All of us who live with a cat we love very much would like it to be always in good health. Unfortunately, while we can do some things to strengthen your immune system, we can never protect you from absolutely everything. For this reason, when you lose weight we have to worry and find out why this happens.
As there are several causes, I will explain why my cat loses weight and, in addition, I will tell you everything you have to do to make him recover as soon as possible.
Why you lose weight
It can be for various reasons, the most common being the following:
Emotional causes
Stress
The cat is very sensitive. They don't usually like changes at all. The move, the arrival of a new member to the home, re-distribution of the furniture,… anything can make you feel so bad that you could even stop eating, with the consequent loss of weight.
For this furry, what you can do is use Feliway in diffuser, which is a product made with the synthetic pheromones of the cat in charge of relaxing it. But it won't be the only thing you can do: you must also continue with your daily life, As if nothing happened. Pay a lot of attention and give him a lot of love. You can stimulate his appetite with cans of wet cat food, which are much tastier and more smelly than dry food.
New home
If you have just adopted it and it does not eat, during the first day it is normal. Everything is so new to him that he needs time to get used to it. To help you, it is advisable not to burden him or force him to do anythingYou just have to leave his feeder and drinker full and invite him to play several times throughout the day.
Yes, if two days or more go by and he doesn't eat anything, take him to the vet as soon as possible.
Physical causes
Cancer
The cat is an animal that can be affected by different types of cancer, just like humans: skin, bone, lung, heart ... Weight loss is the symptom that is usually common in all of them, but it is not the only oneVomiting, poor appetite, or diarrhea are just a few others you may have.
This disease is more common in older furry, eight years or older, but we must not lower our guard. If you suspect that your friend suffers from it, do not hesitate: take him to the specialist for treatment with chemo or radiation therapy, or surgery according to the case.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, which is responsible for metabolizing glucose, which is then transformed into energy. Thus, the blood sugar level rises, which can increase the cat's appetite; However, since he will not be able to metabolize it, he will lose weight and you will surely see him drink much more water than normal.
The treatment may consist of give specific medications, insulin injections, or changes in diet.
Kidney diseases
The kidneys are the body's purifiers. They are the ones that filter the toxins, thus preventing them from 'contaminating' the blood. But when they begin to fail, these toxins accumulate, causing the cat to lose weight and appetite, difficulty urinating and lethargy.
To help you get back to your normal life it is important to take him to the vet to prescribe medication. You may also have to change his diet and give him foods low in protein, phosphorus and sodium.
Hyperthyroidism
It is a disease caused by an overproduction of the hormone thyroxine, which is produced by the thyroid gland. The excessive amount of this hormone increases the metabolism of the cat, which makes it need to be much more active. In addition, the food you eat your body processes faster, so you hardly have time to absorb the nutrients you need.
Other symptoms you may have are high blood pressure and kidney problems, so it is very important to consult a veterinarian to put him on treatment, which can be with medication, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.
Internal parasites
Cats can have many serious problems with internal parasites. If your friend has, You will see that he eats a lot, eagerly, but hardly gets fat. When the infestation is severe, you will notice a swollen, tender abdomen.
The best thing to do is put you on antiparasitic treatment. The professional will give you syrup, pills or antiparasitic pipettes (depending on what he considers appropriate) that you will have to give to your cat.
Oral-dental problems
The mouth is the gateway to food. When the cat feels pain or discomfort, it may not want to eat and consequently loses weight. This becomes more evident as he gets older: the accumulation of tartar causes infections in the teeth, which discourage the feline from taking any bite.
If you see that you do not feel like eating, if you chew with difficulty, and / or if your breath smells bad, take him to the vet to be examined and treated with medicine. In very serious cases, you may have to have a tooth removed.
Old age
Over the years, the body gradually wears out. When it reaches 10 years (more or less) the muscle mass is lost, so that the weight of the animal is reduced. You don't have to worry more than necessary; You simply have to take care of him by giving him much more pampering and affection so that he knows how much you love him, which will give him the strength to move on.
How to prevent my cat from losing weight?
There are several things you can do to keep your cat from losing weight early:
- Give him a quality diet, without cereals and very rich in animal protein. This is how it is possible to strengthen the immune system.
- Take care of it as it deserves. And I don't mean just to give him food and water, but also to worry about him. Play with him every day, pick him up and give him a few kisses (without weighing him down). Show him how much you care. Every day. Until the end.
- Take him to the vet whenever necessary. You have to receive all your vaccines, and special attention if you have an accident or fall ill.
- At home, avoid noise, tension and loud music. It is a very sensitive animal that stresses very quickly.
- Make the introductions little by little. If you intend to give him a cat companion, introduce them little by little and gradually, exchanging their beds and being very patient. On this article You have more information.
As we have seen, there are several reasons why a cat can lose weight. I hope you were able to find the cause of your friend 🙂.