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Let's face it ' we could all stand to lose a few pounds ' and cats are no exception. But for cats, weight loss should be controlled, gradual and supervised by your veterinarian. Because when it comes to weight loss in cats ' a sudden drop could signal some underlying health problems.

If your otherwise healthy cat drops a little weight in the heat of summer, it could be simply because the warm weather has curbed his appetite. Burning more energy to maintain body heat in colder weather may also cause healthy cats to shed a pound or two. Stress caused by things such as moving to a new house ' or being placed in a kennel while you're on vacation, as well as lactation (for new mothers) can also cause cats to lose weight.

Of course, diet plays a key role in keeping your cat healthy, so pay careful attention to what's in your cat's food dish. Poor-quality, inedible or spoiled food could result in unwanted/unnecessary weight loss and leave your cat undernourished.

Not all weight loss is a result of dietary or environmental changes ' which is why it's important to work with your vet to develop a healthy weight loss program for your cat.

If a sudden weight loss occurs and your cat hasn't received a clean bill of health from his doctor, take him in for an exam. The weight loss, according to http://Petco.com, could stem from underlying conditions such as:

' Dental disease
' Gastrointestinal disorders (including parasites)
' Diabetes mellitus
' Liver or kidney disease
' Congestive heart failure
' Cancer
' Hyperthyroidism
' Fever or chronic infections

The best defense against unwanted weight loss is a clean bill of health, nutritious food and plenty of fresh water. So take your cat to the vet at least once a year for a thorough exam and parasite prevention, find high-quality food that he likes (and feed him the proper amount), and give him an unending supply of clean, fresh water. If something pops up in the interim, take your cat to the vet and get the problem taken care of quickly.