If you have a healthy adult cat that’s eating well and is not gaining weight, then you have nothing to worry about – it looks like you are able to provide the little guy with enough exercise.
In case you have a kitten or a recently recovered adult cat that is struggling to gain weight, then parasites might be to blame. Kitties also won’t be putting on weight, if they’re spending more calories than receiving – physical activities and stress are the main calorie burners.
Why Cat Not Gaining Weight but Eating Well?
If you have an adult cat that is eating well and is not gaining any weight, then you don’t really have a problem. As long as the kitty is not losing weight, it looks like it is completely healthy – the cat is able to get rid of the calories with the help of exercise and play.
However, if a kitten is struggling to gain weight even though it’s eating really good, then the chances are high that the little guy has parasites.
By the way, if your adult cat also acts as if it is hungry, eats well, but fails to gain weight, then intestinal parasites might be to blame yet again.
Read: Why Cat on Diet Won’t Stop Meowing?
Why Is My Cat So Skinny Even Though She Eats a Lot?
If you are sure that the kitty is eating enough, then the reason why it’s skinny might be because the cat is hyperactive and it simply spends more calories than it takes in.
Another thing that will cause the kitty to burn off a lot of calories is stress. Signs of stress in cats include vomiting, hiding away, changes in temperament, and accidents around the house.
Read: Why Does My Cat Smell Bad All of a Sudden?
Why Is My Cat Losing Weight but Still Acting Normal?
Intestinal parasites can make your cat lose weight. By the way, other symptoms of the condition might not always be present, so your cat can be acting normal.
One more reason why your cat can start to lose weight is simply because it is unable to eat (due to a toothache, for example). Not all owners can notice right away that their kitty is suffering from a dental issue.
Old Cat Losing Weight but Eating Well
There are two common conditions in senior cats that can cause weight loss, even if the kitty has a great appetite.
Diabetes
The condition is caused by a reduced ability to produce the hormone insulin. If the blood tests have shown that your cat is suffering from diabetes, then you would have to supplement the kitty with regular daily injections of insulin.
Hyperthyroidism
If a cat has such a medical condition, then its body would be producing too much of the hormone that controls metabolism. The good news is that hyperthyroidism is manageable.
Other diseases that might make your cat lose weight include pancreatic insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal lymphoma. Some senior cats can also exhibit weight loss in case of organ failure or cancer.
Read: Why Does My Cat Grunt When I Pet Him?
What Can Cause a Cat to Be Underweight?
There are quite a few things that can cause your cat to be underweight:
- Not enough food
- Diabetes
- Feline infectious peritonitis
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Internal parasites
- Stress
- Toothache
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Arthritis
- Failing sense of smell
- Medication
- Age
Underweight Cat Symptoms
Thin and underweight cats will have the following symptoms:
- Thick neck and narrow waist
- Easily visible ribs and pelvic bones
- Absent flank folds
- An obvious abdominal tuck or a slightly tucked abdomen
- An easily felt or seen backbone
What Can I Give My Cat to Help Her Gain Weight?
You should always consult your vet before changing the cat’s diet as its weight issues might be caused by an underlying health condition.
As soon as you have taken the kitty’s medical problem under control, you can start looking for the food that’ll help the little guy with weight gain.
- Find a type of food that the cat is going to like. Kitties can be drawn to a specific flavor, type, or even texture of food.
- Make sure that the chosen food is healthy and nutritious.
- Calculate how much food the cat is going to need. You can simply add 20% to the cat’s resting metabolic needs.
How to Get Kittens to Gain Weight?
- Use kitten canned food – it has more protein and fat than the same food for adults.
- Go for wet food instead of dry food as the former is higher in protein
- You can add fish oil to the kitten’s diet
How to Get My Cat to Eat More?
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your kitty is not experiencing any stress. Its appetite should increase as soon as it starts feeling relaxed and happy.
If you’re offering wet food to the kitty, try warming it up – the food will become more aromatic and the cat’s appetite will get stimulated by the smell.
If nothing seems to be helping, you can ask your vet for some appetite-stimulating medicine.
Read: Why Does My Cat Hiss at Me When I Pick Her Up?
How to Help a Nursing Cat Gain Weight?
High-quality kitten food is generally recommended during feline pregnancy. Ideally, you would want to feed the beauty small portions of food more frequently (4-5 times per day) to promote adequate food intake.
How Long Does It Take for a Cat to Gain Weight?
Weight gain should be a slow and steady process, so it certainly does require some patience.
It would usually take a kitty a few months to reach its ideal weight.
Why Is My Cat Thin at the Back End?
If your cat is healthy, but it’s not a young fluffy ball any longer, then losing weight at its back end is completely normal.
Senior cats will naturally lose some fat and their muscles might not be as toned any longer.
Should You Be Able to Feel Cat’s Spine?
You should be able to feel your kitty’s spine when running your hand down the cat’s back.
However, do bear in mind that the spine should not be visible and knobby – there has to be a layer of fat and muscles between the skin and the spine.
What Is the Most Fattening Cat Food?
Usually, the easiest way out is to go for high-quality kitten food as it is always nutrient- and calorie-dense.
How Do I Know If My Cat Is Eating Enough?
First things first, you should ask your vet how much food the kitty is going to need.
After that, simply monitor the food intake (you should know how much you’re giving the cat and how much the kitty is leaving).
Read: Why Does My Cat Nibble My Fingers?
How Can I Tell If My Cat Has Worms?
- Soft stool or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Blood in stool
How Does an Indoor Cat Get Worms?
One of the most common reasons for weight loss in cats is parasites.
Unfortunately, even strictly indoor cats can get worms as the kitty might come in contact with a flea that is carrying the worm egg (household pests can also harbor the eggs).
Read: Does My Cat Have Fleas?
What Is a Home Remedy for Worms in Cats?
There are a few natural dewormers for cats, but consulting your vet is recommended in any case.Carrots, turmeric, coconut, apple cider vinegar, and chamomile can help you naturally deworm the kitty at home.
