It’s difficult to tell if your cat is obese. Within the U.S., roughly 60 percent of cats are overweight, by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. In the same way, 39 to fifty percent of U.K. cats are overweight by International Cat Care. Since many cats that we see are overweight, even a healthy weight can seem excessively thin to pet owners. It’s also hard to know if your cat is heavy when they have long hair or a bulging belly.
While a cat with a thin body isn’t a reason to make an emergency visit to the vet, If you’re looking at “How to put weight on a cat,” then it’s likely time to do some further analysis.
How Is Thin Too Thin?
Every cat is not in the same way. If you’ve ever considered “my cat is so skinny I can feel her bones,” It’s not always an issue to be concerned about.
Numerous cat breeds appear to be overweight, like the Lykoi cat. This is why there isn’t a universally accepted weight that cats should be able to.
If you’re the owner of an adult cat or kitten, don’t also fret, as cats that aren’t yet fully grown can require a few months to develop into their bodies.
A cat who is of a healthy weight can be seen with a little bit of fat on the bottom of the tail. It also has a noticeable waistline just behind the ribs and an area slightly smaller behind the ribs than the chest.
How Skinny is Too Skinny?
Cats are slim and agile, and pet owners tend to feed them more food than we have to. This is the reason we are more aware of cats being overweight than they are – a shocking 59.5 percent of cats across the U.S. have excess weight! This creates a false notion of what “too skinny” is, and even though it could be a surprise to some, it’s not unusual to be able to sense your dog’s bone.
The cat I have is so thin that I feel her backbones. They’re like the bones in the palm of my hand, and they are there, but they’re not protruding. This indicates a cat with a healthy weight, and if your cat has this feeling, you’re doing a great job!
If, however, her rib bones appear or feel similar to your knuckles, you’ve been taken a step too far. In this case, your cat is not gaining weight and requires additional pounds. Similar is the case with their spine. Feeling bones is expected; however, if the vertebrae appear to be highly noticeable, your cat is slim.
The reasons why your cat is slimmer than you think.
There are many reasons why your pet might be thin or boney. But, it doesn’t always indicate that your pet is sick or dying. Here are the most frequent reasons your cat might be light or losing weight:
Your cat might be becoming old.
A cat might be small and boney as she gets old. Senior cats are more likely to lose their ability to digest and absorb food properly, which results in weight reduction. They also tend to consume smaller portions due to a diminished sense of smell and the loss of teeth.
Your pet might have digestive problems.
It is possible that you are not conscious of it, but your pet might be suffering from digestive issues. Your pet may be suffering from intestinal parasites or food allergies, worms or pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. These diseases can hinder the proper absorption of nutrients digested and absorbed by the body, resulting in a dramatic weight loss.
It could be caused by anorexia.
Cats can develop anorexia or refuse to eat food. Your cat could avoid or become less interested in eating due to environmental factors, food changes, dirty food areas, or a change in routine.
Your pet could be suffering from emotional stress and anxiety.
As humans do pets, your feline companion could be experiencing mental stress, anxiety, and even depression. A few of the causes that could be the cause are losing a beloved animal, loud noises, or conflict in a multi-pet household. Apart from the weight loss, stress-stricken cats may develop aggression, suffer mood swings or be shy and avoid social interactions.
Your cat could be suffering from specific medical ailments.
A cat with a thin, boney body might suffer from a medical issue or a severe condition just beginning to show signs. These diseases include diabetes mellitus, cancer, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and multiple organ failure.
It could be due to their genetic make-up and breed.
Your pet cat could be thin naturally due to its breed and genetic. Different species have slim bodies and can appear unusually small, like that of Siamese, Peterbald, Somali, and the Cornish Rex.
If your cat isn’t neutered or spayed, it is not.
Cats that are not neutered or in good health tend to be thin and lose weight because mating is a source of lots of energy. The cats that have been spayed are more giant and have more muscle mass; they live longer and live longer. They also have a lower chance of developing prostate and testicular cancer.
Causes of Weight Loss in a Skinny Cat
There are two significant reasons for a cat to be skinny either they’re not eating enough or taking in more calories than they’re eating. It could be that they aren’t feeding enough because of stress, dental illness, nausea, stress, or a myriad of other factors. Cats suffering from certain diseases may suffer from weight loss, and this may be the first and sometimes only visible sign that a developing disorder is underlying. The loss of weight could also be due to aging-related loss of digestive function, which may occur in particular elderly cats that are over ten years of age.
Another reason cats may be thin is the inaccessibility to food. If you discover a lost cat who is undernourished, You can call your local shelter or vet to inquire about restoring the cat to a healthy state. They might suggest that you bring them to the vet if possible. Cats that have been adopted should be brought to the vet and screened for any health issues.