Causes

 

Unintentional weight loss in cats can be a cause for concern. If you weren’t trying to help your cat lose weight, and especially if your cat is a senior, there might be a health issue to blame.

The causes of unintentional weight loss in cats range from simple lifestyle changes to serious illness. Any noticeable weight loss in your cat warrants a visit to your vet 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:

• Not Getting Enough Food.
• Intestinal Parasites.
• Diabetes.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Viral Disease.
• Kidney Disease.
• Cancer.
• Conflicts with Other Pets.
• Dental Problems.
• Old Age.

Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of weight loss is a drop in weight. This can also be accompanied by any of the following:

• Increased Appetite - This symptom seems odd, but hyperthyroidism causes an expenditure of a cat's metabolic rate and body's energy. In effect, cats burn up their food calories faster than they can consume them.

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Increased Urination.
• Lethargy.
• Increased Thirst.
• Bad breath.
• Increased Vocalizations.
• Poor Coat Quality.

Muscle Wasting

Many people incorrectly assume that cats have to lose weight or be very skinny to have muscle loss, but this is not true. Cats can be overweight and still have significant muscle loss. On the flip side, cats can be thin but have normal muscle mass.

However with CKD, cats typically lose weight AND have muscle loss (wasting). You'll usually see muscle wasting on their hind quarters and on their back. As a rule, you shouldn't be able to feel their spine when you pet their back. Muscle wasting can also lead to fatigue and weakness. In severe cases, this can affect their gate while walking. You might notice how their hind legs start to spread out, or they no longer walk on their paws, but instead on their heels or ankle.

For a more comprehensive look at the various stages of muscle wasting in cats, please download my PDF guide Muscle Condition Score Due To Wasting.

Treatment

The treatment for weight loss in cats depends on the cause. If you notice your cat is losing weight, your first step should be to schedule a vet appointment. Your vet will do a physical exam first. Next, lab tests and/or x-rays or imaging may be needed to determine the problem. Based on the findings, your vet may recommend medication, diet change, surgery, or other treatment.

Slippery Elm
The herb Slippery elm contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also contains antioxidants that help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions. Slippery elm causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. The increased mucus production helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity.

In cats, the kidneys are indirectly responsible for controlling levels of stomach acid. Cats with chronic kidney disease are more likely to have elevated acid levels making them more prone to nausea and inappetence. Slippery Elm helps alleviate nausea and inappetence in pets suffering from non-GI illnesses, such as kidney disease. Please visit my Slippery Elm page for more information.

Medication
The two most commonly recommended medications for stimulating a cat's appetite are: Elura (liquid) and a transdermal (in-ear) treatment Mirataz (Mirtazapine). I have had success using both of these, but Elura is formulated to be used long-term.

Force Feeding
Force Feeding using a feeding syringe is needed if a cat doesn’t eat for 24-72 hours and you've exhausted all other options. Not eating for this long can be a result of surgery, certain medications, or illness, such as chronic kidney disease. A feeding tube is sometimes used with vet supervision, but is not as common as using a feeding syringe, which most pet owners can use at home. Please visit my Force Feeding page for more information.