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Best Weight Management Cat Food for 2022

If your cat has been placed on a restrictive diet by their vet in order to lose a bit of excess weight, it can mean a bit of an upheaval in terms of their diet and eating habits.

One of the best changes you can make is a switch to obesity management cat food. They will still be getting all the right nutrients and vitamins, and possibly eating just as much too, but won’t be consuming as many calories.

This, boosted with an increased activity level, should really make a difference. Here are our top picks for the best cat weight loss foods.

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline OM
    • High protein
    • Added urinary benefits
    Check Price
    Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management
    • Purely for weight loss
    Check Price
    IAMS for Vitality Light in Fat
    • Large bag
    • Keeps fur looking good too
    Check Price

    The Top Foods For Cat Weight Loss Reviewed

    1.
    Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Feline OM

    OM is low in fat and calories whilst being high in protein to encourage steady and effective weight loss. It also maintains healthy muscle mass, so they can continue to stay active throughout their weight loss journey.

    Natural fibre and protein will help your cat to feel fuller for longer, so they won’t be meowing for another plate of food or some treats after only an hour.

    It also helps to minimise the risk of urinary stone formation, with St/Ox to help support urinary health in cats who may be prone to conditions. Any cat over one year old can have this food, and as per the advice of their vet, can continue to eat it as a way to maintain the weight loss.

    Features

    • High protein
    • Added urinary benefits

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg/5kg
    • Ingredients: Maize gluten meal, wheat gluten meal, soya meal, dehydrated poultry protein, wheat flour, pea fibre, digest, minerals, animal fat, fish oil, yeast
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Dry

    2.
    Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management

    When your cat’s weight is the only issue facing their health, you need a dedicated purely weight management food which doesn’t alter any other medical issues.

    This wet food just takes care of your cat’s body fat, tapping into how their specific metabolism works to make the best of it. There is no addition of urinary or heart medication, so if your cat is otherwise healthy, they won’t be getting too much protein or fibre.

    It is proven to help your cat lose up to 29% of their body mass in two months. Your cat is less likely to put the weight back on at the end of the programme, too.

    Features

    • Purely for weight loss

    Specifications

    • Size: 24 x 156g
    • Ingredients: Chicken: Pork, cellulose, chicken ( 4%), maize starch, minerals, soybean oil, vitamins and trace elements
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Wet

    3.
    IAMS for Vitality Light in Fat

    Light in fat, this food is formulated with L-Carnitine which is a naturally occurring amino acid often taken due to its weight loss benefits.

    It contains 30% less fat compared to IAMS standard adult chicken food, which really makes a difference over time. The crunchy kibbles will also help to keep their teeth in great condition, which is always vital but even more so if they are going through a slight diet change.

    Fibre blends in the ingredients include prebiotics and beet pulp which help healthy digestion in the future, and it is wheat-free which will help if they are intolerant to it or it causes digestive problems.

    As a bonus, it comes in a huge bag, which should last you for quite a long time.

    Features

    • Large bag
    • Keeps fur looking good too

    Specifications

    • Size: 10kg
    • Ingredients: Animal protein, omega 3 and 6, vitamin e, antioxidants
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Dry

    4.
    Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management

    A food which has been clinically proven to work with your individual cat’s metabolic system, to ensure it works just the way they need it to as opposed to working generally.

    It can provide 29% weight loss over the course of two months, as it works to control hunger so your cat is less likely to snack or go in search of feeding elsewhere. This is basically weight loss without deprivation, so they are still getting the necessary amount of nutrients.

    Following a weight loss programme, it is also proven to reduce the likelihood that the weight will just go back on.

    Features

    • Proven to be tasty and appealing
    • Steady weight loss

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg/4kg
    • Ingredients: Chicken and turkey meal, maize gluten meal, brewers' rice, cellulose, dried tomato pomace, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, coconut oil, digest, animal fat, minerals, fish oil, dried carrots, vitamins, taurine
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Dry

    5.
    James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Light

    A hypoallergenic mix, ideal if your cat is getting a bit on the large side but is restricted in what they can eat.

    There’s no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, and it is made entirely of natural ingredients with added minerals. By excluding the most common causes of adverse food reactions, your cat will be able to lose weight, keep a healthy coat and keep muscle mass without their tummy suffering.

    Features

    • 15% less fat than standard food
    • Complete food

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg
    • Ingredients: Turkey meal, brown rice, white rice, maize gluten, poultry gravy, potato protein, turkey fat, tomato pomace, sugar beet pulp, alfalfa meal, whole linseed, pea protein, potassium chloride, seaweed, omega oil supplement, chicory extract
    • Flavour: Turkey
    • Type: Dry

    6.
    Royal Canin Satiety Adult

    Featuring a special blend of fibres which can help to boost the cat’s feeling of satiety and increases the volume of their stomach content, this is a great food for any cats who are always pestering you for more treats and never seem to be able to eat enough.

    The high protein count helps to maintain their muscle mass, and the essential fatty acids will help their coat to stay shiny and healthy. It is one of the more slow-process models out there, for any cats who will definitely not want to have to eat less, but you can see that it keeps the weight off before gradually helping them to lose it.

    Features

    • For gradual loss
    • Helps keep weight steady after the programme finishes

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg/3kg
    • Ingredients: Dehydrated poultry protein, vegetable fibres, tapioca, wheat flour, hydrolysed animal proteins, wheat gluten, maize gluten, animal fats, chicory pulp, fish oil
    • Flavour: Meat
    • Type: Dry

    7.
    Hill's Prescription Diet r/d Weight Reduction Chicken

    Weight issues can cause some discomfort, reduced energy and shorter life, which nobody wants for their feline friend.

    But it can be hard not treating, or keeping to food portion sizes if they beg for more. Hill’s r/d has been formulated to not only help weight loss, but also heart disease, arthritis and diabetes, which can all be caused by too much body fat.

    The high levels of L-Carnitine also improve absorption rates and metabolism.

    Features

    • Helps with heart issues

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg/5kg
    • Ingredients: Chicken and turkey meal, maize, maize gluten meal, cellulose, digest, animal fat, minerals, L-carnitine, vitamins, taurine, trace elements and beta-carotene
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Dry

    8.
    Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight Management

    Low calorie, high fibre and tasty – this food has pretty much everything you need if your cat has been told to lose weight, but they will only touch wet food.

    The fibre helps your cat to feel fuller for longer and also regulates bowel movements. The latter point can help if your cat suffers from digestive issues and you are struggling to manage this plus find food which can help them to lose weight.

    The addition of L-Carnitine will ensure their muscle mass remains steady, so they can keep active and are still fit once the fat has gone.

    Features

    • Digestive management

    Specifications

    • Size: 24 x 156g
    • Ingredients: Pork, cellulose, chicken, maize starch, minerals, soybean oil, vitamins and trace elements
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Wet

    9.
    Meowing Heads Dry Reduced-Calorie

    Whether your cat is piling on the pounds, or they are an indoor cat so perhaps not as active as they would be if outside, this food is a lighter blend compared to the standard adult mix.

    It is still just as tasty, and with 70% chicken and fish, you can guarantee the ingredients are pure and natural too. They are blended with additional vegetables, free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

    Grain-free, if your cat suffers from gluten intolerances, they are safe with this mix. There is a feeding guide on the back of the bag so you can give your cat just the right amount of food based on their weight.

    The price is high, but it is good quality – with over 70% meat and fish content, it beats ones with under 20% out of the water. Cats are omnivores, after all.

    Features

    • High meat content

    Specifications

    • Size: 1.5kg
    • Ingredients: 40% chicken & salmon, dried fish, sweet potato, pea starch, dried egg, vegetable fibre, dried tomato, seaweed, dried carrot, dried cranberries, yucca, hip & joint care pack
    • Flavour: Chicken/Fish
    • Type: Dry

    10.
    Purina Veterinary Diet Feline OM ST/OX Obesity Management

    This food comes in pouches, which is great if you want something wet but want to avoid tins.

    It is a gravy base as well, good if you want to avoid jelly or your cat simply won’t go near the stuff.

    High levels of fibre help your cat to feel fuller for longer, and this, in turn, reduces the calories they consume. It will also discourage urinary stones from forming, which can happen more with obese animals.

    Features

    • Pouches
    • Easy to give a portion

    Specifications

    • Size: 10 X 85g
    • Ingredients: Meat and animal derivatives, fish and fish derivatives, derivatives of vegetable origin, cereals, minerals
    • Flavour: Chicken
    • Type: Dry

    Buying Guide

    Cat Food For Overweight Cats

    Cat food for weight loss or management is meant to help them get down to a healthy weight, and then maintain this thereafter. Essentially, food made for overweight cats or those who need to lose weight is low in calories.

    It will also be high in protein which encourages fat burning while keeping their muscles in good condition when this is occurring.

    High levels of fibre will help your cat to stay fuller for longer as well, so they are more likely to stick to their usual two meals per day and resist the treats.

    Many brands also feature other additions, such as urinary security to keep kidney or urinary infections at bay, which are more common in overweight cats. These could be worth bearing in mind if your pet’s weight has affected other parts of their life, too.

    Weight management is all about losing the excess until they are at a healthy point and then continuing this lifestyle. Depending on how much they need to lose, they may need a specific form of food.

    Buying Cat Food For Weight Management

    Never buy any of this food without the recommendation of your vet. If you have noticed that your cat is putting on weight, you should go to your vet anyway so they can check for other issues.

    There are always several different kinds of medical food too, such as ones which help with weight but also heart issues or urinary issues, and using one which is slightly different or doesn’t use the ingredients your cat needs could mean the whole thing is pointless (or maybe even fatal).

    The idea of buying any medical pet food online is simply that it is cheaper as opposed to buying it directly from the vet, especially if they will be eating it over a long period. When buying, you may be asked some questions to ensure you know how to use the product on the site before you reach the checkout.

    Ensure your vet has given you the precise brand and model to look out for, or at least a guidance on the ingredients needed.

    Ingredients To Look Out For

    Not all foods will contain the below, and your vet may actually say some aren’t as necessary, but in general, cat food for weight management should contain:

    Fibre

    These help your cat to feel fuller for longer, so they won’t be as hungry as soon after they have eaten and will be less keen on eating or wanting treats. It also regulates bowel movements

    Protein

    This helps your cat to maintain their muscle mass throughout their weight loss journey, so they can remain active and strong

    Meat Derivatives

    Cats are omnivores and it isn’t recommended they avoid meat so it is still an important ingredient for their wellbeing

    Grain-Free

    There is a higher chance that the food is more naturally nutritious if grain-free, and is also less likely to cause stomach upsets or intolerances. But do check with the vet that this is okay for your cat first

    Taurine

    Great for a healthy heart and eyes

    Other Buyers Ask...

    Why Is It An Issue If My Cat Is Overweight?

    Overweight cats suffer from decreased activity, which can, in turn, affect their muscles and joints and cause issues later in life, such as arthritis.

    They are also more likely to develop heart disease, urinary tract disorders, constipation and metabolic problems such as diabetes.

    How Do I Know If My Cat Is Overweight?

    It can be tricky, particularly if they have long hair or are naturally ‘big-boned’.

    But you may notice that they have a decreased level of activity and are less likely to jump up, move around or go outside. They may also lose agility, missing the sofa if they try to jump onto it for instance.

    With most cats, you will see that they have become a bit rounder, particularly when viewed from above or the side. Always go to your vet with any of these symptoms, however, as it can rule out any other issues such as digestion problems or something more serious.

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