Why is my cat losing weight?

Has your cat begun to lose weight? Cats who suddenly lose weight may have major medical concerns. We provide information on the reasons of cat weight loss and how to restore your cat to health.

What should you do when your cat unexpectedly loses weight? We’re all familiar with the problem of how to maintain our couch potato cats slim here’s looking at you, chonky cat parents. It might be wonderful news if you recently moved your lethargic inside cat to a cat weight loss food, but if your cat is suddenly losing weight, it’s important to look into the matter.

Many of the reasons why cats lose weight could be symptoms of a disease. Get your cat back to a healthy weight even if they are simply fussy eaters who aren’t like their new diet. In addition to any other underlying issues that might be causing their decreased appetite, cats might acquire hepatic lipidosis—a life-threatening medical condition—if their food intake is low for an extended period of time.

Additionally, keep an eye out for cats who are still eating normally but suddenly lose weight. That could be a sign of a variety of other ailments that can be straining their digestive systems. To better understand what can be the root of your cat’s problems, let’s go over some of the most typical cat weight loss causes.

Causes of Cat Weight Loss

Anxiety-Stress,-depression

your cat suddenly stops eating, the first thing to think about is whether there have been any recent changes that might be upsetting your cat’s equilibrium. Before you start to worry that your cat is having a medical emergency, consider all the possible causes of a cat’s food refusal and try to help your cat feel better.

Dental Issues

When they have a toothache, nobody wants to eat crunchy chips, and cats are no different. Your cat may avoid the food bowl if they have tooth and gum problems such as gum disease, ulcers, or broken teeth. Keep an eye out for mouth bleeding, foul breath, drooling, and your cat starting to prefer soft foods.

Parasites of the intestine

Although the thought of worms making their way into your cat’s intestines is never pleasant, fortunately, it is simple to treat and even simpler to avoid with routine pest control treatment. Internal parasites may result in weight loss after causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bloating. Although indoor cats can also be impacted, this is frequently seen in outdoor cats who enjoy hunting.

Digestive disorders

A digestive issue could be the reason why your cat is throwing up or having inconsistent stools. Any issue with your cat’s digestion might impair their capacity to absorb all the nutrients they require, which can result in weight loss. The GI tract can be impacted by a variety of conditions, such as food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes in cats affects their capacity to make or use insulin, much as it does in people. This may impact your cat’s energy levels, eating, drinking, urine, and weight, among other things. A diabetic cat will also have breath that has a sweet fragrance.

Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormone as a result of this disorder, which speeds up your cat’s metabolism. Even though they will probably be very hungry and thirsty, your cat will still be losing weight even if they eat more. Another side effect of hyperthyroidism is oily fur.

Organ failure

Senior cats frequently experience different organ failures as they age. Depending on the organ involved, symptoms can vary, but most common organ problems like kidney disease can be found with a quick blood test at the vet.

Cancer

Unfortunately, hunger loss or weight loss are frequent signs of a number of malignancies in cats. Keep an eye out for associated drowsiness, unexplained pain, and your cat hiding more frequently than normal. Older cats are particularly susceptible to cancer.

How to Handle Your Cat’s Weight Loss

Call your veterinarian if you observe any sudden weight loss in your cat. It’s important to get your cat looked out, even if they are acting normally but are losing weight. Even when they are in pain, cats are infamous for disguising their symptoms.

Your veterinarian can perform all the tests to identify any medical conditions and can also offer emotional support. However, a veterinarian can help you consider possibilities that you might not have considered on your own, such as your cat’s food being too close to its litter box (yes, it’s a thing). Weight loss in cats with normal blood work may simply be the result of a change in the home.

If you have an older cat, you might be wondering if they lose weight with time. Age-related changes in metabolism and appetite are unavoidable in cats, but they can also be brought on by cunning diseases like cancer or organ failure.

It’s important to consult your vet if your elderly cat isn’t eating, is losing weight, or completely avoids the food bowl. If there is no medical reason why an older cat is losing weight, you can assist them to regain their baby fat by feeding them a more calorie-dense and alluring wet food.

Petnursey says: You and your cat can resume strengthening your bodies and living life to the fullest with the support of your veterinarian!