Cat Losing Weight After Changing Food

When people own a cat or two, they have to worry about weight gain and a common misconception among many people is that weight loss is good for cats. Did you know, though, that unexplained weight loss can be a problem, too? It’s true! If your cat loses too much weight, he/she can be at risk for hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening medical condition where the liver has to process too much stored fat to provide energy to the body.

In this article, we’ll go over what can cause your cat to lose weight while still eating and what you need to do. 

When most people take their cat into their veterinarian for unexplained weight loss, they might be thinking of the big c-word: cancer. Yes, like humans, animals can get cancer and it can appear just about anywhere in their bodies.

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In cats, lymphoma is the most common cancer and it can live in the mouth, the GI system, lymphatic system, or somewhere else. Other symptoms besides continued eating despite loss of weight include lethargy (tiredness), hiding, showing pain, general malaise (feeling of discomfort and uneasiness).

Another viral disease which can be a culprit is FIV, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Closely related to human immunodeficiency virus, FIV is a chronic, not necessarily terminal, condition where a cat’s immune system doesn’t work like it should and can result in not gaining weight, despite eating as per usual.

A third viral disease in cats that might result in looking like a cat is in starvation mode is FeLV, a.k.a feline leukemia. This is another chronic condition where a cat is susceptible to infection. Other symptoms may include anemia, lethargy, diarrhea, infections of the ear and skin, poor coat condition, etc.

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Diabetes could be a fourth reason why a cat may be eating, yet losing weight. Other symptoms of diabetes in cats can include increased thirst, increased urination, acting more sluggish, having sweetly-scented breath, and a development of urinary tract infections.

Feline infectious peritonitis is mainly seen by veterinarians among catteries, but it could be a fifth reason. Cats with this will seem sick and often have a fever that can’t be controlled by antibiotics.

GI problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis or another component, could be another reason why wasting is happening despite normal eating habits. Other symptoms could include diarrhea and vomiting.

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A sixth reason could be intestinal parasites, a.k.a. worms. These spaghetti-looking guys and girls can be transferred from cat to rodent, so if your cat is outdoors, check his/her stools to see if worms may be the culprit. Another way an outdoor cat may get worms in their body is through grooming after walking through infected grass.

Both indoor and outdoor cats can get them through their mom when the moms are pregnant with them or through their mother’s milk after birth. Symptoms aren’t always present, but can include diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and trouble breathing.

On the other end of a cat’s body, upper respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, can be a reason for this, too. If your cat seems wheezy, sneezy, and/or has watery eyes, they may point, as well as unexplained weight loss, to an upper respiratory infection.

Adult Perfect Weight Cat Food

Organ failure can be especially common in older cats, since metabolism changes as a cat ages. Remember to help prevent this by brushing your cat’s teeth regularly, as tartar and plaque can dislodge from the teeth and clog up the heart, kidneys, or liver!

If your cat is eating more than usual, but still losing weight, hyperthyroidism could be another culprit as well. This happens from a benign tumor that’s being produced by hormones on the thyroid gland.

Due to this tumor, the thyroid hormone becomes elevated and, in addition to weight reduction, can result in symptoms such as increased drinking, urination, and activity; also, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, begging for food and attention, urination in inappropriate areas, a greasy and unkempt coat, and wasting of muscles.

Feeding Hyperthyroid Cats

Later stages can result in heart problems or even death. This is another condition seen in older cats, especially, but can happen in cats as young as six years old.

Though cats are less common to eat when experiencing dental problems, dental disease can be another problem for rapid (or less than rapid) weight loss while continuing to eat. If you notice your cat chewing strangely, drooling, or pawing at his/her mouth, it may be worth a consideration and a talk with your veterinarian!

There are also less dramatic reasons your cat might be losing weight, yet eating more or the same as they did before the weight loss. One of these reasons is stress. Stress in cats can be caused for different reasons, but it can do with a sudden change in the cat’s environment, such as a death in the family (friendly reminder that animals have feelings, too, and often feed off their owner’s energy), a new baby, a roommate moving in, etc.

Not Eating Means Big Problems

It can also be due to the food bowl being too close to the litter box, loud noises when they’re trying to eat, other animals in their feeding area, and dirty food dishes.

Lastly, did you know that there is a reason that one may see a difference in the same pet food in a pet store (kitten versus cat food, i.e). This is because kittens need more protein in their food, as they’re more active, so cat food has less protein. It’s important to note this because, if purchasing the wrong food, you may accidentally be making your kitten lose weight because he/she isn’t getting as much nutrients as he/she needs.

As mentioned above, cats can experience any one of these reasons. In any case, if you find that your cat is still eating but losing weight, discuss any concerns with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

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Southcentral Veterinary Services is here to ensure that you and your pet can access a variety of high-quality, progressive medical services. Our aim is to serve our patients and clients with integrity, compassion, and a focus on being your primary family vet.Recently you noticed that your cat has lost some weight and his body shape is not the same as before. Your cat’s weight changes from kitten to adult, affected by various factors such as its age, sex, breed, lifestyle and diet. It is important for your cat to maintain a healthy weight for his age and breed.

Therefore, unintentional weight loss in cats can be a symptom of health issues that should be checked out. You may refer to the chart below as reference for an ideal body condition for your cat.

Here are some of the reasons that your cat may be losing weight. The causes of unplanned weight loss may be as simple as the cat is not taking in enough calories for its lifestyle, or there could be some underlying health issues.

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Have you recently added another pet to your household? The additional pet in your home could possibly be eating your cat’s food or disturbing your cat’s in accessing to his food.

You may also want to monitor lifestyle changes of your cat. For example, your cat may have become more active due to the weather or environmental change, thus burning more calories as compared. Always ensure that your cat takes in enough calories for his daily activities.

“An average indoor cat requires 20 calories per pound to maintain weight, while 35 calories per pound for an average outdoor cat.”

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If your indoor cat weighs 10 pounds, he should then be eating approximately 200 calories per day. However, not every cat is the same, just like human, we have different metabolism levels. The approach above is a guideline. If your indoor cat is losing weight with the above approach after 3 months, with no other health issue, you may want to increase his calories intake and keep monitoring.

Plus, it is important to check the Calorie Content of your cat food. Ensure that your cat is eating a Complete and Balanced Diet according to AAFCO Guideline for proper growth. All AAFCO Compliance products would have Calorie Content and Feeding Guidelines on their food packaging. If you have not been seeing this information on your cat food label, your cat is most likely to not be having a complete and balanced diet for growth.

On another note, even if you find the Calories Content on your cat food label, but NOT an AAFCO Compliant product, high chance that the info is incorrect.

Medical Causes For Weight Gain In Cats

Diabetes is a common disease in cats and that will require immediate veterinary care and treatment. Typically, diabetic cats drink a large amount of water and urinate large volumes too. If you suspect your cat may be suffering from diabetes, without hesitation, bring him to the vet immediately.

Can diabetes be prevented? Yes of course! Diet is the best way of preventing diabetes in cats. Just like humans, a proper and healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

When planning diet for your cat, it is important to make sure that the diet is high protein, low carbohydrates and in moderate fat. Cats are strict carnivores; they simply cannot thrive on an

Easy Ways To Help Your Cat Lose Weight