Is it normal for a feline to lose weight?
Feline weight loss is the symptom that worries me the most of any warning signs you may see at home. It is the one cat illness symptom that most often has something serious associated with it. What are the Causes of Feline Weight Loss?
Can a one year old cat gain weight back?
Erica wrote:”I have a one year old male cat. About 3 months ago he started drooling, lost body weight, and was irritable towards the other animals in the house. The symptoms keep coming and going. But he has not gained all his body weight back.
What causes a cat to stop eating and losing weight?
Other symptoms tend to include loss of appetite, lethargy, and hiding. On the other end of the “scary spectrum,” sore teeth may cause a cat to stop eating, resulting in weight loss. Other signs of tooth problems include drooling and pawing at the mouth. A tooth extraction may be all that’s needed to get your kitty back to their old self.
What causes diarrhea and weight loss in cats?
Otherwise known as worms, intestinal parasites can cause weight loss. Symptoms may not be present, but worms can cause diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, and trouble breathing.
What happens when a cat loses muscle mass?
Even overweight cats may lose muscle mass if they are getting too many calories from fat and carbohydrates. Several recent research studies have shown that cats who lose muscle in this way die sooner, acquire more and more severe diseases, and have a poorer quality of life.
How old does a cat have to be to not have kidney disease?
Another study shows that cats over 12 years of age, just about the time that their kidneys may be working less well, become less efficient at metabolizing fat and protein. This study concluded that cats over 12 may require 25% more calories and protein to maintain their body condition than younger cats.
What kind of hair loss does a cat have?
Some cats have hereditary alopecia. For example, Sphynx cats are born without hair and never grow any. Another type of normal hair loss is pinnal alopecia – hair loss on the outside of the ear pinnae — which is common in Siamese cats but usually resolves on its own.
Is it normal for cats to lose their fur?
Many adult cats also experience preauricular alopecia — thinning of fur on the skin strip between the ears and the eyes, which is considered normal in cats, Dr. Hayworth says. What about acquired alopecia in cats?
Why does my Cat stop eating and losing weight?
If your cat suddenly stops eating and begins to lose weight, but seems otherwise healthy, it could be something as simple as a sore tooth causing the problem. Drooling and pawing at the mouth may be other signs of a tooth issue.
When to see a vet if your cat is not eating?
A cat’s loss of appetite often indicates illness, so you should consult your veterinarian as soon as you notice a change in your cat’s eating habits. The more quickly you respond to the problem, the more able you’ll be to do something that will help.
Why does my cat have yellow spots on his body?
Jaundice, also referred to as icterus, describes the yellow color taken on by the tissues throughout the body due to elevated levels of bilirubin, a substance that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. There are several causes for jaundice and regardless of the cause, jaundice is considered abnormal and serious in the cat.
How can you tell if your cat is losing weight?
It’s not always easy to detect weight loss in your cat. The fluff of fur covering most cats can serve as camouflage for weight loss until there is a big change. Unintentional weight loss in cats can be a cause for concern.
What causes a cat to loose a lot of weight?
Cancer: Cancer is one of the scariest and also one of the most common causes of rapid weight loss in cats. Often, cancer-related weight loss is accompanied by a loss of appetite, lethargy and hiding by your cat.
How much weight can a 10 pound cat lose?
But a pound weight loss in a 10 pound cat is loss of 10% of the cat’s body weight. That is significant. Too often, I have seen cats brought in for an examination only after they look like the cat to the left and this is MUCH too late! Unfortunately, when you look at your cat, you may not notice early weight loss.
When does a cat not eat much but act normal?
When a cat starts not eating much but to act normal, it signals that some odd thing going on our cat’s lifestyle. The sudden loss of appetite can cause from severe medical issue to emotional breakdown.
Why does my senior cat keep losing weight?
Hyperthyroidism is one of the more common reasons that a cat will lose weight especially when they get into their senior years. What is hyperthyroidism? It is a glandular disorder and the most common symptoms are weight loss and increased appetite. The average age of cats diagnosed with the hypothyroidism is 12 to 13 years old.
Which is the most common cause of weight loss in cats?
The most common parasites that cause weight loss are the tapeworm, giardia, heartworm and the hookworm. These are treatable and may be detected in your cat’s feces or blood work. However, you need a precise diagnosis from your vet. 2. Feline Leukemia Virus Disease Complex (FELV)
Is there a disease that causes cats to gain weight?
There is no disease in cats that causes weight gain. You may have read or heard otherwise, but this is simply not true. I have seen misinformation in various places over the years about this subject. For example, I have heard it said that cats gain weight because they are hypothyroid. Cats do not get hypothyroidism except in one type of situation.
What happens if your cat loses a lot of weight?
Severe cat food restriction and rapid weight loss can actually make your pet very sick, causing a very serious disease in cats called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. The ideal weight for a cat is determined by their body condition score.
There is no disease in cats that causes weight gain. You may have read or heard otherwise, but this is simply not true. I have seen misinformation in various places over the years about this subject. For example, I have heard it said that cats gain weight because they are hypothyroid. Cats do not get hypothyroidism except in one type of situation.
What’s the average life span of a cat with leukemia?
Sadly, leukemia is often fatal in cats. Even cats with forms of leukemia that do respond to chemotherapy have an average survival rate of less than a year.
How does L-carnitine help a cat lose weight?
This amino acid is naturally present in muscle, and is believed to turn fat into energy that can be metabolized by the body efficiently. Therefore, supplementing a cat’s diet with L-Carnitine can have beneficial effects for a cat’s metabolism.
Why does old age cause my cat to lose weight?
Wrong! Old age is not a disease! Old age does not cause feline weight loss, but old age can increase your cat’s risk of acquiring certain feline diseases or a number of problems that cause this illness symptom. But the age itself is not a reason for weight loss.
Is it normal for a cat to gain weight year after year?
Because cats tend to stay the same weight year after year or they gain weight, it is ALWAYS of concern if you notice your cat losing weight. There are some myths associated with feline weight loss as well.
How can I prevent my cat from losing weight?
You can prevent weight loss in your cat by regularly monitoring body condition and visiting the vet regularly for wellness examinations. Cats are experts at hiding illness and injuries, but your vet may be able to detect a problem before it gets out of hand.
Can a 10 year old cat lose weight?
However, in many cases aging cats lose weight without evidence of organic disease using readily available standard diagnostic methods. Recent evidence has indicated that some 30 to 40 percent of cats aged 10 to 12 years have low fat and protein digestibility and subnormal serum cobalamin (vitamin B-12)…
Feline weight loss is the symptom that worries me the most of any warning signs you may see at home. It is the one cat illness symptom that most often has something serious associated with it. What are the Causes of Feline Weight Loss?
Wrong! Old age is not a disease! Old age does not cause feline weight loss, but old age can increase your cat’s risk of acquiring certain feline diseases or a number of problems that cause this illness symptom. But the age itself is not a reason for weight loss.
What should I do if my senior cat is losing weight?
Recent studies have revealed associations between changes in the intestinal microbiome and many of the above-mentioned abnormalities. A physical exam, blood cell count, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and fecal parasite testing should be evaluated when dealing with a case of senior cat weight loss.
When a cat starts not eating much but to act normal, it signals that some odd thing going on our cat’s lifestyle. The sudden loss of appetite can cause from severe medical issue to emotional breakdown.
Why does my cat keep losing weight?
Causes of Weight Loss in Cats. Weight loss in cats may be caused by different factors, ranging from a change in diet to parasites or diabetes. Anxiety and stress may also cause weight loss. If your cat loses more than 10% of his body weight, you need to call the vet.
What to do if your cat is losing weight?
Sometimes, weight loss is a good thing. If your vet recommends that your overweight or obese cat needs to shed a few pounds, a change in diet and increase in daily exercise can help your cat slim down.
Why is my cat not eating much?
Dental problems, pain and internal obstructions may also result in your cat refusing to eat. There may be a behavioural reason, such as stress, anxiety or depression, perhaps caused by a change in surroundings.
Why is my cat overweight?
Cat obesity causes include: Age. Sex/gender. Endocrine problems. Breed of cat (some cat breeds are more prone to obesity than others). Lack of exercise. High-food consumption.
What causes a cat to loose so much weight?
Causes of Cat Weight Loss 1 Cancer. Although not all cat weight loss is caused by cancer, it is a relatively common culprit. 2 Diabetes. This disease, which may be caused by a failure to produce the hormone insulin or an impaired ability to respond to it, commonly causes weight loss in cats, often 3 Feline infectious peritonitis.
Is it normal for senior cats to lose weight?
Many owners think that weight loss is normal for senior cats, but this is not the case. It’s important to take action if you notice unexplained weight loss in your cat. It is hard to tell if your cat is really losing weight if it happens gradually.
What should I do if my cat is losing weight?
To determine what is causing your cat’s weight loss and design the best treatment plan for you and your pet, your veterinarian will likely do a complete physical exam, blood work, and urinalysis.
However, in many cases aging cats lose weight without evidence of organic disease using readily available standard diagnostic methods. Recent evidence has indicated that some 30 to 40 percent of cats aged 10 to 12 years have low fat and protein digestibility and subnormal serum cobalamin (vitamin B-12)…
What can I do to help my cat lose weight?
Encourage exercise: 1 Schedule a 10-minute play on daily wedges. Let your cat play with the toys like a laser pointer, feather wand, or interactive mouse toy. This will 2 Get your cat for a walk by with the aid of a leash and harness. 3 Adopt a partner cat—they’ll chase each other all over the house and will have greater fun.
When to bring your cat to the vet for weight loss?
If you think your cat is losing weight, bring her to the vet as soon as possible. A “wait and see” approach is not a good idea where cat weight loss is concerned. By the time you notice weight loss, the underlying condition might have been going on for quite some time.
Other symptoms tend to include loss of appetite, lethargy, and hiding. On the other end of the “scary spectrum,” sore teeth may cause a cat to stop eating, resulting in weight loss. Other signs of tooth problems include drooling and pawing at the mouth. A tooth extraction may be all that’s needed to get your kitty back to their old self.
Can a fluffy cat lose a lot of weight?
The problem with cat weight loss is it can happen gradually, so much so that you might not even notice a cat losing weight until she’s dropped a significant number of pounds. This is especially true if you have a very fluffy cat, as the weight loss may be disguised by your cat’s hair coat.
How can I get my cat back to a healthy weight?
If parasites are the cause, a simple dewormer, directed at the appropriate parasite, can put your cat back on the road to a healthy weight. Diabetes is very common in cats and will require immediate veterinary care and ongoing treatment.
Why does my older cat keep losing weight?
An older cat might be losing weight due to a few different diseases. Photography © Tanchic | iStock / Getty Images Plus.
What kind of disease does my cat have?
Other illness – such as liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, viral infections such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV). Is my cat’s weight ok?
When does an older cat start to lose weight?
The decline in intestinal function and associated weight loss begins as soon as 8 years of age in some cats.
What causes an older cat to stop eating?
Though any cat can develop kidney problems, kidney disease is more common in older cats and it frequently causes a cat to stop eating. One of the primary symptoms of kidney disease in cats is nausea, though this condition may also cause your cat to become lethargic and he may lose weight.
How long does it take for a kitten to lose its appetite?
Whatever may be causing your cats loss of appetite, not eating can have an impact on your cat’s health even after as little as 24 hours. For a kitten; especially younger than 6 weeks old, food avoidance for just 12 hours can be damaging. If you want some more advice please contact our expert nurses over the phone.
Can a cat with kidney disease lose weight?
One of the primary symptoms of kidney disease in cats is nausea, though this condition may also cause your cat to become lethargic and he may lose weight.
Why is my cat losing weight but still eating normally?
If your cat is eating more than usual but still losing weight, hyperthyroidism is a likely culprit. It’s the result of a benign hormone-producing tumor on the thyroid gland, which elevates levels of the thyroid hormone.
What to do when your cat won’t eat?
While there are many potential reasons for a cat to refuse food, here are some simple tricks you can try to tempt their appetite: Give them some canned/wet food (the stinkier the better — try seafood varieties) Give them some meat baby food. Add some water from a can of tuna or anchovies to their food.
Why does a cat lose its appetite and stop eating?
Problems with your cat’s stomach, intestines, pancreas, or other parts of its digestive system may cause it to stop eating. Your cat may also vomit and have diarrhea or abdominal pain alongside digestive issues. But usually, a decrease in appetite will be one of the first signs of a digestive system problem.
Why has my Old Cat stopped eating?
Though any cat can develop kidney problems, kidney disease is more common in older cats and it frequently causes a cat to stop eating. One of the primary symptoms of kidney disease in cats is nausea, though this condition may also cause your cat to become lethargic and he may lose weight.
What causes weight loss in cats with FIP?
Cats with FIP will seem sick, often with a fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics. Gastrointestinal problems. There are a variety of different conditions in the gastrointestinal tract that may cause cat weight loss. When this is the case, other symptoms may include diarrhea, lack of appetite, and vomiting.
Why does my cat lose so much weight?
In many cases, cats lose weight when they are not eating enough. However, some diseases cause weight loss despite adequate food intake. Depending on the cause, weight loss may or may not accompany other signs of illness. Many health problems can cause weight loss in cats, some more serious than others.
Because cats tend to stay the same weight year after year or they gain weight, it is ALWAYS of concern if you notice your cat losing weight. There are some myths associated with feline weight loss as well.
Erica wrote:”I have a one year old male cat. About 3 months ago he started drooling, lost body weight, and was irritable towards the other animals in the house. The symptoms keep coming and going. But he has not gained all his body weight back.
You can prevent weight loss in your cat by regularly monitoring body condition and visiting the vet regularly for wellness examinations. Cats are experts at hiding illness and injuries, but your vet may be able to detect a problem before it gets out of hand.
Why does my cat walk but not jump?
Muscle conditions and disorders make it harder for your cat to walk correctly or jump. These ailments can be the result of muscle pulls, strains, tears or weakness brought on by age or disease. The side effects of the medication can also contribute to muscle fatigue and weakness.
How does a low carb diet help a cat lose weight?
Loss of lean body mass is a major contributor to weight regain as appetite is not reduced and satiety not reached. Several recent studies have evaluated use of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet – protein 45% or higher – for weight loss in cats. ⁵⁻⁷ ¹² ¹³ In those studies, cats lost weight but maintained lean body mass.
Why is my cat losing weight but still eating?
How much weight can a cat lose?
Controlling calories and fat is the best way to help a cat lose weight from a dietary standpoint. In most cases, feeding a diet that provides 60% to 70% of the calories needed to maintain the cat’s current body weight is a safe starting point for weight loss. A veterinarian can help determine if a diet is working for a specific cat.
