My 8-year-old cat is losing weight and hair. Is it serious?

No, this isn't normal for a senior cat. There could be a medical illness behind this weight loss and shedding hair, such as hyperthyroidism. This can be common in senior cats, and it can be treated either medically or surgically. I recommend taking Sino into the vet first thing on Monday for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis. Using these tests, the vet can diagnose what is causing her weight and hair loss, and can discuss treatment options with you. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Older cats like your kitty often get an overactive thyroid which will show weight loss, a really fast heart rate, sometimes vomiting, and more vocalisation than usual. Some cats get skittish as well. Hyperthyroidism can actually cause heart problems and mask kidney disease. Hyperthyroidism is easily diagnosed with a clinical exam and a little blood test and there are various treatments available, varying from Methimazole transdermal ointment or tablets to slow down thyroid hormone production, surgery to remove the overactive thyroid gland or radiotherapy. If your kitty is suffering from hyperthyroidism your vet will discuss the various options. I suggest you make an appointment tomorrow.

This is concerning, and weight loss despite eating can be a sign of a medical condition like diabetes. The hair loss could be due to fleas, mites, or allergies. You need to have Bean seen by a vet for these issues, and I recommend getting blood work and a urinalysis done. I'd take him into a vet today.

Poor Little Sarge. It could be she has a medical condition like hyperthyroidism causing the hair loss as well as the increase in drinking and weight loss, or she could be suffering from something like a skin infection causing the hair loss, and a medical condition like diabetes causing the weight loss and increased thirst. I would take her into the vet for blood work or a urinalysis. The vet can diagnose what is causing her symptoms, and can teat her. I hope this helps!

Jewel is experiencing very general symptoms of disease, these symptoms could fit almost any internal condition, maybe she is suffering from nausea due to a gastrointestinal disease and maybe she is in pain, from the symptoms described it's very hard to know. i would recommend taking her to the vet as soon as possible in order to get her checked, if he doesn't show any other obvious symptoms during the examination, a blood test and possibly an ultrasound will be needed in order to try and find out what is wrong with Jewel.

Duchess needs to visit her veterinarian. Changes in her coat can indicate many things including thyroid disease, stress or allergies. The weight loss is most concerning for a many conditions including thyroid disease, kidney disease, cancer or diabetes. Changes in her litter box behavior could also be explained by any of the above listed health conditions. Best to play it safe and have her examined by the veterinarian. They will check her blood and urine for any abnormalities and this will give you a better idea of the cause and treatment. Best of luck.

Kitty should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. He could have hyperthyroidism and your vet can run blood-work to test his thyroid level. Once your vet determines the exact cause, he/she can recommend a treatment. Hope he feels better soon.