Healthy (but skinny) cats may simply need more meals per day and/or free access to dry food in order to gain weight. Cats prefer to ‘graze’ or eat small meals throughout the day so having food available all day long can make all the difference.
Why is my cat gaining weight but not overeating?
An indoor lifestyle, boredom and lack of exercise can be precursors to weight gain. No outdoor activity or restricted outdoor activity can increase the risk of a cat becoming overweight at one year of age.
Can stress cause weight gain in cats?
Stress can be a factor in overweight cats. If your cat is overweight, consider their diet, lifestyle, environment and the placement of their food, water and litter tray.
Why has my cat got a bloated stomach?
Potential causes for a cat or kitten swollen belly include organ enlargement, fluid or a mass in their belly, intestinal parasites and weight gain. In some cases, your veterinarian might be able to identify the cause of your pet’s swollen belly through a physical exam alone.
What can cause sudden weight gain in cats?
- Spaying and neutering. These procedures, in themselves, don’t make your cat fat.
- Pregnancy.
- Arthritis.
- Fluid retention.
- Acromegaly.
- Medications.
- Hypothyroidism.
What is Cushing’s disease in cats?
Hyperadrenocorticism is also known as Cushing’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome. It is an uncommon disease in cats that develops when there is a persistent excessive production of the hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands (located close to the kidneys in the abdomen).
What are the symptoms of diabetes in cats?
- Increased urination. One of the most common cat diabetes symptoms is frequent urination.
- Excessive thirst. A cat that urinates more often will be thirstier and spend more time at the water bowl.
- Increased appetite.
- Unexpected weight loss.
What are the symptoms of worms in cats?
- Vomiting (sometimes with worms in the vomit)
- Diarrhea (with or without blood)
- Tarry feces.
- Weight loss.
- Distended abdomen.
- Skin lesions.
- Generally poor body condition and a dull coat.
Can cats get refeeding syndrome?
Refeeding syndrome is known to occur in humans, cats, dogs, horses and cattle–and probably other species as well. The body (of cats or otherwise) is amazingly adaptable, and when it is deprived of food, a complex set of changes occur.
What diseases cause rapid weight gain?
- Hypothyroidism. 1/13.
- Depression. 2/13.
- Insomnia. 3/13.
- Menopause. 4/13.
- Cushing’s Disease. 5/13.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 6/13.
- Congestive Heart Failure. 7/13.
- Sleep Apnea. 8/13.
Can worms cause weight gain in cats?
You can’t always spot symptoms that point to a worm problem, although sometimes kittens get diarrhea, gain weight slowly or have a weird pot belly. Adults can also get diarrhea or vomit when they have worms; sometimes they lose weight and have dark stool, too.
Can a cat with lymphoma gain weight?
Therefore, clinical signs of lymphoma are often similar to other intestinal diseases. Affected cats often develop weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What are symptoms of gastritis in cats?
The most common clinical signs associated with gastritis are sudden vomiting and decreased appetite (anorexia). Other clinical signs may include dehydration, lethargy or depression, increased thirst, blood in the vomit or feces, and abdominal pain.
Why does my cat look pregnant?
A false pregnancy — also known as a phantom pregnancy, pseudocyesis, or pseudopregnancy — occurs when a fully matured female cat displays all of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy without actually being pregnant.
How do I know if my cats stomach is distended?
- Sudden or gradual visibly larger abdomen.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- Change in frequency of urination.
- Weakness.
- Lethargy.
- Collapse.
What is feline hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is characterized by an underactive thyroid which is not producing enough of the hormones that are essential to maintaining a healthy metabolism. On the other hand, if your cat’s thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, then your kitty is suffering from hyperthyroidism.
Why is my cat retaining fluid?
Causes. There are several causes for the occurrence of fluid buildup (or edema) in the abdomen, including abdominal bleeding, abdominal cancer, inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, a ruptured bladder, liver damage, and low levels of protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia).
What is Addison’s disease in cats?
Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough glucocorticoids (steroids) to allow normal body function. This condition is considered rare in cats, but numerous cases have been reported.
Does diabetes cause weight gain in cats?
Clinical Signs of Diabetes There are a combination of clinical signs that let us know we may be seeing a diabetic cat: Weight Gain / Loss- in early stages, diabetics may gain weight as their appetite will increase and their internal insulin levels will rise and fall.
What happens if Cushing’s is left untreated?
Left untreated, Cushing syndrome can result in exaggerated facial roundness, weight gain around the midsection and upper back, thinning of your arms and legs, easy bruising and stretch marks. Cushing syndrome occurs when your body has too much of the hormone cortisol over time.
What is stress hyperglycemia in cats?
In cats, stress hyperglycaemia is a major factor confusing diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes, and struggling can increase blood glucose by as much as 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L).
What are the symptoms of kidney disease in cats?
The most common changes seen are weight loss, poor hair quality, halitosis (bad breath), variable appetite which may be associated with mouth ulcers, lethargy, and depression. Less common signs include increased drinking or urinating, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia.
How can I test my cat for diabetes at home?
What poop looks like when you have worms?
Sighting a worm Sometimes the worms are visible in the anal area, underwear, or in the toilet. In stools, the worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread.
How does an indoor cat get worms?
So how do indoor cats get infected with worms? Indoor cats will hunt just about anything in your home. Rodents, insects, and other household pests harbor worm eggs, which are passed on to your cat when he devours them. Mice and the common house fly are just two of the many critters that can carry roundworms eggs.