Why is my senior cat losing weight, always hungry, and has diarrhea?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 6 lbs
Really need some advice. My 10'yr old has dihorea and no matter what he eats he cries for more, begging for food. He's lost 1/4 of his body weight. Our vet doesn't seem to bothered but it's hard seeing my boy like this. Vet said he had renal failer and he's on a renal diet but it's made him even more hungry and not helping. I've attached the results from blood test, I just don't get it. I thought cats with renal failure lost their appitite and not increased. And info would really help. Thanks
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 14th, 2018
These are indeed an unusual set of symptoms, thyroid disease and diabetes would be the first suspects for a cat with increasing appetite and weight loss. A specialist ultrasound scan of the abdomen may be worth while to investigate difficulties with food digestion and absorption or even tumours using up the calories
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 11th, 2018
I'm sorry to hear the Mr. Kitty is not acting himself lately. Based on your description of his symptoms, I would either suspect diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Both of these diseases commonly cause rapid weight loss even with an increased appetite. Obese cats are especially at risk for diabetes. Both of these diseases are diagnosed by blood tests. I would recommend that you take him to a veterinarian as soon as you can in order to diagnose him and start treatment. Both of these diseases can result in many secondary problems, so the sooner he is treated, the better the outcome can be. While having worms can cause weight loss and diarrhea, this is uncommon in adult cats. It is usually seen in very young cats with a very large number of worms. I hope this helps and that Mr. Kitty gets feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My cat used to eat very rarely (I have an automatic feeder), but now she eats so often and so ravenously, but she keeps losing weight. Her stool has also changed, it's now runny with very little solid. I don't know what's going on and I'm scared it's
Male cat 10yrs old, last year lost half his body weight. Over last month gets bad bouts of very watery mustard yellow v. Smelly diarrhoea. Eats well doesn’t put weight on. Vets said he’d been tested for obvious pancreatic, thyroid and cancer. Any ide
For the last 9 - 10 month, my 11 year old neutered cat has been eating more and more. He isn't gaining weight or losing it. He howls when he wants more food. I offer wet and dry food. He will eat some dry food but mostly wet.
I have a 13 year old male neutered cat. He was obese about a year ago then he started to lose weight rapidly. No decline in health. Recently he looks emancipated but will eat 3-5 cans of soft cat food per day. He begs for food as if he is starving. I
My 16 year old cat seems to lately be eating enough but being constantly hungry. Near her butt bone she is so thin that it looks like she's starving
cat eats constantly lost a lot of weight.Blood work checked for diabetes, over active thyroid etc all came back negative. She has some dirrahera I don't understand what is going on.
I have a 17 year old male Bengal. Over the past 6 months his appetite has really increased. He has lost weight. I haven't noticed an increase in thirst but he does urinate a fair amount. I lost a Pixie Bob to diabetes which made me wonder about the B
I have 4 cats all 18 years old. One was a stray I've had for more than 19 years. He is painfully thin. They are all neutered or spayed and the others are all normal if not slightly overweight. The thin guy eats a great deal more than the others,
She is acting like she is starving like no tomorrow. Thin, diarrhea, some vomiting, won't go in the litter box now for 2 years. Eats and drinks anything and everything at least twelve times a day. Had couple rounds of dewormers and antibiotics and ir
Hi, We have a 10 year old male cat who is losing weight despite eating alot and he uses the litter tray a lot. It seems to be in one end and out the other.
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
