Although the tendency in feline diabetes is for cats to be overweight, some cats may actually be underweight if their diabetes went undiagnosed for a long time. Another option is to feed your cat a food formulated for kittens. The food is 98% chicken muscle meat and liver, which means that the food is rich in high-value animal protein. Thanks for stopping in, we hope you found what you were looking for! It provides more benefit to an underweight older cat than traditional adult food. For the sake of calculations, we will make an assumption that a 6.5 pounds skinny average size cat is underweight and that his ideal weight is around 8 to 10 pounds. Since cats are carnivores, they need to consume a lot of protein in order to be healthy. Take a look at your cat from above while he is standing to evaluate his body condition. If your cat is severely underweight, you will want to consult with a veterinarian to determine the ideal feeding pattern for your cat, as well as whether you should be leaving food out. If your cat goes outside, she may have picked up an unwanted parasite tagalong who is digesting part of her food. Here are some additional recommendations: Some cats become more picky about the food they eat over time which makes your job more difficult. Research suggests that older cats may lose weight on a diet that contains less than 36% protein. Switch to a higher quality cat food so your cat’s body can more easily digest the ingredients and absorb their nutrients – fresh food is a great option. I took my cat to the vet recently and they said he was normal, but i think he looks skinnier than usual. You’ll also see our recommendations for the best cat food for weight gain. If you’re concerned that your cat is too skinny, take him to the vet to determine his true body condition score. The 9 Best Cat Foods for Weight Gain in Underweight Cats NomNomNow Fresh Cat Food Delivery. If your cat is losing weight, it could be partially due to the food you are feeding him! Use the information provided above to determine whether your cat needs to gain weight and consider the tips given to help him do it. Here at Petsumer we never recommend a product we wouldn’t use for our own pets and we do our very best to bring you honest reviews of the products we recommend. In the wild, more than 50% of a cat’s diet comes from protein. The trouble with many underweight cats, however, is that they don’t have much of an appetite or they have problems that prevent them from eating large volumes of food. If you can get your kitty to eat more calories, she'll gain weight. If you can easily see your cat’s bones, it is a sign that he is too skinny. Feed several times a day: Feed smaller portions frequently throughout the day. Overall, this formula contains 486 calories per cup with 40% crude protein and 20% fat. If you’re looking for a good cat food for weight gain that will also give your cat the variety he craves, try this multipack from Nutro Wild Frontier. Good luck! High Protein Cat Kibble. For any cat food to be considered low in starch/carbs it must contain less than 10%. The difference is the total calorie count for the household, which is calculated and then divided between scheduled feedings and food stations. Cats are also clever, and they know how to differentiate poor food from quality food. 4. How to Fatten up a cat? Plus, at 410 calories per cup, this recipe is slightly above average in calorie content for a cat food (the average cat food is about 350 to 400 calories). As bad as obesity is for your cat’s health, being seriously underweight can be just as dangerous. When your cat loses too much weight, it can put him at risk for malnutrition, brittle bones, and other issues. Try it Warm Try placing some warm water or milk on your wet food and mixing it up. Feed your cat a meat-based diet. If you wish to encourage a finicky cat to eat more and gain weight, try mixing the dry cat food with wet cat food. Obesity can increase your cat’s risk for serious health problems and can shave years of his lifespan as well. In this article, we’ll explore the subject of underweight cats. Regardless the cause, it isn’t something you should ignore. Older cats may have a health issue, like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, that causes weight loss. If you’re looking for a good food to boost your cat’s protein and calorie intake without triggering allergies or sensitivities, try this Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Food. You’ll also find that they are supplemented with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. He seemed pretty normal looking but I stopped because he would eat too fast and then vomit on the floor. Here at Petsumer, we care about pets just as much as you do and it’s our goal to help you become the best pet parent you can be. There’s no one-size-fits-all in feeding an underweight cat, but calorie-dense, easy-to-eat foods are essential. One of the first symptoms noticed in a newly diabetic pet is a sudden loss of weight, usually despite increased hunger and food intake. This recipe contains a dry matter calculation of 44% protein and nearly 17% fat. Meat provides your cat with protein and vitamin A that are necessary for her overall health. The kitten will simply ignore your less spiced food and take the more spiced one very quickly. Although you can follow these guidelines, you should also go to the vet to find out about your cat's … It contains a dry matter calculation of 43% protein and 27% fat. In order to provide you the most appropriate and trust-worthy recommendations, we base our endorsements solely on the quality of the products as they relate to the topic of the article they appear in. It also contains fish broth and chicken broth for moisture and natural flavor, boosted by protein- and flavor-rich ingredients like chicken liver and fresh chicken. Sometimes cats stop eating when they become bored with their current diet – making a switch could boost your cat’s appetite. A diet made from high-quality, natural ingredients is the best treatment for digestive issues in cats that are not directly linked to an underlying disease. It's not a good idea to switch your cat completely to home cooked food until you do enough research to be sure you are providing a balanced diet. If you are feeding them wet food, make sure it contains 5% fat and 7% protein, or higher. To help your underweight cat gain weight, one of our top picks for the best high calorie dry cat food is this Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Cat Food. This particular recipe features fresh duck as the main ingredient which is a rich source of premium animal protein and a high-fat protein at that. Overall, this recipe contains a dry matter calculation of 36% protein and nearly 25% fat. With weight loss, you cat may develop lower insulin requirements. Many cats lose weight as they get older, so you might be looking for a high calorie wet cat food for senior cats to help your cat regain a healthy body weight. You simply fill out a profile for your cat on the website, providing key information such as his name, age, and body weight. 2. Switch to wet food: Canned cat food is more appealing than dry. Quality nutrition is just as important for your cat as it is for you, so don’t take the task of selecting a cat food lightly. Read on to learn what to look for in a good cat food for weight gain. These wet food recipes contain an average dry matter calculation of 56% protein and nearly 30% fat. Commercial wet cat foods are good sources of meat for your cat. For some cats, that pickiness leads to low food intake which can lead to unhealthy weight loss over time. Cats with digestive issues often have trouble absorbing nutrients. Kitten food can also be beneficial to senior cats. In many cases, food allergies are caused by low-quality ingredients and by-products, but some cats are allergic or sensitive to common proteins like chicken or beef. Canned Cat Food. It also contains fresh fruits and veggies as natural sources for key nutrients. Best Canned Cat Food for Weight Gain: In many cases, cats who have difficulty eating tend to lose weight. Animal proteins like poultry, meat, and fish are considered complete proteins which means that they contain all of the essential amino acids your cat needs to build and maintain lean muscle mass. Another is Purina Pro Plan Classic Adult True Nature Natural Turkey & Chicken. If you’re feeding him a high-carb diet, he may not be getting the protein he needs to maintain lean muscle mass which can lead to weight loss. It contains 193 calories per 5.5-ounce can and contains a dry matter calculation of 45% protein and 34% fat. They may make your cat feel full, but they won't help her gain weight. Expertise: On top of being dedicated pet owners themselves, our team of authors has been trusted by reputable outlets like the AKC, Huffington Post, and Business Insider to provide honest reviews of top pet products as well as helpful advice to pet parents like you. NomNomNow is fresh pet food delivered right to your door. Experience: Our writers have more than 20 years of experience writing about pets, on top of decades of personal experience with pet ownership. It contains plenty of fiber for healthy digestion with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Recently reformulated, this recipe contains 475 calories per cup and a whopping 42% protein and 20% fat. Look for grain-free kitten foods, as they almost always will have the highest protein and fat levels, and don't contain any grain fillers, which is like junk food for our feline friends. Considering that cats are much smaller than dogs, a loss of only one or two pounds can be significant. Feeding your cat the correct amount of food and making sure they stay at an appropriate weight are crucial parts of keeping them healthy. Most cat weight loss diets will be a combination of either: High Fiber/Low Fat: A higher fiber content can support satiety and increase bulk, allowing your cat to … If you’re looking for a cat food recipe that is affordable but still high in quality, consider the American Journey brand. It won’t do your cat any good to feed him a large volume of unhealthy food because his body won’t be able to digest it properly and he won’t get the nutrients he needs. It features fresh chicken as the first ingredient with chicken meal, turkey meal, and deboned cod to follow. This Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Wet Food offers the highest concentration of calories for the brand’s cat food options, coming in at 149 calories per 5.5-ounce can (the average is between 120 and 190 calories per can). Not just any protein, either – it needs to be high-quality animal protein. Your email address will not be published. Cat foods made with high-quality, natural ingredients are more digestible for your cat which means that he’ll be absorbing more nutrients along with those extra calories. If you’re looking for the best canned cat food for weight gain, we recommend this chicken recipe from Instinct by Nature’s Variety. This recipe features fresh salmon as the primary ingredient, a rich source of protein and healthy fats. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Indoor Formula Dry Cat … It is now recognised that feeding cats using this method is likely to lead to cats eating too much, leading them to be overweight or obese. Most Affordable Cat Food for Weight Gain: Cat foods for specialized diets can cost a pretty penny. So your vet might recommend them to help an elderly underweight cat, too. If your cat is thin, some simple diet changes could change her from supermodel thin to pleasingly plump. Before making any diet changes, a trip to your veterinarian is a good idea to determine why your cat is underweight. The easiest change is to switch to a food with more protein and fat. Pet Place: Tips on Feeding Thin or Underweight Cats. While many cats self-regulate and don't become overweight on this type of feeding, it is often part of the reason that indoor cats do get too heavy. You’ll also need to monitor his blood sugar levels. Canned sardines or mackerel also have a good level of healthy protein and fat, and your cat may be unable to resist. Required fields are marked *. 3. If you’re still not quite sure where to start, you’ll be glad to see our recommendations below. Though increasing your cat’s calorie intake is important, the quality of his diet matters more. Cat Weight Loss Food. In addition to biological value, protein digestibility is key. Your email address will not be published. Cat Channel: Which is Best: Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food? Put your cat on a regular feeding schedule to encourage him to eat at mealtime – have two or three scheduled feedings a day and only leave the food out for 15 to 20 minutes. Vets often cite feline obesity as a key issue to watch out for, but a cat who’s underweight can also be a cause for concern. Being high in moisture and loaded with meat flavor, this recipe should be enticing to even the pickiest cats and, because it is made from wholesome natural ingredients, it will be highly nutritious and easy to digest. They’re picky about the places they like to sleep, about the people they let pet them, and they’re picky about what they eat. The calorie requirement for overweight cats or overweight prone cats is the same as above: (30 x Ideal Weight (lbs.) Though humans are obsessed with weight loss, losing weight can be very unhealthy for a cat. Another option in the best dry cat food for weight gain is this Nulo Freestyle recipe. There may be some good additions to your cat's diet in your own pantry or refrigerator. To get you started in shopping for a new recipe, here are our top picks for food for weight gain: Overall Best Cat Food for Weight Gain: When it comes to helping an underweight cat gain weight, it isn’t just about calories. From there, your vet can help you determine the underlying cause of your cat’s weight loss. Protein should range from 52% to 59% and the fat content should be between 22% and 28%. Cats that are underweight Cat or have lost weight usually are not receiving enough calories. This helps to support healthy lean muscle mass. Both of these can be managed pretty easily with a visit to the vet to get the right meds. If he is at his ideal weight, he should be well-proportioned with a visible waist behind the ribs and his ribs should be palpable just beneath the skin with minimal fat covering. Kitten food is a fine one-off substitute if senior food is out of stock. 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