Hi Jocely,
6 days without eating for an 11-year-old cat, even if they are still drinking, is unfortunately not normal at all and is becoming a medical emergency.
The fact that the initial tests were "nearly normal" doesn't rule anything out. In cats, some conditions (liver, pancreas, kidneys, infection, tumour…) can remain hidden at first, but stopping eating is already a critical sign.
At this stage, there is also a risk of hepatic lipidosis (the liver begins to fail when a cat stops eating), especially after several days.
👉 In this context, the recommendation for hospitalisation and further tests is sensible.
This would allow the vet to:
properly rehydrate them (via IV drips),
stimulate or assist feeding,
carry out more in-depth tests (imaging, targeted bloodwork),
and above all, not waste any time.
💡 Waiting any longer at home, even if she is drinking, could cause the situation to deteriorate quickly.
If it were my cat, I wouldn’t take any risks: I’d follow the vet’s advice and go for more intensive care right away.
Best wishes to you and your mum… it’s a very stressful situation, but you’re doing the right thing by trying to understand and taking action quickly.
Chatzen 🐾
