Make Sure Your Skinny Cat Is Healthy
Healthy adult cats tend to stay pretty much the same weight over the years. Therefore, if your cat is losing pounds, they may have an underlying medical problem.
A checkup with the vet is the first step in fattening up an underweight cat. The vet will check for:
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, constipation, and pancreatitis are common in cats. Many can be cured easily over a few days.
Others, though, may require long-term management.
Internal Parasites
Internal parasites are also common in otherwise health cats. Parasites can be wormlike or single-cell microscopic organisms.
Wormlike parasites include roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Isospora and giardia are examples of microscopic organisms.
Dental Disease
Just like us, aging cats are prone to dental disease. Sore teeth and gums are likely to put your puss off of her food.
Hyperthyroidism
This disorder is very common in older cats and is caused by an overactive thyroid gland.
Symptoms usually include increased appetite, sometimes with vomiting, along with weight loss.
Feline Diabetes
Also often seen in aging cats, diabetes can have symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism, such as increased appetite and weight loss.
Increased thirst and urination are also commonly seen.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is another cause of weight loss in aging cats. Symptoms for this condition also include increased thirst and urination.
Cancer
Arthritis and Visual Impairment
Medication
Is Your Cat Really Underweight
Obesity is a very common problem- so much so that its become normalized. Before you try to get your cat to gain weight, its imperative that you make sure theyre genuinely underweight, and not just slim- otherwise you could quickly push them into obesity.
We can really get an idea of the scale of the obesity problem when we see that 63% of cats are overweight or obese. But this becomes even more complicated when you learn that 73% of cat owners think their cat is a healthy weight. This shows that many people who think their cat is healthy probably have an overweight pet, and many people who think their cat is skinny probably have a healthy cat.
So how can you tell if your cat is actually underweight? The most reliable indication that a cat is underweight is if you can see their hips, ribs, or spine through their coat. You should be able to easily feel these bones, but not be able to see them. If you cannot see any of these bones, chances are your cat doesnt need to gain any weight.
Still unsure as to whether your cat is underweight? Dont hesitate to take them to the vet- many vets will offer free appointments to check a cats weight and body condition.
Feeding Recommendations From Your Local Veterinarian
Canned food only is my first choice. For an adult cat, start with ½ of a 5.5 oz. can twice daily and no additional food. This is the starting point and likely will need to be adjusted downward.
For little cats, a half of a 3 oz. can twice daily may work better. This amount is also cat-specific and often needs adjusting up or down. Feeding canned food seems to create the best balance between calories and feeling full, and the meal seems to tide the cat over better than a dry food meal.
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Make Sure The Food Fits Their Nutritional Needs
Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that cats need to get the essential nutrients for their health from animal products.
The natural prey for cats, such as small rodents, are estimated to contain around 55% protein, 45% fat and 12% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis.
Although the macronutrient breakdown of prey is only 1-2% carbohydrate, most cats can use up to 40% of their diet in the form of carbohydrates as a good source of energy.
In general, dry food contains more carbohydrates than wet food.
Understanding The Reasons Why Your Cat Is Underweight
When vets talk about the weight of a cat, it is usually focused on obesity. While obesity is considered as a prominent feline health problem, many cats are also facing the dangers of being underweight. Just like weight loss, gaining weight can also be a very tricky issue for your cat since it is not just about changing her diet.
First, you will need to know the reason why your feline friend is losing weight. After that, you can be able to determine an action that includes processes like diet and medication with the help of your vet to help your cat gain a normal weight safely. These are the most common causes of weight loss:
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
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Provide A Nutritious Wholesome Diet
Cats need a blend of healthy meat protein, vitamins, minerals, and fats. Your skinny cat will need a proper, nutritious diet in order to gain weight. Dont expect a skinny cat to magically gain weight by feeding the same boring dry kibble over and over again.
Invest a little more money into a high-quality cat food your cat cant wait to devour. You might spend an extra few bucks a month, but by doing so you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars in future vet bills. The health and well-being of cats always include a delicious, nutritious diet.
Also Read: How to Fatten up a Cat: Best Cat Food to Gain Weight
Can A 15 Year Old Cat Lose Weight
Weight loss can be a significant health problem for cats who are aged 15+. Its not uncommon for a feline in their twilight years to start losing weight and muscle mass, particularly in the hindquarters of their legs. Older cats that struggle to maintain an optimal weight must be monitored closely. Feed your cat more calories each day.
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Getting A Senior Cat To Gain Weight
Its quite normal for older cats to lose a little condition and muscle mass as they get less active, so giving them the extra nutrition they need to keep everything ticking over is essential. But getting a senior or geriatric cat to gain weight is much more difficult than with other life stages.
Theyre much more likely to have a condition stopping the weight gain, for one so it makes it essential that you get that check-up done to make sure theres nothing medical stopping them from gaining weight.
Theyve also got very specific needs and feeding them a bit of kitten food as a top up could be very damaging. Some brands of cat food make senior cat food, and others go even more specific they have several different senior foods depending on whether theyre a healthy weight or not.
One example would be Royal Canins Senior Consult Stage 2, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of cats showing obvious signs of ageing. They also do a high calorie version, which contains extra calories whilst remaining gentle on the kidneys.
If your senior cat has had a full check up and bloodwork at the vets and has been signed off as healthy, a senior diet like these could be what they need to help them to maintain their healthy weight.
Whether your cat is very old or very young, keeping them at an ideal weight is important.
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Blue Buffalo Kitten Food
Blue is another household name mostly due to their extremely high commercial budgets, but honestly, theyre a pretty solid food. Before Beau was diagnosed with urinary problems we had him on Blue Buffalo, though on the salmon mix.
Blue, similar to the other companies, has many lines of food including my favourite WILDERNESS line which has some pretty high protein compared to their other blends. I would stay away from Salmon though and stick to chicken, just because it tends to fatten up cats a bit more compared to the sliming salmon.
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How To Feed An Under
Selecting a high-quality natural food rich in meat proteins is a great way of helping finicky eaters find a food they will love and eat. A texture your cat most enjoys will matter too, confirms WellPet veterinarian Danielle Bernal DVM.
A frail or ill cat may prefer to eat multiple smaller meals rather than being fed one big meal.”
But given that cats generally are nibblers and prefer to eat on demand, Bernal suggests that the main focus is ensuring that the cat gets the required number of calories needed in a diet to meet its nutrient requirements.
Young kittens generally require more meals in a day. However, if you are trying to boost the health of a severely under-nourished kitten, Bernal advises more frequent feeding.
A very young kitten will need to eat more frequently than just key meals, confirms Bernal. I usually suggest just ad-libbing it until eight weeks of age, dividing out their calorie requirements. Then four meals a day until 12 weeks of age before moving to an easier routine of twice daily. Given cats tend to eat multiple meals throughout a day however, and if you feed a wet and dry combo, I suggest leaving the allocated dry food amount out all the time so that a kitten can eat on its own schedule.
How Do You Fatten Up A Cat
The food for your catâs weight-gain process needs to have a higher energy density. In that way, your cat will be able to eat a lesser amount of food but still get the nutrients they need from their weight-gain diet. The food for her weight-gain journey must also be palatable and easy to eat to stimulate her appetite.
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When In Doubt Call The Vet
Weight loss in cats can be life-threatening. Even if your skinny cat isnt losing weight, not gaining any weight typically isnt a good sign either. Especially if you have already tried all these ten tips without positive results. We are confident however that these tips will help your skinny cat gain weight .
If in doubt of your cats health or weight situation, contact a vet. They will be best equipped to provide you with explanations, recommendations, and more.
How To Feed A Cat To Help Them Gain Weight
Its important your cat feels stress-free and comfortable during mealtime so it starts to eat regularly and gain weight. Some of the ways you can do that include:Splitting their daily portion into smaller meals you put down regularlyHeating up their food to release the aromas and encourage their appetiteAvoiding watching your cat eating, as they can find this stressfulConsidering what they like to eat from and making it easily accessibleSeparating their food, litter, drinking and playing areas to mimic what they would do in the wildTalking to your veterinarian about appetite-stimulating drugs for your catYour veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best ways to make sure your cat gains the right amount of weight and maintains a healthy lifestyle. Make sure that you book an appointment with them if youre unsure of the best course of action.
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How Many Calories Exactly
Your veterinarian can help you calculate exactly how many calories your cat should be consuming per day. They will take into account if your cat has been spayed or neutered and their activity level. Alternatively, a calculator like this one can be useful.
They will then work out how many grams of your chosen food this equates to. When measuring out meals to meet this requirement, use a weighing scale as cups are not accurate.
You will need to weigh your cat regularly and may need to reduce their calories once they start to gain weightyou dont want to tip them over into obesity!
How To Fatten Up A Cat That Needs To Gain Weight
There are tons of stories in the media about overweight pets but rarely are we told how to fatten up a cat that needs to gain weight.
Have you ever asked yourself, Is my cat too skinny?
In this article, we will look at the possible causes of weight loss in our feline friends. We will also explore options for how to make a skinny cat gain weight.
Products included in this article were carefully and independently selected by the Happy Cat Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
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Tips For Helping A Cat Gain Weight
Addressing the underlying health issues, selecting the right food and figuring out how much to feed are vital for success.
But thats just the starting point. Once you have that sorted, you will need to establish a feeding routine.
Here are a few tips for getting your cat to eat reliably and gain weight safely.
How Much Should My Cat Weigh
Weight highly depends on the breed of your cat, though the average domestic shorthair should weigh in at around 10 pounds. If a cat is a bit over or under 10 pounds you should not be too worried as it could have to do with your cats body structure. For example, Kalista is a very tall cat, shes naturally long and thin. On the flip side, Beau is built like a tank. Hes short, stubby and has a fairly wide natural build. That being said, it can safely be assumed that Beau will always weigh a bit more than Kalista based on the structure of his body and bone density.
The average Mainecoon should weigh in at around 25 pounds, again based on their body structure, bone density and build.
On the side of the perspective, some breeds of cats, like orientals, will always be petite sitting on an average of 5 pounds. That being said, it is always important to consult a vet before taking steps to make your cat gain or lose weight.
The best way to analyze whether or not your cat is a good weight is by checking their ribs and backbone. If you can feel both the backbones and ribs of your cat without seeing them stick out, your cat is probably an ideal weight. Cats should have an hourglass shape with no pooch stomach hanging.
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Changing Your Old Cats Food
Changing the food of your cat is usually considered as peopleâs last resort â but it does not have to be. In fact, your senior cat can be able to give you indicators whether they like certain cat food or not. If your cat turns his nose up at the regular cat food that youâre giving him, then this may be a sign that he wants to try new food. Your senior cat might respond well to a new flavor, like changing from beef flavor to a tuna or chicken flavoring. It is very important that you know well how to properly switch foods for your cat before you do it yourself. During the first few weeks, make sure you include a half portion of the new food and half portion of the old food so that your cat will get used to the ingredients youâre offering him.
Increase/adjust Feeding Proportions & Amount
Getting cats to eat more might require an adjustment to their regular eating schedule. Cats tend to like to eat smaller portions throughout the day, so consider leaving a lump of food out across the day. If you have a full schedule and cannot commit to physically feeding your cat, say 3x a day, then consider investing in an automatic cat feeder that will make sure your cat gets fed on time throughout the day.
Always check on the back of the cat food bag for proportion recommendations and adjust as necessary.
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How Do I Fatten Up An Underweight Cat
It is critical to determine if the cat has an underlying medical condition that has caused him or her to be underweight. Once the cause has been diagnosed and addressed, the appetite should return in most cases.
The goal is to stimulate the cats appetite and increase calories. Below are some ways to help fatten up a cat.
Increased Frequency Of Feeding
A kitten will not gorge up all the meal you give her in a sitting. It would rather do something else interesting. To counter this, schedule feeding times to be more frequent throughout the day. This works magic in contrast to giving a large bowl at once. Her small statue requires that she feeds frequently throughout the day.
The more food she takes, the more weight she puts up.
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How To Get A Weaned Kitten To Gain Weight
Once your kitten has reached weaning age, they may slow down their weight gain.
Whilst it is normal for them not to grow as quickly as they did at first, you certainly dont want them to be struggling for nutrition to grow and put on the muscle they need to be healthy.
Ensuring your kitten is on a high-quality kitten food is important , and you may need to supplement their diet with a little milk for the first week or two to ensure theyre getting everything they need. Dont forget to worm them regularly as they grow worms are a common cause of ill thrift.
Once cats reach about six months of age their body growth slows hugely, and excess calories at this point can cause them to put on a lot of damaging internal fat, so dont forget to reduce their food slightly as they reach this age to stop them from going too far.
Keeping touch with your veterinary practice with regular visits is a great way to ensure your kitten is gaining weight safely and appropriately.