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What's going on with your cat's sudden weight loss?

Cat sudden weight loss may be caused by reasons such as heat, parasite infection, and malnutrition. In addition, some diseases can also lead to sudden weight loss in cats, such as oral diseases like gingivitis, dental calculus, and other oral diseases, which can cause cats to lose their appetite and lead to sudden weight loss. Furthermore, chronic diseases like feline infectious peritonitis can also cause cats to lose their appetite and pose many health problems. Therefore, if you notice sudden weight loss in your cat, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible.

  1. Heat

When a cat is in heat, due to endocrine disorders, the cat may develop anorexia and increase its daily exercise, leading to rapid weight loss. If not for breeding purposes, the cat can be spayed or neutered before it goes into heat. Additionally, cats in heat are more likely to jump off balconies and wander off, so pet owners need to take extra care of them.

  1. Parasite Infection

If a cat eats a lot but becomes increasingly thin, it may be infected with internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Symptoms may also include vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, malnutrition, and rough hair. It is recommended to give the cat internal deworming medicine promptly. Additionally, owners should not feed cats raw meat during daily care to avoid infection with internal parasites.

  1. Malnutrition

Long-term feeding of a single type of cat food or insufficient feeding amounts can lead to malnutrition and sudden weight loss in cats. In this case, it's necessary to adjust the cat's diet and feed it high-nutrition cat food. You can also supplement the cat with vitamins, calcium supplements, and nutrition paste to improve its nutrition.

  1. Oral Diseases

If a cat loses weight quickly within a week and has poor spirit and appetite, it may be due to oral diseases such as gingivitis, dental calculus, or dental plaque. The cat's teeth may be painful and swollen, and eating anything that touches the gums will exacerbate the pain, leading to a lack of appetite and rapid weight loss. In this case, take the cat to the vet for examination and adopt appropriate treatment measures.

  1. Feline Infectious Peritonitis

If your cat has regular deworming and eats high-quality cat food but still experiences sudden weight loss, and the weight loss becomes more severe, it could be feline infectious peritonitis. If it is feline infectious peritonitis, take your cat to the vet immediately for regular treatment. After treatment, the cat's appetite will recover, and its weight can be maintained.

Note:

This article is for reference only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. If your cat is showing signs of illness or abnormal behavior, always consult a veterinarian.