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Why is my cat drooling, losing weight, eating more, and lethargic?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 6 lbs

My male cats has excessive drooling weight loss increased appetite lethargic what could be wrong with him?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 10th, 2018

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. So sorry Frank is having this issue. It sounds pretty serious.

There are many things that could be going on with him. His symptoms are not specific for any one illness or disease process. All the symptoms don't seem to go together either: increased appetite but drooling and weight loss..... seems odd.

Some of the things that come to mind that would be at the top of my list would be:

* dental issue (ie: infected tooth, oral tumor)
* kidney failure
* poisoning/toxicity
* liver failure
* thyroid disease
* cancer

I suggest you get Frank to your vet for an exam and some blood testing to start with. Many of the issues I listed above can be ruled in/out with simple blood testing. This is not something that is going to resolve on it's own at home.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM
Veterinarian
There could be a couple of things going on. Excessive drooling is often noted when they have dental disease, or mouth inflammation. However, the history of lethargy and increased appetite is most common in diabetes. There would also be an increase in thirst and urinating.

Other possibilities are cancer and a chronic infection such as FIV (aka feline Aids). A decrease in weight with an increased appetite is usually due to a rather severe disease, so I would not hesitate to take Frank to the vet. In many cases these conditions are treatable and the quicker they are diagnosed, the better the success of treatment. It's not an emergency, but best if you have him seen within the next day or two. The vet will be able to help narrow-down the cause with a consult and can advise on the necessary testing and treatment to get him better.

I hope that helps and Frank gets better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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