My cat lost a lot of weight quickly but acts normal. Should I be concerned?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Chantilly-Tiffany | Male | neutered | 14.3 lbs
My cat lost 3.6 lbs in the past month which I feel like is a lot. He went from 17.8 lbs (October 8th) to 14.2 lbs (November 1st). He weighed 16 lbs at his annual vet check in May 2019. This is the lowest he has weighed since January 2018, the previous vet check (13 lbs). He's acting normal, pooping normal, he scores an 8 on the body scale so he's chunky. I'm worried about the sudden weight loss. I reduced his AM feeding amount but only the day before weighing him this month.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 4th, 2019
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. There is a lot that we cannot tell from an examination on a pet, especially if it is something like sudden weight loss but the pet is otherwise acting normal. I would recommend having Kini's blood tested to evaluate overall systemic functions and see if there is an explanation for the weight loss. Check thyroid level as well. If all is normal on blood but the weight continues to fall, I would recommend x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 4th, 2017
Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Weight loss is a concerning as it can be caused by things that are generally serious. For example, some diseases that can result in chronic weight loss include inflammatory bowel disease (though usually vomiting and diarrhea are also observed), chronic kidney disease and even cancer, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have Molly evaluated by your veterinarian as some of these conditions can be easily ruled out with basic bloodwork. That different behavior you describe could even represent neurologic symptoms. Sorry to hear that Molly has not been feeling well! Keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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