Why is My Cat Always Hungry but Skinny?

Cats are usually not seen as picky eaters, but those who have a feline friend or two know that this is not always the case. It’s important to make sure that your cat is getting an appropriate amount of nutrients to live a healthy life. If you want to find out what your cat’s diet should be, read our article on nutrition in cats. Today’s article will discuss why your cat may be always hungry but skinny.

It’s not uncommon for cats to be hungry all the time, but this may not be due to simple hunger. Cats can have psychological illnesses, gastrointestinal diseases, or other medical conditions that make them feel ravenous. Cats with diabetes may feel more hungry because they are always thirsty and it takes a lot of water to maintain the balance of glucose in their body. Hyperthyroidism can also give your cat an appetite for food, leading to weight gain.

Cats are usually not seen as picky eaters, but those who have a feline friend or two know that this is not always the case. It’s important to make sure that your cat is getting an appropriate amount of nutrients to live a healthy life. If you want to find out what your cat’s diet should be, read our article on nutrition in cats.

How Much Should a Cat Eat?

Cats are finicky animals, and it can be difficult to find the perfect balance of food. Cats can eat too much or too little, which can lead to them being overweight or underweight. A cat’s metabolism also affects how quickly it will burn off calories, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much your cat should eat.

If your cat is underweight or overweight, you may want to try putting a little more or a little less of the food in the food bowl. A cat should eat food consisting of about 35% protein, 30% fat, and 25% carbohydrates.

Cats also need to consume a good amount of water, preferably half their weight in ounces.

Too little water in your cat’s diet can lead to weight gain, while too much water will make your cat dehydrated.

It is important to keep in mind that what a cat eats affects how much energy it has. So when you are feeding your cat, you also need to consider how much energy it has. If your cat is being fed and kept indoors, then it needs to consume enough calories to provide for that.

Reason Why is My Cat Always Hungry but Skinny

1. Not the right food

Many people don’t know that their cats are constantly hungry, but are actually just eating the wrong types of food. Cats are often fed dry cat food because it’s convenient, but many felines are unable to process this type of food.

Here are some signs that your cat may need a change in diet:

1. Your pet is always hungry despite never finishing their re-wettable food

2. They have lost weight despite claiming to eat frequently

3. They are eating their food very slowly, staring at it for hours

4. They are constantly wanting to eat more food, but are not getting any fatter

5. They are always pawing at their food bowl

6. They have a hard time swallowing

7. Your cat is constantly licking their lips or cheeks

2. Stress

Your cat may have stress that causes them to feel always hungry but lose weight. There are many reasons why your cat could be feeling stressed, including a change in their environment or family dynamics, a new pet in the home, or even the loss of a human member in the household.

Other signs of stress in cats include increased vocalization, hiding behavior, and inappropriate elimination (urinating and/or defecating outside of the litter box).

3. Diabetes

Feline diabetes is becoming more common than ever because of the high-calorie diet that cats are eating. Diabetes in cats can cause them to feel always hungry but skinny because their body will need so much more food than normal to maintain energy levels. It can also cause them to feel tired all the time and have trouble sleeping.

A skinny cat that has diabetes can look like they’re starving, but this is because its body will be so hungry it will eat what it needs and then be hungry again. Diabetic cats will need more food and more frequent feeding to help maintain energy levels.

They also need more insulin to help them process their food and maintain their energy levels, as well as more frequent food intake.

4. Parasite

It is common for cats to be skinny, but it could also be a sign of a parasite. Parasites can lead to a decrease in appetite and an increase in the cat’s urge to eat.

The condition is not fatal, but it can become serious if left untreated. Common symptoms of parasites include constant hunger, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

A cat that has a parasite can be treated easily. The easiest way to treat a cat with a parasite is to give the cat a deworming medication.

When the cat is getting treated, it is important that the owner also treats the environment where the cat lives. This is because the parasite can live in the environment.

5. Feline leukemia

This condition can become fatal. It is common for cats to develop leukemia when they begin to show symptoms such as a swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, or diarrhea. The cat may also become weak and lose its ability to walk.

There are 2 types of leukemia: acute and chronic. Acute leukemia tends to be more common in cats than chronic leukemia.

Acute leukemia can be treated if caught early and chronic leukemia requires more treatment. It is important to be sure that the cat is treated for leukemia and it is vital that his or her diet to changed.

6. Cancer

When your cat is always hungry but still skinny, it could be a sign of cancer. If you notice any unusual behaviors or changes to their appetite, it’s important to go see a vet. Your cat may have cancer that causes them to feel always hungry but skinny.

It’s not easy to differentiate between something being wrong with your cat and just being an unusually picky eater. And if the issue persists, the only way to know for sure is to take them in for an exam.

7. Hyperthyroidism

It is important to note that your cat may have Hyperthyroidism, an illness that can cause them to feel always hungry but not gain weight. This disease causes the thyroid gland in the neck to produce too much of the hormone thyroxine.

A veterinarian can diagnose this with a blood test. If untreated, it can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and weight loss.

8. Gastrointestinal disease

Cats are often misbehaved for feeling hungry all the time, but their appetite may not be to blame. Cats with the gastrointestinal disease may experience continual hunger but still, lose weight because of difficulty digesting food. Veterinarians say these cats will typically vomit after eating or have chronic diarrhea, which can become life-threatening.

Conclusions

In conclusion, cats always hungry may due to they are eating food that is not good for them, having stress, diabetes, leukemia, cancer, hyperthyroidism, or gastrointestinal disease. To avoid this problem in the future it is recommended to make sure you feed your cats a healthy diet and provide them with adequate entertainment and items to keep their stress down like a scratching post and catnip toys.

If your cat is always hungry but skinny, it’s a good idea to talk to a vet or a veterinary professional about how often you should feed your pet and what types of food are best for them.

More Read: Cat Diets Guide : Making Your Cat Live Longer With a Healthy Diet