Senior cat losing weight?

[April2]

Ok, guys, pacify me. I think I'm just getting paranoid and it's ok to tell me that! I just lost my dog last night and I was just thinking that Misha is only a year younger than Willow and I hope I don't lose her any time soon. Tonight as I was holding her and petting her, I rubbed her belly (yes, she's one of the few cats who let you rub her belly!) and she seems to have lost quite a bit of weight. I don't know in how long. I don't even know if she did for sure, she just seems like she has. Since I haven't brought her to the vet in several months it's hard to say if she's just gradually lost weight over the last year and I didn't notice and all of a sudden notice or what. Like I said, I don't want to get paranoid but is it normal maybe for a senior cat to lose weight? She's not acting sick or anything, thank God. She acts fine. I just noticed she's thinner, that's all. Like Willow, she's always been a bit overweight, so it wouldn't kill her to lose some but I don't know why she's lost weight unless it's just a normal thing for an older animal. I don't know. What do you all think? I think it would be probably silly to just take her to the vet just because she's lost some weight if she doesn't act sick, and I think they'd probably know I'm just being paranoid having just lost my dog, but darn it, I sure don't want to have that happen again any time soon! I know, I'm paranoid, aren't I.

[PrettyKitty1]

April,

I would give you my two cents but HU already said it all. You know I agree with her on that. I told you the same thing a while ago, not the teeth part, though. But you can take her to the vet if you are worried.
I'd feel the same way if I were you......

[HelpinUtah]

April:
I think it's normal for a senior cat to start losing weight.  I had two male cats that were brothers and they both lost weight around the ages of 12 or so.  When Robear was 17 he had become pretty skinny even before he got sick.  I don't know why?  Although, you might want to check and see if her teeth are bothering her at all.  When Robear and Magnum were around 8 they started having some problems with their teeth and started to lose weight.  I had their teeth cleaned and did that every year and that took care of the problem.  When they get older so many things happen to them just like people. If you're nervous, maybe take her in and let the vet take a look at her.  
I'm sorry you are worried. I don't blame you - especially after losing Willow.
Hugs,
Janet