What it is
Thyroid hormones set how fast the body burns energy. In cats the gland enlarges because of a benign overgrowth of tissue that makes hormone with no restraint. The body then runs as if the accelerator were held down: the heart beats faster, and food is burned faster than the cat can eat it.
The disease comes on slowly and affects middle-aged and older cats. At first it can even look like good news: an elderly cat is lively again and eats with gusto. Over time, though, the overworked heart can thicken, blood pressure can rise and muscle wastes away.
The disease can mask kidney changes that sit alongside it, so the cat needs to be assessed by a vet rather than judged by its appetite.
Signs you may notice
- Losing weight while eating well
- Begs for food all the time
- Drinks and urinates more
- Vomits or has diarrhoea
- Untidy, matted coat
A cat begs for food all the time but grows thinner, drinks and urinates more, and may vomit or have diarrhoea. It becomes more restless and louder, especially at night, and its coat looks neglected.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your cat is losing weight while eating well, or has become unusually hungry and restless. If it struggles to breathe or breathes with its mouth open, a vet is needed immediately.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.