my 20yr old cat eats like a horse is this normal?

Question

she is 20 still very active. but wen shes jus finished she wants more. she hasnt got worms or nefin like that! is she just a hog?
help

Answer 1

don't give her too much or the cat will look like the fat old ones at the petsmart adoptioncenter. They look almost like tigers and you get scared from just looking at them.

Answer 2

Are you feeding her one meal a day or more? How much are you giving her and how quickly is she eating it? At her age she needs smaller more frequent meals. Is her weight stable, her toilet habits normal for her and her general coat condition good? What happens if you don't feed her more? Does she keep demanding it? last is she drinking more than she normally would in summer.? Those are the questions your vet should ask you! At her age it's highly possible that her hunger is caused by a medical condition perhaps thyroid or diabetes both cause an increase in appetite lose of weight and in diabetes increased thirst and frequency of passing water, They can be treated so it's better to take her for a check-up. Old age has the same effects on pets as it does humans!
Congratulations, you have obviously looked after her well. Hope I do as well when I reach her age!

Answer 3

The most likely reason is that she has hyperthyroidism - over active thyroid. This is a very common condition in older cats, it causes them to eat ravenously as you've described, but to get skinnier. It causes loss of muscle mass and left untreated, affects the heart.

How long has your cat been eating like this? If it's fairly recent, it might still be worth a trip to the vets if she's otherwise strong - I know she's very old, but if you think she could handle a blood sample from a gentle vet I think it would be worth it - hyperthyroidism can be controlled with tablets (not usually a problem to give if they're hoovering up their food!) and then you could extend her already incredible life span and, even better, improve the quality of her life as well.

Chalice

Answer 4

I think you'll appreciate some honesty and as i'm not one to gloss things over i'm going to tell you what happened to me and my cat. When she was 20, she had a stroke. This left her with damage to her left side but as she wasn't in pain, i decided to nurse her until she passed away. It was 24 hour work but i loved her very much and she was worth it! The stroke left her with kidney damage and thats when she started eating like your cat does i'm sorry to say. Because of her age i didn't cut down her food or feed her less often, she'd achieved a remarkable feat in reaching that age, as your's has and deserved to eat what she wanted. I'm not saying your cat has kidney trouble or anything but it might be a possibility, mine was never 'full'! She never put on weight with all that food she ate, she was just a contented old puss and i'm proud and happy to tell you that she lived until she was 23 years of age! I'm sure your old puss will do the same, let her have what she wants, when she wants it, spoil her a little and love her a lot just like you've been doing for the past 20 years, she has many more years of love to give you x

Answer 5

It is normal for older cats to eat more and I dont think she's being greedy. You should be giving her four meals a day, at that age as they don't hold on to the goodness in the food like they used to.

Also you should take her for a check up at the vets at that age, as increased appetite is also a symptom of many ailments in elderly cats, especially if she's losing weight.

Good on you for getting your cat to this good old age, you've obviously done everything right for her.

God bless you and your cat.

Answer 6

Its only a problem if its a change in behaviour. Has she always eaten like this or is it new?
If its new, take her to a vet, certain things can cause this. My cat became diabetic, he started eating everyting, even going for our rubbish. Its easily treated though, an injection everyday and he is happy as larry.
Its best to ask a vet if you are worried and if its out of character. Thats always the indicator with animals, is it usual for that animal to be doing that. If not, there is usually a problem.

Answer 7

No, not normal. Our cat (about 13) has been the same for about a year, yet still losing weight. The vet did tests including for hyperthyroidism, but blood tests were within normal range. Even so, vet put him on Felimazole (thiamazole) which seems to have helped a bit, and at least stopped the weight loss.
I'd talk to your vet.

Answer 8

Is she also peeing a lot? Drinking a lot? These plus the huge appetite would probably indicate diabetes, which isn't nearly as rare in cats as it used to be.

It tends to hit older cats who have been eating dry food (kibbles) all their lives.

Diabetes is completely treatable, if this is it, but should be looked at right away.

The other answers you've seen, regarding thyroid and other possibilities, should also be checked. Polyphagia (eating a lot) can also be a symptom of Cushing's disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Answer 9

yup i could purchase a 15 year previous horse, even nonetheless she should be delivered back into artwork she would be quite secure and chilled out and may be able to be an exceedingly severe-high quality horse. i be conscious of a 35 year previous pony which could nonetheless leap (in basic terms x poles and 18 inches yet nonetheless leaping!) and my pal offered a horse that became sixteen and did no longer retire it till 27 and it lived till 31! and that i at the instant holiday a 27 year previous one million/2 blind dressage mare and instruct her with stable consequences, she strikes like a sixteen year previous! Hickstead became an olympic horse and named between the superb horses in the worldwide and he became making plans to flow to the olympics at age 15, yet he died from a heart project or blocked artery or something that would have befell to any horse! considered one of Ian Millars olympic horses he offered to a rider he became coaching and the horse became 18 and nonetheless competing at grand prix point! maximum horses do no longer attain their top till 11-15 so even if that's an older age the horse will nonetheless be completely stable!!!!! as long because it has no wellness matters (tooth, legs and back are all nice) there should not be a project :) wish you have relaxing including your new horse (even if you are able to result with!)

Answer 10

She's maybe just greedy! She's an old lady and so long as she's eating the same amount she always has then there's probably nothing to fret about. Take her to the vet anyway - just to get her checked out. You're obviously looking after her well for her to have to got to that age. Keep on caring and get the professionals to check her out.

Answer 11

Some thyroid disorders can be cured, but many require lifetime treatment. Learn here https://tr.im/lrRtb
For example, sometimes early stage thyroid cancer can be cured by surgery to remove the thyroid gland, but you will need to take thyroid hormone medication afterwards for the rest of your life. Goiters can also be surgically removed and do not always recur after surgery. In most cases, thyroid disorders need treatment over a lifetime. However, with treatment most people with thyroid disorders can live normal, healthy lives.