Cat Question -?

My Grandma's cat was the same - she was skin and bone (and lots and lots of fur!)! One day she went out and never came back... she wasn't 'ill' though - she was on some medication but that was just to try and get her to gain weight. If you feel happy letting your cat die peacefully of old age rather than getting drugs to prolong it's life, and possibly causing it to die in pain of some other illness or disease, then that's fine. I don't think it's cruel - it's natural.

Not eating and losing weight are a sign of illness. This means that your cat is indeed suffering in some way. A trip to the vet is absolutely necessary and generally is not as traumatic as owners think. Schedule the appointment for early in the morning, or just before closing so that the waiting room is quiet for him.

Weight loss in an elderly cat could be anything from kidney problems, hyperthyroidism, dental problems, heart problems, cancer, and many more manageable illnesses. Taking him in now will let you know what is wrong and will allow you to provide treatments that will give him more quality time with you.

Spiny, 16 isn't actually VERY old for a cat whatsoever. And no matter what you say about it not bothering .. not eating and going thin for no reason is NOT just a sign of old age...!!! There MUST be something wrong!!

Speaking from many years of experience with older cats, i'd highly recommend a trip to the vets...

It could be any thing really, from something simple such as a hairball at the back of the throat which can't be removed by himself.....

... to decay on his teeth preventing him eating, again easily removed via the vets..

Or he could have a common problem with his kidney/liver which cats get which in turn makes the goiter swell making it very painful to swallow. This again is easily treated with tablets which will make your cat fine, and until he dies gives him a great quality of life.

Remember, ok he may be peaceful but if this gets worse would you really want to see him go through all this pain when a tablet or shot could solve everything and give him a few more years happily?

Animals dont always show pain and discomfort in the same way as humans.

You should definitely take him to the vet and know for sure he is not suffering,if you really love him you you will do the best you can for him and then at least you will not have feelings of guilt later if you are proven wrong.

We recently took our dog to the vet because he had been of his food and had lost weight over a 4-5 week period but seemed ok in himself he was diagnosed on the day with cancer in numerous organs and the vet said he would have been in considerable pàin,so we took the difficult decision to have him put down.I now feel guilty for delaying the vets visit and putting him through uneccesary pain.

Please take him.

Your cat could be ill so you should take him to the vets as soon as you can.

If he is, you can treat him so he starts to feel as good as he deserves to. If he's not, you get peace of mind. I'm sure a trip to the vets isn't too much for him to handle. All of my cats have been a few times and deal with it just fine.

We lost a cat last week - his only symptom was sudden weight loss and it turned out that he had what they call FIP.

Last year we lost another, she was old and had lost alot of weight. Her kidneys failed her and she suffered as the illness progressed.

Please get him checked - he could be in the early stages of something serious, or he could just need a 'pick me up'

My beloved Oreo is in the same situation, I've had him for about 16 years as well. He's always been a very hefty cat weighing in at about 20 lbs his whole life. Recently, in his old age, my mom has only been feeding him once a day and he has lost a lot of weight- however I don't think that's the only reason why. He too just sits and observes and sleeps all day long and I say, why not. He still loves on me, so he can't be that bad, right?

Your cat sounds like my mum's was a few months ago. He is 13 or 14 and lost loads of weight and was really disinterested in everything, and didn't want to eat. She took him to the vet and it turns out that he has diabetes. She gives him insulin everyday now and he's got a new lease of life, its incredible! Maybe you could ring the vet and ask?

Kitties are very brave souls my friend they wont always show pain, make sure your kitty doesnt go hungry, careful that it s not a tumor in the abdoman area, can a vet not come out to you?

Cats can be silent suffers, so keep a close eye, you know your cat and do what you know it the right thing.

Good Luck

If he shows no real signs of distress, the best thing you can do for him is keep him at home with you. After all, this is not abnormal. All animals age, and at a certain point their bodies naturally begin the process of shutting down. He'll be glad to spend his remaining days with you. Plus, you would much rather have him pass away in your house while he's sleeping then at a scary vet's office in a cage while they keep him for testing. I wish you the best of luck with your cat.

I'd say until he's in pain (witch having a cat for sixteen years you should be able to tell if he's in pain) then let him be, maybe call the vet and explain the problem without bringing him in (the vet will try to convince you to bring him in no matter what, in my experience vets don't always care what's going on just how much money they can get, just like people doctors).

take him the vet my cat done it recently and the vet give him a shot and say we would have to get him put down the following day but he was up running around and is still here today dont give up on him