent reasons a cat stops peeing and pooping right away after adoption is because he has not been in the habit of doing so for a couple of months or longer.

If your cat does not drink enough water, their body will conserve water.

Constipation in cats may sometimes lead to a halt in urination and defecation.

Of course, if your cat isn’t eating and drinking, he is going to have to stop peeing and pooping too.

If a cat’s bladder gets irritated or has some type of infection, the cat may have an aversion to urinating and defecating.

What Should I Do If My Cat Hasn’t Peed or Pooped in Two Days?

Examine the Cat’s Diet

When determining why a cat hasn’t peed or pooped in two days after you adopted him, you must take a look at his diet.

This covers the kind of foods the pet is eating, as well as whether he has enough water to drink on a daily basis.

Cats sometimes stop eating, which can have a negative affect on their ability to pee and poop.

A simple adjustment in what the pet eats, or how much water he drinks, can change the pet’s behavior.

This is why you must be patient and attentive when determining the causes of a cat’s urination and defecation issues.

Clean and Replace the Litter Box.

The first thing to do if your cat hasn’t peed or pooped in two days after you adopted him is to examine the litter box.

The litter box is the first thing the cat sees when entering the litter box area.

Cats are quite fussy about where they relieve themselves.

Unfortunately, if you have left the litter box untidy, your cat may refuse to use it.

It is essential to clean and replace the litter box at least two times per day.

There are occasions when a litter box is clean but still has no pee or poop in it.

This is a small alteration, but it could help solve your cat’s problem.

Consult Your Vet

If your cat hasn’t peed or pooped in two days after you adopted him, you can find the cause quite quickly.

When it comes to examining a litter box, you must follow a routine so that you do not miss anything.

There are moments when the cats urinate in unusual places because there is a urinary tract infection (UTI) or tumor on their bladders.

This may involve an infection in the urinary tract or the production of more urine than normal.

It’s not a bad idea to get your new cat checked for worms and parasites as soon as he comes home with you.

Begin by ensuring the cat’s health before looking to see if he has a behavioral problem.

How Can I Get My Cat to Poop?

There are a few things you may do to help your cat to poop.

Stool softeners and mild laxatives are available, and may be prescribed if your cat’s diet is particularly high fibre or if the problem is related to constipation.

However, if your cat hasn’t pooped in at least two days, you will need to contact your vet as soon as possible.

If you are worried, visit your vet immediately so you can rule out any of these severe issues and get your cat proper treatment.

How Can I Get My Cat to Pee?

If your cat isn’t urinating, the first thing to do is rule out medical causes.

I had to do this with one of cats yesterday because he was having to pee in my laundry room.

I soaked her in the tub, then she finally got to go pee.

What you should not do is force a cat to drink too much water, as this can cause them to develop bladder stones or kidney failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can Cats Go Without Peeing and Pooping?

A cat can comfortably keep his bladder full for a week or more without going to the bathroom.

If it lasts more than a few days, you should pay your vet a visit.

Failure to urinate or defecate increases your kitty’s risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and constipation, so if he fails to eliminate for a few days and you start to see.

An increase in toxins might indicate that an infection is developing as well.

Is It Possible for a Cat to Spend Two Days Without Peeing?

While a cat may spend 24 to 48 hours without eliminating, he should not go more than two days without defecating.

On average, healthy cats eliminate once every 12 to 24 hours.

It’s always a good idea to contact your vet if your cat doesn’t urinate or defecate for more than two days in a row.

It is always better to be safe than sorry when your pet’s health is concerned.

Also Read: Why Is My Cat’s Poop Yellow?

Conclusion

These are several explanations for why your cat might not be eliminating as often as he does normally.

Take the time to put your cat’s health first if you notice him urinating or defecating less often than normal.

Whether it’s the litter box, nervousness, or food, you have plenty of options to work with to help your kitty find a solution to why he has stopped pooping regularly.

— Update: 14-02-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article How Long Can a Cat Go Without Going to the Bathroom? from the website waldosfriends.org for the keyword cat hasn’t pooped or peed in 2 days.

Cats are mysterious creatures with strange, undecipherable behaviours. From sticking out their tongues in an adorable way to hissing at you (and making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up in the process), cats take some time to get accustomed to. But once you have an inkling to how your pet’s mind works, you’ve won a friend for life!

Your cat’s toilet habits are another aspect that takes some time to understand. This Waldo’s Friends guide will help you determine:

What is considered normal peeing and pooping for cats?
How long can my cat go without peeing or pooping?
Why can’t my cat pee or poop?
What do I do when my cat can’t pee or poop?

What is considered normal peeing and pooping for cats?

When it comes to toilet habits, every cat is different. Normal peeing may range from two to six times a day depending on your cat’s age, water intake, and diet, as well as other factors such as existing medical conditions, medication, heat, humidity, and stress. Pooping, on the other hand, is done by most cats at least once a day.

How long can my cat go without peeing or pooping?

Even if your cat eats or drinks normally, she can go without peeing for 24 to 48 hours. Some cats that undergo neutering or surgery might not pee for 72 hours. Meanwhile, a younger kitten usually pees 4 to 6 times a day, so if she doesn’t do so within 24 hours, take her to the veterinarian. As for pooping, a cat can safely hold it in for 24 to 36 hours. If it goes over 48 to 72 hours, schedule a visit to her vet.

Failure to urinate or defecate creates a risk of injury due to the toxin buildup in your cat’s system. Increase in toxins can make your cat sick and may lead to damage in her vital organs. Worse, it may cause death.

Why can’t my cat pee or poop?

If you’ve noticed your cat lingering in her litter box but not being able to expel anything, there are some possible reasons why she’s having trouble doing so:

Stress

Stress is one of the main reasons why your cat can’t pee or poop. It may be caused by changes in your routine, a new pet, separation anxiety, or even traveling. Find ways to relieve your cat’s stress by gradually introducing changes to her life. When you decide to bring home a foster or adopted pet, do not rush the introduction between your cat and the dog or kitten. If you’re going on a road trip with your cat, make sure to take her out of her crate every 6 hours so she can relieve herself.

Injury

An accidental fall may affect your cat’s pelvic nerves and damage her bladder and urethra, leading to urination complications.

Dehydration

Lack of water in your cat’s body can cause constipation, making it difficult for her to poop regularly.

Illness

Undiagnosed or chronic health problems may prevent your cat from peeing or pooping. If your cat has a hard time peeing, she may be suffering from any of these problems: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), urethritis, and cystitis. Peeing with these illnesses would most likely cause pain to your cat, so she tries to avoid the process.

FLUTD is commonly linked with crystals or stones that form in your cat’s urinary tract.
Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra, which may come from injury, infection, or even cancer.
An inflammation in the urinary bladder, cystitis may be caused by a mineral imbalance, a bacterial infection, and/or an abnormality in your cat’s pH levels.

If your cat has a hard time pooping, she may be suffering from these sicknesses: arthritis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, megacolon, and ruptured/impacted anal sacs.

If your cat suffers from arthritis, it’ll be difficult for her to do the squatting position.
Similar to humans, diabetes in cats is caused by insufficient or ineffective insulin levels from eating human food, prolonged corticosteroid use, and/or obesity.
Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid nodules produce excess hormones. It can be triggered by advanced age, fish-flavoured canned food, flame-retardant chemicals, or thyroid cancer.
Kidney disease may be caused by viral and bacterial infections, toxins, immune disorders, or even old age.
Megacolon refers to the colon becoming abnormally enlarged due to chronic or severe constipation.
Anal sac disorders usually involve the impaction of anal sac fluid, sac inflammation, and/or sac abscess, which can lead to anal gland rupture.

What do I do when my cat can’t pee or poop?

Observe your cat whenever she tries to pee or poop. There is something most likely wrong if nothing comes out after multiple attempts, she cries out in pain, or her pee or poop is tinged with blood. Schedule an appointment with her veterinarian as soon as possible, monitoring your cat and making sure she doesn’t go beyond the 48-hour mark without urinating or defecating.

Also, do not attempt to self-diagnose your cat and cure the so-called symptoms with home remedies. You might cause more harm to your cat or conceal the real reason why she’s having a difficult time excreting. Instead, let your vet run tests to determine the cause of the problem and provide the necessary treatment to assist your cat. Depending on the gravity of the situation, your vet may prescribe medication or suggest changes in her diet.

Read up on more cat-related articles in our blog! Learn useful tricks such as preventing your cat from peeing everywhere or entering a room.