Weight loss in older cat

[LivingInAPinkBauble]

Looking for a little advice on Bauble kitty. She is 19 but still as active as she has ever been, can jump up on window sills, likes to potter outside etc. She has never been a hunting, exploring outside cat, think this is why she is such a good age!

Her coat is shiny, she is eating and drinking as normal (she has dry food, this one www.applaws.co.uk/cat_dry.php) but has definitely lost some weight. This I think has been gradual, haven't been able to decide if we have been imagining it before. Her teeth seem fine, have had a good look, much to her disgust! Checked her over, no sore bits or any lumps.

Booking her into vets next weekend, they are closed by the time DH and I get home during the week.

She is currently stretched out on my legs purring happily. Wondered if she is going a little senile-she yells in the night and will wander the house crying at times. When we inherited her (she was my childhood pet, came to live with me and DH a couple of years ago when my dad's partner moved in with her own cats) she spent months weeing all over the house, vet said it was psychological rather than physical, thankfully stopped when we moved house

This is really long, sorry! On ipad at moment but will put some pictures of her on my profile, she is luffly!

When my cat started losing weight it was because he had developed Hyperthyroidism. Apparently this is pretty common in older cats and can be controlled fairly easily by daily tablets. He is 16.

Some cats do just lose weight as they get older though. Hope all goes ok at the vets.

My cat behaved exactly like your kitty.
Vet did blood tests and discovered hyperthyroidism. Was effectively treated with daily tablets.

Thankyou! Off to google. Mind you, she is a nightmare to get tablets down, think that could be DH's new job if tablets are necessary.

Bauble cat sends purrs, she is still on my lap as a lovely furry hot water bottle substitute!

There could be a few causes - your vet will likely do some tests in any case given her age - but older cats can lose a bit of weight very gradually without apparent reason. I know that my Seniorboy (18+) seems to be losing about 30 or 40 grams inexorably at every vet weigh in, about 3 or 4 times a year. Doesn't sound like a lot but it adds up over time, he wasn't a bulky cat to start with and this despite the fact that he's allowed to eat at will.

The yelling is likely an age thing but not necessarily senility. They can get a little more needy as they get older so the thing is to talk to them a lot (as you probably do) and maybe allow her to sleep with you at night if she doesn't already. If you hear her wandering the early hours, call to her yourself to remind her you're there and she should come back happily.

Best of luck with the vet next week. 19 is a grand age.

Thankyou cozietoesie. Yes, she is chatted to lots, she is getting a little deaf bless her though. I would let her sleep on my bed but sadly she is very likely to wee on it, don't fancy that in the early hours.

She looks very good for 19, she is a lovely kitty.

You could put a little fleecy (old jacket smelling of you if you can find one) nest in your room if you thought she'd stay in it.

I'm sure she's lovely. Looking forward to seeing a photo on your profile.