Older Cat Losing Weight But Eating – Why is your senior cat losing weight? A lot changes with age. First, you don’t move as much as you used to, which could be because of arthritic pain or because you tire more easily. Your taste buds also change, and food doesn’t taste as good as it used to. The same goes for cats as they get older.
Cats tend to hide their symptoms when they are not feeling well. This makes it difficult for concerned parents to know what is going on. Regular vet visits help, but you know your cat. You understand the difference between their normal behavior and something to worry about.
Older Cat Losing Weight But Eating
Learn more about possible causes of weight loss in senior cats and take action while you still can.
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This depends in part on the breed and the individual cat. Just like people, cats face age-related problems at different times. Some cats may develop arthritis or other health problems earlier than others. Some cats that are considered “old” look happy and youthful when they are young.
Life expectancy also varies. Statistically, indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. Cats that roam free are exposed to more parasites and diseases than those that stay indoors. They are also dangerous to predators and vehicles.
Psychologically, around the age of 10, a cat’s nutritional needs change. By age 12, they begin to experience age-related physical symptoms. With advances in veterinary care, it’s no wonder cats can live up to 20 years.
Most pets love habits. They are good at eating the same type of food every day, so it is wise to feed them the same food and treats throughout their lives. But when a cat turns 10, it needs something else.
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Experts at the Catonsville Cat Clinic in Maryland say that a mature cat’s energy needs drop by about three percent each year from adulthood to age 10, so they need fewer calories as they age.
“However, once cats reach 10 years of age, their caloric needs increase again,” the clinic says. “It turns out that if they eat the same diet as when they were young, they lose fat, lose muscle and have less energy.
This explains the gradual weight loss if your older cat continues to eat the same food as usual. Many companies make food specially formulated for senior cats.
All cats’ nutritional needs change, but there are other reasons why an older cat may lose weight. Some of them are curable and some are preventable. Be prepared for these changes so you don’t panic.
Cat Weight Loss Information — Association For Pet Obesity Prevention
If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how annoying it can be. Dental and gum disease prevents your senior cat from enjoying food. They don’t want to chew on something hard, which makes the pain worse. Periodontal diseases affect more than just the teeth.
Bacterial plaque on the teeth can cause gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. This condition can be reversed, but the bacteria will multiply if left untreated. This leads to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. This can lead to receding gums, infection and/or tooth loss, sometimes requiring surgery.
As cats age, their immune systems weaken and they also become less resistant to infections. Oral infections can allow bacteria to enter the cat’s bloodstream. This can lead to infection in vital organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Try to avoid these problems when brushing your cat’s teeth. Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for cats. The cat brush has a small bristle head, so it is not intrusive. Toothpaste is attractive to cats, so it is easier for them to accept it. It also contains no foaming material that can cause suffocation.
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Getting your cat to accept brushing is a gradual process. First, let the cat get used to the toothpaste and toothbrush. Don’t let them smell and taste the toothpaste and toothbrush.
Then ask the cat to lick the toothpaste off your finger. Then place it on the side of your mouth. Do this for a week. Since cats like the taste of toothpaste, it’s not too difficult. Then give it to your cat as a favorite treat. You want this process to be a positive experience.
The next step is to apply toothpaste to one of the kittens with your finger. Always follow the gift. Do this every day for about a week. Once your cat learns about the toothpaste, put it on his toothbrush and let him lick it off.
Finally, gently lift the cat’s mouth and place the brush at a 45-degree angle, aiming at the space between the teeth and gums. You have to move quickly before your cat loses patience. Move on to the upper and lower teeth on both sides of the mouth.
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The direction of movement is not important. The main goal is to break the plaque so nothing builds up. Always look for signs of concern, such as blood on the brush, swelling or redness of the gums. If you notice anything interesting, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
If your cat has a toothache, wet food can damage the teeth and gums more easily. There are also delicious paste treats that come in tubes or sachets.
As cats age, they sometimes lose senses such as sight and smell. If your cat is eating less, he may not be able to smell his food. It is not as common as dental problems.
The taste of fish has a stronger smell. If your cat’s sense of smell is simply impaired, a strong-smelling food may be sufficient. Having them on a schedule can also be helpful. If they eat at the same time every day, they may eat out of habit, even if they don’t smell or feel hungry.
Cat’s Not Eating, Lost Sense Of Smell
When a cat gets old, it can no longer take care of itself like it used to. They can also be more interesting and more organized. This results in more hairballs.
When your cat doesn’t shed hair, it clumps together to form hairballs that are scratched out. If you vomit regularly, it can cause weight loss. In some cases, hair loss leads to loss of appetite, which also leads to weight loss.
In 2016 In an article from Cornell University’s Cornell Feline Health Center, the center wrote, “Daily brushing or combing removes loose hair, prevents it from being swallowed and prevents hairballs from forming. Grooming also stimulates blood circulation and sebum production, resulting in healthier. skin. and coat.”
Grooming is especially important for cats with long or thick hair. If your cat is not used to brushing, you may need to start it gradually. Choose a soft-bristled brush, as an older cat’s skin can be thinner and more sensitive. Grooming also creates a bond between you and your cat.
How To Encourage Older Cats To Eat
Worms are parasites that live off the nutrients in your cat’s diet. If your cat is eating regularly but still losing weight, check the stool for worms, hooks, tapeworms or eggs.
If your cat has worms, you will probably see him licking his anus a lot. You can see all the worms coming out of the cat’s rectum. You get some parasites from a stool test.
There are over-the-counter dewormers available, but if you’re not sure which type your cat has, your vet can run a test. They prescribe the appropriate anthelmintic drug for the specific type of parasite.
Without a thorough examination, the cause of your senior cat’s weight loss may not be known. In addition to dental problems and loss of smell, the possibilities are different.
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David A. Williams, MA, VetMB, Ph.D., DACVIM, DECVIM, studied at the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine. Williams published a paper identifying the causes of weight loss in older cats.
Among the most common causes, Williams lists chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and dental problems. He says a veterinarian usually makes the diagnosis through a physical exam or routine lab tests.
There are other unknown causes, such as poor digestion. In these cases, Williams recommends a low-carb, high-protein diet with supplements including prebiotics, probiotics, vitamin E, and antioxidants.
If your senior cat loses a certain amount of weight in a short period of time – regardless of the expected reasons – take him to the vet for a checkup. Rapid weight loss often indicates a larger problem.
Health Issues With Older Cats
Since every cat is different, their aging process may occur at different rates. Slow weight loss is difficult to notice unless you keep a diligent record and regularly check for changes.
A cat is very thin if its ribs are easily visible through the skin. This is easy to see in short-haired cats. If your cat has thick fur, feel the sides of the body to see if there is at least a thin layer of fat covering the ribs.
You will see that your cat has lost weight in the back if you look at the back clearly at the waist behind the ribs.
A low-fat, high-protein diet
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