Our tom cat, who's getting on a bit now, has lost quite a bit of weight and gone quite bony. We have taken him to the vet and he's been 99% okay'd (just waiting on some final blood tests). So, my question is - what can we feed him to fatten him up a bit? He used to be a bit of a porker, but we can't understand why he's gone all skinny on us!

Just wondering if there's a way to help him gain weight without putting his health at risk, as I said he is getting on in years. Sixteen in July, I think.

Best to wait on the results of the blood tests.

The most likely causes are over active thyroid (which is controlled by medication) or chronic renal failure (for which you need a special diet)

If it is the Thyroid, then cheap beef/lamb mince is a good fattener - lightly fried off if he won't take it raw.

But if it is the kidneys you need to be careful what you feed. The protein of raw mince might be too high.

One of my cats (15 this year) has gone really skinny because he has a liver problem. He's now on a strict fat free diet of boiled fish, chicken, rice and cottage cheese, so he's not likely to put any weight back on. Sadly someone in our street obviously thinks they're doing him a favour by feeding him - he was sick in the garden on Tuesday and it had bacon in it, so they're actually making him quite ill.

I'm going to make some flyers up and post them through people's letterboxes but until then we're keeping him inside.

I'd do as StressMonkey says and wait for the blood test results - they are very comprehensive and will highlight any health issues.

I hope you get him sorted out soon.

My Cat is only 3, still in his prime... i dread the day that age gets the better of him!

The vet will be able to sell you all the food your cat will need if it comes to that but don't go down that road before your vet gives the advice. Young cats need the sort of food that gives them energy and as you may well guess that energy is not so important as the cat gets older and does not burn up fat. The best food for your cat is love and let the vet do the rest.

Both my cats are nearly 19 Ben, they're full of ailments and have lost weight, but they're both pottering on and are happy in their own way.

My cat guinness is nearly 5 and used to weigh about 9kgs recently i think he is losing weight. He is more active now running around after the older kittens he even lets himself out of the patio door. I am more concerned because we lost a cat too liver failure last july. Guinness has cystitas but he is using the litter tray ok. I am going to book a vet visit for next week i think.

Maisey Moo....if you think your cat has cystitis, don't put off getting to the vet too long. Anyone who has experienced that awful sensation would want to get it sorted asap. There is also the danger of blockages if it is stones...and then you would end up at an emergency vet which would cost a fortune!

Sazzleperkins.....I had similar issues with my cats and 'well meaning' neighbours. I posted flyers through the doors of all my immediate neighbours, spoke directly to one or two who tend to leave bowls of food outside, and also bought a tag for his collar which is a red cross and says 'Diabetic DO NOT FEED '

As others have said, you need to wait for results of the blood tests. If it is thryoid you won't need to feed him anything in particular to fatten him up because the meds he is given will slow down his metabolism and he will naturally regain weight.

If that isn't the problem, ask your vet's advice about your cat's diet when you next speak to him.

Veterinary advice is to feed lower protein diets to older cats, but there are also strong arguments for feeding appropriate protein.
Fish definitely does put a strain on the kidneys, chicken, rabbit etc are better choices. My 16 year old HT girl has plumped up nicely on a high protein diet of Bozita tinned. She has regained a healthy muscle mass whereas she was looking really scraggy. Her thyroid levels are also well controlled by her medication.
( Disclaimer....I am neither a vet nor an animal nutritionist )

My hyperthyroid cat has plumped out beautifully and gained muscle mass and a lovely coat too . But it was just the treatment - meds and subsequently surgery - that is responsible for that, she just gets Felix pouches same as always (And not even 'senior', because my other two and younger and I'm not fiddling about with different diets!.)

Wish mine had just plumpled out following her surgery - she's now a bit of a fatty and I'm trying to get her weight down! She was always so slim and healthy until this darn thyroid problem!

Same with my hyperthyroid one, and I give my three Felix pouches for exactly the same reason! In fact, I can't remember what I was doing earlier this afternoon, maybe we're the same person!

nah we can't be, I definitely haven't got a Maine Coon

Hi Deebster, what a shame you've got that problem now. I'm sure she's already had blood tests - she hasn't got low thyroid function now has she? (They can treat that with tablets, I asked!)

Thanks everyone,

He's had one lot of blood tests done and the results were fine, he was tested for his liver, kidneys and anything else serious. Apparently the thyroid should have shown up on the test they did for liver problems, but he's having a secondary lot done to double check that. Our other cat has hyperthyroid, and since she got her medication she's been fine, the vet's been really impressed especially as she's also got a heart murmur.