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My seventeen year old cat has gone very thin recently, is this his age?

Q

My seventeen year old cat has gone very thin in the past six months so that I can now feel his bones, even though he’s eating well. I gave him a worm dose but it hasn’t helped. Is this just old age?

A

There are a few common causes of signs like this. Examples include diabetes and an overactive thyroid gland. A blood test is usually needed to find out what’s going on, so you should definitely take him to see your local vet. Once the cause has been identified, he should be able to get treatment which will help him put weight back on again.

If you are worried about your pet's health, visit the Petfix DIY Triage Checker or talk to your vet as soon as possible.