Low Weight for Persian Cat

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a 4 year old silver shaded persian.  He's 6.2 lbs and he's lost 2 ounces since a year ago.  Last year the Vet said he was a little on the skinny side and this year I can't believe he lost 2 ounces.  Vet said for us to feed him some wet food as well to see if he puts on weight.  Why is he so skinny? I feed him very high end dry food and it's out all day so he can eat when he wants to.  Should I be worried?

ANSWER: Hi Anna, I would certainly be concerned. Is there anything else obvious you can see with your cat.. like loose stool or listlessness??
If he was my cat I would want a blood panel done. There is no reason for a healthy adult cat to be losing weight and it sounds like he was quite thin to start with. Have you had him since he was a kitten?? or did you just get him last year. Did his breeder have anything to say about his small size? teresa

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QUESTION: Thanks for  your reply.  I've had him since he was a kitten.  Breeder is no longer around and I can't ask her about the family tree.  I've done blood work every year and nothing shows up.  I'm getting the results for the recent lab work tomorrow (monday).  I haven't noticed anything different with him.  I lay some wet food out for him and he has no interest.  I have no idea how to fatten him up....

Answer
Hi Anna, well if you have had blood work done and he has always been small.. then he may have had some hardship as a kitten that has affected his growth rate and metabolism. Some breeders self medicate and can have quite ill kittens that although they may get well enough to sell as a pet.. had such a rough start in life that some organs could have been permanently damaged. It is discouraging to know that he has lost weight since last year.. when you are trying so hard... but it is also only 2 ounces which is not significant. There may be nothing you can do for him..Just like children from war torn countries and drought riddled countries..even the best nutrition later in life doesn't help correct damage done to the body as a child. If he were my cat I would just keep him on a premium quality food.. which it sounds like you do .. and then just enjoy him as a 'junior persian" .. It makes  him unique and there may be some health problems that will pop up as he ages but from the history you have given me I don't think there is anything you can do to prevent that. Putting extra weight on him is not going to change anything that was permanently damaged.. so just enjoy your lean cat and try not to stress too much about what he eats.. He sounds like a happy healthy cat and that is what matters at this point. Teresa