Why is a cat always hungry but still skinny?

Having an appetite in a pet is a sign of excellent health. If the animal feels well, it does not refuse to eat. When a cat eats poorly and loses weight, the owner begins to sound the alarm. There may be several reasons for refusal, among them are natural factors - environmental temperature, emotional states of the animal, pregnancy or the postpartum period, as well as pathologies - diseases of internal organs, stress, injuries.

It is quite problematic for the owner to independently identify the cause of food refusal and weight loss, so it is recommended to contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for further examinations and consultations.

The cat owner should be especially wary if there is not only a lack of appetite, but also if the animal refuses to play, changes in appearance (fur falls off, becomes unkempt), digestive disorders occur (diarrhea and vomiting), and general body temperature increases. It is necessary to sound the alarm when an animal refuses water, as this condition can lead to dehydration and even death.

Determination of the degree of fatness

You should not talk about weight loss without first determining whether the animal has really lost weight. This is done as follows:

• The first and most common sign of exhaustion is “fence” ribs. This means that the ribs protrude strongly from under the skin, and therefore can be easily felt even after a light touch, not to mention palpation.
• When you palpate the base of the tail, you can feel its “bone” structure; you can easily find the sacral bone and the first caudal vertebrae.

• If you look at a cat from above, it is easy to notice that its figure is very similar to an hourglass. However, their back part will be greatly narrowed, while the back of the animal is clearly pointed, it is awl-shaped.
• When palpating the paws (especially the front ones), even an inexperienced person can determine the shape and structure of the bones. Simply put, the limbs resemble pieces of a skeleton covered in skin. The muscles are flabby and jelly-like to the touch.

Deviation or norm?

Before taking any measures, you need to make sure that the pet is really very thin. Each breed has its own average performance. For example, outbred cats weigh from 3.5 to 4.5 kg, British and Siberian breeds - from 5-7, Maine Coons - from 8 to 12.

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Lack of weight can be determined by palpating the animal's body. If the ribs are well felt and the fat layer is insignificant, this is a deviation from the norm. In cases where the physiological causes listed below are excluded, consultation with a doctor is required.

An alarming sign is if the cat looks thin visually, its ribs, spine and pelvic bones protrude, and there is no fat layer . The stomach is sunken, and the silhouette resembles an hourglass. Such signs indicate exhaustion of the body. A veterinary examination and serious treatment is required.

Pathological reasons for a cat losing weight

A sudden change in your pet's appetite without reason is a bad sign. Gastrointestinal diseases, oncology or parasites cause terrible suffering to the cat. Without the intervention of specialists, the animal will die. Main pathologies requiring consultation with a doctor:

• Thinness is often caused by helminthiasis, that is, infection with worms. It occurs through dirty water, during communication between animals, through dirty objects, the hands of the owner, and also from cats to kittens.
• Cancerous tumors are a common cause of weight loss. The pet suffers, but does not have the opportunity to say about it. Unfortunately, many owners do not pay attention to their pet’s mood changes for a long time, so cancer is diagnosed too late.
• Many diseases of the digestive system initially manifest themselves as a change in preferences or a complete refusal of food by the cat. For example, pancreatitis.

Causes of weight loss

Weight loss in a pet can be caused by a variety of factors. Experienced breeders most often cite non-compliance with feeding standards, the use of low-quality feed and an unbalanced diet among the reasons leading to malnutrition. Often the reason for a small weight is a discrepancy between the food and the pet’s taste preferences.

Causes of cat thinness

Rationale

Exhaustion of the animal after giving birth and feeding the offspring

Often it is mother cats who upset their owners with exhaustion, especially if there are many kittens in the litter. As a rule, after weaning the babies, the animal regains its normal weight;

The period of sexual hunting

Owners most often encounter this phenomenon in the spring. During the period of activation of sex hormones, both females and males lose weight.

Stress

This is one of the factors due to which a cat can lose kilograms and become very thin in a short period of time. Moving, changing ownership, or adding a new family member or pet to the house often leads to significant weight loss in a cat.

The owner often observes that the cat has a good appetite, but does not gain weight, and the animal is exhausted. Helminths feed on ready-made nutrients, creating their deficiency in the cat’s body. In addition, waste products of worms lead to general intoxication and deterioration of the pet’s condition.

Dental condition

Caries, tartar, inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, and gum disease complicate the normal process of grasping food, causing discomfort and pain. The cat's appetite decreases, sometimes it completely refuses to eat.

Age

Older pets tend to sleep a lot, exercise less and eat less food. The presence of numerous chronic diseases and dental problems contribute to thinness in old cats.

Lack of vitamins and mineral elements

accompanied by poor weight gain. This is due to a slowdown in the synthesis of muscle mass and disruption of biochemical processes in the body.

Chronic illness

The pathological process can be localized in the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract

The cause of exhaustion is often a dysfunction of the thyroid gland. If your cat is very thin, what can you do to get it in shape? When feeding natural products, attention should be paid not only to the quantity, but also to the quality of the products. First of all, the animal’s diet should contain meat.

Preference should be given to lean beef and turkey. The share of meat in the diet should be at least 50%. For normal digestion, you should definitely give your cat vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, turnips. The source of carbohydrates necessary for fattening the animal are cereals, which contain buckwheat and rice groats. We recommend reading about. You will learn about the benefits of feeding on a schedule, whether you should leave food on a cat’s plate, determining whether you are obese or malnourished by weight, and examples of the optimal menu. Learn more about how to feed a kitten without a cat. Mistakes while feeding

Experienced breeders and veterinarians note the following feeding errors that lead to weight loss in a cat:

Small portions of food that do not meet the physiological needs of the animal. Some owners do not take into account the breed, age and gender of the animal when feeding.

An unbalanced diet or its inconsistency with the pet’s needs. For example, chronic protein deficiency sooner or later leads to thinness.

Feeding without taking into account the animal's taste preferences. Cats are great conservatives, especially when it comes to food. If your pet wants to eat dry food and refuses to eat natural food, then you should feed it with ready-made food.

Incorrect placement of the food bowl. Close proximity to the toilet, placement in a noisy and walk-through room do not contribute to a good appetite. For the basic principles of feeding cats, watch this video:

Knowing the numerous causes of weight loss in a pet, the owner will sound the alarm in time. After the veterinarian has ruled out infectious diseases and other serious pathologies in the pet, attention should be paid to proper nutrition of the animal.

Why is the cat skinny?

A cat may look thin for completely natural reasons. In most cases, with a good appetite, the animal soon begins to recover and returns to normal. Natural (physiological) reasons include :

• Feeding offspring - the thinness of a cat during the period of feeding kittens should not be a cause for concern. The female will recover after the cubs switch to regular cat food.
• Mating period - during the mating season, cats tend to lack appetite due to hormonal stress. This is especially true for animals accustomed to walking on their own.
• Stress – Cats can become stressed in certain situations. At the same time, the animal loses weight because it eats little or refuses food. The reason may be a move, a change of owner, or the arrival of a child, another cat or dog in the house.
• Changing food - if a cat is offered a new food, he may eat it less or refuse the treat altogether. If over time the animal does not adapt, it is necessary to return to its usual diet.
• Age – If the pet is young, overly active, often plays and moves a lot, weight loss is considered a natural consequence. Older cats also tend to become thinner as the body stops storing fat. In this case, it is necessary to visit a veterinarian to rule out diseases.

Physiological reasons do not cause concern, but you can pay attention to the animal’s diet - whether it is healthy and nutritious enough.

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It’s bad if the cat shows signs of exhaustion, this indicates the presence of diseases. If the cat has lost a lot of weight, most likely the reason lies in one of the pathologies :

• Parasites – helminths – are a very common cause of pet thinness. Helminthic infestation disrupts the animal's digestive processes. And the waste products of parasites lead to intoxication of the body. Therefore, it is important to give your cat anthelmintic drugs on time.
• Infectious diseases - diseases such as calcevirosis, panleukopenia, viral peritonitis and rhinotracheitis are accompanied by dehydration and lack of appetite. Symptoms: discharge from the nose and eyes, diarrhea, high fever. If these signs appear, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Lack of timely treatment can lead to death.
• Oncology – the presence of malignant tumors can also cause exhaustion. If a tumor is suspected, the veterinarian will prescribe an ultrasound.
• Teeth and gums – it happens that a cat cannot eat for dental reasons. If an animal is interested in food, but cannot eat, it is necessary to show it to a specialist.
• Other diseases – almost any disease can lead to weight loss. A cat loses weight if it has problems with the kidneys, liver, heart, thyroid gland, metabolic disorders, or viral diseases. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a qualified specialist.

Any of the pathologies requires immediate veterinary intervention. Only a veterinarian can determine why a cat is thin and prescribe the necessary treatment. A preventive visit to the clinic once a year is also recommended to check the general health of the animal.

Prevention

The owner must provide the pet with good and proper nutrition, carefully monitoring the regime and diet, and the availability of clean drinking water. A starving cat loses its beauty, becomes embittered and sick. Cheap food or table food leads to problems with the pet’s teeth and the entire digestive system.

It is important to remember about vaccinations. Many people naively believe that if an animal lives in an apartment, it will not get sick.

Viruses and infections can be carried on clothes and shoes, and a domestic cat is much more susceptible to them than an outdoor cat.

A pet walking on its own should be checked for ticks in the spring and autumn, as they not only cause pain, but also carry various viral diseases.

If any change of situation is planned (the appearance of children, new pets, moving), the owner should be near the animal more often. Everything new should be introduced gradually, giving your pet space and time to adapt.

How to feed

If a cat loses body weight, the fault may lie with its owner, who incorrectly compiled his daily menu. There are rules, if followed, the cat’s weight will always be normal:

• Mixing dry food and homemade food is unacceptable. A cat develops one type of digestion, which is aimed either at “artificial” food or at natural food. When feeding dry food, your cat needs more fluid. If you change your diet frequently, your stomach will not be able to adapt in time, and you will begin to lose weight.
• Don't trust advertising. Such well-known brands as Whiskas and Kitiket are not a sign of quality. They are accessible to everyone, but contain attractions. These components are addictive. This is a serious burden for the pet’s stomach and intestines. You can extend your cat's life if you feed him food from a specialized store.

It is necessary to give preference to only one food option, otherwise, in addition to weight loss, various diseases may develop. This is natural food or branded industrial food.

ATTENTION! The packaging must be labeled holistic, premium and supreme. These are classes that indicate that all production standards have been met.

Stressful state

Very often, cat owners are faced with the problem that their animals lose weight. This may occur due to the fact that when the animal is stressed, it loses its appetite. Stressful conditions for an animal can be the following:

• Moving.
• Arrival of relatives.
• Change of owners.
• Birth of children.
• New pet in the house.

In this case, the animal must be fed as before and it is advisable to use the same dishes in which the animal was fed previously. In addition, the cat should be fed by a person who has done this before. If everything is returned to its original place, the animal’s appetite may be restored and it will begin to gain weight again.

What the owner should know!

The cat must be weighed periodically.

Owners of cats and cats should carefully study the behavior of their pet. As for the weight of the animal, it should be checked in accordance with the characteristics of the breed and age of the animal. There are small deviations from the norm that do not pose a danger .

If, for unknown reasons, your pet has lost a lot of weight, he often has no appetite, and the quality of his stool and urine has changed, then this is a reason to contact a veterinarian. With a normal diet and severe weight loss, a common cause is helminths, which need to be gotten rid of immediately. If the disease is not advanced, then treatment can be undertaken at home. Medicines (drops, tablets) will help get rid of parasites.

To help your cat maintain weight, try to feed it 2-3 times a day, feed it in normal doses, give it balanced and varied food, and provide clean water.

Carry out worm prevention every six months, and also keep the house clean and thoroughly wash the cat's litter box.

Treatment

Depending on the diagnosis, malnourished animals may be advised to:

• Antibiotic therapy, treatment for worms, antibacterial drugs - for inflammatory or parasitic intestinal diseases.
• High-calorie quality diet.
• In some cases, force feeding or feeding through a tube.
• Parenteral (intravenous) nutrition – for cats unable to eat due to vomiting or regurgitation, illness.
• Surgical treatment is the removal of large tumors or foreign bodies from the intestine.

Treatment of renal and liver failure, maintenance therapy.

Due to the fact that there are many reasons for refusing to eat, only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis based on laboratory and clinical studies. The animal undergoes a thorough clinical examination, including auscultation and palpation, as well as thermometry. Next, the doctor prescribes:

• general blood analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• coprogram;
• X-ray of the chest and abdominal organs.

After determining the reason why the cat began to lose weight and lost interest in food, the veterinarian develops a treatment regimen depending on the age, weight and breed of the cat.

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that caused the changes in the body. If the cause is the accumulation of hairballs in the stomach, special pastes are prescribed that contain substances that promote the passage of hairballs through the digestive tract.

Refusal to eat due to sexual desire cannot be treated. Manifestations of this kind can be prevented by sterilizing an animal that does not have breeding value. In addition, timely sterilization of a cat allows you to protect your pet from the development of other serious diseases that occur against the background of hormonal imbalances (ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or pyometra).

It is also important to strengthen the overall immune forces of the body. To maintain your cat’s health at the proper level, it is necessary to provide high-quality food and vitamin supplements.

In order to prevent diseases such as rabies, canine distemper, infectious peritonitis, it is important to carry out immunization according to the vaccination calendar. If your animal exhibits symptoms of ill health (lethargy, aggression, refusal to eat), it is necessary to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible to make an accurate diagnosis.

The main treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian based on the results of the diagnosis and tests, since it is specific for each disease. The chosen therapy is aimed at eliminating not only the symptoms, but also the cause that caused the malaise and, as a consequence, refusal to eat with subsequent weight loss.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the cat's condition, as this will allow you to verify the presence or absence of symptoms. You can warm up the food a little (canned meat), so its smell will be stronger

It is important that it is not very hot

Signs of an Aging Cat

Some cats begin to show physical signs associated with aging as early as seven years of age, while others are as playful as kittens at ten years of age. Generally, a cat is considered “senior” if it is over 11 years old.

If you are the owner of an older cat, you need to watch for changes in his behavior that may indicate an underlying problem. Here are six of the most common symptoms and illnesses you may notice in your aging pet:

1. Sleeping all the time... or not sleeping at all While it's normal for cats to slow down as they age, sleep disturbances can indicate more serious health problems. If you notice that your cat is constantly sleeping and sleeping deeper than usual, or, conversely, is becoming more active at night, this may indicate age-related changes. Tree House Humane Society in Chicago also notes that an older male or female cat that suddenly has a lot more energy may be suffering from hyperthyroidism. If you have any doubts about the general health of your pet, please consult a veterinarian.
2. Confusion If your cat becomes confused by common tasks or objects she is used to navigating through, such as having trouble finding her bed, she may be approaching her golden years. This can also be a sign of cognitive problems, so if you notice this behavior in your pet, you should contact your veterinarian.
3. Problems climbing stairs or jumping Arthritis is common in older cats. Although she may not limp or show other obvious signs of joint problems, she may find it increasingly difficult to jump into the litter box, climb stairs, or climb on furniture.
4. Unintentional weight loss or gain According to the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine, weight loss in an older cat can be a sign of health problems ranging from heart and kidney disease to diabetes. Some pets' food and energy needs may increase as they age, and cats may lose weight faster than they replace it with food. On the other hand, as cats age, their metabolism slows down, so they don't need as many calories as they used to. If you notice that your cat is starting to gain weight, it may be worth switching to a senior cat food that is better suited to meet her biological needs.
5. Behavioral Changes Is your pet experiencing involuntary urination that never happened before? Does she avoid human contact? This could be a symptom of kidney failure, but it could also be a sign that she is in pain or has a mental disorder, conditions that are most common in older cats. A veterinarian will help you understand your pet's behavioral changes.
6. Dull or oily coat A cat that has stopped grooming itself may be in pain due to arthritis or dental problems.

Older cats should be seen by a veterinarian every six months. But if you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior or appearance, you shouldn’t hesitate and it’s better to immediately visit a veterinarian who knows all the signs of aging in cats.

Description

In the first years of life, a young male or female cannot, by definition, gain weight. The kitten's skeleton is forming and its body is stretching. Young cats are constantly playing, jumping and moving - they burn calories themselves. The older animal has lost weight because it is not as active. The cat should gain weight, but up to a certain limit.

An older cat may lose a lot of weight for the following reasons:

• The cat has lost weight and becomes ill when the animal gets into a stressful situation. Fear and hostility towards a stranger or another pet completely interrupts the appetite. Recovery will take time, but stress for older cats is also a cause of illness. And more serious than the one when the cat lost weight.
• The cat will lose weight and stop eating and drinking if its teeth are in poor condition. An old cat may lose them altogether. It is recommended to buy specialized food that does not cause problems for an elderly animal and contains additional strengthening vitamins.
• When a cat has lost a lot of weight and is eating regularly, we can talk about worms. Helminths enter the body through water - not every owner makes sure that there is clean liquid in the cat’s saucer. Your pet may become ill. It is important to carry out timely treatment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC36C7dFtqI

You can understand why an old cat doesn’t get fat if you start doing periodic tests for vitamin deficiency. As you age, your body needs more and more nutrients. For older individuals, special industrial feeds are produced with mineral inclusions and additives aimed at strengthening the immune system and normalizing metabolic processes.

And besides, cats that are not fed correctly lose weight and shed. Food from the owner’s table, unbalanced “natural” food, cheap food (especially if they are combined with “human” treats) also often become the reason for the pitiful appearance and condition of the pet.

Widely advertised economy-class foods are often made from plant proteins, which are both harmful and insufficiently nutritious for the body of small predators. Despite a good appetite and the appearance of abundant nutrition, cats lose weight and their fluffy coat in this case.

But diagnosing an animal on the Internet is even stupider than guessing on coffee grounds. Only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis and give competent recommendations after a conversation with the owner and examination of the pet. Once again, we would like to note that you should not delay a visit to the clinic: if the cat is very thin and shedding, this is a very alarming signal.

You only need to worry when your cat is actively losing weight and becomes malnourished. In order to determine the degree of thinness of a cat, a special condition scale was developed.

It consists of 5 stages and describes the cat’s condition from obesity to emaciation:

1. Emaciation: in adult animals, the abdomen is strongly retracted, the figure has the appearance of an hourglass. The tail is bony to the touch, without palpable muscle and fat tissue, the ribs are clearly palpable and visible, there is no layer of fat on them. The cat's waist is so narrow that its figure resembles an hourglass.
2. Lack of weight is characterized by maintaining an hourglass figure, all bones are clearly palpable, the stomach is retracted. The amount of fat on the ribs is extremely small.
3. With normal weight indicators, the animal looks slender, the stomach looks toned, and the waist is clearly defined. The ribs can be felt through the thin layer of fat covering them.

Cases of diseases and their symptoms

Older pets suffer from a wide range of illnesses. Here are some of them:

Diabetes

Have you noticed that your cat is drinking more and urinating more often? Has your pet started to lose weight, but still eats its usual portion or has its appetite increased? These symptoms may indicate that your cat has diabetes or problems with the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Kidney problems in cats

If kidney problems occur in older cats, they may have similar symptoms, but they will be accompanied by poor appetite or a complete absence of it. It is not at all necessary that these symptoms will appear suddenly. Often, symptoms are likely to be quite mild in the early stages of the disease and will develop gradually over several months before you realize that your pet has a problem, and this is not just age-related changes and it is time to contact a veterinarian.

In case of late calls (often the animal is already excessively exhausted and has not eaten for a long time), doctors have to prescribe supportive or palliative therapy, since there is no other way out. This mainly applies to those animals diagnosed with chronic renal failure, treatment of which is more effective in the early stages of the disease.

I would also like to draw the attention of owners who attribute their pets’ poor appetite to dental problems (tartar, gingivitis, periodontal disease) to the fact that it is extremely undesirable to carry out sanitation on a cat under general anesthesia without first examining the animal (biochemistry and general blood and urine tests , ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, etc.). Without these tests, you can end up with clean teeth in your pet, but end-stage renal failure

Without these tests, you can end up with clean teeth in your pet, but end-stage renal failure.

Problems of "fat people"

For elderly cats and cats who are obese, there is a fairly high risk of developing lipidosis, which clinically manifests itself with sudden weight loss and temporary starvation. External symptoms of this disease are changed color of urine, yellowness of the mucous membranes and skin, lethargic and depressed state of the animal, the cat is capricious or completely refuses to eat.

Reproductive system

For unsterilized cats at this age, there is a high risk of diseases of the reproductive system - endometritis/pyometra (purulent inflammation of the uterus). Its main symptoms:

• Lethargy;
• Oppression;
• Partial or complete refusal of the cat to eat;
• Purulent or hemorrhagic discharge from the genital tract.

In the closed stage (large) pyometra, there may be no discharge, which makes it difficult to make an accurate diagnosis without additional examination (for example, ultrasound). Symptoms of this extremely dangerous disease of old cats also include an enlarged abdomen, high temperature and changes in the blood formula.

Seals on a pet's skin

And, of course, it is very important to pay attention to the appearance of various kinds of “bumps”, “balls” and other types of compactions in your pets in the area of ​​the mammary glands and abdomen. These lumps and subcutaneous formations may indicate oncological processes, such as mammary cancer (a disease that affects not only cats, but also cats). Often, a puncture biopsy from such a formation may not be informative, since when taking material for examination, it is possible to miss the tumor site, and thereby not provide the owner with reliable information about the health status of his pet

Often, a puncture biopsy from such a formation may not be informative, since when taking material for examination, one may not get to the tumor site, and thereby not provide the owner with reliable information about the health status of his pet.

If you notice these formations on your pet’s body (bumps and various lumps), a consultation with an oncologist is recommended. Purulent or hemorrhagic discharge on the mucous membranes, especially one-sided, can also be considered as a possible oncological process.

Why is my cat losing weight but eating well?

The subcutaneous fat layer is thin.

At stage 2, you need to pay attention to the general condition of the animal, its age and consult a specialist. If this stage is missed and the cat is already exhausted, it requires serious treatment.

An animal can lose weight for physiological and pathological reasons.

In the first case, usually no correction is required, in the second, the animal needs to be treated. You will have to focus on finding out the causes of weight loss and eliminating them.

The subcutaneous fat layer is thin.

articleTheodora11 months ago

Immediately after birth, the body's systems have not yet matured and learned to work at full capacity. That is why any minor violation can lead to serious consequences. A thin kitten is not such a rare occurrence, often leading to developmental delays and death of the animal. For what reasons can a baby develop malnutrition?

Moreover, not only is the kitten very thin and not getting better, but other symptoms are added to this. If you observe lethargy, fever, purulent discharge from the eyes and nose of the animal, vomiting, diarrhea, ulcerations on the mucous membranes - most likely this is an acute viral or bacterial infection.

This explains why the kitten eats poorly or refuses to eat at all. Lack of appetite is accompanied by a rapid deterioration of the condition - the baby stops playing, and his body temperature approaches 39°C and higher. Unfortunately, in this case there is a very high probability of death.

Symptoms can develop rapidly, quickly leading to serious illness and even death. That is why, with any manifestations of exhaustion, especially if it is accompanied by other signs, the pet needs to be helped.

The diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian after examination, temperature measurement and ordering a number of tests, which may include blood tests, stool tests, smears for polymerase chain reaction, and rapid tests for some infectious diseases.

Only after finding out the cause can we consider the possibility of full treatment of the animal; before this, a severely exhausted baby can only alleviate the condition with the help of infusion therapy and the introduction of nutrient solutions.

This is also a very important point, since nutrients in a small body quickly deplete their reserves, blood glucose drops sharply and can drop to critical levels, which is dangerous for the animal’s life. The answer to the question why a kitten is thin and does not get better may turn out to be much more serious than it seems at first glance. Since all processes in babies develop faster than in adults, you should not postpone treatment until later.

The first and main reason for a cat’s refusal to eat and sudden weight loss is the presence of a source of inflammation or another disease. Therefore, such a condition can be regarded as a symptom that requires special attention. The reasons for an animal’s refusal to eat food or water are divided into psychological and medical.

Psychological factor

If the basis is a psychological factor, then appetite is completely absent. This may happen for the following reasons:

• moving to another place;
• change of owner;
• the appearance of a new person in the environment;
• change of diet.

Medical factors

The body may experience inflammatory processes, disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, and blood diseases. Painful and unpleasant sensations also affect lack of appetite and refusal to eat. Such reasons are cause for concern and immediate contact with a veterinarian.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between medical and psychological causes. So, in case of ill health, the following symptoms are added to the lack of appetite:

• salivation;
• lethargy;
• slow reactions;
• lack of mobility and desire to play;
• difficulty or heavy breathing;
• discharge of pus;
• nausea and vomiting;
• change in habitual behavior.

Gastrointestinal problems and other diseases

Such symptoms may indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract - indigestion, poisoning, an allergic reaction to a feed component, pancreatitis, problems with internal organs.

Without careful observation and the necessary examinations, it is very difficult to determine why a cat is losing weight. If we delve into the list of cat diseases and their symptoms, we will immediately notice that weight loss can be a sign of many diseases.

These are, in particular, diabetes, leukemia, inflammation of the intestines, diseases of the kidneys, liver or upper respiratory tract, neoplasms, parasites or dental problems... And this is still an incomplete list of possible reasons for the “unplanned” weight loss of a cat.

How to calculate the required number of calories

REP - resting energy requirements (number of calories) a cat needs at rest for good metabolism is calculated using the formula.

1. Cat weight 5 kg – 30 x 5 + 70 = 220 - this is the cat’s PEP
2. Kitten weight 1 kg – 30 x 1 kg + 70 = 100 – this is the kitten’s PEP
3. A cat with emaciation of 3.5 kg - 30 x 3.5 + 70 = 175 - this is the cat's PEP
4. Overweight cat 6.5 kg – 30 x 6.5 + 70 = 265 – this is the cat’s PEP

EPE - the daily energy requirements required by your cat depend on age and condition, summarized in a table.

“The cat is very thin and shedding. What to do? Help!". All “cat breeding” forums are full of such requests for help. Owners of animals of different breeds, genders, ages and living conditions face the same problems.

Kidney pathologies

One of the most common diseases in older cats is kidney problems. This is especially true for castrati. We are talking about urolithiasis, in which uroliths form in the kidneys and/or bladder. These are stones based on uric acid salts. If they looked like sea pebbles smoothly rounded with water, they would hardly pose a danger to the life of the animal. The problem is that uroliths have very diverse shapes and sharp, almost cutting, edges.

Even when urinating, when the bladder contracts, they cause the cat unbearable, cutting pain. Because of this, any “small” trip turns into real torture for the animal. Urine takes on the rich color of beet juice and is released in small portions. The cat wheezes and meows loudly whenever he goes to the toilet.

But it’s much worse if stones have formed in the kidneys. Pain in this case can occur at any time, overtaking the animal suddenly. Their intensity is such that so-called renal colic begins. If they are not stopped with powerful painkillers, another attack can lead to the death of the cat from acute painful shock. More details in the video below:

Treatment of urolithiasis depends on the severity of the case, the number and location of the stones, as well as the immediate condition of the animal. If there are few uroliths and they are small, the veterinarian (when the clinic’s equipment allows) can use an ultrasound machine to destroy them. When the animal's condition is severe, surgery is recommended. When the cat may not survive it (he is too old), maintenance therapy is prescribed, which involves the administration of painkillers. Unfortunately, in the most severe cases, euthanasia is recommended.

But kidney problems are not limited to urolithiasis alone. This includes a variety of nephritis, nephrosis, pyelonephritis, renal lipidosis and similar ailments. If the disease has been advanced (and in the case of old cats this often happens), the morphofunctional structures of the organ are seriously disturbed, the excretory system cannot fully perform all the functions assigned to it by nature, which is why chronic renal failure develops. Chronic renal failure is an insidious thing. Its symptoms are quite extensive:

• Constant and very strong thirst, copious and increased urination.
• Progressive weight loss.
• Vomiting, and the vomit may smell unpleasantly of ammonia (in advanced cases).
• Loss of appetite.
• Convulsions and other neurological seizures.
• Weakness, apathy, possibly lethargic state and coma.
• Pale gums.
• Diarrhea.
• The appearance of blood in vomit and urine, as well as stool. Melena, a tar-black stool, may appear.
• Formation of deep, non-healing ulcers with jagged edges on the skin. By the way, skin diseases of old cats are very often caused by the poor condition of their kidneys and liver.

Why does such a pronounced clinical picture develop? The reason is severe intoxication caused by complete or partial inoperability of the excretory system. Unfortunately, methods for treating this pathology have not yet been developed. It all comes down to maintenance therapy to at least partially relieve intoxication, as well as to the prescription of painkillers that alleviate the cat’s condition during attacks of pain. We strongly advise against bringing kidney disease to chronic renal failure!

In addition, very old cats may experience simple urinary incontinence. The animal often wakes up in a puddle, its fur smells unpleasant, and it becomes tangled. As a rule, this can no longer be treated. The owner of such a cat will have to wash his pet more often and try to ensure that he does not drink too much at night.

Safe and dangerous symptoms of cat weight loss

If the cat is very thin, first of all it is necessary to observe his condition and behavior. The following symptoms should cause concern:

• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• lethargy, decreased activity and apathetic state;
• increased body temperature;
• diarrhea or constipation, vomiting;
• purulent discharge from the eyes;
• refusal of food.

These signs can occur with helminthic infestation, infections, gastrointestinal disorders and other serious diseases. If one or more symptoms are detected, the animal should be examined by a veterinarian.

If your cat is eating normally but is losing weight, then you should not worry. Loss of appetite may be accompanied by the following harmless symptoms:

1. The cat moves a lot and plays often.
2. A pet at an advanced age leads a measured and sedentary lifestyle.
3. Diarrhea, but not more than two days, is a sign of mild poisoning of the animal.
4. Stress caused by a number of factors. After a few days everything will be restored.

• Lethargy and apathy;
• blood and strange impurities in the urine;
• absence of stool or reduction in stool;
• frequent diarrhea;
• bloating.

Why does a cat lose weight with a good appetite: possible reasons

Many breeders panic if they see that a cat is losing weight with a normal and balanced diet.

In most cases, there is no concern if, for example, your pet leads an active lifestyle and is often on the move. He simply has a normal metabolism and burns all the calories.

A skinny kitten is not always a cause for concern.

The kitten may not gain weight yet.

It is useless to expect a baby or teenage kitten to gain weight and become round.

By about 8–10 months, their skeleton, spine, and posture are formed. During this period, the animal is still, so to speak, “stretched” to the required size, and after formation it can begin to gain weight.

If you have an adult animal, and it loses weight with a healthy diet, then the reasons may be the following.

Worm infestation

Helminths, or worms . This is one of the most common reasons. With this disease, the animal eats regular portions or maybe even more, but still looks thin. Under no circumstances should the situation be ignored ! Give your pet deworming medication immediately. There are many of them in specialized veterinary pharmacies at affordable prices.

The corresponding drug is given in the indicated dose in the instructions at intervals of 10 days.

A common cause of the appearance of helminths is unwashed hands, dirty shoes from the street, and a poorly washed tray. It is important to keep the house clean, wash the litter tray thoroughly and promptly, and immediately wash your shoes after going outside, especially during warm periods. Otherwise, there is a high probability of transmitting worm eggs to the animal. To avoid worms in the future, it is better to give a healthy pet prophylaxis - give an anti-worm drug every six months .

Internal diseases

The structure of a cat.

They can be in various organs - stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, bladder, etc.

Serious illnesses, as a rule, reduce appetite, and, consequently, the animal loses weight. Pay special attention to the color and consistency of the stool, and the presence of impurities in the urine. If there are deviations from the norm, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If weight loss is observed with normal nutrition, then the reasons lie in the disruption of food digestion and absorption systems.

Stress

Cats can begin to lose weight due to extreme stress. Everything is like people!

Stressful situations . Yes, an animal can also experience depression, while eating normally, but not gaining weight. There are many reasons: moving, guests, the arrival of a newborn in the family, the appearance of another pet in the house. In addition, changing the diet can also affect the animal’s figure.

Summer period

In the summer, cats in nature may simply not have time to eat well due to active games.

As a rule, during the warm season, many animals lose not only their fur, but also their weight. In the heat, the cat is not very hungry, his food intake is reduced, which is why he may lose weight.

Old age

If your pet is already at an advanced age, then do not expect that he will eat the same portions as a young one. Older animals spend less energy, sleep more, and therefore eat less.

Old age is not a joy; if you sit down, you won’t get up.

It’s another matter if a cat is rapidly losing weight for unknown reasons - this is a compelling argument to have it checked by a veterinarian for the presence of chronic diseases.

Tumors

Neoplasms . Unfortunately, the cat’s body can also suffer from tumor diseases. At the beginning of the development of a dangerous disease, the animal may eat normally, but be lethargic. He may experience changes in his stool and urine. Contact your veterinarian immediately!

Other diseases

What other diseases can threaten the health and life of a cat in its declining years? Oddly enough, many breeders completely forget about regularly checking the condition of their pet’s teeth and oral cavity at this time, but in vain. Periodontal diseases are very common among “old people.” If you notice that your cat, even when very hungry, eats its food very carefully and in small pieces, often giving up this thankless task and meowing hoarsely, it would not hurt to show it to the veterinary dentist.

Firstly, the cat may have simple caries. Although quite rare, it still occurs in pets. The animal may also suffer from pulpitis, that is, inflammation of the internal tissues of the tooth. The pain is monstrous, and the cat has no time to eat during attacks. More “harmless” gingivitis or stomatitis (inflammation of the gums and oral cavity, respectively) is also possible.

Tartar often leads to such painful outcomes. If there is a lot of it and it completely covers the cat’s teeth, the stone serves as an excellent substrate for the development of pathogenic microflora. Signs of the disease are:

Extremely unpleasant odor from the animal's mouth. Of course, in ordinary cases there is no smell of roses from there, but the “aroma” with advanced tartar is more similar to that of a cat that has eaten rotten meat.

If you look at the teeth, they are completely covered with a greenish-brown coating; the gums at the places of “transition” into the cat’s fangs have a rich red color, indicating their severe inflammation.

If the cause of pain is only tartar, it is removed in a clinic. Methods for this can be used both mechanical and chemical, as well as physical. In the first case (if there is relatively little stone), the petrified plaque is simply erased. Physical methods involve its destruction using ultrasound, chemical methods - using special reagents.

Alas, in the case of cats, treatment for caries and pulpitis has not been developed (in our country, at least), and therefore the diseased tooth is simply removed. Mild stomatitis and gingivitis are treated by regular irrigation of the oral cavity with antiseptic solutions and even herbal decoctions (chamomile, sage). A decoction of oak bark has proven itself well. In severe cases of the pathological process, injections of broad-spectrum antibiotics are added to the rinses.

Diseases of the digestive system. Digestive problems are very common in older animals. This is largely due to the poor condition of the teeth, which is why the cat cannot properly grind pieces of food. In the gastrointestinal tract, they simply begin to rot, which causes inflammatory diseases (gastritis, enteritis and colitis, as well as pathologies of mixed etiology), as well as liver and kidney diseases.

The symptoms of all these ailments are quite typical: diarrhea, interspersed with periods of constipation, frequent flatulence accompanied by the release of gases, poor condition of the animal’s coat and skin, progressive exhaustion and lack of appetite. Therapy in all these cases often consists of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Safe and Relatively Safe Reasons for Cats to Lose Weight

However, there are other relatively safe reasons for weight loss in a cat:

• Pregnancy. Surprisingly, in the first half of pregnancy, the mother’s body weight may well decrease. This is due to the rapid growth of fruit bodies and the large amount of nutrients consumed for this. Plus, we must not forget about the strong hormonal stress experienced by the cat’s body at this time.
• Feeding the young. Firstly, at this time the cat’s body consumes a colossal amount of nutrients. Secondly, during the same period the animal experiences repeated hormonal stress associated with the “departure” of pregnancy. All this greatly affects the weight of the pet.

Stress. Experienced breeders know that when traveling to exhibitions, vaccinations, moving, long trips and other similar cases, the animal may well lose weight. True, in such situations it begins to eat much worse, so there is no need to guess about the reasons for weight loss.