{"id":12210,"date":"2022-11-24T08:45:57","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T08:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=12210"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:12:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:12:02","slug":"is-my-cat-too-skinny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/is-my-cat-too-skinny\/","title":{"rendered":"Is My Cat Too Skinny? Putting Weight on Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever asked yourself, &#8220;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is my cat too skinny<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?&#8221; You&#8217;re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many cats become excessively thin\u2014sometimes due to their high-energy personalities, sometimes for not getting enough nutrition from their diet. What can you, as a cat parent, do about it?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog post, we\u2019ll give you some tips on how to help your cat gain weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='is-my-cat-too-skinny'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is My Cat Too Skinny<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-long-do-cats-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>the average cat lifespan is 12\u201316 years<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? If you plan on keeping your feline friend for this long, you should do your best to maintain it healthy and happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the key ways to determine whether you have an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">underweight cat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to do the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hand test<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and feel your feline\u2019s ribs and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">backbone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They should not be so prominent that you can easily count them without pressing in, but they should not be completely obscured by a thick layer of fat or muscle because this might indicate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obesity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You should also run your hands over their back and hips; if they have no padding, it may suggest that your cat needs to gain weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also observe your cat&#8217;s behavior. If it\u2019s lethargic, not eating as much as usual, or has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nausea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and seems overly anxious, this could be an indicator of malnutrition. It\u2019s important to remember that cats don&#8217;t lose weight as quickly as humans do; if you see any sign of weight loss, it is best to get your cat checked as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also necessary to consider the age and breed when determining if your cat is too thin. Younger <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">skinny kittens<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might seem underweight due to their higher metabolism and activity level. Additionally, some breeds of cats (like the Abyssinian cat) are known for being leaner than other breeds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By paying attention to these indicators and having regular check-ups with your vet, you can ensure that your cat stays healthy and at the right weight for its age and breed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='why-is-my-cat-so-skinny'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why Is My Cat So Skinny<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a cat gets too skinny, it\u2019s usually a sign of something wrong. There are several possible reasons for this, and it can be difficult to determine what caused the issue. Let&#8217;s see what some of those reasons are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Your cat is not eating enough<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The cat may not be receiving enough <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nutritious food<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or maybe even has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appetite loss<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If its diet lacks essential nutrients and vitamins, or if it\u2019s eating infrequently, this can lead to them becoming malnourished.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Body condition<\/b><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Certain medical issues, such as parasite infections, gastrointestinal problems, or cancer, can cause a cat to lose weight rapidly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dental disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Poor dental health is often another reason cats become too skinny; improper or painful chewing of food due to bad teeth or gums can make it hard for cats to receive the necessary nutrition from their meals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Not enough exercise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Aging cats may also experience weight loss due to decreased activity levels and\/or changes in metabolism. Cats that suffer from stress-related conditions, such as separation anxiety or depression, may also be more likely to become too skinny.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If no medical issues are present, providing an appropriate diet and exercise routine can help get your cat on the path to good health. By recognizing the potential reasons for the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">skinny cat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we can better equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge to provide proper care.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-to-put-weight-on-cats'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Put Weight on Cats<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help a cat gain weight<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensure it has access to plenty of <\/span><b>high-calorie<\/b> <b>food<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and water throughout the day (especially if its main source of nutrition is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dry food<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Additionally, it&#8217;s important to feed them a nutritious diet that is high in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antioxidants<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, protein, and calories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supplements such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">omega-3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fatty acids, probiotics, and digestive enzymes can also support their digestion. Finally, regular physical activity for your cat will help maintain muscle mass, which can play an integral role in helping them reach a healthy weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowing your pet access to outdoor areas or engaging with interactive toys can be great ways to get them moving and encourage heavier weights. With patience and dedication, putting weight on cats doesn&#8217;t have to be a difficult task. By following these steps and providing your cat with the necessary nutrients, you can easily help it reach its ideal weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t do anything before consulting with your vet first, though. They will ensure that their diet and activity levels remain healthy and appropriate for their age, breed, size, and overall condition. With the proper care and nutrition, anything is achievable\u2014however, remember that moderation is key, as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feline obesity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be just as dangerous as being underweight.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b><i>Related articles:\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/cat-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Purrfect Cat Care: A Pawsome Guide<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b><i>Best Cat Insurance Companies in 2022 (Reviews &amp; Guide)<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id='what-to-feed-an-older-cat-that-is-losing-weight'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Feed an Older Cat That Is Losing Weight<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older cats losing weight should be fed a diet that is rich in antioxidants, omega-3 and &#8211;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6 fatty acids<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and prebiotics. Antioxidants are important for older cats because they help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for cats because they promote healthy skin and coat while helping reduce inflammation. And prebiotics help to support the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which is essential for overall health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='key-takeaways'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is my cat too skinny<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?&#8221; If you&#8217;re unsure, there are some signs that your kitty could use putting on a little weight. But before you start piling on the food, ensure that your cat is getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet. Once you&#8217;ve got those basics covered, try one of our tips for putting weight on cats\u2014they&#8217;ll be packing on the pounds in no time!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Sources<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hillspet.com\/cat-care\/healthcare\/helping-your-cat-gain-weight#:~:text=Feel%20your%20cat&#039;s%20ribs%20(located,then%20they&#039;re%20likely%20overweight.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hill\u2019s Pet<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cattime.com\/cat-facts\/health\/41149-how-to-tell-cat-underweight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cattime<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/petkeen.com\/is-my-cat-too-underweight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pet Keen<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toe-beans.com\/blogs\/pet-blog\/cat-skinny-normal-concerned#table-of-contents-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toe Beans<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever asked yourself, &#8220;Is my cat too skinny?&#8221; You&#8217;re not alone. Many cats become excessively thin\u2014sometimes due to their high-energy personalities, sometimes for not getting enough nutrition from their diet. What can you, as a cat parent, do about it? In this blog post, we\u2019ll give you some tips on how to help [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/is-my-cat-too-skinny\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Is My Cat Too Skinny? Putting Weight on Cats<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":12214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12210\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}