Weight loss in cats
You suddenly notice that your cat is looking slimmer than a few days ago. He seems to be losing weight at an abnormal rate and there is nothing that can explain it. Weight loss in cats is only a symptom of a series of cat diseases.
Clinically, if your cat loses 10% of his body weight in a matter of days, this is a reason to be alarmed. So many things, from anorexia to the food’s quality, can be causing your cat to lose weight rapidly. If this is not taken under control, it could be fatal to your feline since there is an underlying disease taking place.
Causes of weight loss in cats
There are only so many diseases that could be responsible for weight loss in cats. This is why it is important that you take note of the symptoms you notice on your cat. This info is important to help the veterinarian reach an accurate diagnosis of what could be causing the condition.
The following are some of the diseases and conditions that could be causing your cat to lose weight at a fast rate:
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Cancer
- Insufficient calorie intake
- Nursing or pregnancy
- Heart, liver, or kidney failure
- Chronic blood loss
- Long exposure to cold temperatures
- Paralysis of the esophagus
The above are certain conditions that include weight loss in their symptoms. There are also some other diseases and infections that could be causing the weight loss:
- Addison’s disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease
What to do if your cat is losing weight
If your cat seems to be losing weight rapidly, you must take him to the veterinarian immediately. You should not wait too long as the condition worsens really quick depending on the medical condition.
The veterinarian will run several tests to determine why is the cat suffering from weight loss. The treatment will be addressed to the underlying condition.
Stay with us here in Dogalize where you will find everything you need to know about cats and cat care. We have a ton of information, resources and much more in store for you. Visit us to learn more.