Do cats get skinnier as they get older?

Actual weight may not change, but a cat can begin to lose muscle mass and tone. Their skin can become thinner, or their hair coat dulls. These are not “normal” changes and should not be dismissed because the cat is aging.

How can you tell if your cat is losing weight?

It’s not always easy to detect weight loss in your cat. The fluff of fur covering most cats can serve as camouflage for weight loss until there is a big change. Unintentional weight loss in cats can be a cause for concern.

What causes a cat to loose a lot of weight?

There are multiple conditions that can cause weight loss in cats. Most will cause other symptoms as well. Liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, viral infections such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) all cause weight loss. Did you find this page useful?

What happens to your cat as he ages?

If you have other animals in the household, you may notice them all undergoing behavioral changes. This is because animals develop a natural pecking order, and as your cat ages, his place in that order may change. The other animals can begin to pick on him. If this becomes a problem, you may need to separate them.

What happens when a senior cat gets confused?

You’ve probably already noticed an increase in catnaps, another indication that your cat is getting a little older. Like most senior animals, aging cats can develop dementia, and from this point on, your cat is at increased risk. It is harder for him to learn new things and adjust to change now, and he may get confused more easily.

How much weight did Holly the cat lose?

She gradually lost weight over the past 6 months. Holly was 11 pounds in June, and only 5 1/2 pounds when this picture was taken in the hospital. Holly died the following afternoon.

How much weight can a 10 pound cat lose?

But a pound weight loss in a 10 pound cat is loss of 10% of the cat’s body weight. That is significant. Too often, I have seen cats brought in for an examination only after they look like the cat to the left and this is MUCH too late! Unfortunately, when you look at your cat, you may not notice early weight loss.

Why does old age cause my cat to lose weight?

Wrong! Old age is not a disease! Old age does not cause feline weight loss, but old age can increase your cat’s risk of acquiring certain feline diseases or a number of problems that cause this illness symptom. But the age itself is not a reason for weight loss.