Common Causes of Cat Weight Loss: How To Prevent & Treat

If you notice your cat is losing weight, you may be worried about their health. Weight loss in cats can have many possible reasons, some of them serious and some of them not. It is important to find out the cause of your cat’s weight loss and take appropriate action to help them regain their optimal weight and health.

In this article, we will discuss some of the common causes of cat weight loss and what you can do about them.

Table of Contents

Taking In Fewer Calories

One of the simplest reasons for your cat losing weight may be that they are not eating enough. This can happen if you change their food, add medications to their food, or feed them a low-quality diet that does not meet their nutritional needs.

To prevent this, you should:

Monitor your cat’s food intake and appetite
Choose high-quality cat food that contains at least 26-30% crude protein and is not too high in carbohydrates
Gradually introduce any new food or medication to your cat
Add some fish oil or other supplements to your cat’s food to increase the calories and nutrients
Consult your vet if your cat refuses to eat or has a sudden change in appetite

Stress: Common Causes of Cat Weight Loss

Stress can also affect your cat’s appetite and weight. C a ts can get stressed by changes in their environment, such as moving to a new house, introducing a new pet, or having a new neighbor cat. Stress can also cause behavioral problems, such as aggression, isolation, or excessive vocalization.

To reduce stress in your cat, you should:

Provide your cat with a safe and comfortable space where they can retreat and relax
Maintain a consistent routine and schedule for your cat
Provide your cat with enough stimulation and enrichment, such as toys, scratching posts, and windows
Use calming products, such as pheromones, aromatherapy, or music
Seek professional help from a vet or a cat behaviorist if your cat shows signs of severe stress or anxiety

Dental Problems

Dental problems are another common cause of weight loss in cats. If your cat has bad or broken teeth, gum disease, or other oral issues, they may find it painful to eat. This can lead to reduced food intake and weight loss. Dental problems can also cause infections, inflammation, and bad breath.

To prevent and treat dental problems in your cat, you should:

Check your cat’s mouth regularly for any signs of trouble, such as redness, swelling, bleeding, or tartar
Brush your cat’s teeth daily or at least weekly with a special toothbrush and toothpaste for cats
Provide your cat with dental treats, chews, or toys that can help clean their teeth
Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings with your vet
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat shows signs of dental pain or infection, such as drooling, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty eating

Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestinal problems are diseases that affect the digestive system of your cat. They can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain. These symptoms can interfere with your cat’s ability to digest and absorb food properly. This can result in weight loss and malnutrition.

Some of the common gastrointestinal problems in cats include:

Parasites: Worms or other parasites that live in the intestines of your cat and feed on their nutrients. They can cause diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and poor coat condition.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A chronic condition that causes inflammation and irritation of the intestinal lining. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and blood in the stool.
Food Allergies or Intolerances: A hypersensitivity reaction to certain ingredients in the food that causes inflammation and damage to the digestive system. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, skin problems, and respiratory issues.
Pancreatitis: An inflammation of the pancreas that produces digestive enzymes. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, dehydration, and weight loss.
Cancer: A malignant growth of abnormal cells that can affect any part of the digestive system. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal mass, pain, anorexia (loss of appetite), and weight loss.

To diagnose and treat gastrointestinal problems in your cat, you should:

Collect a stool sample from your cat and take it to your vet for testing
Follow your vet’s instructions on how to treat any parasites or infections
Feed your cat a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice until their symptoms subside
Switch to a hypoallergenic or prescription diet if your cat has food allergies or intolerances
Give your cat probiotics or digestive enzymes to support their gut health
Seek emergency veterinary care if your cat shows signs of pancreatitis or cancer

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates the metabolism and energy levels of your cat. When there is too much of it, your cat’s metabolism speeds up and they burn more calories than they consume. This can cause weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, increased activity, restlessness, nervousness, and heart problems.

To diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism in your cat, you should:

Take your cat to your vet for a blood test that measures the level of thyroid hormone
Follow your vet’s instructions on how to treat hyperthyroidism with medication, surgery, or radioactive iodine therapy
Monitor your cat’s weight, appetite, and behavior regularly
Feed your cat a high-quality diet that is low in iodine and high in protein
Provide your cat with enough water and litter boxes

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not respond to it properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose (sugar) as a source of energy. When there is not enough insulin or the body is resistant to it, glucose builds up in the blood and causes high blood sugar levels. This can cause weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, lethargy, weakness, and infections.

To diagnose and treat diabetes in your cat, you should:

Take your cat to your vet for a blood test that measures the level of glucose and fructosamine
Follow your vet’s instructions on how to treat diabetes with insulin injections, oral medication, or diet
Monitor your cat’s blood sugar levels regularly with a glucometer or urine test strips
Feed your cat a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet that is consistent and balanced
Provide your cat with enough water and litter boxes

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a condition that occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products and toxins from the blood. This can cause weight loss, decreased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath, mouth ulcers, anemia (low red blood cell count), and high blood pressure.

To diagnose and treat kidney disease in your cat, you should:

Take your cat to your vet for a blood test that measures the level of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Follow your vet’s instructions on how to treat kidney disease with medication, fluid therapy, or dialysis
Feed your cat a low-protein and low-phosphorus diet that is specially formulated for kidney health
Provide your cat with enough water and litter boxes
Seek emergency veterinary care if your cat shows signs of kidney failure

Cancer

Cancer is a condition that occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs. Cancer can affect any part of the body and cause various symptoms depending on the type and location of the tumor. Some of the common symptoms of cancer in cats include weight loss, decreased appetite, lethargy, weakness, pain, swelling, lumps, bumps, bleeding, or discharge.

To diagnose and treat cancer in your cat, you should:

Take your cat to your vet for a physical examination and diagnostic tests such as blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, biopsy (tissue sample), or cytology (cell sample)
Follow your vet’s instructions on how to treat cancer with surgery, chemotherapy (drug therapy), radiation therapy (x-ray therapy), immunotherapy (immune system therapy), or palliative care (comfort care)
Feed your cat a high-quality diet that is rich in protein and antioxidants
Provide your cat with enough water and litter boxes
Seek emergency veterinary care if your cat shows signs of severe pain or distress

Conclusion

Weight loss in cats can have many possible causes. Some of them are minor and easy to fix. Others are serious and require immediate veterinary attention. The best way to prevent weight loss in cats is to provide them with a healthy diet, regular exercise, routine check-ups, and lots of love. If you notice any signs of weight loss or other health problems in your cat, do not hesitate to contact your vet for advice and treatment. Your cat deserves to live a long and happy life!