How do I make my old cat gain weight?

Kodak is 18 and customarily weighs about 11 to 12 pounds, but has recently lost weight because of illness or mental issues.  I just now weighed her in at 7 lbs.

She was at the vet last week for a skin infection and rceived a sterioid shot and an antibiotic to take daily, but nothing was said about her weight.

She has feline dementia now and spends a lot of time in her crate, which actually holds our Great Dane, but Kodak  likes it there, too.  It's where she feels safe.    She does come into the other parts of the house lately now, though and appears to be more and more social.

I have begun to feed her 9-Lives canned, and she continues to alternate it with Friskies dry at her lesiure.  But, I would like for her to gain weight back more quickly and would like advice on how I can accomplish that.  She eats and drinks just fine and uses the litter box in the crate often.  I have no problem with her now except for her loss of weight.

I welcome and thank you for your advice.

Welcome to The Cat Site.

I would call the vet and express your concerns, maybe he had a thought about it but was focusing on a more immediate need, the skin infection.

Some cats like egg yolks (raw or lightly cooked); egg yolks are calorically dense.  You can mix it with her wet food.

How is her appetite?  With dementia in humans, appetite can decrease and they may start to eat weird combinations. You might try smelly food too.

Good luck.

I also care 24/7 for my MIL who has Alzheimer's Disease.    What a combination, huh!

Kodak's appetite seems good right now.  She likes the wet cat food since it's something new.  I'll try mixing egg yolks in it to see if she like it that way, too.  Thanks for that suggestion.

I just read your other thread, sorry I didn't read it before. I'm sorry you're going through this.
I'm glad she has you.
Although I wouldn't ordinarily advice this, Wil she eat dry food? It ha more calories than wet food. I also believe some of the Evo brands are relatively high in calories.
I also believe in the Danish and cream cheese diets when it's really important to get a cat to gain weight--feed them anything they or you want, like butter.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.