Obesity and weight-related health conditions can be a real problem for domestic cats – especially indoor cats. They normally lead a less active lifestyle compared to their outdoor cousins which can cause them to pile on the pounds. An overweight cat is much more likely to suffer from conditions such as heart disease, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
So of course, we need to be doing everything we can to make sure our indoor cats are as healthy and happy as possible. As well as encouraging them to move and exercise, getting your kitty the best cat food for indoor cats can really help to regulate their weight.
So, what do you need to look for when buying cat food for overweight indoor cats? And how much should an overweight cat really be eating?
We’ve done our research to provide you with the best options available for your furry friends so you can make the right choice for them (and you)!
Best Cat Food for Overweight Cats – Quick Overview
Brand | Best For | Why It’s a Good Choice |
---|---|---|
AvoDerm Indoor Weight Support Cat Food | Best Wet Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats | Good quality proteins, Low calorie but high nutrition, Helps with skin and coat health too |
Hills Science Diet Cat Food | Best Dry Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats | Vet formulated, High-quality ingredients, Helps digestion |
Blue Buffalo Weight Management and Urinary Care Cat Food | Best for Senior Indoor Cats | Veterinary diet formula, Grain-free, Tackles two problems at once |
Instinct Raw Limited Ingredient Diet Cat Food | Best Poultry Free Choice | Grain and gluten-free, Simple list of ingredients, All the goodness of raw to nourish your cat |
Halo Holistic Grain-Free Healthy-Weight Cat Food | Best for Sensitive Stomachs | Real protein and no meat by-products, Formulated to promote muscle function and weight loss, Contains taurine |
Why Is Being Overweight a Problem for Your Cat?
Obesity and being overweight can cause massive health problems and, ultimately, shorten your cat’s life expectancy. Even if it’s just a little extra weight, the more they weigh the less likely they are to exercise and so it goes on…
Overweight cats can develop diabetes, cancers (especially intra-abdominal), painful osteoarthritis, and urinary and bladder issues. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be for them to shed the pounds, so it’s worth noticing it early on, feeding them healthy cat food for overweight cats and encouraging them to play and move more.
Being overweight can also affect your cat’s mood. Heavier cats tend to be more lethargic, less playful, and less engaged with their family members. If your cat is a healthy weight, they’ll be more likely to engage in their surroundings and play with you!
Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats
Here are the best cat food options out there to help your indoor cat slim down.
Best Wet Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – AvoDerm
Who would have thought that cats go wild for avocados? Or that they’re good for them? You just have to ask any cat or pet parent and they’ll tell you it’s true!
AvoDerm cat food was originally formulated to help skin and coat conditions (thanks to the omega fatty acids in avocados) but they also created this great weight loss brand. It’s full of nutrient-rich ingredients (such as oatmeal and pea fiber) that will help to keep your cat full whilst regulating the number of calories they eat.
Food Info
First 5 Ingredients: Tuna, Fish Broth, Chicken, Sunflower Oil, Carrots
Primary Proteins: Chicken and Tuna
Life Stage: Adult
Package Size: 3oz cans
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 12% min, Crude Fat 3% max, Crude Fiber 1.5% max, Moisture 82% max
Caloric Content: 63kcal/can
Best Dry Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight cat food has been specially formulated by veterinary nutritionists to give your cat all the nutrients they need but without all the calories. It’s also full of antioxidants and vitamins to boost your cat’s immune system.
The healthy and tasty cat food is made in the USA and only uses high-quality ingredients and absolutely no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Food Info
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Meal
Primary Proteins: Chicken
Life Stage: Adult
Package Size: 3lb – 15lb bag
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 35% min, Crude Fat 9% min, Crude Fiber 12% max, Moisture 8% max
Caloric Content: 315 kcal/cup
Best Cat Food for Weight Loss and Urinary Health – Blue Buffalo
Older cats can be more prone to weight gain and urinary problems. The great thing about this food is that it tackles two problems at once!
This canned wet food provides the perfect quantities of fiber, calories, and fat to help maintain a healthy weight. It’s also formulated with the ideal levels of minerals to support urinary health and stop crystals from forming. Because it’s wet food, your furry friend gets extra water to help kidney function too.
This veterinary diet formula is specially formulated for obese, older cats and therefore requires a prescription.
Food Info
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Water, Pea Protein
Primary Proteins: Chicken
Life Stage: Senior
Package Size: 5.5-oz can
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 8.5% min, Crude Fat 2.5% min, Crude Fiber 4% max, Moisture 78% max
Caloric Content: 136 kcal/can
Best Non Poultry Can Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Instinct
A common problem for many cat owners is finding cat food that doesn’t include poultry of any kind. If you don’t want to feed your indoor cat chicken or turkey, or if they’re sensitive to it, this could be a great option.
The first ingredient is farm-raised rabbit which is easy for your cat to digest and full of the protein and minerals they need. It uses a very simple list of ingredients to ensure it’s well balanced and that it looks appetizing to even the pickiest of eaters!
Food Info
First 5 Ingredients: Rabbit, Pea Protein, Peas, Rabbit Liver, Montmorillonite Clay
Primary Proteins: Rabbit
Life Stage: Adult
Package Size: 5.5-oz tins
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 10% min, Crude Fat 3% min, Crude Fiber 1.5% max, Moisture 76% max
Caloric Content: 156 kcal/can
Best Sensitive Stomach Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Halo Holistic
This is a great dry cat food for indoor cats with sensitive stomachs. It’s formulated to help with weight management whilst also giving your cat all the minerals and vitamins they require. It’s high in protein and fiber but low in fat which means your kitty will still have the energy they need to play but without all the calories!
Halo only uses sustainably sourced salmon and whitefish, non-GMO veggies, and ensures that there are no artificial preservatives, colors, or meat by-products in your cat’s meal. Cats love the taste and, thanks to the high-quality ingredients, it’s easy for sensitive stomachs to digest too!
Food Info
First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Whitefish, Dried Egg Product, Dried Peas, Dried Chickpeas
Primary Proteins: Salmon, Whitefish
Life Stage: Adult
Package Size: 6 or 10lb bag
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32% min, Crude Fat 13% min, Crude Fiber 5% min, Moisture 10% max
Caloric Content: 391 kcal/cup
Causes of Obesity in Cats
When it comes to weight gain, cats aren’t all that dissimilar to humans. There are many factors at play – it’s not (always) just a case of you giving them one too many yummy treats. If you suspect your cat is suffering from an underlying health condition that’s causing them to put on the pounds, it’s important to take them to the vet for a checkup.
Some of the most common causes of weight gain in cats are:
- Overfeeding and not enough exercise
- Genetics
- Breed – breeds such as Sphinx, Persian and Ragamuffin are more likely to put on weight
- Hypothyroidism
- Stress
- Medication
- Spaying or neutering
- Pain (if they have an injury that stops them moving)
Why are indoor cats more prone to being overweight?
Unlike outdoor cats, indoor kitties don’t have huge areas to roam and play in. They can’t use up energy chasing and hunting (unless your indoor cat is anything like mine and manages to catch birds from the balcony)! They generally spend more time lounging around on the couch and being less active.
As an owner, it’s really important you buy them the best cat food for indoor cats which is specifically formulated to keep indoor kitties a healthy weight and prevent them from becoming obese.
How can you help your cat lose weight?
The first thing to note is that drastically changing your cat’s diet from one day to the next isn’t going to help them. Massively restricting their calorie intake quickly can actually do more harm and cause them to suffer from conditions such as fatty liver syndrome. Cats aren’t built the same as humans and they can’t store as much energy as us. They need a regular supply of protein for their organs to fully function.
Before slowly reducing your cat’s calorie intake, it’s important to speak with your vet. They can advise on the best way to do it and also rule out any underlying medical conditions which could potentially be causing your cat to put on weight.
It’s also important to consider what, how often, and how much you feed your cat. Getting any of the best cat food for overweight indoor cats on this list will help you to monitor their calorie intake and aid weight loss. It’s also worth strictly following the feeding guidelines so you’re not tempted to give them a little extra!
And it’s not all about food. Getting your cat moving can really help them to lose some weight. There are plenty of ways you can encourage your indoor cat to play and have fun – catios, puzzle toys, and climbing frames are a great way for them to explore their environment and burn up some energy!
What to Look for When Buying Food for Overweight Indoor Cats
It can feel really overwhelming when you’re faced with all the multiple options of cat food to buy. We’ve broken down the important bits so you know what should and shouldn’t be included in your cat’s meal!
Wet vs Dry Cat Food?
Whether you should buy your cat wet food or dry kibble really depends on what they prefer and the calorie content in any particular brand. Cats in the wild like to eat many different types of meat that have different textures – so in all likelihood, your cat will too!
Cats usually get a high percentage of their liquid intake from their food, so if you don’t have a big drinker, feeding them wet food can be really helpful.
Generally speaking – although it really does depend on the brand – wet food has fewer calories and a lower fat content than kibble. It has more liquid in it than dry cat food which can help to make your cat feel full. It is, however, easier to overfeed your pet with wet food, so it’s really important you measure it out well.
To get the best of both worlds, you may want to add some extra water to your cat’s kibble. This allows you to accurately weigh out the food but they also get the added benefits of more water.
Protein
Protein is a really important part of your cat’s diet. Not only does it help them stay fuller for longer (so less begging throughout the day), it also helps them to retain their muscle mass as they lose weight.
We recommend going for a high-protein diet (minimum 30% in kibble and 8% in wet food) for optimum weight loss and health. It’s best to use real meat that hasn’t been overly processed or had any artificial flavors or preservatives added.
Carbohydrates
Cats don’t need huge amounts of carbohydrates in their diet, especially if they’re trying to lose a few pounds. The best cat food for overweight cats will avoid carbohydrates in the main ingredients. The carbs your cat does eat should come from healthy sources such as fruit, veggies, and brown rice.
Taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid that’s needed for heart muscle function as well as to aid digestion. It helps to boost metabolism and maintain a healthy weight.
Omega Acids
There are such things as good fats – and omega acids are one of them. These fatty acids help with skin and coat health and are a really important part of your cat’s diet. Even healthy cat food for overweight cats should include nutritious fats.
Fiber
Fiber is a great way for your cat to feel full and boost digestion. Your pet will be able to absorb more nutrients out of the food whilst consuming fewer calories.
Vitamins and Minerals
You should really be buying cat food that has complete and balanced nutrition. Cats need lots of different minerals and vitamins at different stages of their life (kitten, adult, nursing, senior) and the best food should cater to each. You shouldn’t need to supplement any of the most important ones.
Calories
Your cat’s calorie intake really depends on how big they are, their activity levels, and their stage of life. On average, cats need between 200 and 300 calories per day.
Before reducing the calories in your overweight cat’s diet, speak to your vet. They can come up with a realistic plan based on your cat’s weight and tell you how many calories you should be aiming for every day.
How to Transition Your Indoor Cat to a Weight Loss Food
Whenever you change your cat’s diet – whether it’s from a high-calorie to a low-calorie one, kibble to fresh, or simply changing brand – it should be done slowly. Changing too quickly could put your cat off the new food or upset their stomach.
Most brands recommend mixing the new food in with the old. The recommended percentages are:
Days 1-3: 75% old food, 25% new food
Days 4-6: 50% old food, 50% new food
Days 7-9: 25% old food, 75% new food
Day 10: 100% new food
Some cats may take longer to get used to the new food than others. And that’s OK! Just take your time and don’t rush them into eating.
How can you tell if your cat is overweight?
There are a couple of ways of finding out whether your cat is overweight. The first is just to look at them! That may sound obvious, but is your kitty looking a little chubbier than they were a few months ago?
Another good way is to stroke your cat and gently squeeze its sides. Can you feel ribs? If you can’t, it may be because they’re a little on the heavier side. If you notice your cat sleeping or generally moving less, this may also be because they’re larger than they were.
However, the best way to know if your cat is overweight is to get an expert opinion. Your vet will be able to tell you how healthy they are and come up with a plan to lose the weight if need be.
What is the ideal weight for a cat?
The average domestic cat should weigh around 10 pounds, but this can vary a lot depending on the breed. If your kitty is particularly big-boned, they may weigh more and still be completely healthy.
Final Thoughts
Weight gain can be a real problem for indoor cats. There are many reasons why the scales are going up but a big one is overfeeding them or feeding them lower-quality food. All of the best cat food for overweight indoor cats on this list is nutritious, low in fat, tasty, and designed to help your cat lose weight. This food will also keep them fuller for longer so less chance of you giving in to their begging!
Have you tried any of them? What did your kitty think?
I’m an indoor cat convert and created My Indoor Cat to help other indoor cat owners make the best choices for their cats and kittens.