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Why is my senior cat losing weight, crying, peeing more, and vomiting?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 16 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

I have a female cat 17yrs old. Over the last few months she has gone very thin and keeps crying loudly around the house. She is still eating and drinking, pooing and weeing. I have noticed her being sick a few times over the last few weeks and she is weeing a lot more. Can you help

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 4th, 2018

Hi. With Twigg being older, having weight loss, peeing more, and meowing more, there are 3 main things we first think of. Hyperthyroidism is common in older cats. A high level if thyroid can cause increased appetite, behavioral changes, and vomiting in some cases. Diabetes can also cause weight loss and an increase in drinking and urinating. In older cats, this is common in pets with these signs. The other possibility is kidney failure. As kitties age, some cats kidney function deminish. If and when this occurs, it causes weight loss, increased water drinking, increased urination, and vomiting. The best thing would be to bring Twigg in to your veterinarian for an exam, bloodwork and urine to start. It will help rule out A lot of things. Good luck!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 20th, 2017

    I'm sorry your cat seems to be so sick. In an senior cat like her, losing weight despite eating can be caused by hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, or cancer. Cancer could be a cause of coughing, as well as respiratory disease and cardiac disease. I would have her seen by a vet today, and I recommend having a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, urinalysis, and x-rays done on her. These tests will help determine what is causing her symptoms, and the vet can discuss treatment with you once a cause is found.

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