It’s only natural to be concerned when your cat starts shedding pounds after years of maintaining the same weight. Sudden weight loss is often a warning sign that something is not quite right with your furry friend’s physical or mental health. These nine conditions, diseases, and other factors can affect your cat’s weight.
1. Cancer
Cancer can cause weight loss, although it’s far from the only reason. Other signs can include sores that never heal, lumps and bumps, lameness, stiffness, lack of appetite, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or trouble urinating or defecating.
2. Parasites
Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and other parasitic infections might be the reason your cat is so thin. Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloody stools, dull coat, and fatigue.
3. Diabetes
Weight loss can occur if your pet develops diabetes, a disease that occurs when your cat’s body stops producing enough insulin. Despite eating more, your cat may lose weight, drink more than usual, and urinate more often.
4. Kidney Disease
Kidney disease causes waste products to build up in your pet’s body. Affected cats may lose weight, urinate and drink more than usual, and become lethargic. High blood pressure can also occur.
5. Stress
Cats that experience stress may eat less and begin losing weight. Changing your work schedule, adding a new person or pet, loud noises, and too few litter boxes may raise your pet’s anxiety. Other signs include changes in grooming, spraying, urinating outside the litter box, aggression, hiding, and frequent meowing.
6. Gastrointestinal Problems
Food allergies, infections, or inflammatory bowel disease could affect your cat’s ability to absorb nutrients. Vomiting, diarrhea, itching, coat changes, red skin, difficulty defecating, and coughing may be signs.
7. Conflicts with Other Pets
Conflicts with other animals may be the reason for a drop in weight. Other pets may prevent your cat from eating from a communal dish. Observing your pets at mealtime can help you determine if a conflict is related to the change in weight.
8. Dental Problems
It’s hard to eat if your teeth hurt or your gums are inflamed. You may see a change in the way your pet chews or notice drooling. Bad breath, tooth discoloration, and red gums are other signs of dental issues.
9. Old Age
Aging may increase your pet’s risk of weight loss. 30 to 40 percent of cats aged 10 to 12 years have difficulty absorbing fats, proteins, and vitamins B-12 and E. Since the risk of disease increases with age, trouble absorbing nutrients could be one factor in your older cat’s weight loss.
Are you concerned about your pet’s weight fluctuation? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.