Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA cat that looks thin around the hips or hind legs may have lost body fat, muscle, or both. Appearance alone cannot reveal why. Arrange a veterinary appointment for unexplained or ongoing weight or muscle loss; seek advice sooner if your cat seems unwell or has other changes such as vomiting, weakness, or increased thirst.
What a thin-looking rear end can mean
Changes around the hips and hind legs are a sign to investigate, not a diagnosis. A cat can lose muscle, fat, or both, and the shape of the hindquarters cannot distinguish among the possible causes. Comparing recent body weight with earlier records may help establish whether the change is part of broader weight loss.
VCA describes weight loss as potentially related to eating less, difficulty eating, poor digestion or absorption, loss of nutrients, increased energy needs, or illness affecting one or more body systems. Possible contributors include dental discomfort, trouble swallowing, regurgitation, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, excessive urination, kidney or gastrointestinal disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer, and neuromuscular disease. Muscle disorders can also be associated with nutritional imbalance, injury, toxins, metabolic problems, inflammation, infection, or immune-mediated conditions. VCA’s overview of weight loss in cats and the Merck Veterinary Manual’s discussion of feline muscle disorders describe these broad possibilities.
Could mobility problems be involved?
Osteoarthritis may be associated with muscle atrophy, in part when discomfort makes a cat less active. Difficulty jumping, climbing stairs, or getting up after resting is useful information to report to the veterinarian. Those signs do not prove arthritis is the cause of a thinner-looking rear end; other explanations remain possible. See the Merck Veterinary Manual’s guide to osteoarthritis in cats.
#1 Best Overall
- Breakthrough formula made to positively impact the unique cell function of overweight pets, and support healthy metabolism and body weight
- Safe and effective weight loss with visible results within 10 weeks
- Made with natural ingredients, plus added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
- Hill's Pet Nutrition is the US Veterinarians' #1 recommended brand
When to contact a veterinarian
Book an examination for unexplained or continuing loss of weight or muscle. A cat may be losing muscle even if the change on the scale is not obvious, so do not rely on weight alone if the hindquarters look newly bony or the legs seem less muscular.
VCA defines weight loss as clinically significant when it exceeds 10% of the cat’s normal body weight and is not due to fluid loss or dehydration; more rapid loss is more concerning. This is a clinical definition, not a threshold to wait for. Contact a veterinarian earlier if your cat looks unwell or has other changes. VCA’s weight-loss guidance also lists weight and muscle loss among reasons to seek veterinary care.
Rank #2
- Breakthrough formula made to positively impact the unique cell function of overweight pets, and support healthy metabolism and body weight
- Safe and effective weight loss with visible results within 10 weeks
- Made with natural ingredients, plus added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
- Hill's Pet Nutrition is the US Veterinarians' #1 recommended brand
Older cats are more likely to develop conditions such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, dental disease, and osteoarthritis. Age alone does not explain a new change. Cornell advises early recognition of illness in older cats, while VCA recommends veterinary examinations at least twice a year for senior cats. Read Cornell Feline Health Center’s senior-cat guidance and VCA’s signs of illness in senior cats.
Tell the clinic promptly about appetite changes, increased drinking or urination, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced activity, weakness, or collapse. Collapse or marked weakness warrants urgent veterinary advice.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Veterinarians Recommend IAMS: Feed your favorite feline IAMS Proactive Health dry cat food to support their whole-body health
- Discover the Proactive 5 Difference: The Proactive 5 health benefits for IAMS Proactive Health are scientifically designed to support five key areas of your cat’s health, keeping them full of life, for more of life
- #1 Ingredient is Real Chicken. This nutrient-rich adult cat food contains high-quality protein sources, is tasty, and supports a healthy body that loves to play
- Healthy Weight Management: This dry cat food, crafted with a blend of protein and fiber, is designed to help cats lose weight while keeping them full between meals
- Supports Healthy Energy: This IAMS Proactive Health dry cat food contains wholesome grains, which provide essential nutrients and carbohydrates for healthy energy
What the veterinary visit may involve
The veterinarian will use your cat’s history and examination findings to decide what testing is appropriate. A workup may include a physical examination, blood and urine tests, blood pressure measurement, X-rays, or abdominal ultrasound; not every cat needs every test. The purpose is to investigate likely causes rather than infer one from body shape. VCA explains that history, examination, and appropriate diagnostic testing help guide a diagnosis and treatment plan in its weight-loss overview.
What to record before the appointment
Write down when you first noticed the change and whether it is progressing. Useful details include:
Rank #4
- Promotes muscle mass maintenance during weight loss
- High protein formula, with real chicken as the first ingredient
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health
- Used to be known as FOCUS Weight Management Chicken and Rice Formula
- 20 percent less fat than Pro Plan COMPLETE ESSENTIALS Adult Chicken and Rice Formula
- Recent and previous weights, if available.
- Appetite, approximate food intake, and the food being fed.
- Changes in water intake or urination.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or other stool changes.
- Activity, gait, jumping, stair-climbing, and difficulty rising after rest.
- Current medications and supplements.
VCA identifies this kind of history as useful when investigating weight loss. Periodic home or clinic weigh-ins can help track a trend, but a scale cannot explain why a cat is losing weight or muscle. Cornell describes using a baby scale for monitoring within a veterinarian-directed weight program; neither source endorses a particular scale brand. VCA weight-loss guidance and Cornell’s guidance on monitoring a cat’s weight explain home tracking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not start a weight-gain plan before finding the cause
Extra calories, a new food, or a “muscle gain” supplement may not address the underlying problem. Ask the veterinarian before changing the diet or adding supplements. Cornell recommends nutritionally balanced commercial cat food unless a veterinarian recommends a home-formulated recipe for medical reasons, and advises consulting the veterinarian about ideal body weight and diet adjustments. Cornell’s ideal-weight guidance provides further detail.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Quick Recap
Best Value
- Breakthrough formula made to positively impact the unique cell function of overweight pets, and support healthy metabolism and body weight
- Safe and effective weight loss with visible results within 10 weeks
- Made with natural ingredients, plus added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
- Hill's Pet Nutrition is the US Veterinarians' #1 recommended brand
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
