Your cat has suddenly lost weight! How much weight loss is not normal?
If you are with your cat every day and you find that your cat has lost weight despite having a normal appetite, I believe that you will be puzzled and nervous as to what is happening to your cat’s body.
You can measure your cat’s weight , and if it has dropped by more than 10%, with prominent bones, loose and dull skin, and a thin waistline with no fat, then you must pay close attention to it, as it means that your cat’s health is starting to turn on the red light, and it may be at risk for chronic diseases!
There are 5 reasons why cats lose weight that should not be ignored!
(A) Picky Eater
Some cats are very picky about their food, perhaps because they prefer certain flavors or textures, which can lead to severe picky eating. If this habit continues, it may lead to insufficient nutrient intake, which in turn can cause your cat’s weight to drop.
It is recommended that you try to gradually change your cat’s eating habits by trying different and varied foods, or actively searching for brands and flavors that your cat likes in order to increase their appetite.
(B) Interference with meals
When your cat is eating, other pets may come to snatch food, or the eating environment may be poor, which may prevent your cat from eating properly, and they may simply stop eating!
If any of the above conditions exist, a separate, quiet, safe eating space can help your cat relax and concentrate on enjoying her food.
(C) Stress and Depression
Cats are also sensitive animals. Changes in the environment, new family members, or even the addition of other pets can make cats feel uneasy and indirectly affect their appetite!
It is recommended that you pay attention to your cat’s behavioral changes and try to find a stable, comfortable dining environment where your cat can feel safe and secure in order to increase your cat’s desire to eat.
(D) Nutritional Malabsorption
Cats may become thin because of gastrointestinal problems that prevent them from effectively absorbing the nutrients they need no matter how much they eat. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from malabsorption of nutrients, it is recommended that you have your cat examined by a veterinarian in a timely manner in order to obtain a professional diagnosis and treatment.
(E) Pain affects eating
If your cat is feeling unwell, whether it is suffering from mouth ulcers, joint discomfort or organ failure, it is possible that the pain may be too much to bear and may cause them to lose interest in food.
Observe your cat closely for signs of poor appetite or abnormalities, and be alert to any condition that may be a sign of an underlying disease!
5 Diseases to watch out for when your cat gets skinny!
(A) Cancer
When your cat has cancer and a tumor develops in its body, it will consume a lot of nutrients and make it feel tired and weak, and may even cause a loss of appetite and malabsorption of nutrients, which will lead to a rapid weight loss.
(B) Kidney Disease
As kidney function declines, cats are unable to absorb nutrients properly, and symptoms of excessive urination accompany the rapid loss of water and nutrients, which can quickly cause cats to lose weight, and “weight loss in cats” has also become one of the bases for determining kidney disease.
(C) Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus in cats is just like diabetes mellitus in humans. Even with a normal diet, the cat is still unable to utilize glucose as energy, which will cause the cat to lose weight, and at the same time, it is accompanied by symptoms of thirst and frequent urination, which require special attention from Maupapa!
(D) Intestinal Parasites
Parasites in the intestinal tract of your cat will not only cause infections, but will also prevent your cat from obtaining the energy and nutrients it needs, resulting in weight loss and organ dysfunction, etc. Therefore, it is very important to deworm your cat on a regular basis!
(E) Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease that usually occurs in older cats. It causes the thyroid gland to become overactive, resulting in the cat’s metabolism being too fast, so even if the hyperthyroid cat eats more, its weight will still avalanche downward, and its body shape will become thin.
What to do if your cat is losing weight?5 Seek immediate veterinary care for symptoms!
To summarize, there are many factors that can cause a cat to lose weight. Ploughshares can observe if there is an underlying cause for your cat’s weight loss and help eliminate the problem so that your cat can eat normally and get enough nutrients to regain its weight.
However, if your cat is experiencing unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, changes in body posture, vomiting or diarrhea, it is important that you seek professional medical assistance immediately to identify any health problems and provide immediate treatment!