6 reasons why a cat doesn’t get fat

The weight of a cat depends on age, gender, breed, and the presence of nutrients in the food. An adult yard cat weighs no more than 5 kg, but if the cat is Scottish, then its weight reaches 7 kg or more, a Maine Coon cat weighs up to 10 kg or more. If the cat is young, then its weight can change dramatically, increasing or decreasing depending on its lifestyle: the more active the animal, the faster it sheds the kilos it has gained. In the body of older cats, fat accumulates at a slower rate, so cats over 9 years old look thin. Below we will discuss why the cat is thin, and whether this is really dangerous for his body.

Other pathologies

In addition to the listed pathological conditions of cats, accompanied by lethargy, drowsiness and loss of appetite, the following painful conditions also occur:
disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.

For example, after sterilization or childbirth due to hormonal imbalance, cats become lethargic and inactive.

Pets suffering from diabetes also do not want to move too much. In addition, such cats are constantly thirsty, eat a lot or very little, and often go to the toilet. They experience weight fluctuations, their vision deteriorates, their stomach enlarges, their muscles weaken;

oncological diseases.

One of their symptoms in cats is a lethargic state. Changes in the pet’s well-being are clearly visible: the cat hardly eats, lies down all the time, vomits, and experiences internal bleeding. Such animals have very unpleasant breath, and upon visual examination, swelling and ulcers can be detected on the body;

diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Even an inexperienced owner can easily recognize them. With arthritis, dislocations, sprains, osteochondrosis, fractures and other problems, animals become lethargic, try to eat and move less. Cats' affected joints swell, they limp, rarely sharpen their claws and wash themselves. All movements cause them pain;

complications after surgery.

Usually, in the first three days after the intervention, cats are very lethargic. This condition, in the presence of appetite and thirst, is considered normal.

But, if the animal’s temperature rises, blood or pus begins to ooze from the wound, vomiting or constipation often occurs - you need to contact the clinic as soon as possible. After all, these can be dangerous symptoms of suture dehiscence or suppuration, or the formation of a hernia.

Why is obesity dangerous? Consequences of excess weight

Unfortunately, fat cats are not only cute. Excess weight in pets negatively affects almost all internal organs and systems. One of the common consequences that extra pounds lead to is diabetes. According to statistics, it is diagnosed 3.7 times more often in obese cats than in pets of normal weight.

Other consequences that may occur due to excess weight:

diseases of the musculoskeletal system (the bones, joints and muscles of the animal are not designed for excess loads, which are constantly present in obesity);
increased blood pressure;
high risk of cardiovascular diseases (for example, heart failure);
metabolic disorders;
development of urolithiasis;
digestive system disorders, etc.

All this leaves an imprint on the quality of life of your cat, so it is very important to take care of its health in a timely manner and contact a veterinary clinic.

The main reasons for lack of appetite in a cat

What to do when the cat stops eating? First you need to find out what caused such changes in the animal’s behavior. There are the following main reasons why cats stop eating:

1. Worms.

Very often, cats stop eating if they have various parasites in their bodies, which can cause weakness and painful conditions in the animal. Worms absorb all the nutrients that enter the cat's body along with food, as a result of which it loses interest in food.

2. Low hemoglobin.

If your cat has stopped eating, you should find out if she is anemic. Very often, it is because of this that cats begin to refuse food. In addition, the animal looks lethargic and constantly sleeps.

3. Diabetes mellitus.

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A characteristic manifestation is loss of appetite and thirst. The cat suddenly starts drinking a lot of water. Symptoms are complemented by frequent urination and weight loss.

4. Dental problems.

Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the oral cavity can cause a cat to refuse to eat, as the pain interferes with normal chewing of food.

5. Kidney failure.

The kidneys are directly involved in the processes of purifying the blood and removing toxins from the body. Due to disruptions in the functioning of this organ, a large amount of toxic substances accumulate in the body. Intoxication occurs, which causes loss of appetite.

6. Problems with the pancreas.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which is often very difficult for animals to tolerate. They stop eating and become lethargic. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Often cats that eat spoiled food suffer from pancreatitis.

7. Stomach diseases.

Stomach ulcer is a disease that is often accompanied by loss of interest in food. This disease does not occur very often in cats, but there is still such a possibility. Also, a pet stops eating when infected with intestinal flu.

8. Irritable bowel syndrome.

Cats with this diagnosis eat very little. The mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract swell, which prevents normal digestion of food. As a result, the cat does not want to eat.

9. Poisoning.

When eating poisonous plants or harmful chemicals, the animal may vomit and, as a result, lose its appetite.

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10. Castration.

On the day of surgery and for some time after it, the cat may refuse any food. As soon as the animal recovers from anesthesia and regains consciousness, the appetite will certainly return.

There is even a danger that it will increase significantly, so it is very important during the postoperative period to ensure that the cat does not overeat

11. Stressful situations.

Often cats stop eating due to stress (change of housing, the arrival of a new family member in the house, etc.) By identifying and eliminating the cause of stress, you will help your pet regain its appetite.

12. Dirty dishes.
13. Detergents and cleaning products.

If you use detergents to clean your cat's bowls, be prepared for your cat to stop eating. Your pets' sense of smell is much stronger than ours, so they can smell even the slightest scent.

Diagnostics

Due to the fact that there are many causes of exhaustion in cats, diagnosis is aimed at first excluding the most likely diseases - parasitic diseases, chronic kidney diseases, liver diseases, and food digestion disorders. In addition to a general examination and history taking, the veterinarian will also carry out the following diagnostic measures:

Exclusion of parasites in the intestines using stool examination (for example, flotation).
Complete clinical blood test to rule out anemia and inflammation.
A complete biochemical blood test that will show the functioning of the liver, kidneys, levels of sugar, electrolytes and proteins in the blood.
General clinical urine test - helps assess kidney function, detect infections, loss of protein from the kidneys.
X-ray of the chest and abdominal cavity - to exclude a tumor process, foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, free fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity and assess the size of internal organs.
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - helps to evaluate the structure of the liver, kidneys, and examine the pancreas area. Ultrasound is used to search for tumors and foreign objects in the gastrointestinal tract, and to evaluate intestinal motility.
Trypsin-like immunoreactivity test - used to diagnose certain diseases of the pancreas that lead to impaired digestion and absorption.
Measuring thyroid hormone levels in older cats.
Measurement of bile acid levels to assess liver function.
Colonoscopy is an examination of the inner surface of the intestine with a thin endoscope, in which the condition of the intestinal mucosa is visually assessed, and sections of tissue are taken for analysis.
An exploratory laparotomy is an operation that examines internal organs to make a diagnosis that was not made by other, less invasive tests.

Genetic miniature

Experienced breeders build genetic lines so that one of the main characteristics of the breed - resemblance to a teddy bear - is well developed. The situation is completely different with pets that are bred without permission, pedigrees and prior training in felinological courses. From incorrect crossbreeding you can get Scots with an insufficiently dense physique and a host of other shortcomings. If your cat is not so much thin as miniature, there’s nothing you can do about it: genes take their toll.

One of the common reasons why a Scottish cat is thin, or rather too petite and slender for a Scot, is that its breed is unclean - there are some impurities. The kitten could have been sold as a Scottish one, but it did not grow up quite as expected, because... This kitten is a mixed breed. Or, perhaps, he was born from two parents, one or two of whom had other breeds in the family. If so, then there is no need to try to make the cat fatter. If her ribs are not visible and when palpated the cat does not resemble a washboard, then she has a normal constitution for her genetic type.

Pathological reasons for a cat losing weight

A sudden change in your pet's appetite without reason is a bad sign. Gastrointestinal diseases, oncology or parasites cause terrible suffering to the cat. Without the intervention of specialists, the animal will die. Main pathologies requiring consultation with a doctor:

Thinness is often caused by helminthiasis, that is, infection with worms. It occurs through dirty water, during communication between animals, through dirty objects, the hands of the owner, and also from cats to kittens.
Cancerous tumors are a common cause of weight loss. The pet suffers, but does not have the opportunity to say about it. Unfortunately, many owners do not pay attention to their pet’s mood changes for a long time, so cancer is diagnosed too late.
Many diseases of the digestive system initially manifest themselves as a change in preferences or a complete refusal of food by the cat. For example, pancreatitis.

What to do to prevent obesity

After the operation, the period of adaptation of the body to reduced energy needs takes approximately two to three months, and during this time the cat can gain 30-40% of excess weight.

Therefore, after castration, in order to prevent your cat from becoming obese, you need to:

review your diet;
constantly weigh the cat.

The normal weight of cats is 3.5-4 kg. With obesity, kidney stones appear, the load on the heart increases, urolithiasis, diabetes mellitus, and other disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system develop.

You can assess the cat's condition by palpation, visually, but this method is difficult if you have a long-haired pet. Obesity can be judged when a pet's ribs cannot be felt.

As for the optimal weight, this indicator is individual for each breed. You can find out what the normal weight of a castrated cat should be from the veterinarian who performed the operation. The specialist will also give recommendations regarding postoperative care and further diet of the mustachioed pet.

Is a cat thin or plump - how to determine the norm?

For purebred purrs, a standard is prescribed, which provides detailed characteristics of the mustache and the boundaries of the minimum and maximum body weight, as well as height. If you are the happy owner of a mongrel or yard pet, then you will need to carefully examine and palpate your favorite creature:

Position your pet so that the front legs are level and the hind legs are at a slight angle, moving more towards the tail.
Feel the antennae's ribs and spine. If the spine is smooth without excessive convexities and only the outer ribs are felt to the touch, then this is normal.
Feel the pelvic area - the croup should be smooth, and the joint bones should not protrude much.
It is considered normal if the pet’s belly sags a little or is tucked up. When moving, a fold appears in the abdominal area.
If a slight layer of fat is felt on the chest and abdomen, then this is quite normal.
In the cold season, there may also be small layers of fat on the sides and this is good.

If you clearly see protruding ribs, pelvic bones, spine, a large depression in the peritoneum, and in the area of the forearms, chest and hind limbs the muscles seem to be hanging down, then the cat is clearly underweight.

Many owners believe that their fluffies are too thin, but it is important to understand that some breeds are characterized by such a constitution. These mustaches usually have a good muscular corset and a good appetite.

It is important to understand that all mustaches are individual and you should not compare your favorite with your neighbor’s.

When is it time to sound the alarm?

Cats begin to worry about being thin if:

the cat eats a lot and often, but does not gain weight, it is too light and small for its breed (thin cats do not gain weight);
the spine can be traced visually (the ridge literally protrudes outward);
the pelvic bones and ribs protrude, their movement is clearly noticeable when the cat moves;
the cat’s breath smells unpleasant (obviously, the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, the kidneys and liver are not functioning properly, plaque or caries may have formed on the teeth);
there is no fat layer on the chest and back area, only bone;
the cat does not show usual attention to toys, sleeps constantly;
the animal has loose stools (if mucus, blood, or undigested parts of food are found in the stool, consult a doctor);
yellowness or excessive pallor of the mucous membranes is observed, they become gray in color (most likely, weight loss is due to problems with the liver and kidneys);
more fluid is released from the eyes, nose and mouth than usual, especially when an unpleasant odor appears, a change in the color of the animal’s tears and saliva;
the temperature rises (hot nose, the cat is lethargic, to check the temperature it is enough to use a regular thermometer);
the stomach is sunken, hard, tense.

The silhouette of an emaciated cat resembles an hourglass.

When the described signs appear, the animal is weighed (to do this, just place it in a bag and use a steelyard or in a cardboard box, cover the top with something and put it on a regular floor scale).

If the cat always eats well, but is very thin, weighs 1 kg or more less than it should, contact a veterinarian. It is first necessary to take weight measurements for several weeks in a row to make sure that there really is a reason for concern (cats are thin and do not gain weight for various reasons, but most often due to illness).

Normal weight

On average, an adult animal should weigh from 3 to 8 kg. Such a cat drinks a lot of fluids, eats, and leads an active life.

The doctor determines the degree of fatness based on the following criteria:

Exhaustion - the cat has no subcutaneous layer, protruding ribs, a retracted abdomen, and a thin, dense tail.
Disadvantage - bones and ribs are visually visible, but there is already a small amount of fat. The cat's figure resembles an hourglass.
The ideal is the presence of a thin subcutaneous layer, the ribs are not visible, but can be easily felt, the body size is proportional.
Excess – under a thick layer of fat it is almost impossible to feel the bones. If you look at the cat from above, the back appears broad.
Dangerous excess - bones cannot be felt, folds are present on all parts of the body.

The animal has been spayed (neutered)

There is an opinion that weight problems begin after surgery to remove the gonads. But this does not mean that it is worth torturing the animal and tolerating its behavior during sexual hunting. You just need to take some preventive measures:

feed the cat after sterilization strictly at the rate recommended by the food manufacturer;
Weigh your pet weekly and record the result;
if necessary, adjust the rate downwards.

Practice shows that with a normal diet and sufficient physical activity, most sterilized cats remain in good physical shape for many years. While with improper feeding and a sedentary lifestyle, even an animal with preserved reproductive function can quickly gain weight.

Signs that should alert you

Having noticed a hint of exhaustion in your pet, the owner needs to take a closer look at the presence of other signs. If the cat is very thin, what should you do in this situation? If exhaustion is a consequence of the disease, then other signs will certainly be observed. The owner should be alert to the following symptoms:

Decreased appetite, refusal to feed. With dental diseases and stomatitis, the cat approaches food, but does not eat or eats little.

Bad breath. This phenomenon is observed both in diseases of the oral cavity and in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver.

The pet's apathetic state, lethargy, decreased motor activity, the animal spends a long time sleeping.

Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and other digestive problems. Blood, mucus, and undigested food particles are signs of a serious gastrointestinal disease.

Pale or icteric mucous membranes. May indicate problems with the liver and kidneys.

What should the owner do?

Every owner begins to worry when his beloved pet refuses his previously favorite treats. Bad thoughts begin to come into your head, and you want to somehow find out the reasons for this behavior of your furry friend.

In cases where there is no cause for concern, the owner simply needs to surround his pet with care

It is also important to be careful about what you feed your cat. Poor quality food will repel it, and the animal will go on a hunger strike.

If there is a sudden change in food and the cat immediately stops eating, it is recommended to try gradually introducing new food into its diet. It is possible that the problem lies in the dishes from which the pet eats. When the owner decides to please his mustachioed friend with a new bowl, he may not think about how convenient it will be to eat from it.

It is better not to traumatize the animal’s psyche by frequent changes of environment, at least the one in which it spends the most time. It is better to make the feeding area as comfortable as possible so that nothing blocks access to food.

When it comes to pet illnesses, it is recommended to immediately contact a veterinarian. You should not self-medicate. This may seem harmless, but it can actually cause dire consequences. Without the help of a veterinarian, it will not be possible to give your pet the correct diagnosis, because he himself is not able to specifically indicate the sources of pain.

Often cats and female cats refuse to eat because they are stressed after sterilization or castration. In such a situation, the owner can do little to help his pet except to surround him with affection, warmth and care. This will help the animal recover faster, and then the appetite will return to normal.

Felines are very unpredictable; one minute they can actively sit in front of their owner and beg for a piece of treat from the table, and the next they arrogantly turn away without even sniffing it. You don't have to start panicking immediately after this. Perhaps the cat simply lost his appetite. But if this behavior continues for a long time, the cat owner should be wary. Animals can't talk, so they won't tell you what's bothering them.

The article is for informational purposes only. Contact your veterinarian!

Determining the norm

Before we understand what to do, let's understand what a skinny Scottish cat or skinny Scottish cat is. Many owners suffer that their animal is not fat enough, although, in fact, its weight is within the normal range. So first, check out the normal weight chart for a Scottish cat. Of course, you need to pay attention not only to weight, but also to height: what is a lot for one animal, is not enough for another. But the general rule is this: if a cat’s pelvic bones and ribs are visible, you should sound the alarm and solve the problem urgently.

Well, now let's look at the main reasons why the Scottish cat is thin.

What to do

A pet will not lose weight immediately, and therefore the owner may not notice the changes for a long time. As a result, the problem becomes obvious when the cat has lost a lot of weight.

It is advisable to immediately show the cat to a veterinarian. If this cannot be done, then the animal is provided with a quiet and calm place. He may meow restlessly, then he can be given a light sedative “Cat Bayun” or “Stop-Stress”.

Do not try to force feed an animal. You can try offering another food, for example, baby meat puree. The owner should not rely on the condition of the nose. Even if it is wet, this is not an indicator of health.

You should immediately take your cat to the vet if the following symptoms occur:

heat;
loss of consciousness;
apathy;
frequent vomiting.

The veterinarian will examine the pet, do tests and prescribe treatment.

Important! In case of intestinal obstruction, urgent surgery is needed, since without it the animal will die

Why do cats get fat after castration?

On thematic forums there are often questions: “Why does a cat begin to gain excess weight after castration?”, “What to feed a castrated cat?”. Let's try to answer these questions and consider the reasons that lead to excess weight gain.

After castration or sterilization, the hormonal levels in animals change. Metabolic changes occur in the body, which can lead to overeating and decreased energy. After the operation, metabolism slows down, and after a while the behavior of males changes. The cats become calmer, more peaceful, and even, in some ways, lazy.

It is due to decreased energy and increased appetite that neutered cats gain excess weight. Overeating often provokes obesity and endocrinological pathologies.

At risk are cats that live in a confined space, do not go for walks, as well as pets that are prone to obesity or suffer from chronic endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus).

Owners often notice that after the operation, the active, inquisitive cat has become less energetic, lazier, and calmer. At the same time, the pet rarely takes part in active games, is not interested in toys and constantly meows, begging for the next portion of food or favorite treats. This behavior could actually be a consequence of castration.

Therefore, so that the pet does not gain excess weight and does not turn into a beefy fat hulk, after castration, in addition to proper care, it is very important to adjust the diet. Otherwise, obesity cannot be avoided in 65-70% of cases

Health problems as a cause of weight loss

Dysbacteriosis. Some pets have metabolic problems from birth, while others suffer from it due to poor quality nutrition. In such a situation, it is necessary to adjust the cat’s menu and add vitamins and probiotics to it. The doctor will help you determine which probiotics your mustache needs after passing the tests.
Presence of microparasites. Deworming needs to be done regularly.
Dental problems. Inflammatory processes in the gums and tartar cause discomfort and the cat (even a hungry one) refuses treats. Here you need the help of a specialist.
Oncology. Neoplasms in internal organs have a bad effect on a cat's health. If you don’t understand why your domestic cat is thin and not getting better, then first of all rule out the presence of tumors and do an ultrasound.
Presence of internal diseases and infections. In addition to emaciation, your pet may experience other symptoms: vomiting, fever, change in stool, refusal of treats, etc. - all this signals some kind of pathology (disease of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, etc.). At the same time, the cat may have “caught” an infection - panleukopenia, viral hepatitis, etc. Timely diagnosis is necessary here. Curing the disease will lead to weight gain.

How to use diet therapy?

In veterinary pharmacies, clinics and pet stores, it is easy to find the following most well-known therapeutic diets:

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline OM Obesity (Overweight);
Hill's Prescription Diet Prescription Diet Metabolic Feline
Royal Canin Obesity Management Dp42;
Monge VetSolution Cat Obesity.

Veterinary diets typically come in both dry and wet varieties, and you can choose whichever option suits you best or combine them. The main thing is to follow feeding standards and categorically exclude all types of food or treats from the cat’s diet. A diet is a diet!

When doctors are asked what to do if a cat is getting fat and nothing helps, then the problem in almost 100% of cases turns out to be a violation of the diet. Diet therapy is a treatment, and this is how it should be treated, seriously and responsibly. And remember: excess weight and obesity are not “figure” flaws, but a disease that causes suffering to the animal and can lead to dire consequences.

What to look for when buying a Scottish Fold cat

You can buy Scottish Folds through advertisement sites, at an exhibition or in a certified nursery.

The price of a kitten depends on many factors, including the region (in the capital the cost is often higher) and pedigree. The class of the animal also has a significant impact. So, “pet” is a cat for the soul, which has no chance of a show career or participation in breeding. The price for such animals is lower, and they are usually sterilized. The next class is “breed”. These cats are potential breeders from whom you can expect worthwhile offspring. And finally, the most expensive class is “show”. These animals have every chance to compete for prizes at exhibitions. Moreover, such a high status must be confirmed not just by words, but by exhibition certificates.

Another important point is the health of the future pet. Therefore, when choosing, you should carefully examine the kitten. Severe thinness, bald patches, fleas, and an overly swollen abdomen may indicate improper care and dishonesty of the breeder. In addition, some behavioral features of Scottish Folds may be signs of a genetic disease that affects bone and cartilage tissue. So, if the paws and tail are inactive, and the kitten itself cannot run and jump normally, it is better to refrain from purchasing it.

Pay attention to your parents too. One of them, and possibly both, must be straight-eared (Scottish Straight). If both the cat and the cat have floppy ears, their offspring are almost guaranteed to be unhealthy

If both the cat and the cat have floppy ears, their offspring are almost guaranteed to be unhealthy.

As for documents, upon purchase you must be given a sales contract, a veterinary passport with vaccination marks and a birth certificate. Based on the latter, you can draw up a pedigree yourself.

A very thin cat: signs of exhaustion

Weight loss in pets remains invisible to owners until a certain time, especially if the cat is covered with long hair. Some active animals maintain a slim figure for the rest of their lives, so it is important to understand the difference between physiological moderate thinness, or, as they say, leanness (when the animal has a small layer of subcutaneous fatty tissue) and a pathological condition.

Normal thinness

For example, many owners are concerned about why a neutered cat is thin and not gaining weight. However, in most cases, there is no reason to worry, there is simply a myth that after castration the animal must certainly gain weight, and if it remains the same weight, then this is a sign of illness.

Normally, a cat's waist is clearly visible. The ribs and pelvic bones are not externally distinguishable, but they are easy to feel. You can feel a thin layer of fat under the skin of the chest and abdomen with your fingers.

When is it time to sound the alarm?

When an animal is severely exhausted and dehydrated, they speak of cachexia - a state of extreme exhaustion of the body. A cat with cachexia has thin limbs, the fur becomes dull and disheveled, the stomach is retracted, the ribs and protrusions of the pelvic bones are clearly visible.

The fat layer in the chest area is very thin or cannot be felt at all, and is absent in the abdominal area. In this condition, the muscles atrophy, the pet becomes less energetic, and sometimes the weakness is so severe that the cat is not able to cope with its physiological needs in the usual way.

Cachexia can develop gradually, over a long time, or rapidly - it all depends on the disease that caused it.

How to notice the “decrease” of your pet in time?

A cat is a relatively small animal. True, giant cats, representatives of certain breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll or Pixie Bob, can weigh even 10-12 kg, but the weight of most domestic Murzik ranges from 2.5 to 7 kg.

With such a “featherweight”, it is sometimes difficult to notice the weight loss of a cat - we can easily lose sight of a loss of 400 grams. Although, at first glance, it seems that this is not enough, it is worth understanding that this is often up to 10% of the pet’s body weight! It's no secret that an early detected disease is much easier to cure. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor the weight of your beloved four-legged friend.

Why do cats get fat after castration?

It is due to decreased energy and increased appetite that neutered cats gain excess weight. Overeating often provokes obesity and endocrinological pathologies.

At risk are cats that live in a confined space, do not go for walks, as well as pets that are prone to obesity or suffer from chronic endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus).

Ways to fatten a cat

The word “fattening” itself allows for some ambiguity. It is necessary to distinguish between different understandings of this concept from the very beginning. If you want to fatten up your cat by increasing its fat layer, then you can easily do this - just focus on foods with a high fat content. Of course, such a diet will sooner rather than later hit your pet’s liver. Cats' bodies are not designed for such unlimited fat consumption.

A fat cat will never become a happy cat, even if it pleases the owner's eye

A view of fattening as restoring the health of a cat and bringing its digestion back to normal requires the development of a balanced diet, which at first will take into account the narrowed stomach of an exhausted pet. Otherwise, the diet of a fattened cat is no different from the diet of an ordinary healthy cat.

Additional help for the body

Since sometimes, with advanced emaciation, a cat experiences a pathological change in eating behavior, sometimes before fattening it is necessary to awaken the pet’s interest in food. For such purposes, there are several special recommendations:

Vitamins

Take care to provide your cat with the necessary vitamin complex, which will help restore balance to the body and accumulate nutrients that it has been denied for a long time. Pay special attention to vitamin C. In veterinary pharmacies it is sold in the form of pills. If your pet is neutral towards the tablets, you can give him the whole vitamin.

Cats consume vitamins extremely reluctantly

If the cat resists, you can crush the dragee into powder and mix it with water. The resulting solution should be drawn into a syringe and poured into the cat’s mouth. It is also possible to dissolve the crushed dragee in minced meat;

Beneficial bacteria

Give your cat lacto- and bifidobacteria half an hour before each meal. Thanks to lactic acid, these bacteria will cope with their harmful “colleagues” that have accumulated in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract during the period of dysbacteriosis.

Bifitrilak and other probiotics will help your pet’s intestines work

In addition, lactobacilli take part in increasing immunity, which is useful for both sick and healthy animals. Pribiotics that have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora and the body as a whole include Bifitrilak, Enterol, Zoonom, Subtilis and others;

Weight gain on dry food

Select your feed carefully. During periods of exhaustion, the pet’s digestive tract is especially sensitive to low-quality formulations replete with chemical additives. Therefore, it is advisable to please cats that are gaining weight with premium food and higher, which often already includes some vitamin supplements and coarse fibers that normalize intestinal function.

Dry food brands typically create special lines for pets that are gaining weight.

Specialized feed

High-end dry food has a line called Gastro Intenstinal - this is what should interest the owner. There are also canned food from the Royal Canin brand, called Rekoveri, which can be fed even through a tube in cases where the animal is not able to consume food on its own.

Royal Canin Cat Gastro Intestinal food

All these dry foods are close in composition to natural food, compressed and dried. Thus, the first places in food labeled Gastro Intenstinal include meat, high-quality offal, cereals, dairy products and carbohydrates - each of these components helps the cat maintain strength and immunity at the proper level. The pet can receive all these products in their original form on a natural diet, but dry food thinks out in advance the correct ratio of ingredients.

Canned Royal Canin Cat Gastro Intestinal for kittens

Each dry food manufacturer sets its own daily intake. As a rule, it is written on the packaging or indicated on the measuring cup included with the food. You should never increase the dose if you think your pet is malnourished and the doses are too small. The volume of granules poured does not depend on the degree of satiety. More doesn't mean better. All that is required of the owner is to comply with the limits and monitor the condition of the pet.

Excess food is more likely to lead to digestive problems in your pet than to weight gain

Gaining weight on a natural diet

If you do not have experience in creating a diet consisting of natural products, it is strongly recommended to use the knowledge of a veterinarian. We all know that cats willingly eat raw meat, drink milk and savor fish, but not everything is so simple. From allergies to parasite infestations, the natural menu has its pitfalls.

With a properly formulated diet, natural food is an ideal option for every cat.

But once you accustom your pet to a certain diet, you will be freed from the need to constantly make some changes. Cats are very strict when it comes to nutrition and tend to carry certain eating habits throughout their lives. They remain loyal to certain food categories, be it eggs or watermelon, and eat every portion with pleasure.

Recommendations

As already mentioned, emaciated individuals often experience a decrease in stomach size, which is why such cats may not be able to cope with the most standard portions. At first, give your pet food at short intervals, but in small quantities. This way he can gradually adapt his stomach to the new nutrition system.

Exhausted cats' stomachs take time to return to normal.

When creating a diet for your pet, use the following tips:

Any piece of meat, even beef tenderloin, is carefully inspected for parasite eggs and small scraps of bone, which the pet risks injuring its esophagus.
It is advisable to avoid raw meat altogether, giving your cat boiled pieces. This way you will protect the selected pieces as much as possible; A diet of raw meat is not recommended in all cases.
It is advisable to grind the cereals thoroughly and cook longer, as this will make it easier for your pet to digest this product.
You can read everywhere about the benefits of cereals for cats as the main source of fiber. At the same time, the fact is often omitted that various cereals are the most difficult foods for both human and cat digestion; It is advisable to introduce cats to cereals from a young age.
It is acceptable to give cats milk, but in very limited quantities.
A huge number of myths are associated with cats’ love for milk, but cats’ stomachs are not adapted to digest lactose. Only kittens in the first weeks of life are shown milk (mother's milk). With excessive consumption of dairy products, cats may experience diarrhea, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms of lactose intolerance. One bowl of milk per week is enough for your pet, if characteristic symptoms do not appear after drinking it; Lactose intolerance does not prevent cats from loving milk

Vegetables containing large amounts of B vitamins are reluctantly accepted by cats as food. To increase their interest, you can mix minced meat with vegetable puree. It is not recommended to stew vegetables, because when they boil, they release all their beneficial substances. Pay attention to tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, zucchini. Potatoes and beets, which are poorly digestible by animal stomachs, should be avoided.

Not all vegetables are well digested by the cat’s body.

Why is the kitten thin and growing poorly?

Immediately after birth, the body's systems have not yet matured and learned to work at full capacity. That is why any minor violation can lead to serious consequences. A thin kitten is not such a rare occurrence, often leading to developmental delays and death of the animal. For what reasons can a baby develop malnutrition?

Non-infectious factors

Thinness can appear from the first days of a baby’s life, or it can develop during the first months.

The reasons can be exogenous (external), which include insufficient supply of nutrients (the mother does not have enough milk, little food, poor quality food) and endogenous (internal).

If a baby is born weaker than his brothers and sisters, especially with a large litter, he may simply not get enough food. Sometimes a difficult birth results in the kitten simply not being able to suckle milk normally. In the absence of timely help from their owners, such babies quickly die.

Thin kitten does not gain weight due to helminths

The remaining reasons why a kitten is thin lie in the area of diseases introduced from outside.

Here, the first place is taken by helminth infection, which occurs in almost all kittens whose mothers have not undergone appropriate treatment or the treatment has not been completed.

Such a kitten eats a lot, but is still thin, while its tummy can be dense and enlarged, and indigestion often occurs. Clusters of worms clog the small intestines, and intoxication due to their waste products can kill the baby.

Infectious causes of thinness

The second common cause is infectious diseases. The antibodies of the vaccinated mother are able to protect the kitten, transmitted through milk, and at 2.5 months he himself should receive the first vaccination. But the vaccination schedule may go wrong, immunity may not be fully formed, and there are not vaccines for all diseases. Viral and bacterial infections are a very common cause of thinness and death of kittens.

Characteristic symptoms of diseases

Exhaustion is only a concomitant symptom that is common to many diseases. In addition to malnutrition and internal malformations, weight loss in kittens occurs very quickly and can be caused directly by: - frequent vomiting; - diarrhea; - refusal to feed; - general intoxication of the body.

All these problems are typical for almost any infectious disease. Moreover, not only is the kitten very thin and not getting better, but other symptoms are added to this.

This explains why the kitten eats poorly or refuses to eat at all. Lack of appetite is accompanied by a rapid deterioration of the condition - the baby stops playing, and his body temperature approaches 39°C and higher. Unfortunately, in this case there is a very high probability of death.

Chronic form

If the kitten is very thin - does not grow, lags behind its healthy peers in development, but the above symptoms manifest themselves weakly (the eyes are a little watery, slight discharge from the nose, etc.), then perhaps the disease is chronic.

The most dangerous cat disease with similar manifestations is coronavirus infection, especially when it causes infectious peritonitis. In its wet form, the kitten has a large belly and is thin when viewed from above or touches the spine.

The abdominal cavity is soft, slightly painful, and fills with fluid due to the inflammatory process.

How to understand why a kitten is thin?

Symptoms can develop rapidly, quickly leading to serious illness and even death. That is why, with any manifestations of exhaustion, especially if it is accompanied by other signs, the pet needs to be helped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAASLCqhw1w

The diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian after examination, temperature measurement and ordering a number of tests, which may include blood tests, stool tests, smears for polymerase chain reaction, and rapid tests for some infectious diseases.

Only after finding out the cause can we consider the possibility of full treatment of the animal; before this, a severely exhausted baby can only alleviate the condition with the help of infusion therapy and the introduction of nutrient solutions.

This is also a very important point, since nutrients in a small organism quickly deplete their supply, glucose in the blood drops sharply and can drop to critical values, which is dangerous for the life of the animal.

Cat worm disease

Worms or helminthic diseases are most common among cats. Owners of their pets should clearly understand that helminthic diseases can occur even if your pets have not left your apartment. They can become infected with existing parasitic worms through eggs of various helminth infections brought from the street on the soles of their shoes. Cats during walks, in close contact with the environment, expose themselves to the danger of becoming infected with helminth eggs, which are found in large numbers on various objects. A particularly great danger in this regard is provided by the direct contact of your cat with other homeless, stray animals. Being essentially predators, cats never refuse raw fish or meat offered to them, which in our time of market relations can be infected with helminthic infestation. Some types of worms cause characteristic, pronounced symptoms of helminthic disease. With severe infestation, the cat loses a lot of weight, even with a good appetite. A sick cat vomits (vomiting in cats), sometimes with blood, and gastrointestinal tract disorder (diarrhea) appears (diarrhea in cats). Kittens infected in utero may die from blockage or rupture of the small intestine. In young cats we note anemia and gastrointestinal disorders. Other worms, hiding in the muscles or liver of a cat for a long period of time, do not show themselves in any way. Taking into account the above, cat owners need to carry out preventive deworming with anthelmintic drugs. For more information about worms, see our article - worms in cats.

Cat affected by ectoparasites. Very often, our cats suffer from diseases that are caused by various parasites that live both outside and inside the animal’s body. Ectoparasites—fleas, lice, and ticks—settle on the skin of cats.

Fleas are wingless insects with a body flattened on the sides. Only adult individuals parasitize the body of cats; the larvae live in the environment. Fleas are extremely prolific - each female lays 25 eggs daily, which fall down, accumulating on the litter, in the cracks of wooden floors, on carpets, etc. After hatching from the eggs, the larvae, after going through a series of changes, turn into adults, which, when they meet a cat, settle in her fur and switch to a parasitic lifestyle. They bite him and drink his blood; as a result of severe flea infestation, the cat loses weight. The presence of fleas in an animal can be indicated by the presence of small black crumbs on the cat’s body.

Oncological diseases. Like other types of domestic animals, cats are prone to cancer. Moreover, the majority of neoplasms identified in cats are malignant in nature, so this pathology requires complex treatment in a modern veterinary clinic by an experienced veterinary specialist.

A malignant tumor in a cat occurs as a result of a malfunction of DNA molecules, which are a repository of information and are present in every cell of the cat.

A malignant tumor, as it grows, increases in size and begins to grow into the healthy tissue of the affected organs, causing inhibition of their function.

The clinical picture of cancer in a cat depends on the organ affected by cancer, the stage of the disease and the general condition of the cat. For many years, the neoplasm in a cat cannot be externally manifested in any way. Symptoms of the disease in an animal may be vague and unclear.

Prevention

To prevent the development of infectious diseases, pets must be vaccinated. Even if they live in an apartment and do not go outside, they have a risk of becoming infected.

The veterinarian conducts an examination and prescribes additional examination.

Living conditions play an important role in maintaining the health of a cat. Adequate, high-quality nutrition is a guarantee of high immunity. Pets should not be fed from the table or given human food.

To prevent the cat from getting bored, they constantly play with it and teach it different tricks. Such activities will tax her intellect and she will not get bored. If you need to move or create another stressful environment, you should first give the animal a mild sedative.

If a cat lives in an apartment, it is still treated for parasites with appropriate means every six months.

When you notice the first signs of thinness, it is better to contact a veterinarian. Only he will be able to correctly determine the cause of the condition and prescribe treatment.

How to help your pet get better?

If the cause of weight loss is a disease, then it should be treated under the supervision of specialists. In other cases, a selection of high-energy foods can help, which will help build muscle and a small layer of fat.

Beef meat.
Boiled liver (beef, chicken).
Chicken yolk – 2 times a week.
Boiled oatmeal.
Cartilage jelly.
Low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt.
Energy supplements from the pet store - drops, pills, powders.

Low appetite

Do you offer your cat good food, but she still doesn't eat well? There are different reasons for poor appetite. These are worms, which will be discussed below. This is also stress. This includes teething. These are behavioral problems: read about them here.

But most often, poor appetite is observed in uncastrated cats and unsterilized cats during rutting periods: then the desire to eat fades into the background or may practically disappear. And if estrus is frequent or the cat’s sexual desire is not systematically satisfied, then the endless rut can exhaust the body. If you plan to castrate an animal, then after the operation (about 1 month) the pet’s body will be rebuilt - and its appetite will become excellent.

Physiological causes of weight loss

Presence of offspring. If the pet has become a nursing mother, then she will have a strong appetite, but at the same time she may lose weight, especially if there were a lot of babies in lambing. After finishing feeding, mommy will immediately begin to recover.
Anxiety. When a change of residence occurs or a pet does not see its owners for a long time, it experiences stress, which can affect its body weight, even if it eats well.
Mating season. This point especially applies to those mustaches who have access to the street. In the spring, when they are looking for a mate, there is a big waste of energy and the fluffies in love lose weight.
Hunger and change of usual food. If for some reason your pet is starving, then she will certainly lose weight, but a change in food can also affect her weight. Very often, when switching from a natural diet to commercial food, fluffies begin to lose weight because they do not accept the new food. In this case, there is no need to rush - do everything gradually and add food in small portions to the overall diet. When switching to another food that is unusual for the animal, be sure to monitor its weight.
Age. Older pets lead a less active lifestyle, eat less and, as a result, lose weight (here it is important to exclude age-related cat diseases from a veterinarian).

My cat is obese: will diet help?

Against the background of increased physical activity, diet therapy is the only effective way to lose weight. No magical and safe diet pills have been invented - both for people and for cats. At the same time, unlike humans, cats are strictly contraindicated from starving, so the task becomes more difficult, but nevertheless it can be solved quite successfully.

It is best to consult a doctor and put the animal on a special veterinary diet, which is available in the range of some medicinal food brands. Such diets usually have the words Obesity or Overweight in their names.

They contain a reduced amount of fat (the main source of energy for carnivores), an average level of protein, but still sufficient to maintain muscle mass, and a large amount of fiber, which is not digested, contains no calories, but creates a feeling of satiety.

Also, such diets include a specially selected complex of vitamins and minerals, as well as additional substances that affect metabolism.

How to fatten your pet

If the cause of underweight lies in improper feeding, then correcting the situation is not so difficult. If the cat is thin, what to feed the animal to gain weight as quickly as possible - this is the question owners ask veterinary specialists. After the doctor has ruled out infectious and chronic diseases, it is necessary to first correct nutritional issues. To correct the situation, it is often enough to start feeding the cat according to the norm.

The quality of feed is of no small importance. Of course, no cheap mass-market mixtures will be suitable for solving the problem. To fatten your pet, you need proven super-premium food. Their compositions are balanced in the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and also have a full range of essential vitamins and minerals.

If your cat is very thin, what can you do to get it in shape? When feeding natural products, attention should be paid not only to the quantity, but also to the quality of the products. First of all, the animal’s diet should contain meat. Preference should be given to lean beef and turkey. The share of meat in the diet should be at least 50%.

For normal digestion, you should definitely give your cat vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, turnips. The source of carbohydrates necessary for fattening the animal are cereals, which contain buckwheat and rice groats.

Safe and dangerous symptoms of cat weight loss

If your cat is eating normally but is losing weight, then you should not worry. Loss of appetite may be accompanied by the following harmless symptoms:

The cat moves a lot and plays often.
A pet at an advanced age leads a measured and sedentary lifestyle.
Diarrhea, but not more than two days, is a sign of mild poisoning of the animal.
Stress caused by a number of factors. After a few days everything will be restored.

It should also be noted that many owners forget to check the weight standards for their pet, taking into account its breed and age.

Dangerous symptoms with a good appetite

The presence of blood in a cat's stool should alert the owner.

Lethargy and apathy;
blood and strange impurities in the urine;
absence of stool or reduction in stool;
frequent diarrhea;
bloating.

As mentioned above, helminths, as well as internal and infectious diseases, may be to blame.

Treatment

In case of physiological reasons, no measures should be taken . But if there is a pathology, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

The cat must be shown to a veterinarian, who will order an examination, blood and stool tests, and x-rays. Once the picture becomes clear, the doctor may prescribe:

medicines;
vitamin supplements;
change of diet;
change of activity mode.

Complete refusal to eat

Complete refusal to eat, reluctance to drink water, constant lethargy of a pet is a serious reason to consult a doctor. But sometimes such symptoms accompany severe stress.

In this case, the cat should not be disturbed for a couple of days; perhaps the animal just needs to be in peace and quiet. If the cat's condition does not change after some time, the visit to the clinic cannot be postponed, otherwise the animal may die.

Algorithm of the owner’s actions in case of complete refusal of food:

Provide your pet with a comfortable, quiet resting place away from drafts.
Place a bowl of clean water next to the bed.
Organize regular ventilation of the room.
Protect the cat from contact with household members and other pets.
Monitor the condition carefully, and if the condition worsens, take it to a veterinarian.

Physiology

At different periods of its existence, a cat moves differently. The resulting calories from a small kitten are spent on the growth of bones and muscles; the remaining calories are required for play.

The body of older cats may dry out due to age and for some other reasons, including:

illnesses and stress;
lack of vitamins;
lost teeth;
parasites.

Owners of older cats should closely monitor their condition and take them to the veterinarian if necessary.