There is really only one time when a cat losing weight is not a serious medical issue, and that of course is when you are reducing or changing the cats food in order to deliberately aid in weight loss for an overweight or obese cat. Otherwise, almost all cases of unwanted cat weight loss is a symptom of a medical condition, or is caused by a cat not eating due to stress or environmental reasons. Because cat weight loss is the symptom of a variety of serious feline health issues, it is of the utmost importance to take your cat to a qualified veterinary professional in order to properly diagnose and treat the condition. If you fail to do this, you could be gambling with your cats life. Some of the causes of cat weight loss include:
Feline Diabetes- Diabetes is a possibility when the cat is eating normally, yet is losing weight. In most cases you’ll notice the feline is also drinking excessively and experiencing frequent urination.
Worms – One of the chief causes of cat weight loss, especially in kittens and young cats is worms. Roundworms and hookworms are particularly prevalent and can cause serious health issues and even death if not treated.
Cancer – Unfortunately cancer is often the cause of cat weight loss, and this is particularly true in older cats. Weight loss will often be rapid in the later stages of cancer.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – Also called EPI, this is a pancreatic disorder where the felines pancreas does not create sufficient amounts of enzymes in order to properly process food.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Also known as IBD, this condition relates to the inflammation of the intestine which often times causes loose stools and rapid weight loss.
Because of the seriousness of the above conditions, it is vitally important that in cases of your cat not eating or losing weight that you take your feline companion to see a veterinary professional for proper treatment.
Why Your Cat Losing Weight Is A Serious Matter
There is really only one time when a cat losing weight is not a serious medical issue, and that of course is when you are reducing or changing the cats food in order to deliberately aid in weight loss for an overweight or obese cat. Otherwise, almost all cases of unwanted cat weight loss is a symptom of a medical condition, or is caused by a cat not eating due to stress or environmental reasons. Because cat weight loss is the symptom of a variety of serious feline health issues, it is of the utmost importance to take your cat to a qualified veterinary professional in order to properly diagnose and treat the condition. If you fail to do this, you could be gambling with your cats life. Some of the causes of cat weight loss include:
Feline Diabetes- Diabetes is a possibility when the cat is eating normally, yet is losing weight. In most cases you’ll notice the feline is also drinking excessively and experiencing frequent urination.
Worms – One of the chief causes of cat weight loss, especially in kittens and young cats is worms. Roundworms and hookworms are particularly prevalent and can cause serious health issues and even death if not treated.
Cancer – Unfortunately cancer is often the cause of cat weight loss, and this is particularly true in older cats. Weight loss will often be rapid in the later stages of cancer.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – Also called EPI, this is a pancreatic disorder where the felines pancreas does not create sufficient amounts of enzymes in order to properly process food.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Also known as IBD, this condition relates to the inflammation of the intestine which often times causes loose stools and rapid weight loss.
Because of the seriousness of the above conditions, it is vitally important that in cases of your cat not eating or losing weight that you take your feline companion to see a veterinary professional for proper treatment.