Unfortunately, our pets do not last forever. The withering of the cat's body is accompanied by unpleasant phenomena. To make it easier for an old cat to survive this inevitable period, it requires the help of its owner. How do these animals experience the aging process? At what age does it start? Why does an old cat eat poorly and move little? How to help an elderly pet if he refuses food and water and has lost a lot of weight?
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common diseases in older cats.
The kidneys produce important hormones, filter waste from the blood, help regulate blood pressure, and promote the production of new red blood cells. When a cat's kidneys stop functioning properly, it leads to a variety of other problems.
Increased thirst and urination are among the first signs of kidney disease in a cat, followed by loss of appetite, weight loss and lethargy.
Chronic kidney disease cannot be completely cured, but it can often be treated with medications, diet changes, and fluid intake.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is another common disease that affects cats. This endocrine disorder affects the pancreas's ability to produce insulin, a hormone needed to regulate blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes include weight loss, increased appetite, thirst and urination, and lethargy. Diabetes is usually treated with insulin and diet changes.
Other medications may be used. Some cats will even return to normal after several months of treatment.
Gastrointestinal problems
Any problem in the gastrointestinal tract can affect a cat's weight. First, problems with the gastrointestinal tract can reduce your appetite. Second, some problems prevent the gastrointestinal tract from properly digesting food and absorbing nutrients, leading to weight loss.
Some gastrointestinal problems seen in cats include intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis and other pancreatic problems, and even gastrointestinal cancer.
Gastrointestinal problems can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and more. Treating gastrointestinal parasites can be as simple as deworming your cat.
Other gastrointestinal problems usually require medications and supportive care.
How do cats age, at what age does the process begin?
A cat's life is shorter than a human's. There is an opinion that 1 year of a cat’s life corresponds to 7 years of a human’s life. However, if we compare the age at which these animals reach sexual maturity and their total life expectancy, which averages 15 years, it becomes obvious that a linear relationship is not traceable in this case.
An old cat can be considered from the age of 11–12 years. After 15, the pet develops diseases characteristic of old age. In the course of studies of the gastrointestinal tract of these animals, it was revealed that the decline of their individual functions begins already by 7–8 years. That is why these numbers are indicated on feeds intended for aging animals.
Aging is a set of destructive changes in cells and tissues that increase the risk of cell death, subsequent tissue destruction and, ultimately, the death of a living being. The peculiarities of this process depend on many factors: heredity, developmental defects, diseases, and the influence of external unfavorable factors. In cats, the processes of withering of the body are accompanied by a decrease in interest in food, physical activity, speed of mental reactions, ability to adapt to changes, and muscle mass.
Dental problems
Oral and dental problems can cause severe pain, reduce appetite and lead to weight loss. Common dental problems in cats include periodontal disease, resorptive lesions, and dental fractures.
Some cats develop stomatitis, a painful inflammation of the cat's mouth and gums that may be immune-mediated.
Signs of dental problems include bad breath, drooling, paws in the mouth, or even bleeding from the mouth.
The first step to treatment is for your veterinarian to give your cat anesthesia and, if necessary, professional dental cleaning, examination, and treatment. Some cats will require oral surgery and/or tooth extraction.
Stress
Cats can be very sensitive to changes in the home. Because they are often good at hiding outward signs of stress, they may develop more severe symptoms later.
Any environmental factors can cause anxiety and stress in a cat. Decreased appetite is a common sign of stress, which ultimately leads to weight loss.
There are a number of other health problems that can lead to weight loss. If your cat has a health problem, you may or may not notice other signs of illness.
In addition, many diseases have similar symptoms, so a veterinarian is needed for diagnosis.
Physiological causes of cat weight loss
Weight loss in a cat is influenced by the conditions under which the animal is kept (hygienic, psychological), changes in the animal’s hormonal status depending on the season of the year, and the animal’s character (picky eating).
Seasonal changes
During the mating period, cats and female cats, especially those who go outside freely, may, as a result of sexual dominance, forget about food and lose weight. This condition does not require correction. After a period of “walking,” the body shape of cats and kittens is restored.
External seasonal changes in ambient temperature
When the temperature in the room in which the cat is kept decreases or if animals roam freely outside in winter, cats and cats gain their live weight. In the spring, with warming and increasing physical activity, especially during the period of “festivities,” the animal’s fats are absorbed. This is normal for cats and dogs.
Stress in a cat
Cats by nature are big conservatives. Any change in their usual environment and daily routine can cause them stress. Home renovations, the arrival of guests, a change in diet, the appearance of a new pet in the apartment (a puppy, for example) or the birth of a child can lead to nervousness, as a result of which the cat will eat less and lose weight.
Pregnancy and feeding kittens
Nursing cats have a good appetite, but often lose weight when nursing kittens. If a cat has a lot of kittens, she is not able to eat as much food as is required to cover the cat’s costs of producing milk. As a result, the cat uses up its body reserves to produce milk and looks emaciated. The cat will become rounder when the feeding process is completed.
Features of age
Young active cats and cats that move a lot cannot maintain the curvaceous shape of their body. Old age - Older cats require less energy, move less and sleep a lot. Often they just don't eat enough. Exhaustion in an older cat may be associated with health problems, so an old cat that is losing weight should be shown to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The reason why the cat suddenly began to lose weight may be simple malnutrition of the food offered or a lack of animal food in the offered diet. A cat by nature is a predator, like other predatory animals, and needs food of animal origin. Therefore, you will not be able to put your cat on the vegetarian diet that is fashionable today. A cat can also lose weight due to the fact that the new food offered to it does not like the taste.
The pathological cause of unexpected weight loss in a cat can be:
Oral problems.
The most common condition in cats is stomatitis, an inflammation of the oral mucosa. When stomatitis occurs in a cat, the gums, palate, lips and tongue are affected.
Causes of stomatitis in cats.
Primary stomatitis in cats can occur as a result of:
- Irritation and damage to the oral mucosa from rough, sharp and caustic food, foreign bodies, teething.
- Thermal irritants (feeding very hot or cold food). Chemicals (irritating drugs, poisons, household chemicals, etc.).
Secondary stomatitis in a cat can be a consequence of:
- Infectious diseases (feline panleukopemia, infectious rhinotracheitis, calcevirus infection in cats, leptospirosis, chlamydia in cats, foot and mouth disease).
- Diseases of the digestive system and liver.
- Food allergies.
- Metabolic diseases and hypovitaminosis.
Signs of stomatitis in cats
Signs of stomatitis in a cat largely depend on the inflammatory process in the oral cavity (catarrhal, ulcerative, vesicular, pustular, aphthous, diphthyritic, gangrenous). In all forms of stomatitis, a cat has a disturbance in the act of chewing. When eating, cats choose the softest food, chew carefully, slowly with pauses. Stomatitis in a cat usually begins with catarrhal inflammation of the oral mucosa and is accompanied by:
Increased salivation. Increased thirst. Chew carefully while eating. When examining the oral cavity, the mucous membrane is very red, dry and swollen. Swelling of the mucous membrane causes difficulty in the outflow of blood from the venous sinuses of the hard palate and leads to venous stagnation. Thickened ridges of the hard palate hang into the oral cavity. Swelling of the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks and gums is mild. For more information about stomatitis, see our article - stomatitis in cats.
Dental diseases (tartar in cats, dental caries, periodontitis, various anomalies in the development of teeth). The cat may feel hungry, but due to great pain when chewing, it may not eat (the cat approaches the plate, sniffs the food, tries to eat, then leaves), as a result of which it loses weight. Owners often notice that cats with dental diseases have an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity and increased salivation (the cat is drooling).
Treatment for weight loss in cats
In this case, treatment for cats depends on the cause of weight loss. If you notice that your cat is losing weight, the first step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will first perform a physical examination. Lab tests and/or x-rays may then be needed to determine the problem. Based on the results, your veterinarian may recommend medications, diet changes, surgery, or other treatments.
If your veterinarian determines that your cat is healthy, the weight loss may be caused by inadequate food intake or some unknown or undetectable medical condition. Ask your veterinarian about proper feeding.
He can recommend a diet with the right amount of nutrients and calories to help your cat gain weight.
If you can identify a source of stress for your cat, start by reducing that stress.
If your cat continues to lose weight despite changes you've made to her lifestyle, be sure to consult with your veterinarian about this. Your veterinarian may refer you for advanced testing.
Reasons for losing weight with a good appetite
Here are some of the most common causes of weight loss in cats who still eat a lot. If your cat is constantly pestering for food but seems underweight, here are some of the reasons why:
Hyperthyroidism
This condition is commonly seen in older cats and is perhaps the most obvious example of a skinny, hungry cat. These cats can often lose a lot of weight but still have an overly keen appetite. Other symptoms such as stomach upset, changes in temperament/activity, increased thirst, and increased heart rate are sometimes observed.
Hyperthyroidism is caused by increased production of thyroxine, a hormone that controls metabolism. This occurs because the thyroid gland is growing - usually benign, but in very rare cases a malignant tumor (thyroid adenocarcinoma) can be the cause of these symptoms.
Diagnosis is usually made based on a physical examination and blood tests. Your veterinarian may suspect this condition after examining your cat. Sometimes they may feel an enlarged gland in the throat and hear abnormalities in the heart, such as increased heart rate and changes in rhythm. To screen for other diseases and determine your cat's thyroxine levels (called T4), a blood test is recommended.
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If your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, there are several treatment options.
- Medications – Taking a daily tablet or liquid may help suppress your cat's thyroid hormone production and control symptoms. She will need regular monitoring with exams and blood tests.
- Surgery – Removal of the thyroid gland can be curative, meaning without ongoing treatment. However, there are some risks associated with this.
- Diet – A prescription diet with limited iodine levels may prevent your cat from producing thyroid hormone. This doesn't mean you can't use treats or other foods because the diet won't work. It's also not very tasty, and some cats won't eat it.
- Radioiodine therapy is considered the “gold standard” and is a curative treatment in most cases. Radioiodine therapy for cats involves a stay in a specialized hospital for several days. After this, no ongoing monitoring will be required, but it can be expensive and may not be suitable for some cats.
Hyperthyroidism can be treated in many cats, providing a good quality of life once diagnosed. If left untreated, your cat may suffer from high blood pressure (leading to eye problems), digestive problems, and heart abnormalities. Untreated hyperthyroidism can ultimately be fatal within a few months.
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus) can cause cats to lose weight. They will also have increased thirst and urination more frequently, and some of these cats will have an increased appetite (called "polyphagia").
Diabetes is caused by a reduced ability to produce insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. It may be a type I autoimmune disease (common in humans but rare in cats) or type II, caused by abnormalities of the pancreas as well as insulin resistance in the body's tissues. This is much more common in overweight cats who are not very active.
Diagnosis is usually made after a physical examination and blood tests that show high glucose (sugar) levels. Urine samples can also be helpful as high glucose levels can often be found here as well.
Treatment often involves adding insulin to the cat, which is done through regular daily injections. In some cases, dietary nutrition can be very helpful. Improperly treating diabetes can lead to complications such as problems with your cat's nervous system, vision problems, and a serious condition called ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.
Inappropriate diet
Your cat's weight loss may be caused by an inappropriate diet, such as an energy imbalance. This can happen if a very energetic cat doesn't get enough food. Make sure you double check that the food packaging recommendations match your cat's ideal weight. Also keep in mind that some cats will need a little more than recommended (if they are very active) and equally some will need a little less.
Make sure your cat is on a nutritious, good quality diet appropriate for her life stage (kitten, adult, senior). Preparing food at home can be very difficult and will require advice from a registered veterinary nutritionist.
Parasites
A large number of parasites can cause weight loss. Worms, such as roundworms and tapeworms, that live in your cat's digestive tract can absorb some of the nutrients your cat eats, causing her to lose weight.
Cats infected with parasites may also exhibit other symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. To prevent this from happening, make sure your cat is regularly treated for worms, especially if she hunts or spends a lot of time outside.
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Stress
Some cats may eat more due to stress, but they may also burn it off due to nervous energy. Stress-related vomiting may mean they stop eating the food they eat.
Other signs of stress in cats include hiding more than usual, accidents in the house (urine and feces), and changes in temperament. Cats can become stressed by things like moving, a new baby in the house, new pets moving into the house, and new cats in the neighborhood outside. Before attributing a cat's underweight to stress, it is important to rule out other health problems.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
There are a variety of digestive disorders that can mean that your cat still has a keen appetite but is unable to digest food properly. Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and some types of cancer may cause vomiting or diarrhea. This can lead to weight loss because your cat cannot digest food efficiently. If your cat is showing signs of poor digestion, you should seek advice from your veterinarian.
How to Prevent Weight Loss in Cats
You can prevent your cat from losing weight by regularly monitoring its body condition and visiting your veterinarian regularly for health checks.
Cats are good at hiding illness and injury, but a veterinarian can detect a problem before it gets out of control.
Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any changes in your cat's behavior. It is much easier to treat a health problem in its early stages than to wait until your cat is very sick.
Hyperthyroidism in cats
Kidney failure in cats
Diabetes in cats - symptoms and treatment of the disease
Inflammatory bowel disease in cats
Intestinal obstruction in cats
Cancer in cats: types, symptoms, prevention and treatment
Why do cats lose weight?
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.
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An old 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.
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.
