If your furry feline is starting to struggle with their weight, then it is probably time to look at their diet. Something as simple as changing to a lower calorie food can help them reach and maintain a healthier weight and take the pressure off their joints to reduce the risk of long term health complications. However, with so many different foods for weight loss available it can be hard to know which to choose. Our panel of pet lovers and cat experts have put together a list of the best cat foods for weight loss to help you make the right choice for your cat.
The Best Cat Food for Weight Loss
As with all BLUE pet foods, the Cats Adult Dry Food contains high quality ingredients from natural sources. It is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of adult cats, while restricting their calorie intake to help reduce and balance their weight. The food includes BLUE Life Source Bits, a specific blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your adult cat. These Bits are cold-formed to help them retain the potency of the ingredients.
As well as helping your cat to maintain a healthy weight BLUE for Cats helps with lean muscle development, and supports healthy digestion, hearts and eyes, immune systems, and skin and coats. As with all BLUE products this recipe contains no animal by-products, no corn, wheat, or soy, and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Blue Buffalo Weight Control Chicken & Brown Rice is one of 9 cat food recipes mentioned in our detailed review of Blue Buffalo Cat Food.
You may also like our review of Vitamins For Cats.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 329Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 30%
Minimum amount of fats: 9%
Maximum amount of moisture: 10%
Maximum amount of fiber: 9%
First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, menhaden fish meal
Contains chicken, fish
Contains Magnesium min 0.08%, Taurine min 0.15%, L-Carnitine min 150mg/kg, Omega 3 min 0.3%, Omega 6 min 1.5%
Contains amino acids, Vitamins A, B1, B3, B7, B9, B12 C, D3, E
- Brand: Blue Buffalo
- Model: 800105
- Weight: 1 pounds
Complete Health Natural Dry Cat Food by Wellness provides a complete and balanced diet for your furry feline. The healthy weight formula is designed to provide fewer calories than other complete foods and an increased fiber content to help your cat feel satisfied after eating. It is created from all-natural ingredients and contains no meat by-products, wheat, soy, or corn. It is also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
The food includes high quality meat protein, cranberries for urinary health, antioxidants and flaxseed to support your cat’s healthy skin and coat. The new and improved kibble shape makes it easy for your cat to eat and more enjoyable.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 415Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 30%
Minimum amount of fats: 10%
Maximum amount of moisture: 10%
Maximum amount of fiber: 4%
First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, rice, barley, ground brown rice
Contains chicken, turkey
Contains Taurine min 0.2%, Calcium min 1.4%, Phosphorus min 1%, L-Carnitine min 150 mg/kg, Omega 6 min 2.5%, Omega 3 min 0.5%
Contains Vitamin A, B12, C, D3, E
- Brand: Wellness
- Model: 8972
- Weight: 12 pounds
Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food for Healthy Weight and Weight Management supports your cat’s nutritional needs, while helping them reach and maintain a healthy weight. The food can help your cat lose weight within 10 weeks of being introduced to this food, giving them a better quality of life and increasing their energy levels as they are able to move about easier.
The main ingredient in Hill’s recipe is chicken and all the ingredients are from natural sources. It creates the perfect blend of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your cat needs to stay healthy and increase their vitality. The food does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The food does contain sources of gluten, so may not be suitable for cats with specific dietary requirements. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken is one of 5 recipes included in our review of Hill’s Cat Food.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 300Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 36%
Minimum amount of fats: 10.5%
Maximum amount of moisture: 8%
Maximum amount of fiber: 10%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, wheat meal, powdered cellulose
Contains chicken
Contains vitamin B12, C, D3, E, Taurine, Calcium, L-Lysine, L-carnitine
- Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
- Model: 2970
- Weight: 15 pounds
Specially formulated to protect muscle mass during weight loss, Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Chicken & Rice Cat Food may be just what your cat needs if they are over their ideal weight. The high protein recipe contains 20% less fat that other foods by Purina and has real chicken as its main ingredients. The complete and balanced nutrition also includes prebiotic fiber to support good digestive health. The recipe does include several sources of gluten, including wheat, so if your cat has a specific intolerance, this may not be a suitable choice. If this is not the case, then it is a tastes cats love.
You may also like our review of Purina Pro Plan Cat Food.
Minimum amount of proteins: 46%
Minimum amount of fats: 8%
Maximum amount of moisture: 12%
Maximum amount of fiber: 5%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, soy protein concentrate
Contains chicken, fish, egg
Contains Calcium min 0.8%, Phosphorus min 0.7% Taurine min 0.15%
Contains Vitamins A, B12, C, D3, E, K, Biotin, L-Lysine, Folic Acid
- Brand: Purina
- Model: 38100131331
- Weight: 7 pounds
5 9Lives Cat Food for Weight Loss
9Lives Dry Cat Food is specifically designed to help your cat stay lean and healthy, while providing a chicken and salmon taste that they will love. The formula supports your cat’s metabolism, helps maintain lean muscle, and offers the complete nutrition that cats need. The recipe does contain sources of gluten, which is something to be aware of for cats with specific digestive issues.
For more information on the brand, check out our 9 Lives Cat Food Review.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 299 kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 31%
Minimum amount of fats: 7%
Maximum amount of moisture: 12%
Maximum amount of fiber: 4%
First 5 ingredients: Whole ground corn, corn gluten meal, ground wheat, meat & bone meal, soybean meal.
Contains chicken, salmon
Contains Calcium min 1%, Phosphorus min 0.8%, Iron min 180mg/kg, Selenium min 0.4 mg/kg, Taurine min 0.1%, L-Carnitine min 200mg/kg
Contains Vitamins A, B12, D3, E, Folic Acid, Biotin
- Brand: 9Lives
- Model: 7910052256
- Weight: 11.9 pounds
Nutro Specialized Care Adult Dry Food is made from natural ingredients and designed to provide balanced nutrition while maintaining a healthy weight. The food is created in line with the company’s feed clean philosophy, so it contains no GMO ingredients, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It does contain natural fiber for healthy digestion and the essential antioxidants that your cat needs. It supports your cat’s skin and coat health, as well as helps to maintain a strong immune system. The ingredients in Nutro’s recipe come from their trusted network of farmers and suppliers. The food never contains chicken by-products, corn, or soy protein.
Take a look at our Nutro Cat Food Review.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 283 Kcals
The minimum amount of proteins: 33%
The minimum amount of fats: 9%
The maximum amount of moisture: 10%
The maximum amount of fiber: 8%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, whole brown rice, brewers rice
Contains chicken, salmon
Contains Calcium min 0.9%, Selenium 0.35 mg/kg, Taurine min 0.18%, Omega 6 1.5%
Contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D3, E
- Brand: Nutro
- Model: 10164310
- Weight: 14 pounds
If you want your cat to lose weight, but also prefer for them to have a completely grain free diet, then this is the food for you. BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Food is made primarily from deboned chicken and is inspired by the diets of wild cats such as the Lynx. The Life Source Bits that are included in the recipe are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are processed at a lower temperature to the rest of the food to preserve as much of their goodness as possible.
The recipe contains healthy complex carbohydrates in the form of sweet potatoes. As with all BLUE products it contains no animal by-products, no corn, wheat, or soy, and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 396 Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 36%
Minimum amount of fats: 12%
Maximum amount of moisture: 10%
Maximum amount of fiber: 8%
First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, tapioca starch, peas, pea protein
Contains chicken, fish
Contains magnesium max 0.14%, Taurine min 0.15%, Omega 3 min 0.5%, Omega 6 min 2.0%, L-Carnitine min 150 mg/kg
Contains Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B12, D3, E
- Brand: Blue Buffalo
- Model: 800366
- Weight: 1 pounds
Halo take a natural approach to their cat food, creating foods that contain no meat meal at all. Spot’s Stew Cat Formula Grain-Free Hearty Chicken Recipe is designed to meet the specific needs of indoor cats. It is easily digestible, so it creates less waste for you to deal with. It is made from non-GMO vegetables and contains L-Carnitine to boost your cat’s metabolism. Halo does not support factory farming or the use of growth hormones in its food. The recipe is also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe is one of 5 cat food recipes mentioned in our review of Halo Cat Food.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 397 Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 32%
Minimum amount of fats: 13%
Maximum amount of moisture: 10%
Maximum amount of fiber: 5%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, dried egg product, dried peas, dried chickpeas
Contains chicken, egg, soy protein, salmon oil
Contains Taurine min 0.1%, Omega 3 min 1%, Omega 6 min 3%
Contains Vitamins A, B12, D3, E, L-Carnitine
- Brand: Halo
- Model: 35024
- Weight: 6 pounds
This recipe by Nature’s Variety is a high protein kibble combined with freeze-dried raw ingredients. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Food is minimally processed and contains chicken as the first and main ingredient. The food provides probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to support digestive health, immune system health, and a healthy coat and skin. The chicken at is used is always cage-free, and the recipe contains no grains, corn, potato, wheat, soy, or meat by-products. It is also free from artificial colors and preservatives. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken is one of 5 recipes included in our review of the Nature’s Variety Instinct Cat Food.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 480 Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 43%
Minimum amount of fats: 20%
Maximum amount of moisture: 9%
Maximum amount of fiber: 3.5%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, peas
Contains chicken, fish
Contains zinc min 120mg/kg, selenium min 0.6 mg/kg Omega 3 min 0.5%, Omega 6 min 3.5%
Contains Vitamins A, B12, C, D3, E, Folic Acid, Biotin, Taurine
- Brand: Instinct
- Model: 769949658634
- Weight: 10 pounds
AvoDerm Natural Cat Food is specifically designed for less active cats. It supports healthy weight maintenance and helps reduce hairball formation. The recipe supports healthy skin and coat in your cat with the inclusion of omega rich avocado oil. The main ingredient in the recipe is protein from premium meat sources and the food provides a balance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your cat fit and healthy. It does not contain any meat by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, and is also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Amount of calories per serving cup: 314 Kcals
Minimum amount of proteins: 32%
Minimum amount of fats: 9%
Maximum amount of moisture: 10%
Maximum amount of fiber: 5%
First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, ground brown rice, ground whole white rice, dried tomato pomace, avocado
Contains chicken
Contains Magnesium max 0.11%, Zinc min 150 mg/kg, Taurine min 0.15%, Omega 3 min 0.76%, Omega 6 min 2.39%
Contains Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12 C, D3, E
- Brand: AvoDerm
- Model: 100514243
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
The Best Cat Food for Weight Loss Buying Guide
Helping your cat reach and maintain their ideal weight is crucial if they are to have long, healthy, and happy lives. In this part of the buying guide we look at some of the risk factors for overweight cats, how you can judge whether your cat is overweight, and what else you can do to help your cat reduce their weight.
Health Risks for Overweight Cats
Just like humans and other animals being overweight puts additional stress on your cat’s system. As well as their joints, their cardiovascular system must work harder, increasing the potential that they will develop a life shortening condition. The main health risks for overweight cats are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Respiratory problems
- Mellitus
- Non-allergic skin conditions
The more overweight your cat is, the greater the risk of them developing one of these conditions.
Is Your Cat Overweight or Obese?
Experts suggest that the average shorthair domestic cat should weigh between 8 and 10 lbs. However, most owners will probably admit that they have no idea how much their cat weighs and don’t relish the idea of trying to get them on the scales. Luckily, there are other ways to judge whether your furry feline is overweight.
- Activity levels
If your cat has become more sedentary over time, then their weight may be becoming a problem. Of course, there are a host of other reasons why this may occur, so you should get this checked with your local veterinarian.
- Change in sound
That may sound strange, but if you can hear your cat landing with a thud when they jump off things such as the bed or a chair, then it’s an indication that they weigh more than they should.
- Give them a squeeze
Gently give your cat a squeeze at the sides of their ribcage. If you can easily feel their ribs, they are unlikely to be overweight. If you have to press to feel the ribs, then this is a definite sign that they are overweight.
- Visual inspection
Generally speaking, your cat should become slenderer from their stomach to their hindquarters. If this is not the case, then they may need to cut back on the treats a little. Another telltale sign that you can see through visual inspection is a swinging pouch between your cat’s hind legs. If this is present it is another clear sign that your cat is overweight.
The more obvious these signs are, the more likely that your cat has passed overweight and is heading towards obese. Just as with dogs and humans, this can be very detrimental to their overall health and wellbeing.
Check out our review of Probiotics for Cats.
What are the Contributing Factors for Obesity?
House cats are more likely to become obese than outdoor cats. This is simply because, as a rule, they use less energy and therefore burn less calories on a daily basis. However, this is not the only factor that can contribute to obesity in cats. Other factors include:
- Breed
Some breeds are more predisposed to obesity than others. It is important to find out as much as you can about a breed before you buy or adopt.
- Disease
Some diseases or illnesses make it easier for cats to gain weight. The same is true of some medications used to treat illnesses and conditions.
- Feeding methods
How and what you feed your cat is of course the biggest contributing factor to their weight and any weight gain.
- Treats
The type, among, and frequency of treats also play a vital role in your cat’s weight management.
You may also like our review of the Best Cat Food for Bengals.
Tips for Helping Your Cat Lose Weight
On average a 10lb indoor cat requires around 200 calories a day. Of course, if they are pregnant, nursing, or recovering from injury this will differ. If you think your cat might be overweight the first thing you should do is see your cat’s veterinarian. Any weight loss plan should be agreed with them beforehand. Especially if your cat is obese or very overweight. Other things you can do to help them maintain a healthy weight are:
- Check their ideal calorie intake and measure out food accordingly. Dividing their daily allowance over 4 to 6 meals ensures they are getting the energy they need throughout the day.
- Ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water at all times.
- Don’t leave food out all day, this just encourages grazing behaviors and means you’ll find it harder to monitor their food intake. You may want to try out an automatic cat feeder.
- Avoid giving treats, or at least limit them, and ensure that they are suitable treats. Avoid human food as it is very fattening and can cause stomach problems, such as diarrhea.
- Set aside time to play with your cat and keep them active.
By following these tips and providing your cat with a sensible diet that is suitable for their age and breed, your cat will be back at their ideal weight before you know it. What’s more, you will find it easier to maintain their weight and they will find a new lease of life and energy.
Take a look at our guide on the Best Cat Water Fountain.
Sources:
- Julie Edgar, Over weight Cats: Diets and Associated Health Risks, WebMD
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