Can a cat lose weight from diarrhea?
Chronic diarrhea – If your cat has diarrhea (and this includes “cow pie consistency” stools as well as liquid stools), food is moving so quickly through the digestive system that the body doesn’t have time to absorb nutrients. The result: weight loss.
What are the symptoms of weight loss in cats?
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting. As you can see, there are far too many possibilities for you to guess about the problem. Your cat should be taken to a veterinarian for testing to determine the cause of any unplanned weight loss.
What causes diarrhea and weight loss in cats?
Otherwise known as worms, intestinal parasites can cause weight loss. Symptoms may not be present, but worms can cause diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, and trouble breathing.
Can a cat have diabetes and still lose weight?
“In the case of diabetes and hyperthyroidism, the appetite would be excessive, but the cat would be losing weight,” says Dr. Lambrecht, who is an American Feline Practitioners Association board member and a member of the Cat Friendly Practice Committee. “With other conditions, the cat would have a poor appetite and would be losing weight.”
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.
“In the case of diabetes and hyperthyroidism, the appetite would be excessive, but the cat would be losing weight,” says Dr. Lambrecht, who is an American Feline Practitioners Association board member and a member of the Cat Friendly Practice Committee. “With other conditions, the cat would have a poor appetite and would be losing weight.”
Why does my cat lose so much weight?
Other things that can cause weight loss in cats include intestinal parasites and dental problems (a cat might avoid eating if her mouth hurts). Cats can be very sensitive and some might lose weight due to stress in the environment (for instance, moving, adopting another cat, or a new baby or roommate in the house).
When to bring your cat to the vet for weight loss?
If you think your cat is losing weight, bring her to the vet as soon as possible. A “wait and see” approach is not a good idea where cat weight loss is concerned. By the time you notice weight loss, the underlying condition might have been going on for quite some time.
Why does my longhaired cat have diarrhea?
However, if the cat is still using the litter box and covering up its feces or defecates outdoors, you may not initially notice diarrhea. Staining and soiling of the fur around the back end in longhaired breeds is often associated with diarrhea.