Is my aging cat's change in behavior normal or a vet emergency?

Question

As cats age, how do you know what is their new norm and part of the aging process, and when to rush them in? My cat is 15 and didn't eat well for a day and a half. His skin seems looser. He has some muscle wasting. He lost a pound. I got different food and he is eating and acting ok now. Almost gained his pound back. Labs 8 months ago were ok. Getting hotter here. I noticed both cats seemed to eat less with weather change. Taking him in stresses him. If he seems ok, can I wait until annual lab? Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 13.4 lbs

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. If he is eating & acting OK, you can probably hold off rushing Mojo in to your vet, but if he has another period of not eating, lethargy, or he just seems more off to you, don't wait. Recheck that bloodwork. If everything is normal, then it is OK to wait a year for follow-up bloodwork, but things can change pretty quickly as pets age, so it is not abnormal to monitor bloodwork every 3-6 months, depending on any extenuating circumstances. So, follow your instincts. No cat likes to go to the vet, but if you are concerned, it is always best to make sure things are OK sooner than waiting months for the next visit. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Is my aging cat's change in behavior normal or a vet emergency?

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