My senior cat can't stand, is falling, and seems thinner. What do I do?

There could be a problem with Charlene's back or hips. It's very concerning that it appears it hurts her to stand. Rest her tonight, and have her seen by a vet in the morning if she is still acting this way.

Y=This is an emergency, especially since your cat is not eating voluntarily. Try to find a veterinarian to see her today. She will need a thorough neurological exam and likely needs iv fluids, possibly anti-nausea medication. It is very good that you are syringe feeding her. If you cannot find a vet today, make sure she eats and drinks so she does not dehydrate and take her to a vet tomorrow morning.

It could be Squishy is suffering from vestibular syndrome, which causes problems with balance and coordination. You need to have him seen by a vet for this problem, and I would take him into one in the morning.

Oh dear, poor Meow! Since she is not moving, eating or drinking, my main concern is that she has experienced significant trauma in her travels, either from a long fall or being hit by a car. These traumatic events can cause major head trauma, rib fractures, or internal injuries that can be quite severe and painful. At this point, Meow needs to go to an emergency vet immediately for evaluation and treatment. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. The falling over may be due to weakness or possibly neurological disease. That can also be why she is sleeping more. Urinating in unusual places is almost always due to a urinary tract condition such as an infection, stones, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have Sophie evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery! 


Your kitty needs to be seen by a vet. These are concerning symptoms in an older cat. They can become dehydrated very easily. Not eating can be caused by numerous things including things with the gi tract itself and diseases of any other organ system (kidneys, liver, etc). Your vet can perform an exam and then likely will recommend starting with bloodwork +/- xrays. This is the best plan to figure out what is going on and to get your kitty feeling better. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Not necessarily. Senior cats do get several treatable aging diseases like hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure, and heart abnormalities. With treatment they can improve and continue to live a comfortable life. I recommend a senior workout to determine if there is a treatable problem. She could also have cancer or a more serious medical condition that there is no treatment for. You’ll know more after an exam and blood work. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.