If you have a furry feline friend, your family is lucky! Having a feline family member can be very rewarding, especially since cats like to snuggle. Have you ever noticed your cat losing weight in an abnormal way? If they are not just shedding, but really losing weight, it can be a sign that something is wrong. A cat that is losing weight is not something you should ignore.

6 Common Reasons Cats Start Losing Weight

Diabetes

It’s not uncommon for a cat to have diabetes, if they are overfed. You can catch it, if you notice your cat has been overweight for a long time, but they suddenly start to lose weight, it may be a sign of diabetes. Another sign your cat might have diabetes is odd-smelling breath. It might smell yucky, or it might even smell sweet. If you notice these signs, contact your vet immediately.

In many cases, feline diabetes can be managed just like a human. However, you’ll want to get started working with a vet as soon as you get the diagnosis. They can help create a treatment plan and a course of action that will help you help your cat.

Anxiety

If a cat deals with a lot of anxiety, they may start losing weight. This is more common if there has been something that has happened that changed the cat’s routine significantly. For example, when a family brings a new baby home, it may increase your cat’s stress levels due to the change.

Any new stressors that cause anxiety could be the cause of weight loss. You may need to think about it a little bit to determine if there is anything different that is making them feel more anxious than usual. If you think something may be a stressor, simply remove it from the environment. If you cannot do that, at least provide some extra personal space for your feline family member. That can help them adjust to the new environment more easily.

Dental Disease

If your cat develops dental disease, it can lead to weight loss. They may stop eating their food because it hurts the to eat it. Dental disease can take many forms, including tooth decay, abscesses, gum and tooth disease, tumors, and other problems that affect the mouth, tongue, or throat of your cat.

If you suspect this is a problem for your cat, get them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet will be able to treat all sorts of dental diseases. They may be able to provide some simple recommendations that can help prevent more dental disease in the future. For example, water additives, brushing, using PawerLab Cat Wipes for dental hygiene, or changing the type of food you feed your cat may be all the treatment that is needed.

Hyperthyroidism

When a cat has hyperthyroidism, they may continue to eat but still keep losing weight. It’s a condition that increases their appetite but also causes them to become very ill and start to waste away. You might notice that they start drinking more water and urinating more often. It’s possible that they could develop diarrhea too.

If hyperthyroidism is not treated, it can be fatal. However, if it is caught early enough, it can be managed with medication along with a special diet. A veterinarian can diagnose hyperthyroidism using a simple blood test. The good news is that it is very easy to manage, so your cat can live longer.

Parasites

Weight loss in cats can be caused by internal parasites. It’s actually one of the most common causes of a sudden weight loss. Parasites are in your cat’s stool, but they are small and you are not likely to be able to see them. The vet will need to perform tests to diagnose your cat as having them. There are many different ways to treat parasites. It is totally curable, but you’ll want to catch it early for the fastest, best results.

Food Allergies

Another very common cause of weight loss in cats is food allergies. Cats can be allergic to some of the ingredients in their food. Many times, they suddenly develop a new food allergy, even after they get older. Your vet will need to check multiple possibilities that cause weight loss in cats before determining if they have a food allergy. It your cat is losing weight due to a food allergy; the vet can provide suggestions for foods they can eat.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.