Why is my cat losing weight even though she is eating?

When should I be concerned about my cat losing weight?

If your cat loses an excess of ten percent of its normal body weight (when it is not due to fluid loss), you should be concerned. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including anorexia, the cat’s quality of food, and/or chronic disease.

Can kidney disease cause a cat to lose weight?

Feline kidney disease can also lead to weight loss in your cat. To determine if kidney disease is the cause of your cat’s weight loss, your vet will do bloodwork and a urinalysis. Treatment may include prescription food, medicine and even sterile fluids that your vet can teach you to administer at home on a regular basis.

What does it mean when a cat loses 10% weight?

Cachexia in Cats. If your cat loses an excess of ten percent of its normal body weight (when it is not due to fluid loss), you should be concerned. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including anorexia, the cat’s quality of food, and/or chronic disease. It is important to understand a severe case of weight loss will affect many…

Is my cat dying of kidney failure?

In this post, we will highlight the signs that indicate a cat is dying of kidney failure and ways to make your cat’s final days as peaceful as possible. Kidney failure is a terminal disease, which means a cat suffering from the disease will eventually experience end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which ultimately leads to death.

What are the causes of kidney disease in cats?

There are many different causes of kidney disease in cats and some of them are not very obvious. The most common causes of kidney disease in cats are: Genetic or at birth malformation of the kidneys The obvious symptoms appear when the disease is at an advanced stage. The most common symptoms of chronic kidney disease in cats are:

Why is my cat losing weight and is it normal?

Weight loss is common in older cats due to loss of muscle mass as a result of the body’s reduced efficiency in digesting and building proteins. A cat suffering from chronic kidney disease can get extremely thin to the extent the ribs, spine, and hip bones protrude under the skin. This state becomes worse if the cat is suffering from kidney cancer.

How do you know if your cat has kidney disease?

This is a sign that your cat may be suffering from kidney disease. Unless he has started eating less as an effort to lose weight, he can potentially have kidney disease. Cats with kidney failure often become malnourished because their bodies cannot process the food they eat properly.

Is it normal for a cat to lose weight without eating?

In many cases, cats lose weight when they are not eating enough. However, some diseases cause weight loss despite adequate food intake. Depending on the cause, weight loss may or may not accompany other signs of illness. Many health problems can cause weight loss in cats, some more serious than others.

When to take your cat to the vet for weight loss?

Any noticeable weight loss in your cat warrants a visit to your veterinarian to rule out serious health conditions. They will be able to run the necessary tests to determine what might be at the root of the problem. Here are some possible reasons why your cat is losing weight and what you should do about it.

How significant is a 10 pound weight loss in a cat?

But a pound weight loss in a 10 pound cat is loss of 10% of the cat’s body weight. That is significant. Too often, I have seen cats brought in for an examination only after they look like the cat to the left and this is MUCH too late!

Is there a cure for kidney disease in cats?

Unfortunately, kidney disease does not have a cure, and your cat may ultimately face end-stage kidney failure. Every cat owner should become familiar with the signs of kidney failure to help their old kitty live as long and comfortably as they possibly can.

What causes weight loss in older cats with kidney disease?

Chronic kidney failure or CKD is very common in seniors, and can be a reason for weight loss in older cats. As it’s a slow progressing disease, your kitty’s weight loss will be gradual.

Why is my cat losing weight sudden?

Sudden, unintentional weight loss in cats is usually indicative of a larger problem that requires the assistance of a cat vet in Alexandria, VA to diagnose. Cat weight loss might be caused by a wide variety of health problems, from depression to cancer.

Can a cat have chronic kidney disease before it is diagnosed?

This is especially true for chronic, congenital renal disease before it’s diagnosed. Many of the signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease can be mistakenly attributed to your cat’s personality or normal habits. For example, dehydration is one of the symptoms but is difficult to recognize in cats if they’ve always been picky drinkers.

When to take your cat to the vet for kidney failure?

Kidney failure in cats can cause weight loss, vomiting, lack of appetite, foul breath, and lethargy. If your cat has kidney failure and is beginning to have any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk to your vet about their quality of life. Cardiac disease is another common condition in elderly cats.

Is it normal for an older cat to not eat?

Some cats lose interest in the food they once loved, while others want to eat less often than when they were younger. However, older cats not eating, or eating well but losing weight can be worrying. Whiskas explains why your older cat might not be eating and offers advice on what to do. Why isn’t my cat eating?

Is it normal for an old cat to lose weight?

Weight loss in cats, or a cat that has gone off its food may also be an indication of potential health issues. If your old cat is losing weight but eating well this could also be the sign of a problem and you should take them to the vet for a health check-up. A senior cat’s diet is very important in order to help your cat stay happy and healthy.

Is it normal for a cat to weigh the same?

Your cat, when healthy, will normally weigh the same year after year, except for those who gain weight. Good feline care includes knowing what a normal cat weight is for your feline and taking action when any cat weight loss occurs.

How much should a cat weigh before vet visit?

But your vet may suggest you aim for a goal weight of 15 pounds so it is realistic and manageable for both you and your cat. Once your cat reaches a realistic goal weight, your vet may recommend that you work towards a lower body weight.

How much should I Feed my Cat to lose weight?

You will need your cat’s body weight in kilograms to calculate her calories per day. To help your cat lose weight, you should feed her about 80% of the RER or multiple her RER by 0.8. For example, if her ideal weight is 10 lbs, you should try to have her eat 210 calories a day.

What should I do if my cat is overweight?

One common health issue for overweight cats is diabetes. If your vet determines your cat is diabetic, she will likely recommend a nutritional program to help your diabetic cat lose weight safely. Your cat may also need insulin injections, which can be discussed in more detail with your vet. Determine your cat’s target weight.

How do you calculate weight loss in cats?

The formula for weight loss in cats is based on the resting energy requirement (calorie requirement for a cat that is not performing any physical activity), or RER, calculated as follows: RER in kcal/day = [70 x (ideal weight in kg)] ¾ or [70 x (ideal weight in kg)] to the ¾ power.

How much should my Cat weigh?

Let’s start by calculating the calories a typical cat needs. You’ll first need to have your cat examined by your veterinarian and an ideal or target weight calculated. The average domestic cat should weigh approximately eight to ten pounds. If your cat is 18 pounds, you can calculate its ideal weight to be 10 to 12 pounds.

Why do vets prescribe a feline renal diet?

Feline kidney failure is often the first sign that something is seriously wrong. Then vets prescribe an even worse diet when they tell you to feed your cat a commercial feline renal diet that is low in protein. They don’t understand the physiology of the cat.

Is it possible to reverse kidney failure in cats?

Feline Kidney Disease Can Be Reversed. And the food itself starts with waste and declines from there. Chemicals, preservatives, unsuitable food for cats is just the beginning. Cats can never be healthy on this diet. Feline kidney failure is often the first sign that something is seriously wrong.