Indoor cats are prone to becoming overweight because they are less active and tend to eat more due to boredom. If you can no longer feel your cat’s ribs when touching them or see their silhouette from a top view, they may have gained extra pounds. Excessive weight puts your cat at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and it could worsen arthritis. Furthermore, it puts your cat at risk of developing obesity which may decrease its lifespan.
You can help your indoor cat shed excess weight by increasing activity and changing their diet to incorporate more proteins and reduce fats and starch. There are certain foods designed to facilitate healthy weight loss in cats. In addition, your veterinarian may suggest special foods if your cat weighs more than 10% of its ideal weight. With so many diet options for overweight cats, choosing the right one may be a challenge. We have rounded up 7 of the best cat food for overweight indoor cats in a bid to help you choose the right one.
Top 7 Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats
The best food for overweight indoor cats should be high in animal protein and low in fats and carbs. After hours of research, we identified the following foods as having the right ingredients for healthy weight in cats;
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult Perfect Weight – Premium Choice
Hill’s science diet dry cat food makes a perfect choice if you are looking for guaranteed fast results. According to the company,70% of cats lose weight within ten weeks of exclusive feeding using this food. Furthermore, It provides adult indoor cats with breakthrough weight management by supporting lean muscle and supporting ongoing weight management.
Some pet owners using this food on their overweight cats have noted improvement in their cat’s weight and behavior. For example, after two months of using this food, their cats have lost over 2 lbs, and they seem happier and more active.
Hill’s science’s unique weight loss formula contains high protein from real chicken, and it contains 300kl/cup. It’s USA-made using natural ingredients, veterinarian recommended and pleasantly flavored using chicken and roasted vegetables.
Pros
- Guaranteed fast results
- Increase cat activities
- High in proteins
- Low in calories
- Pleasantly flavored
Cons
- It contains soy
- It’s expensive
2. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control and Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food – Best Overall
The blue buffalo’s chicken and rice hairball and weight control formula is a proprietary blend of animal proteins, natural grains, and fruits for healthy weight loss in indoor cats. It contains high-quality proteins from real chicken to increase muscle mass and energy for play. In addition, it contains natural fiber from cellulose and psyllium seed husks to increase nutrient absorption and stool formation.
The weight control formula contains exclusive blue life science bits containing antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Holistic veterinary and nutritional experts carefully select the ingredients in the exclusive blue life science bits after being scientifically proven to support the immune system. It’s made in the USA using natural ingredients, and it does not contain fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Pros
- Rich in fiber
- High in protein
- No soy
- Promotes healthy weight loss
- Value for money
Cons
- It’s expensive
- May cause allergies in sensitive cats
3. Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Weight Care Adult Dry Cat Food – Best Value
The Royal Canin Feline care cat food for weight care is specifically formulated to offer balanced and complete nutrition to overweight adult cats or cats on the verge of gaining weight. According to Royal Canin,90% of slightly overweight cats lost weight within eight weeks of using this food. It contains L-carnitine to increase fat metabolism and adapted proteins to increase muscle mass and promote healthy weight loss. The duo works together to maintain the ideal weight and support healthy weight loss in overweight cats.
The feline nutrition care from Royal Canin limits additional weight gain through additional fiber, which keeps your cat feeling full. As a result, your cat can control their appetite to prevent excessive feeding. The food is formulated to maintain a healthy weight in cats with a 6/9 body score or below.
Pros
- Proven results
- Balanced nutrition
- It controls appetite
Cons
- It contains corn
- May trigger allergic reactions in some cats
4. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management, High Protein Wet Cat Food – Best Wet
Purina pro plan weight management formula provides a healthy alternative for weight loss in indoor overweight cats allergic to chicken. It contains Turkey as the first ingredient, a high-quality source of optimal protein to build muscle mass and burn fat. It contains fewer calories than other formulas, with 79 kilocalories per can. For cats who love wet foods, it’s easy to chew, and it provides the moisture needed to optimize absorption of nutrients and stool formation. It’s low in fat and rich in fiber, and it contains Taurine, which aids in metabolism and healthy weight loss.
This food provides an indoor cat with a complete nutritional balance for maintaining a healthy weight and essential nutrients for overall health. It’s loaded with proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to keep your cat healthy and fit.
Pros
- Great for sensitive cats
- Low in calories
- High protein
- Rich in fiber
- Promotes healthy weight loss
Cons
- It’s expensive
- It contains soy proteins and gluten
5. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food – Best Dry
IAMS proactive health adult indoor weight and hairball control formula provides your overweight cat with a healthy way of losing weight. It contains chicken as the first ingredient and high protein levels to increase muscle mass and energy for play. It also contains L-carnitine that aids in healthy weight loss by burning fat and beet pulp to prevent hairball formation. It forms an integral part of any overweight cat’s weight management and hairball control because it combines high protein with low fat.
The food contains Omega 3 and vitamin E, which help boost the immune system and maintain a lustrous coat. In addition, it does not contain artificial flavors, additives, wheat, or fillers. Instead, it contains vitamins and minerals to support overall cat health.
Pros
- High animal protein
- Low in fats
- Contains Omega-3
- No fillers
- No artificial ingredients
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions in sensitive cats
- Large kibble size
6. Natural Balance Fat Cats Low Calories Dry Cat Food for Overweight Adult Cats
Natural Balance was founded in 1989 by Dick Van Patten to provide pet owners with a natural way of feeding their cats with confidence. For overweight cats, their dry cat food is a proprietary blend of high proteins and low calories to keep your pet’s diet naturally balanced. It contains 35% crude protein to increase muscle mass and produce enough energy for cats’ activities. It also contains high fiber content, which controls your cat’s appetite by making them feel full and eat less. It also contains L-carnitine to promote fat burning.
The food contains Omega 3 and 6 healthy fats to boost the immune system and improve skin health. In addition, it is fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote healthy weight loss. It’s safe to use on sensitive cats because it does not contain wheat or corn.
Pros
- An excellent choice for cats with a sensitive stomach
- It controls appetite
- It contains Omega 3 and 6
- Pocket-friendly price
- Pleasantly tasting
Cons
- Kibbles may break down over time
- Some cats may not like it
7. Purina Cat Chow Hairball, Healthy Weight, Indoor Natural Dry Cat Food
Purina cat chow dry cat food provides an affordable way of helping your indoor cat lose weight safely. It contains chicken and turkey as the first ingredients, and it contains high protein levels to build lean muscles and burn weight. In addition, it contains high fiber content, which controls appetite and hairball formation. The food is fortified with vitamins and minerals to promote overall cat health, and it contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to boost the immune system and maintain a shiny coat. It does not contain additives or fillers, and it’s wholly balanced to support overweight adult cats.
Pros
- Pocket-friendly price
- 4lpFavourite among cats
- Rich in fiber
- Controls hairball formation
- Reduces appetite
Cons
- It’s not grain-free
Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Buying Guide
Most indoor cats gain excess weight because of poor eating habits. However, you can help your cat shed excess weight by choosing the right food for them. This buying guide will help you identify the right food for weight loss, how to know if your cat is overweight, and tips to help your cat to lose weight.
How to Choose the Best Food for Overweight Indoor Cats
The best food for weight loss should increase muscle mass and burn fat. Although there are specific formulations designed for weight loss in cats, not all foods are created equal. Look for the following qualities in the best cat food for overweight indoor cats;
High Lean Protein Levels
The best cat food for overweight cats should contain 30% lean proteins. Lean protein helps in lean muscle formation, boost metabolism and burn calories. In addition, proteins decrease food intake by causing your cat to feel full. Choose foods containing animal protein because they are easier to digest than plant proteins.
Few Calories
Indoor overweight cats need fewer calories than their outdoor counterparts. Most food brands for weight loss indicate the number of kilocalories in each portion. Therefore, ensure to pick foods containing fewer calories.
High Fiber
Fiber helps maintain healthy gut microflora and improve digestion in cats. In addition, it makes your cat feel full and reduces the chances of overeating.
Low to Moderate Fat
Research indicates that reducing fat intake helps lose more fat than reducing carbohydrate intake. Therefore, when choosing the best cat food for overweight indoor cats, choose foods containing Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids because they make great sources of healthy fats.
No Additives or Fillers
When choosing the best food for your overweight indoor cat, read the manufacturer’s list of ingredients and look out for fillers. They are high in starch and carbs and can cause weight gain instead of loss.
How to Introduce Cat Food for Weight Loss
If you want to change your cat’s old diet to a weight loss diet, allow your cat to adjust to the new diet before switching entirely. Introduce the new food gradually and allow at least three weeks for your cat to adjust to it. Start by putting the new food in a separate bowl and placing it next to the old food bowl to see if your cat will be interested in it. If your cat eats the new food, it’s a good sign that they like it. Next, mix ¼ of the new food with ¾ of the old food and allow at least five days. Finally, do not forget to observe changes in the cat’s skin, stool, and litter habits.
After five days of mixing ¼ of the new food with ¾ of the new food, increase the new food portion to ½ for five more days and eventually switch to the new food. Contact your veterinarian or animal nutritionist for further guidance if your cat refuses the new food during the early stages of introduction.
How to Tell if Your Cat Is Overweight
Cats tend to gain weight as they age, and sometimes you may miss it as a pet parent. If you think that your pet has added weight, but you are unsure of it, look at the following body parts to find out;
Ribs
If your cat has a healthy weight, you should feel their ribs when you run your hands along their side. But if you cant, it means that their ribs are covered by fat which is a sign of being overweight.
Abdomen
You can tell an overweight cat if you notice a layer of thick skin hanging low from its abdomen. A cat with an average weight will have its abdominal skin intact.
Spine
You should feel your cat’s bones if you pet them along the back. If you don’t, it’s a sign of being overweight.
Waist
You should see your cat’s weight from a top view if they have a healthy weight. Also, you should see an indentation of hips and front ribs from a front view.
The following signs indicate an overweight cat ;
- If they struggle to breathe
- If they struggle to groom themselves
- If they weigh more than 10% of the ideal weight
- If they become lethargic
Other Ways to Help Your Cat Lose Weight
Changing your cat’s diet alone is not enough to lose weight. You can help them in the following other ways;
Exercise
Most overweight cats will spend most of their time lounging or sleeping. Please encourage them to be active by playing with them using toys. Also, get them a cat tree where they can jump up and down and lose a few calories in the process. You can also move their feeding bowls away from the usual spot or up the stairs to encourage them to be active.
Get Help From a Veterinarian
A veterinarian will help identify the causes of your cat’s excessive weight gain and suggest ways of mitigating the issue. For example, he can tell if your cat has an infection or metabolic disorders that make it difficult to lose weight. Besides, a vet can determine your cat’s ideal weight depending on its breed and age and suggest safe ways of losing weight.
Attention
Indoor cats tend to eat more when they are bored or anxious. You can prevent this by giving them your attention, cuddling, or playing with them.
FAQ
1. When Is a Cat Considered Overweight?
A: A cat is considered overweight if it weighs more than 10% of its ideal body weight, depending on its age and breed.
2. How Do I Exercise My Overweight Cat?
A: You can exercise your overweight cat by playing with them when feeding or making them fetch toys. In addition, you can get them a cat tree or move their feeding bowls away from their usual place to encourage them to walk.
3. What Should an Overweight Indoor Cat Eat?
A: An overweight cat should eat protein-rich foods to reduce appetite and increase muscle mass. In addition, they should eat fiber-rich foods which improve digestion and sustain the cat longer than regular food. Besides, overweight cats should eat foods containing low to moderate fat and low calories.
4. What Makes a Cat Overweight?
A: A cat may gain excess weight due to poor eating habits, lack of physical exercise, metabolic disorders, and physiologic diseases.
Conclusion
Indoor cats gain excessive weight due to lack of activity and poor feeding. Luckily, there are specific foods designed to help them lose weight. When choosing the best cat food for overweight indoor cats, consider foods containing high protein, high fiber, low calories, and moderate to low fats. For example, our roundup review recommends the Blue buffalo natural hairball and weight control dry cat food because it contains high proteins and fiber. Besides, it contains exclusive blue life science bits rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and is proven by veterinarians and nutritionists to boost immunity.
