It can be hard to tell if your cat is too skinny or not. in the usa In the US, approximately 60% of cats are overweight, according to the Association for the Prevention of Obesity in Pets. Similarly, between 39 and 52 percent of the UK. cats are overweight, according to international cat care. Because many of the cats we see are overweight, a normal weight can appear unnaturally thin to their pet parents. It can also be hard to tell if your cat is skinny if she has long hair or a floppy belly.
While a skinny cat isn’t necessarily a cause for an emergency trip to the vet, if you find yourself searching for “how to gain weight on a cat,” then it’s probably time to do some more digging.
is my cat too skinny?
Knowing whether your cat is too skinny can be challenging. 
Fortunately, there are two easy tools you can use to determine if your cat is too thin, overweight or just right.
- body condition score: Veterinarians use body condition scores (comparable to human body mass index) to assess a pet’s weight. a body condition score chart can help you determine if your cat is too skinny. You can find a chart online, from organizations like the American Animal Hospital Association and the World Small Animal Veterinary Community, or at your vet’s office.
- the hand test: You can also use your hand as a reference to determine your cat’s body condition. feel your cat’s ribs (located behind the front legs); if they feel like the palm of his hand, then his weight is correct. if the ribs look or feel like your knuckles, then you have a skinny cat. if the ribs feel like the palm of your hand, they are probably overweight. I’m not sure yet? Check out this video from dvm360 that demonstrates manual testing.
- Healthy (but skinny) cats may simply need more meals per day and/or free access to dry food to gain weight. cats prefer to “graze” or eat small meals throughout the day, so having food available throughout the day can make all the difference. be sure to check with your vet to see if this would be a good option for your cat. free choice foods can lead to obesity and are only recommended in certain circumstances.
- If you have more than one cat, one of them may be guarding the food, preventing another from eating their fill. ensure that all cats have access to food throughout the day in a safe and non-threatening environment.
- if your cat is nervous, make sure the food dish is not near an object that will frighten her, such as a running oven, air conditioner, noisy pipe, or barking dog.
- if you feed your cat dry kibble, offer canned food in addition to dry (or vice versa).
- If you tend to dress up her food and spoil your cat at mealtimes, you can offer simple meals straight from the bag or in a quiet place without much fuss.
- for really picky cats, try different flavors and consistencies of dry and wet foods (some cats prefer chicken pate, others salmon stew), but be sure to transition properly between their foods to avoid discomfort digestive.
- heat your food in the microwave for a few seconds to enhance its aroma. be sure to use a microwave-safe container when making this, and check the temperature before feeding.
- shred a very small amount of rotisserie chicken into your meal; most cats love the smell and taste of roast chicken. just be sure to feed only skinless white meat. remember that your cat’s daily food should be mainly a well-balanced cat food.
- try adding a very small amount of the liquid from canned tuna or unsalted chicken broth to your cat’s food.
causes of weight loss in a skinny cat
There are two main causes of a skinny cat: it doesn’t eat enough, or it expends more calories than it takes in. you may not be eating enough due to stress, dental disease, or nausea. or a host of other reasons. cats with certain diseases can experience weight loss and this may be the first and sometimes the only outward sign that an underlying disorder has developed. Weight loss may also be due to the age-related decline in digestive function that can occur in some geriatric cats older than 10 years.
The other reason a cat may be too skinny is lack of access to food. If you find a stray cat that is malnourished, you can contact your local shelter or veterinarian to get their opinion on what to do to get the cat back to health. they can direct you to bring them if possible. adopted stray cats should always be taken to the vet and checked for health problems.
While a skinny cat doesn’t necessarily mean a medical emergency, if you think your cat may be too skinny, it’s important to schedule a check-up with your vet to determine the cause of the weight loss.
Weight loss can also be subtle and slow onset. Recent research has shown that weight loss is a very early sign of kidney disease and can begin to manifest three years before diagnosis. early intervention provides the opportunity to start therapies sooner. therefore, regular checkups with your veterinarian that include body weight can be very helpful in early detection of the disease.
It’s considered a medical emergency if your cat (skinny or not) stops eating completely. if that’s the case, you should take your cat to the vet right away. cats that go without food for days can develop a life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome.
how to put weight on a cat
If you think your kitty needs to gain weight, you should first take her to the vet so that underlying medical conditions can be ruled out. if no health problems are found, the following tips may help get your cat back on track and gain weight.
Some cats may simply need a higher calorie food and might benefit from a high calorie canned therapeutic food. Senior cats struggling to maintain weight can benefit from a highly digestible food rich in antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and prebiotics. if your cat is diagnosed with a health problem, your vet may be able to recommend a therapeutic food specifically designed to help your pet.
always check with your vet before changing your cat’s food or giving it nutritional supplements.
If you think your kitty may be too skinny, consulting your vet is always the best course of action. they can help you devise strategies to get your cat to eat more and can determine if there are any serious issues underlying the weight loss. Hopefully, with a little patience and input from a vet, you’ll be able to get your fluffball back to a healthy weight in no time.
