What's the Deal With My Cat's Weight Loss?

Is your cat slimming down? Weight loss that is unintentional is frequently a sign of an underlying health concern. Many owners believe that weight reduction in senior cats is typical, however, this is not true. If your cat's weight loss is unexplained, it's critical that you intervene quickly.

How to Tell if Your Cat Is Shedding Pounds

When your cat loses weight gradually, it's difficult to know if he's really dropping weight. It can be difficult to detect when your cat has lost weight if he or she has a lot of furs or was previously slightly overweight.

Start by glancing at your cat's body from above to examine his or her health. At a healthy weight, there should be a perceptible but not excessive tuck in the waist. After that, rub your hands along the sides of your cat. The ribs should be perceptible and covered in a thin layer of fat. If your cat's ribs are pronounced and noticeable, he or she is probably underweight.

What Causes Weight Loss in Cats?

Cats frequently lose weight when they do not eat enough. Despite proper food consumption, several disorders cause weight loss. Weight loss may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms of sickness, depending on the reason. Weight loss in cats can be caused by a variety of health issues, some of which are more significant than others.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a fairly frequent condition that primarily affects older cats. Due to an expansion of the thyroid gland, cats with hyperthyroidism produce too much thyroid hormone. The most common cause of thyroid enlargement is a benign tumor that forms on the thyroid.

Weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination are all common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity are also common in cats. 1 Some people will scream and seem agitated. The coats of cats with hyperthyroidism may appear untidy and oily. Radioactive iodine or oral medicines are used to treat hyperthyroidism.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a type of kidney disease

One of the most prevalent ailments in older cats is chronic renal disease. The kidneys are responsible for the generation of essential hormones, the filtering of waste from the blood, the regulation of blood pressure, and the production of new red blood cells. When a cat's kidneys cease working properly, it can cause a slew of additional problems.

When a cat has renal problems, the initial indicators are increased thirst and urine, followed by lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.

Chronic kidney disease is not curable, however, it may often be treated medically with medication, a change in diet, and fluid supplementation.

Diabetes

Another prevalent disease that affects cats is diabetes mellitus. The ability of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone necessary for blood glucose regulation, is damaged by this endocrine condition.

Weight loss, increased appetite, thirst, and urination, as well as fatigue, are all symptoms of diabetes. Insulin and a change in diet are usually used to treat diabetes. Other drugs could be utilized as well. After a few months of treatment, some cats may even return to normal.

Problems with the Gastrointestinal System

Any problem with the gastrointestinal tract might affect a cat's weight. For starters, gastrointestinal issues might cause a loss of appetite. Second, some problems with the GI tract hinder it from effectively digesting food and absorbing nutrients, resulting in weight loss. Intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and other pancreatic difficulties, as well as GI malignancies, are all common GI issues in cats.

Loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, and other symptoms of GI problems can occur. Deworming the cat could be enough to treat GI parasites. Other GI problems usually necessitate medication and supportive treatment.

Dental Issues

Oral and dental problems can cause excruciating pain, as well as a decrease in appetite and weight loss. Periodontal disease, resorptive lesions, and tooth fractures are all common dental issues in cats. Stomatitis, a painful inflammation of a cat's mouth and gums that may be immune-mediated, affects some cats.

Bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, and even oral bleeding are all signs of dental problems.

The first stage in treatment is for your cat's veterinarian to sedate him and provide professional dental cleaning, evaluation, and treatment if needed. Oral surgery and/or tooth extraction may be required in some cats.

Cancer

Cats, like people, can get cancer anyplace on their bodies. Cancer can take the shape of a tumor or it can't. Lymphoma is one of the most prevalent cancers in cats, and it can take up residence in the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, lymphatic system, and other areas. General malaise, tiredness, discomfort, muscle atrophy, appetite loss, and overall weight loss are all symptoms of cancer.

Stress

Cats are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment. They may encounter more severe symptoms later on as a result of their ability to hide outward indicators of stress. Any stimuli in the surroundings can cause anxiety and stress in your cat. Stress causes a decrease in appetite, which finally leads to weight loss.

Weight loss can also be caused by a variety of other health problems. You may or may not notice other indicators of disease if your cat has an underlying health problem. Furthermore, because many diseases have identical symptoms, a veterinarian is required for diagnosis.

Weight Loss Treatment for Cats

Weight loss in cats is treated differently depending on the cause. If you realize your cat is losing weight, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will do a physical examination first. To establish the problem, lab tests and/or x-rays may be required. Your veterinarian may prescribe medicine, a change in food, surgery, or other treatments based on the results.

If your cat's health is normal, the weight loss could be due to insufficient food consumption or undiagnosed or undetectable disease. Inquire with your veterinarian about a diet and environmental enrichment options. If you can pinpoint a source of worry for your cat, take steps to alleviate it. Your veterinarian can also suggest a nutrient- and calorie-balanced diet that could aid in your cat's weight increase.

If your cat's weight loss persists despite your efforts, arrange an appointment with your veterinarian. For advanced diagnostics, your veterinarian may recommend you to a veterinary expert.

How to Keep Cats From Losing Weight

Regularly monitoring your cat's body condition and visiting the vet for wellness checkups will help avoid weight loss. Cats are masters at concealing illness and injuries, but your veterinarian may be able to see a problem before it becomes serious. Any changes in your cat's behavior should be immediately reported to your veterinarian. It's far easier to cure a health condition when it's still early on rather than waiting until your cat is severely unwell.