The Mistake Many Owners Make When Their Older Cat 'Shrinks'

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Many kitties become “the incredible shrinking cat” as they get up in years; both stress and underlying disease can be factors, but often the problem is diet
• Older cats, especially those fed a lifetime of ultra-processed cat food, often lose their ability to digest dietary fats and protein efficiently, which is a major contributor to weight loss
• The dietary answer for most aging cats isn’t to reduce protein intake to decrease organ stress; the answer is to feed a moisture-rich diet of high-quality animal protein, along with appropriate supplements
• Older cats whose appetites have dropped off can and should be enticed to eat more