Why is my cat losing so much weight?

Question

We have 5 cats and they all have started to lose a lot of weight. They still have weight on their stomachs but you can feel their spine and at their last vet visit one weighed about 16 pounds and now if you pick him up he feels like he weighs maybe 8-10 pounds.. we have dry food down for them at all times so it's not that we don't feed them. I am open to suggestions. We can't afford to take them to the vet at the moment so I am hoping to get a general idea of what might be causing this.

Answer 1

There's something wrong if all of them are loosing weight. ARe they actually eating the food? In the same amounts as before?

Take a stool sample in to have it checked for worms first.

Make a checkup appointment for the one who seems to have lost the most weight and have bloodwork and a urinalysis done to see if the organs are being affected or if it's a diabetic thing. Catching either of these fast means you can get them back to normal easier.  If their chemical balance is way off, there may be a toxin in the environment. But usually weight melting off means a thyroid or diabetic problem.  However with all of them doing this, it may be environmental or food related.  Blood test on one of them will show if it is.

Have the vet also pay close attention to the cat's mouth for any ulcer or tooth and jaw problems.  

Answer 2

If it's affecting all of them it's probably not good. Have you noticed if they're eating less? How's the litter box(s) situation? Still normal amounts of potty? If it's this drastic you'll need to at least call the vet for a general idea but they'll probably want to see the cats.

Answer 3

What you are talking about sounds like dangerous weight loss. a vet is needed., Diabetes, hyperthyroid are a dew of the mny possibilities all very treatable and many fatal if not treated

Answer 4

that is alot of weight to have lost. I would call the vet and ask about a peyment plan they will usually work with you .. you really should see a vet

Answer 5

If you've got 5 cats that are all losing weight, you've got an infection. Whether it is viral (felv/fiv/fip etc) or parasitic will require diagnostics.

A fecal sample to a vet will at least tell you if you have a parasitic infestation (~$20). Under normal circumstances I would never recommend at-home deworming, but if you drop of a stool sample, find that you have worms and can find an OTC medication, I'd go ahead and do it.

If your stool sample turns out negative, you've got a problem. There are many, many issues that can cause weight loss - diabetes, kidney failure, viral infections, change in food, hyperthyroid, toxicity, etc. Considering you have 5 cats showing the same symptoms, I'm going to put my money on intestinal parasites, and hope it isn't viral.

You need to start thinking about the well-being of your cats. I understand that you are trying to do well by them, but if they have a medical condition that requires treatment or at least diagnostics, they deserve a fighting chance. If you can't afford to offer them that, you need to find a person or situation that can. You absolutely cannot sit on it and weight for it to improve, because it won't - and letting them waste away is simply inhumane.

Answer 6

Give them some wet food, a bit of meat.