Wet Cat Food For Weight Loss

Food For Overweight Cats

Is there really such a thing as, fat cat cat food? Yes there is!

The best cat food for weight loss is one that addresses several diet and nutritional issues, such as low calorie cat food, low fat cat food, and low carb cat food.

Fat and carbs are nutrients, while calories are the sum of all nutrients in cat food for overweight cats.

Can Overweight Risk My Cats Health

If your cat suffers from obesity in cats or is even slightly overweight, you should take it very seriously.

If you do not take measurements to help your cat lose weight and maintain a healthy muscle mass, it can risk having several deadly diseases such as diabetes.

These cases can escalate quickly, so make sure you consult with your veterinarian before choosing a best wet cat food for weight loss, and before making any decisions that can put your cats life at risk.

Avoderm Salmon & Chicken Canned Cat Food

This is the best wet cat food for weight loss which is rich in vitamins and minerals, the best thing it has a high level of protein.

The protein source in this AvoDerm Salmon & Chicken Entree in Gravy Canned Cat Food is fish. Some of the cats take prescribed food by their vet for sweet potatoes, starch, wheat flour, and rice to eat. These all food slows down the digestion process.

We love to take this low-calorie wet cat food, it is a shallow content and provides balanced vitamins, proteins level of fiber, and fat. It has a large quantity of fiber to process the complex protein.

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What Is The Best Weight Loss Cat Food

Obesity has become a problem of epidemic proportions for humans, but it is becoming increasingly more prevalent among pets as well. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs are overweight or obese. That equates to roughly 50 million dogs and 56 million cats.

When you hear the word obesity, you probably picture someone who is obviously overweight. All of their limbs are larger than average, and they carry a significant amount of weight around their middle. The excess weight makes it difficult for them to walk easily, let alone engage in any form of strenuous exercise, and it may look as if the simple act of existing is a significant drain of their energy. All of these things are on the outside, but there are also likely to be significant healthy issues below the surface.

Obesity in humans is easy to identify, but what about pets? You may be shocked to learn that gaining even one or two pounds above your cats ideal weight could negatively impact his health. Think of it this way if a 150-pound person gains two pounds, it equates to less than 2% of his bodyweight. If your 10-pound cat gains two pounds, it equates to 20% of his bodyweight.

In order for your veterinarian to diagnose your cat with obesity, he will be at least 20% heavier than his optimal body weight. A cat becomes overweight if he is just 10% over his ideal weight. But what are the dangers of overweight and obesity in cats?

Can Kittens Eat Regular Cat Wet Food

No, kittens should not eat adult wet cat food, they should eat food that is formulated specifically for kittens or for all life stages. Kittens grow rapidly and require higher levels of fat, protein, calories, and minerals than adult cats to support healthy growth. Kittens should not be transitioned to an adult cat food diet until their metabolism slows down, which is typically around 8 months of age.

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Why Your Cat Could Be Overweight

The biggest cause of obesity in cats is reckless overfeeding. The practice of free-feeding can be handed some of the blame. This is especially a problem for indoor cats, since their diets often need to be adjusted to account for the lowered activity levels of a life indoors.

In rarer cases, the cat may have a medical condition that predisposes them to obesity. If you think this applies to your cat, its best to visit a vet and get them checked.

Obesity is more common in older cats because of the natural decrease in the cats exercise. While the decreased activity is a natural process, being fed them the same quantity of food as when they were active is not. You should tailor your cats diet to their lifestyle and age to help them maintain a healthy weight.

An average cat only needs about 200 calories each day, so regular overfeeding alongside treats and human food can cause weight issues very quickly.

Consider an ounce of cheddar cheese given as a treat. An ounce doesnt sound like much to us, does it? And I bet your cat tucks in. But that tiny amount contains just over 100 calories, 50% of the average cats daily allowance! Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

Treats are a huge contributor to weight gain in cats due to their high-calorie content. We recommend asking your vet during your next visit about the best course of action for supplying treats in a responsible manner.

How To Control Your Cats Weight On A Dry Food Diet

Splitting the dry food into multiple small controlled volumes over the course of the day is most useful. That way, the cat is never full and never quite starving. With most cats, dropping below 1/3 to ½ cup of dry food per 24 hour day will make them too hungry even if adequate calories are being taken in. The actual amount needed by any given kitty is going to be unique to that cat and will likely change as the cat ages.

Using canned green beans can add bulk to the diet to make cats feel more full. This should not be done with cats that have a history of urinary tract crystals since the veggies raise the urinary pH, which predisposes to crystal formation.

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Guide To Buying The Best Cat Foods For Weight Loss

How Much Should Domestic Cats Weigh?

As a general rule of thumb, domestic cats should weigh approximately 10 pounds. However, this isnt a hard and fast rule. Often a range of weights work for domestic cats and your cat could very well be healthy at 15 pounds.

Does That Depend on Breed?

The amount of domestic cats should weigh really depends on their breed. Several breeds of cats are bulkier and naturally heavier than other breeds. For instance, Siamese cats could be healthy at just 5 pounds while Maine Coon cats can be healthy at 25 pounds.

What is an Obese Cat?

Cats are considered obese when they are 20% heavier than their ideal weight. They are considered just overweight if they are 10-19% heavier than their ideal weight. You can also usually tell if a cat is obese by the way they look. If it is hard to palpate a cats ribs and spine and it is hard to see their waist due to fat, they are more than likely considered obese.

Creating A Weight Reduction Plan For Cats

Weight loss is tough for anyone – two- or four-legged! However, losing weight and getting in shape can not only add years to your cat’s life, but it can also make those extra years more enjoyable. Helping your furry feline to shed a few pounds may be easier than you think. It simply requires a commitment to weight loss and fitness, attention to details, and the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team.

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How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Lose Weight

There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on your cats age, current weight, and activity level it also depends on how much he has to lose. For most cats, however, healthy weight loss occurs over a period of 6 to 8 months.

Theres just something about a big, roly-poly cat that is absolutely adorable. What you need to remember, however, is that obesity is not healthy in anyone your cat included.

Unfortunately, many pet owners who let their pets become overweight or obese dont realize how dangerous it is. For a cat whose healthy weight range is only about 10 to 12 pounds, a gain of even a single pound can be unhealthy and extra weight can shorten your cats lifespan.

If youre serious about keeping your cat around for as long as possible, be a responsible pet owner and help your cat maintain a healthy body weight. For cats who need to lose weight, try one of the best cat foods for weight loss reviewed above or ask your veterinarian for suggestions.

Macronutrient Profiles Of Weight Control High Protein & Indoor Formulas

We looked at 280 cat foods labeled weight control, high protein, and indoor formula to find out a bit more about how they balance protein, fat, and fiber.

Because foods can fit in more than one of the labels, the final values we took came from 121x Indoor Formula foods , 127x High Protein Formula foods , and 109x Weight Control Formula foods .

Note: Wet food is typically higher in dry matter basis protein than dry food. We were careful to get a fair balance of wet/dry for each formula to get a fair estimation.

To compare protein, fat, and fiber values found on dry food packaging to the ones you see on wet food packaging you need to take moisture out of the equation. What youre left with is a dry matter basis value that can be compared fairly.

Thankfully, all AAFCO approved cat foods are required to show minimum crude protein and crude fat levels, along with the maximum values of crude fiber and moisture. Thats all we need to get a good estimation.

Lets break protein, fat, and fiber content down to see how the three formulas compare.

Comparing Crude Protein

Protein is very important and should make up the bulk of what cats consume, but more isnt always better. Domestic cats diets have slightly deviated from that of feral cats , but their ideal macronutrient ratios still maintain a very similar balance.

Its impossible to put an exact number on the amount of protein your cat requires, but recommendations generally range between 30% and 50% on a dry matter basis.

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Formulated Recipes For Optimal Nutrition

All of our ingredients from high-quality beef, chicken, lamb and fish to wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables are carefully selected by a team of veterinarians, animal nutritionists and food scientists to keep pets healthy and happy.

How Much Exercise Does A Cat Need

Ideally, it is better if a feline should exercise at least 30 minutes per day. May not be outdoors or some park, you can make it happen at home also. It would help if you pushed your cat a little as they are a bit less active than dogs when becoming active. So to help your furry friend, you can play with her, which will contribute to its daily exercise target.

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Feeding Recommendations From Your Local Veterinarian

Canned food only is my first choice. For an adult cat, start with ½ of a 5.5 oz. can twice daily and no additional food. This is the starting point and likely will need to be adjusted downward.

For little cats, a half of a 3 oz. can twice daily may work better. This amount is also cat-specific and often needs adjusting up or down. Feeding canned food seems to create the best balance between calories and feeling full, and the meal seems to tide the cat over better than a dry food meal.

Best Organic: Castor & Pollux Organix Grain

Amazon

Ingredients: Organic chicken, water sufficient for processing, organic chicken liver, organic pea protein, organic coconut flour, organic dried egg product, organic dried peas, organic flaxseed | Calories: 207 kcal/can | Protein: 9% min.

• Double or triple the price of many other wet kitten foods

• Only one flavor option for kittens

Many kitten foods are advertised as being organic but most are not. To be truly organic it must have the USDA organic green and white label on it and be made from completely organic ingredients, explains Dr. Blackburn.

Castor & Pollux Organix wet food for kittens is one of the rare, USDA organic certified kitten foods. This formula is made in the United States, is tested for quality throughout the production process, and is perfect for growing kittens. It has added superfoods including flaxseed, coconut flour, cranberries, and eggs and is also grain-free. To top it off, even picky eaters enjoy this wet food.

Purina Pro Plan True Nature kitten formula canned cat food is another great option since it has the same qualities but is fish-based. It has a slightly higher price per can but offers beneficial omega 3s from the fish and contains no chicken.

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Why Trust The Spruce

This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years, including some special needs kitties. Her current older feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, companies’ research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats health issues.

Dr. Georgina Ushi-Phillips is a practicing veterinarian and veterinary writer for BetterWithCats.net. She grew up in Wisconsin and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Her professional interests include nutrition, soft tissue surgery, and emergency care. In her free time, Dr. Ushi-Phillips enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her hound mix, Pearle.

How Quickly Should I Introduce The New Reducing Diet To My Cat

When you are introducing a new diet to your cat, you should allow three weeks for the transition. First, offer small amounts of the new diet in a separate bowl. If your cat is a finicky eater it may take 2-3 weeks for your cat to decide to eat it. Once your cat is eating the new diet, start by mixing ¼ of the new diet with ¾ of the old diet for two to four days. Increase to half-and-half for another two to four days and then give ¾ of the new diet mixed with ¼ of the old diet for a final three to five days before completely switching to the new diet.

To enhance the palatability of the diet food, try warming the food, adding a flavoring such as FortiFlora® , a small amount of salmon or tuna juice, or an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

If your cat refuses to eat the new diet, or if you have any concerns during this initial introduction period, do not hesitate to contact the veterinary clinic for advice.

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How Should I Begin A Weight Loss Program For My Cat

Theoretically, weight loss seems simple enough: fewer calories in plus more calories out equals weight loss. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that. You should never put an obese cat on a diet without veterinary supervision.

“If cats do not eat for as little as two consecutive days, they can develop a life-threatening form of liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis.”

The cat’s physiology is different than humans or dogs and if they do not eat for as little as two consecutive days, they can develop a life-threatening form of liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis . Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your cat, and will likely recommend some diagnostic testing to ensure that there are no underlying diseases or obstacles to weight loss for your cat.

What Causes Rapid Weight Loss In Cats

If this weight loss is unexpected, rapid weight loss in cats is usually a cause for concern. GI problems, cancer, and diabetes can all cause weight loss. With many of these diseases, youll notice that your cat has a voracious appetite, yet still loses weight. If you see this, please take your cat to the vet to have them examined.

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Best Overall: Purina One Healthy Kitten Wet Food

Amazon

Ingredients: Chicken, liver, chicken broth, pork lungs, salmon, natural flavors, minerals, taurine | Calories: 105 kcal/can | Protein: 11% min.

• Lower cost options exist

• Multiple cans may be needed in one day to feed larger kittens

Purina is a well-researched, trusted brand, and its ONE line of food offers nutritious options for kittens. The Healthy Kitten paté wet food is about $1 per can and is readily available at most retailers that sell pet food both in-store and online. The formulation meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines for kittens, so you know youre giving your growing cat what it needs. Plus, it is meat-based, grain-free, and easy for small kittens to chew. Pet owners state their kittens clean their plates when they are fed this paté, so you also dont need to worry that your baby cat won’t consume what they need.