What does it mean when an older cat loses weight?

Asked By: Yasuko Walsh

Date created: Fri, Sep 2, 2022 16:38 PM

Date updated: Tue, May 14, 2024 0:40 AM

Content

Video answer: Why Your Older Cat May Be Losing Weight

Best answer to the question «What does it mean when an older cat loses weight?»

Answered by Marianne Geer on Fri, Sep 2, 2022 23:09 PM

Unintentional weight loss or weight gain: In an older cat, weight loss can be a sign of any number of problems, from heart and kidney disease to diabetes, notes the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What does it mean when an older cat loses weight?» often ask the following questions:

😻 Why is our older cat constantly hungry?

Calorie Deficit. There’s a chance that your cat is genuinely hungry. ...
Malnutrition. If you feed your cat enough calories but the food is devoid of essential nutrients,it may develop incessant food cravings.
Psychological and Emotional. If your cat is bored or lonely,it might learn that begging for food gets it more attention. ...
Physical Illness. ...

😻 Why your older cat may be losing weight?

Weight loss is a common feline problem, particularly in senior kitties. Figuring out if your kitty is losing weight may be reliant on what you feel (rather than what you see). This is because a plush feline hair coat can readily mask how svelte or thin your cat is becoming.

😻 Do aging cats typically lose weight?

What is known about common age-related changes in cats and what may be done to halt or reverse the decline in body weight that is apparently a predictable prelude to death. Decline in body weight is common in cats that are older than 11 years.1 Sometimes this loss is readily attributable to apparent disease, but in many cases, there are no obvious signs of illness and routine diagnostic approaches fail to reveal evidence of an underlying problem.2,3 Energy requirements of older cats ...

Video answer: Why is your cat losing weight? The three most common reasons for weight loss in the cat.

We've handpicked 24 related questions for you, similar to «What does it mean when an older cat loses weight?» so you can surely find the answer!

What does it mean when a cat loses 10% weight?

Cachexia in Cats. If your cat loses an excess of ten percent of its normal body weight (when it is not due to fluid loss), you should be concerned. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including anorexia, the cat's quality of food, and/or chronic disease. It is important to understand a severe case of weight loss will affect many...

What does it mean when a cat has an excessive appetite?

An excessive appetite, however, might indicate a problem. In older cats, we’d put diabetes and hyperthyroidism on our list of illnesses that can cause weight loss in the face of a good (or great) appetite. Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas is not producing sufficient insulin.

What does it mean when an older cat licks a new kitten?

What Does it Mean When Older Cat Licks New Kitten? 1 Bath Time. Cats are very meticulous cleaners. ... 2 Sharing Scents. Bringing a new cat into a one-cat household isn't always an easy transition. ... 3 Affection. As your two felines continue to bond, they'll lick one another to show affection. ... 4 Compulsive Licking. ...

What does it mean when a cat is diagnosed with diabetes?

A diagnosis of diabetes means your cat can get treatment. When an older cat is presented to the veterinarian with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of feline diabetes can actually be good news. It’s often better news than kidney failure or liver failure in many cases.

Video answer: Why Is My Cat Losing Weight Even Though It's Eating?

What does it mean when a cat has too much thyroid?

Hyperthyroidism, or too much of the thyroid hormone circulating in his body, usually occurs because of a benign tumor growing on the gland. Mostly affecting older felines, hyperthyroidism causes symptoms including weight loss, constant hunger, unkempt appearance and lots of drinking and urinating.

When should I be concerned about my cat losing weight?

If your cat loses an excess of ten percent of its normal body weight (when it is not due to fluid loss), you should be concerned. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including anorexia, the cat's quality of food, and/or chronic disease.

What does it mean when a Siamese cat loses its points?

If a mature Siamese cat’s points begin to fade this could mean its body temperature is elevated above 98⁰F. In this situation, take your cat to the vet for a health check to rule out any underlying medical condition. All cats love basking in the sun and the Siamese is no exception.

What happens when a cat has diabetes and loses weight?

This breakdown results in weight loss, despite an increased appetite. Excessive thirst and urination can also signal diabetes in a cat. High levels of sugar in the blood can overwhelm the ability of the kidney to filter glucose, allowing sugar to “spill out” of the blood and into the urine.

What does it mean when a cat smells like ammonia?

If your cat’s breath smells like ammonia or urine, it could be kidney disease, which is not uncommon in cats ages 8 and older, Landefeld says. In addition to having bad breath, cats with kidney disease can appear lethargic, may experience weight loss, drink more water, and urinate more frequently and in greater volume.

Does your senior cat need to lose weight?

When helping older cats lose weight, Dr. Stark says, “It’s important to couple your weight loss goals with routine bloodwork. There are several diseases that older cats are especially susceptible to that can cause weight loss, such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism .” You should monitor senior cats’ weight loss closely, Dr. Stark adds.

Video answer: Why is My Cat Losing Weight - the Top 9 Causes

What does it mean when a cat loses balance?

Ataxia is the word used to describe a loss of coordination and balance that affects your cat’s head, limbs, and/or torso. Ataxia is caused by decreased sensory function of the nervous system, which in turn can be caused by a wide range of diseases.

Is it normal for an older cat to gain weight?

And Rotman adds that even for older cats, significant weight gain is not normal: “Cats do not ‘naturally’ lose weight as they get older.” In addition to making sure your cat, even an aging cat, isn’t losing lots of weight, be on the lookout for these signs your pet could be overweight.

What does it mean when a cat defecates in the House?

Fecal incontinence develops when the cat loses control over defecation. Due to this reason, cats may often defecate in places around the house or out of the litter box. Several pet owners confuse fecal incontinence with behavior issues and consider training the cat to use the litter box.

What are the benefits of a pet stroller?

The foam is wrapped with the pee pad and a towel for easy laundering. Pet strollers are a blessing for injured, handicapped or older cats that have difficulty walking. When an animal loses the ability to walk, he may become depressed.

What does it mean when a cat has thick nails?

The nails of cats should be thin and sharp, not thick. If your cat’s nails become thicker and harder, this may be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Older cats can develop thicker nails as they age. Thickening of the nails sometimes occurs with an increase thirst.

Can an aging cat's weight go up or down?

An aging cat's weight may go up, or it may go down. As your cat gets older, she may not be playing with your homemade cat toys as much as she did when she was younger. Much like in humans, a lack of activity, particularly with indoor cats, may cause weight gain as a cat gets older. Conversely, though, some aging cats can lose weight.

What does it mean when your cat is getting fat?

If your cat is getting fat, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to determine the cause. Common causes of weight gain in cats include overeating, not enough exercise and pregnancy. Why is my cat’s primordial pouch so big?

What does it mean when a cat Poops blood bright red?

Bright red blood in stool (hematochezia) is fresh and black blood (melena) is older—it appears black because it’s been digested or partially digested by the cat. Black or tarry looking stool is an emergency. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

What are the signs of an older cat losing weight?

Body Temperature and Appearance. Older cats may have a hard time grooming themselves, and paired with a declining appetite, may lose weight or become dehydrated. This can give your cat an unkempt or scruffy appearance.

What does it mean when a cat is overweight?

Excessive Weight in Cats. Obesity is a nutritional disease which is defined by an excess of body fat. Cats that are over nourished, lack the ability to exercise, or that have a tendency to retain weight are at risk for becoming obese. Obesity can result in serious adverse health effects, such as reducing the lifespan of an affected cat,...

What does it mean when a kitten is not gaining weight?

The kitten’s face may start to look gaunt and triangular if it is not getting adequate nutrition. Fading kittens may also fail to gain weight normally (or even worse, lose weight), which can be determined by weighing the kitten at least once a day.

How to clean an old cat’s skin?

To clean an old cat, use a soft-bristled brush to groom its fur and distribute its skin oils evenly. When an older cat loses its ability to clean itself, the most immediately affected areas are along its spine and on its bottom. Therefore, you should pay extra attention to these two areas.

What does it mean when a kitten eats litter?

“Anemia, or an abnormally low red blood cell count, is one of the more common illnesses that lead to ingestion of litter or other non-food objects.” Anemia in kittens could be a result of parasites or infections, and in older cats it could even be a sign of cancer.

What does it mean when a kitten nurses on an object?

NR: Both kittens and older cats will “nurse” on objects. This is commonly called suckling or wool suckling if specifically involving fabrics (Siamese cats are notorious for this). In concert with the suckling behaviour, cats will often purr, and knead as if they are still nursing.

Video answer: My old cat is losing weight