Why is my elderly cat so skinny?

Skinny old cats: Why some senior cats lose weight. What's going on? Well-recognized causes of weight loss in old cats include chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems, to name a few.

Is it normal for older cats to get skinny?

Older cats can lose so much weight that they start to look skinny and bony. This is due to health complications from the aging process, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arthritis, and renal failure.

Why is my old cat so skinny but eats a lot?

If a cat is hungry but skinny, this may be due to parasitic worms, which consume any food that's been ingested. Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and inflammatory bowel disease interfere with food absorption, so cats can eat voraciously yet lose weight. Also, ensure that another pet isn't eating its food.

Why is my elderly cat so bony?

As they age, cats are not able to digest their food as well resulting in increased nutrition requirements. If their nutrition does not meet their requirements, they will lose muscle mass resulting in the ability to easily feel the bones of their spine and hips when petting them.

What can I feed my elderly cat to gain weight?

Your veterinarian can also prescribe high-calorie cat foods like Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food or Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care canned cat food. These formulations are highly digestible and provide the extra calories your cat needs to gain weight.

Why Your Older Cat May Be Losing Weight

Why is my 14 year old cat so skinny?

Well-recognized causes of weight loss in old cats include chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems. Most are readily suspected and confirmed based on physical examination and routine laboratory testing.

What are the signs of a cat dying of old age?

Why can I suddenly feel my cat's spine?

If You Can Suddenly Feel Your Cat's Backbone, Visit Your Veterinarian. Ultimately, the best move is to visit the veterinary clinic if you notice any sudden changes in your cat's weight or appearance. A cat backbone that sticks out usually means there has been weight loss or muscle loss.

Is my cat too skinny if I can feel her spine?

Feel around your cat's spine

Perform the same test on your cat's spine. Again, you should be able to feel the bones, but not excessively. If the vertebrae feel very knobbly or like there's nothing on top of them, your cat is underweight. If they're difficult to feel, you have an overweight cat.

Should you be able to feel a cat's shoulder blades?

Look for other bones that protrude, such as in the shoulder, spine or hips. The rule of the thumb is you should be able to feel some fat covering the bones otherwise your cat is too thin. If you cannot feel the bones at all, your cat is very overweight.

Why is my 15 year old cat hungry?

Aging. The natural changes that happen with aging can make a cat hungry all the time, too, Dr. Murphy says. As animals get older, their ability to digest fat and protein decreases while their energy requirements increase, she says, adding that in cats, the shift happens at around age 13.

What should I feed my elderly cat?

Raw or “gently cooked” fresh food is an excellent diet for elderly cats. Dr. Becker recommends that if it is impossible to feed raw that dehydrated or freeze-dried balanced food reconstituted with plenty of water is good second choice. However, feeding an all dry-food diet in the long run will cause problems.

Why is my cat thin at the back end?

Why is my cat thin at the back end? While a cat's rear end is usually slightly narrower, muscle water on the hind end can be caused by age, lack of eating, specific illnesses, or even depression. If you notice a change in the condition of your cat it's important to consult your veterinarian.

Should I be able to feel my cats ribs?

You should be able to feel your cat's ribs, spine and hipbones quite easily but they shouldn't stick out. Feel the base of your cat's tail. There shouldn't be any build-up of fat where the tail meets your cat's back.

Why does my cat's chest bone stick out?

Pectus excavatum is a common congenital malformation of the sternum and costochondral cartilages affecting cats, especially males. The condition results in a ventral dorsal narrowing of the chest or a depression of the sternum into the chest cavity.

What causes weakness in cats back legs?

The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.

What are the signs of kidney failure in cats?

How do I know if my cat is suffering?

What are the symptoms of a cat dying of kidney failure?

Signs of uremia include: Increased thirst, apathy, depression, listlessness, reddened eyes, skin problems, excessive or no urine production (depending on the stage of the disease), dehydration, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, emaciation, bad breath, mouth ulcers, discolored tongue, muscle twitching, coma, ...

What is the average life expectancy of an indoor cat?

Indoor cats live on average 10-15 years, while outdoor cats live on average 2-5 years This handout is intended to help you sort out the pros and cons associated with each lifestyle so you can rest assured your cat will have both an enriched life and protection from environmental hazards.

How much weight loss is concerning for a cat?

As long as your cat is losing at a rate that has been established by your veterinarian as acceptable. Usually, a loss of no more than one percent of body weight per week is perfectly fine. For example, at this rate of weight loss, a 15-pound cat would lose up to a third of a pound every two weeks.

When should I be concerned about my cat losing weight?

Always Discuss Cat Weight Loss With Your Veterinarian

Unintentional weight loss is a nonspecific sign that can have many causes. Anything short of a veterinary visit is just a guess. If you notice that your cat is losing weight, you need to call the vet. Make the appointment now.

Is Wet food better for senior cats?

Wet food is easier for many senior cats to manage, and the increased moisture content is important for digestion and kidney health as well. If your cat insists on dry food, try using moisture-rich wet food as a topper.

Should senior cats eat wet or dry food?

Senior cats need more taurine, a heart-healthy ingredient found in cat food proteins such as fish, poultry and beef. Feed senior cats a dry food that's 10% fat to 28% protein, or a wet food that's 4% fat, and 8% protein. All animals slow down, as they grow older, thus needing fewer calories and less fat in their meals.

How much canned food should a senior cat eat?

Most cats need 4-5 ounces of canned food per day, total.