As cats age, something very similar to what happens to us happens: they lose weight. They may have been weighing their good 4-5 kilos for years, but with the arrival of the Cat's Third Age, the furry ones will tend to be skinnier.
But Have you ever wondered why old cats get thin? If so, we will explain it to you below.
Muscle atrophy
As the cat ages, body cells multiply weaker and weaker and your body gradually builds thinner and thinner muscles. To better understand the aging process, it would be as if we made a copy of an image, then another copy of that copy, ... until the paper looked blank.
On top of that, an older cat doesn't get as much exercise, so the muscles are wasting away a bit.
Dehydration
There are several diseases that can cause dehydration, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism or the renal insufficiency. But the situation can be quite complicated in an old cat, since it will tend to drink less water and eat less. To help you stay hydrated, canned food is essential, and I do not think dry, as it contains a higher percentage of moisture (70%, compared to 40% of dry food).
Fat redistribution
On an old cat fat is redistributed throughout the body in a way that will protect the organs more than the muscles. Why? Because the organs, being somewhat more vital than the muscular system, need more protection as they age.
In spite of everything, we have to continue to give him a lot of love and play with him so that his muscles remain active. To do this, we can give him balls, stuffed animals or ropes. Any of these things are sure to be a great time for you.