My cat won't eat, is losing weight, and has bad breath. What to do?

Without examining your cat or at least seeing some photos it is very difficult for me to comment. The best I can tell you is that he needs to see a vet so he can be examined in person. He may have a seriously infected tooth or even a tumor in his mouth cavity. Both things can cause the sign you describe. He cannot be left in this condition without eating and losing weight. It sounds like he is in pain so he needs to see a vet right away. I would not wait to get him examined. This is an emergency in my opinion.

Unfortunately there may not be anything you can do for Matt at home except to try to offer him tasty foods and encourage him to eat and drink. The fact that he has lost weight indicates that he may have an ongoing disease process. Many things can cause weight loss including kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, parasites, cancer and other causes as well. The only way to know for certain what is happening is if physical exam and blood work. Other diagnostics may also be needed. Most health conditions are best addressed early and need to be for the best prognosis. You may look into financing with a company like Care Credit or Scratch Pay. You can go online to find information about these companies and requirements. Certainly try to get a ride from friends and family. Other services may also be available like rideshare. I hope this helps and best of luck.

CJ really needs a vet visit when you can manage it. In older cats hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease are possibilities and require bloodwork to diagnose. The good news is many of the conditions can be treated or managed but you need a diagnosis in order to determine the best treatment. Some areas may have low cost clinics or many vets accept Care credit http://www.carecredit.com/apply/ I would contact local humane societies to see if they can offer any suggestions. Some have programs that may help with vet bills. Good luck and thank you for using PetCoach.

Poor Squeak does sound like he's ill, and has a lot of things going on with him at the moment. I think you should take him into the vet. Unfortunately, dying is not a gentle or pain-free process, and he could suffer greatly while you are waiting for him to pass. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, and a urinalysis to see how his organs are functioning and to diagnose what is causing his symptoms. If you really are against taking him to a vet and want to let him go peacefully, I would call to see if there is a vet in your area that does house calls, and they can come to your home to put him to sleep. That is a way of letting him go without pain and in peace, and it would be much kinder to have that done for Squeak than allowing him to suffer until he has passed.

The fact that Angelo won't eat is a medical emergency. If he goes long enough without eating (72 hours), he will develop a fatty liver which is fatal without treatment. There are no other options but to take him into a vet immediately. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. You can also see if you can borrow money from family and friends to afford the vet. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/

This is very concerning and may not related to progressing kidney, thyroid disease or diabetes. An urgent vet check and urine and blood tests is recommended. Do not delay investigation as early treatment is required

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. If possible, you need to seek veterinary care for him immediately. He appears very sick in your pictures and your description. He will likely need blood work and x-rays of his chest to determine why he is so sick. In the meantime, place karo or maple syrup on his gums. This will help if his blood sugar has dropped too low. It will give him a little energy. He will still need care though. I hope this information helps.