How to Stop Weight Loss in Cats

There may be reasons your cat is losing weight---such as getting more exercise or through the natural process of aging---that are not reasons to worry. However, weight loss in cats can also be signs of serious illnesses such as hyperthyroidism, dental problems, diabetes and even cancer. If you've recently gone through a transition---a move to a new home, the loss or addition of a family member, human or animal---your cat may be eating less because of stress. There are several steps you can take to ensure you cat doesn't lose too much weight.

Things You'll Need

  • High quality cat food
  • Canned fish
  • Meat-based baby food
  • Chicken broth
  • Shallow feeding dish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your cat to the veterinarian for a complete check-up, worm check and blood test. You need to rule out the possibility of any underlying medical issues being the cause of the weight loss.

    • 2

      Make an appointment to get your cat spayed/neutered. The constant hormone fluctuations in unaltered cats contribute to weight loss, as well as undesirable behaviors and the possibility of an unwanted litter of kittens.

    • 3

      Switch to a better brand of cat food. Choose foods that that are high in protein, fatty acids and that include the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain cat health.

    • 4

      Feed your cat a couple of meals a day rather than one large meal. You might also consider free-feeding, or leaving food available at all times, if your cat is losing weight.

    • 5

      Encourage your cat to eat. Cats often get into a cycle where they stop eating or eat too little. Getting a cat started back on a regular feeding cycle is often all that is necessary to stop weight loss. Try heating your cat's meals. A cat's appetite is stimulated by the odor of the food and warmed foods release more aromas. Add the juice of canned fish over the food to attract the cat to the smell of the meal. Meat-based baby foods or chicken broth poured over canned or dry cat food will often encourage a cat to eat more.

    • 6

      Offer your cat a "buffet" from which to choose. Encouraging appetite in cats sometimes means you have to find the one food in 10 the cat actually likes.

    • 7

      Sit with your cat when he is eating. Pet him, talk to him and encourage him to eat. This sometimes will cause the cat to eat more. You can also try rubbing moist foods on your fingers or putting some on a spoon and hand-feeding your cat to encourage more caloric intake.

    • 8

      Switch you cat's food bowl to a shallow dish. This may encourage the cat to eat more. Many cats do not like the feeling of their whiskers brushing against the insides of a bowl.