Top Reasons Why Your Cat May Be Getting Thin
While many people get concerned about their precious cats becoming fat, unintentional or unexplained weight loss is also a serious health problem, too. There are multiple reasons for this weight loss, which may affect your cat’s appetite and health. The major causes of loss of weight among felines are described here below.
Poor Serving Habits
You would not like eating off of a dirty dish, and your feline friends probably don’t either. So, when you notice that the cat seems finicky and stops eating, then review how you are serving the cat food to keep their cuisine clean and fresh. Clean out the plates after every meal and also refill the water bowl every day to get rid of debris and hair. Lastly, it is recommended that the food stations and litter boxes be placed far from each other.
Not Eating Enough Food
When your cat is not consuming adequate calories, then weight loss will automatically happen. There are many reasons why cats will stop eating enough food, including having dental disease, increased competition for food and inaccessibility of the serving bowl. The cats may also be disinterested in whichever food you are, or it might be because of anxiety or stress due to environmental stressors like shifting to a new house.
Gastrointestinal issues
Your cat could be losing weight due to suffering from gastrointestinal issues. While food allergies may also be the culprit behind the instant slim-down, parasites like roundworms are mostly the cause. The cat can contract these works through suckling their mom’s milk or through rodents that they catch and eat. Your veterinarian may check the cat’s fecal matter for worms and prescribe treatment for de-worming.
Old age
The other common reason your cat is showing significant weight changes is age. Even though some senior cats plump up, most of them slim down significantly. The culprits, in this case, are dental disease and a reduced feeling of smell. Elderly cards also have to deal with slower metabolic rates, which can result in significant weight loss. Fortunately, with some simple diet changes, like adding more fiber, you can help maintain your cat’s health during their golden years.
Health Problems
The weight loss you notice in your cats could also be indicative or significant health problems. Some of these problems include diabetes, tumors, hyperthyroidism, and even organ failure.
Conclusion
If you have successfully eliminated all the standard weight loss explanations, your vet may conduct further examinations for ruling out any diseases for which that weight loss could indicate, like cancer. Therefore, ensure that you carefully observe your cat and track their weight so that you identify any serious health issues early.
References: Pet Health Network, Animal Planet, WebMD
