Older cat sleeping more, normal?

My neutered male, Burt, has always been more laid back and friendly, but since his 12th birthday almost a year ago he has really become laid back. He is sleeping more often then not, probably 6 out of 8 hours. He has also lost some weight, but I did switch him to a better grade of food a couple of years ago and wondered if that caused him to slim down. He is due to go in for a checkup in November so I'll find out more then, but is there anything special I should bring up?  He has a water fountain and drinks quite often, and 'snacks" on his dry food  several times a day. He doesn't 'look' sick, bright eyed and quite active when he's outside, he runs and plays. He also has his attacks of "crazys" where he races around the house at least every other day. He just doesn't look the same as he used to. (of course I don't either!) Does he sound normal for an older cat, or should I be more worried?

Di and Bob said:

He just doesn't look the same as he used to. (of course I don't either!)

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:lol3: to that comment above. I think we all get to that point when we don't look or feel the same as when we were younger.

I would not be too worried about the added naps. Again, the older our pets get, the more they will sleep and the more laid-back they will become. Of course, it is always good to make notes of these changes and bring them up to the vet. The only thing that would concern me is the weight loss. A better grade of food would not cause the weight loss. He may just need something more or just more of it. Does he get any canned food? There are some great varieties/brands to choose from. YOu may already have access to Dr. Pierson's website but check it out if not. http://www.catinfo.org/?link=cannedfoods Burt (love that name ) may not be getting enough calories? Check out this nutritional needs article from our Helpful Resource Thread in Raw and Home-Cooked cat food. http://dels.nas.edu/resources/stati...d-on-reports/booklets/cat_nutrition_final.pdf

With your upcoming vet visit, make sure you do the senior panel. My only other thought was hairball even though he is not vomiting, etc. I had a senior cat once who was losing weight with no other symptoms. Wanted to an xray to check his abdomen but hairballs generally do not show up on films. So, to confirm this suspicion, we administered a small amount of barium, which is a white, chalky liquid that shows up readily on a radiograph and there it was, the hairball. He was 13 at the time and we performed surgery to have it removed. I changed his diet, and started him on a hairball remedy and a year later he has gained a whole two pounds!!! These are just some thoughts and something to run by your vet in regards to Burt. Keep us posted!

eating more, losing weight and drinking more are signs of hyperthyroidism. my cat had the same things wrong as yours does but I caught my cat's symptoms just in time and she's now on medication so i'd ask your vet when you go in to do a thyroid test and check his kidney functions as well since they could be affected too

Thank you both for your replies, I will talk to the vet. He DOES throw up hairballs once in a while, so that could be a problem, he does groom a LOT more then my other cat. Is there any hairball medicines that are better than others?

Di and Bob said:

Is there any hairball medicines that are better than others?

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I and others use Egg Lechithin. There are a few thread with info. on the subject. Here is are a couple, one very recently:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/266178/...using-egg-yolk-lecithin-to-dissolve-hairballs
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/250653/egg-lecithin-for-hairballs Hope it helps!!!!!

Thank you so much, I will definitely order some!

Di and Bob said:

Thank you so much, I will definitely order some!

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AND, keep us posted on Burt!!!