Cat sleeping

Question
My Thomas (Male Tiger, 16-17 years old) is very quiet lately and sleeping a LOT.  He seems so quiet and his sleeping a lot is worrying me.  It started 2 days ago, his nose is cool, he is not eating (highly unusual), he drinks water and uses his litter box for both uses. But does not seem 100%.  Indoor cat, but hangs out on the balcony (not lately).  The vet is a fortune I do not have right now at ALL.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Well, Christina,

My first thought about a cat this age that has stopped eating is that he is dying. The last things cats do before they are done is stop eating.

Now even if he isn't sick, or didn't appear to be, old age does take over and they can and will just lie down and curl up and wait to die.

I am sorry if this sounds harsh but it is a reality and the only way to know what is going on is to have a vet look at him.

Not all vets are a "fortune." Some have very reasonable office call rates. I would call around and shop.
Otherwise, there isn't much I can tell you without seeing the cat in person or knowing a lot more about his history.

17 is a long time for a cat and it is way past the age of normal life span. I hope that I am wrong but again, you won't know unless you take him in.