Why Is My Cat Losing Weight?

Is the weight loss followed by increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination?

Does your cat shows symptoms like increased thirst and urination followed by loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy?

Does your cat shows symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy?

Does your cat shows symptoms like bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, or even oral bleeding?

Has your cat lived through a stressful situation lately?

These symptoms may indicate two relatively common diseases for cats, Hyperthyroidism and Diabetes mellitus. Some cats with Hyperthyroidism also experience vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, and may have coats that appear unkempt and greasy. Hyperthyroidism is treated with radioactive iodine or oral medications. Most cats with diabetes will act lethargic. Diabetes is typically managed with insulin and a diet change. You should take your cat to the vet for more accurate diagnosis.

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common illnesses seen in senior cats. The kidneys produce important hormones, filter out wastes from the blood, help regulate blood pressure, and facilitate the production of new red blood cells. When a cat's kidneys stop functioning properly, it leads to a variety of other issues, weight loss included. Chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, but it can be medically managed with medication, diet change, and fluid supplementation.

Any issue in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can affect a cat's weight. First, GI problems can reduce appetite. Second, some issues prevent the GI tract from properly digesting food and absorbing nutrients, leading to weight loss. Some GI problems seen in cats include intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, etc. You should take your cat to the vet for a more accurate diagnosis.

Oral and dental issues can cause extreme pain, decreasing appetite and leading to weight loss. Common dental problems in cats include periodontal disease, resorptive lesions, and tooth fractures. Some cats develop stomatitis, a painful inflammation of a cat's mouth and gums that may be immune-mediated. The first step to treatment is for the vet to put your cat under anesthesia and do a professional dental cleaning, exam, and treatment as necessary.

Cats can be very sensitive to changes in their home. Because they are often excellent at hiding outward signs of stress, they can experience bigger symptoms later on. Any environmental stressors can lead to anxiety and stress in your cat. Reduced appetite is a common sign of stress and will eventually lead to weight loss.

There are lots of health issues that can lead to weight loss in cats. If your cat has an underlying health issue, you may or may not notice other signs of illness. In addition, many diseases have similar symptoms, so diagnosis requires a veterinarian.