Obesity is one of the most common issues affecting domestic cats, and in 2018 alone, 33.8% of cats were obese, and 27.7% were considered overweight.¹ This is an alarming statistic, especially when you consider that a cat’s health is almost entirely dependent on their owner, and obesity can lead to a host of other health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.

The main reason your cat is overweight is their diet, and the food you choose to feed your feline has a massive impact on their health. If your cat is overweight and you want them to lose a few extra pounds, fear not! We found the eight best cat foods for weight loss available today and created in-depth reviews for each one to help you assist your cat in losing that extra weight. Let’s get started!

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.

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The 9 Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss

1. Small Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall

Smalls is the best overall cat food for weight loss since it provides a pre-portioned amount of fresh food for your cat’s everyday meals. These wholesome meals are available in several proteins, depending on your cat’s diet and preference. With plenty of protein and nutritious ingredients, Smalls has endless benefits for your cat’s health.

You can expect a healthier coat, healthy-smelling litter boxes, higher levels of energy, and overall improvement in their health. The ingredients are catered to your cat’s needs, so if they have a sensitive tummy or issues with too many hairballs, Smalls could be ideal.

The recipes are produced with human-grade ingredients, but the downside is that it’s a subscription-based service, and there is no free trial.

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2. Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Cat Food – Budget Buy

The best cat food for weight loss for the money is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Dry Food. It contains 20% less fat than Purina’s standard food, with a protein content of 43% overall, mostly provided by chicken, the first listed ingredient. This high protein content supports your cats’ muscles during the weight loss process and gives them the energy they need for exercise.

Pro Plan is also fortified with live probiotics to aid your cat’s immune and digestive systems and contains natural prebiotic fiber for additional gut health. The recipe also includes vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin A and essential omega fatty acids.

One issue with Pro Plan is the calories, which Purina indicates is 437 per cup. For a proper weight-loss food, you want a caloric intake of 300-400 per cup. We would also have loved to see a bit more fiber than the 5% to further assist in weight loss. These minor issues keep Pro Plan from the top spot on this list.

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3. Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Cat Food

Hill’s has long been the go-to food for cats with special dietary needs. There is arguably no better option for weight management, even at the high price. It was specially developed by Hills’ in-house nutritionists and veterinarians to work naturally with your cat’s unique metabolism to help them lose weight. According to Hills, 88% of cats lost weight within two months of switching to this food.

The formula has a 33% protein content, which comes mainly from chicken, and a 10% crude fiber content. It is also low in calories at 297 kcal per cup, ideal for helping your feline lose weight at a safe rate.

Hill’s is expensive, and you’ll need veterinary authorization to purchase it. Other than that, it may be the best diet cat food out there, but the price keeps it from the top two spots on this list.

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4. Evanger’s Low-Fat Vegetarian Dinner Canned Cat Food

This Low-Fat Vegetarian Dinner cat food from Evanger’s is made entirely from healthy vegetables and grains to help your cat lose weight. It contains beneficial fruits and vegetables, like sweet potatoes, blueberries, peas, and carrots. Evanger’s has added taurine and other vitamins and minerals, which the grains and vegetables lack. The formula is also low in fat and is made with no artificial preservatives, fillers, or salt.

Note: Keep in mind that this food should only be used as a temporary measure or as a side dish to your cat’s other food, not as their main food source. Cats cannot remain healthy on a vegetarian diet, as they need certain amino acids, such as taurine and L-carnitine, provided by meat to thrive.

Several customers also reported that the food is dry and chunky, making it difficult to eat.

• Related Read: Evanger Cat Food Review

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5. Solid Gold Adult Grain-Free Weight Control Cat Food

The Solid Gold Weight Control cat food is a dry, grain-free food made with fresh-caught Alaskan Pollock, the first listed ingredient. It has a crude protein content of 31% and has a respectable 360 calories per cup, ideal for weight loss. The food also contains prebiotics for added gut health, 90 million probiotics per pound, which also aids your cat’s immune system.

Packed with essential omega fatty acids from the fish, you can be sure that your cat’s coat and skin will be smooth and healthy. Solid Gold is free of fillers, by-products, artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.

One major issue is the high carbohydrate content of 37%, which is not ideal for weight loss. Plus, many customers reported that their cats wouldn’t eat it because it has a strong fish odor.

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6. Blue Buffalo Adult Weight Control Cat Food

With its quality ingredients and specially formulated recipe, the Weight Control cat food from Blue Buffalo is another excellent choice. It features deboned chicken for a high-quality source of natural protein (30% overall) and is enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals. The recipe is specially crafted with the ideal ratio of calories and protein to help maintain your cat’s optimum weight.

Blue Buffalo also contains natural fiber derived from cellulose and psyllium seed husks to control hairballs. The LifeSource Bits are a unique combination of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins for optimum immune health. The formula has no by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives and is formulated for indoor cats.

Our only criticism of this food is the high price tag, but more than a few customers have reported that their cats don’t like it.

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7. Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Canned Cat Food

This Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management canned food contains turkey as the first ingredient, with a protein content of 12% overall and 79 calories per can. This high-protein and low-calorie ratio is excellent for cats that need to shed a few pounds, and the high water content will keep them hydrated, too.

The formula is packed with essential omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat and is rich in powerful antioxidants for potent immune support. Also, it doesn’t contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Although most cats like Purina’s wet food, several customers reported that it has a fairly dry texture.

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8. Royal Canin Ultra-Light Canned Weight Loss Cat Food

This Ultra-Light canned food from Royal Canin has been specially formulated to help cats lose weight, with only 54 calories per can. It has a crude protein content of 9%, which comes largely from chicken, chicken liver, and pork, and only 1.6% fat. The recipe also contains minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, vitamins E and B12, and essential omega fatty acids.

Ultra-Light is made in the United States and comes in palatable chunks with tasty gravy. Unfortunately, it contains pork and chicken by-products and has a relatively high carbohydrate content of 26.3%, which is unnecessary for cats, especially when they’re trying to lose weight.

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9. Hill’s Prescription Diet Weight Reduction Dry Cat Food

This weight-reduction dry food from Hill’s was developed by Hills’ team of nutritional experts and veterinarians to help your feline lose weight naturally and safely. It has been clinically proven to aid in weight loss in just 8 weeks by aiding your cat’s metabolism and helping maintain lean muscle. It has 31% crude protein with just 7% fat and 265 calories per cup.

Hill’s includes an optimal blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to aid in your cat’s digestion, and it is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins E and C for a healthy immune function. Bear in mind that you’ll need veterinary authorization to purchase this food.

Also, it contains rice as the first ingredient, along with other questionable ingredients, including chicken by-product meal, corn gluten, soy, and flavorings.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Cat Food for Weight Loss

While many factors may cause weight gain in cats, such as simply overeating or not getting enough exercise, giving your cat the appropriate food designed to help them lose weight is the best first step in helping them lose the extra pounds. Simply feeding your cat less food may cause more problems, as their food is just one of many factors that could be causing them to gain excess weight. The best and safest approach is switching to a high-protein, low-fat, and low-calorie weight-loss food.

When choosing a weight loss formula for your cat, there are a few essential factors to consider.

Complete Nutrition

Fewer calories should not mean less nutrition, and the food that you purchase should still provide your feline with a healthy, balanced diet, complete with all the essential vitamins and minerals. The reduction in fat and calories should come from the exclusion of filler ingredients, like rice or wheat, and the inclusion of healthy, lean meats.

High-Quality Protein

Cat food for weight loss should contain more protein than ordinary cat food and no less than 30% crude fat protein. It is also essential that this protein comes from healthy animal sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, and it should be the first listed ingredient.

High-protein formulas are vital for retaining lean muscle mass during the weight loss process and giving your cat the energy boost that they need. However, follow the feeding instructions on the bag unless your vet recommends a different amount. A high-protein formula often causes cats to want to eat more, and they can easily overeat and gain even more weight.

Low-calorie cat food

The first step in reducing weight in your cat is to reduce calories. Weight loss formulas should have no more than 300-350 calories per cup and, ideally, a very low carbohydrate content. High-protein foods typically have more calories, but your cats do not need to eat as much.

Fat

Fat is an integral part of your cat’s energy resources, and most cat foods include high amounts of fat to boost your cat’s energy. It makes sense that if you are trying to reduce your cat’s weight, you want less fat, but it should not be left out entirely, as it’s an essential part of their nutritional needs.

Fiber

High-fiber formulas are popular for indoor cats because fiber can help reduce hairballs. Fiber is also a great addition to weight loss recipes because it aids digestion and digestive health. Most weight loss recipes have around 10% crude fiber content, compared to 5%–8% in most adult cat foods.

Is Your Cat Overweight?

Now that you know what to look for in weight loss cat food, you must follow the feeding guidelines closely for the food to have the desired effect. You may be tempted to give your cat an extra cup when they give you those pleading eyes, but it’s in their best interests to stick strictly to the plan.

Besides their diet, there are many ways to help your feline lose weight. First, it’s important to know what a healthy weight is for your breed so you can monitor it. For most domestic breeds, 10 to 12 pounds is an average weight, but it can vary widely depending on the breed.

Regardless of the breed, cats are obese if they are 20% above their ideal body weight. So, if you have a cat that should be around 10 pounds, but they weigh 15 pounds, they are overweight.

You should immediately begin giving your cat regular exercise in addition to weight-loss food. This will help them stay healthy and maintain muscle mass while they are slimming down from their diet.

Health Risks for Overweight Cats

Not only will an overweight cat have reduced mobility and, thus, a less-satisfying life, but there are also a host of other health issues that can be caused by obesity.

Obesity can also cause pain for your cat while jumping and climbing, and if they are overweight, it can put a strain on their joints. This has the snowball effect of stopping them from activity and perpetuating the weight gain.

Shifting Your Cat to a Weight-Loss Cat Food

Even when changing food brands, the transition should be done slowly and carefully, and you need to keep a close eye on your cat to ensure there are no adverse reactions. The same rule applies when transitioning them to weight loss or low-calorie cat food formulas, but we highly recommend visiting your vet beforehand. They can advise you on your cat’s ideal weight, identify any medical issues, and help you select the ideal weight management cat food.

It’s a good idea to transition your cat to their new food as slowly as possible — as little as 20% of the new food mixed into their old food is ideal for the first day. You can then increase this percentage daily and fully transition to the new food after about 14 days. Keep a close eye on your feline, and ensure they are getting enough food and not reacting badly to their new diet. Making the transition slowly usually reduces the chances of both of these occurrences.

Conclusion

Smalls Fresh Cat Food is our top pick for the best weight management cat food overall. It contains turkey, minerals, and vitamins for optimal immune health. The best cat food for weight loss for the money is the Purina Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Dry Food. It has a protein content of 43%, with chicken as the first ingredient. It is also fortified with live probiotics and contains vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

It can be a challenge to find the right formula for weight loss for your feline, and you’ll want to choose a brand that helps them slim down but still keeps them healthy and happy. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped make the process easier so you can find the best food to help your cat lose extra pounds safely.

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Featured Photo Credit: mik ulyannikov, Shutterstock