Unexplained Weight Loss in Cats: A Symptom That Deserves Attention

In this guide

Cats are experts at hiding illness, but weight loss is hard to hide entirely. If your cat's ribs are becoming easier to feel, or a once snug harness now hangs loose, it is worth investigating rather than putting it down to just being an older cat.

Why weight loss matters more than it seems

Unlike gradual weight loss from a diet change, unexplained weight loss, especially alongside a normal or increased appetite, often points to an underlying medical condition rather than anything behavioural.

Conditions commonly linked to weight loss

• Hyperthyroidism, common in cats over eight years old, often with an increased appetite despite losing weight
• Diabetes, which can also cause increased thirst and urination
• Kidney disease, frequently seen in senior cats
• Intestinal parasites, particularly relevant for cats with outdoor access or those recently adopted from the street
• Dental disease, making eating painful enough to reduce food intake
• Inflammatory bowel disease or, less commonly, cancer

Weighing your cat at home

A kitchen scale works well for this: weigh yourself alone, then weigh yourself holding your cat, and subtract. Doing this monthly builds a useful record, since small, gradual losses are much harder to notice just by looking.

When to see a vet

Any noticeable, unplanned weight loss over a month, or a loss of more than ten percent of body weight at any pace, warrants blood tests and a physical examination. Weight loss combined with increased thirst, increased appetite, vomiting, or lethargy should be checked sooner rather than later.

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