Add calories: Include a little grated cheddar or parmesan cheese or plain yoghurt to the top of the cat’s food. In most cases, cats are drawn towards wet cat food more than plain dry kibble. 5. You’ll also find that they are supplemented with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Also an avid dog lover and adoring owner of three cats, Kate’s love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. 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. Overweight cats can have insulin resistance, which may lead to higher doses being required. In the wild, more than 50% of a cat’s diet comes from protein. This recipe also contains chicken meal, duck meal, and menhaden fish meal as supplemental proteins for a total protein content of 40%. If your feline friend is finicky, consider adding canned food to her diet to get more calories in her. Kate Barrington holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and is the published author of several self-help books and nutrition guides. If you are feeding them wet food, make sure it contains 5% fat and 7% protein, or higher. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Food. How to Fatten up a cat? At this stage, you will need to provide your cat with the foods that will increase its weight. Obesity is an increasingly common problem in pets with an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs being overweight or obese. Cats tend to be picky. Before you check them out, however, take a moment to learn exactly how we evaluate different cat food brands to make our recommendations. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Indoor Formula Dry Cat … These wet food recipes contain an average dry matter calculation of 56% protein and nearly 30% fat. Make sure that ... 3. Try to avoid canned foods with corn, wheat, soy and by-products, since they are junk ingredients. There’s no one-size-fits-all in feeding an underweight cat, but calorie-dense, easy-to-eat foods are essential. We recommend this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Mature Chicken Recipe canned food because it is rich in premium animal protein, high in calories, and loaded with wholesome natural ingredients. 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. In cases where your cat’s weight loss is not linked to some kind of disease, it may simply be due to age. Irritable bowel syndrome can lead to recurrent digestive issues like diarrhea which can then contribute to dehydration, making your cat’s health problems worse. 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. Experience: Our writers have more than 20 years of experience writing about pets, on top of decades of personal experience with pet ownership. Plant-based products should be avoided or at least kept to a minimum. Research suggests that older cats may lose weight on a diet that contains less than 36% protein. The calorie requirement for overweight cats or overweight prone cats is the same as above: (30 x Ideal Weight (lbs.) The average cat food sold today, typically contains 15-30% starch/carbs. All of the cat foods we recommend adhere to. Do be careful though, the food must be high in quality with proteins and fats from animal sources, rather bulked out with large amounts of plant material. Cats that are underweight must eat dry foods or kibble that contain 20% fat and 30% protein. Use the information provided above to determine whether your cat needs to gain weight and consider the tips given to help him do it. You love your cat and you want what is best for him, but sometimes it isn’t clear what he needs. If you can easily see your cat’s bones, it is a sign that he is too skinny. Cats are also clever, and they know how to differentiate poor food from quality food. It is also a good idea to have your veterinarian rule out any potential medical conditions that can cause a cat to be underweight. The food is 98% chicken muscle meat and liver, which means that the food is rich in high-value animal protein. 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. Cats with digestive issues often have trouble absorbing nutrients. Cat Channel: Which is Best: Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food? Switch to wet food: Canned cat food is more appealing than dry. Achieving your cat's ideal body weight is best for diabetes management. High-quality nutrition from fresh, whole-food ingredients is the best diet for underweight cats and that’s exactly what NomNomNow has to offer. 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. When your cat loses too much weight, it can put him at risk for malnutrition, brittle bones, and other issues. These quickly growing felines need higher calorie food, which can also benefit your older cat losing weight. A source of high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient, At least 30% crude protein for kittens and at least 26% for adults, A minimum of 9% crude fat for kittens and adults, A balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, primarily from animal sources, A rich blend of nutrients from natural sources and supplements, as needed, Limited carbohydrate content from digestible sources (like whole grains and veggies), No low-quality fillers, by-products, or artificial additives (preservatives, dyes, or flavors), Provides solid nutrition with 40% protein, Made with 95% chicken, turkey and chicken liver, No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Rich in moisture and flavor. Canned Cat Food. 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. Here are some additional recommendations: Some cats become more picky about the food they eat over time which makes your job more difficult. Your pet is your world and you need pet advice you can trust. They eat … This recipe is complete and balanced with the help of vitamin supplements and chelated minerals, not to mention probiotic supplements to support healthy and regular digestion. Though humans are obsessed with weight loss, losing weight can be very unhealthy for a cat. 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. Be sure to get them packed in water with no salt, rather than packed in oil or other flavorings. Underweight cats should avoid high carbohydrates to best manage diabetes. Add warm broth to your cat’s food to add flavor and moisture. 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. With weight loss, you cat may develop lower insulin requirements. If your cat is thin, some simple diet changes could change her from supermodel thin to pleasingly plump. This happens because with a shortage of insulin, the animal can no longer receive nourishment at the cellular level and will use both muscle and fat as energy sources1. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Whether they are suffering from dental problems or poor appetite, these cats may benefit from switching to a canned food instead of a dry cat food. Question / Answer My pet is underweight. Feed 3-4 times a day while you are trying to … In cases like this, it is important to choose a cat food that is very calorie-dense, so your cat gets the recommended number of calories in a smaller and more manageable portion size. 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 … This brand features premium roasted meats in all of their recipes paired with healthy fats and highly digestible sources of grain-free carbohydrates. In the wild, cats' meals are staggered. Take a look at your cat from above while he is standing to evaluate his body condition. If your cat goes outside, she may have picked up an unwanted parasite tagalong who is digesting part of her food. You’ll also find several sources of healthy fat in this recipe such as chicken fat and flaxseeds. If a finicky feline decides that food doesn't smell good or isn't enticing, sometimes she just won't eat. Most Affordable Cat Food for Weight Gain: Cat foods for specialized diets can cost a pretty penny. If your dog or cat is underweight, it’s a good idea to schedule a veterinary consult—especially if your pet is older in age, very young (a growing puppy or kitten), is suddenly losing weight, or is showing signs of illness. Firstly, worm your cat to ensure that no little parasites are going to be chowing down on anything you feed your cat. Since cats are carnivores, they need to consume a lot of protein in order to be healthy. 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. Protein should range from 52% to 59% and the fat content should be between 22% and 28%. Try breaking up your cat’s daily feeding into three or four smaller meals if he has trouble eating a lot of food at once. If you can get your kitty to eat more calories, she'll gain weight. 3. How to Feed an Overweight Cat. Here are some of the most common causes of weight loss in cats: Kidney disease and diabetes are fairly common in older cats and they can suppress the cat’s appetite, making problems with weight loss even worse. Many pet owners worry about their pets gaining an unhealthy amount of weight. The easiest change is to switch to a food with more protein and fat. That’s why we recommend Wellness CORE Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey, & Chicken Liver canned cat food as the best cat food for weight gain. This trick is what helped our Yoda gain weight (more on that below). Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free, Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free, Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free, Nutro Wild Frontier Real Chicken & Beef, Real Salmon & Trout, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Mature Chicken Recipe, Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free, 9 Best (High Quality) Kitten Foods in 2020, Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free, American Journey Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Food, Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs, Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Wet Food, Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food, Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Cat Food, Nutro Wild Frontier Real Chicken & Beef, Real Salmon & Trout Multipack Adult Canned Food, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Mature Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Food, Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat & Kitten Food. Many people leave food down for their cats all day, which is called free choice feeding. 4. Here are some of the requirements for a cat food to receive our recommendation: Healthy weight gain in cats is about more than just feeding your cat more. 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. 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. Good luck! Here are some simple tips for helping an underweight cat gain weight: Helping your underweight cat gain weight is about more than just feeding him more of his current food. 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 *. Most Popular Cat Food for Weight Gain: There are many options for cat food out there, so choosing the right one for your cat can be difficult. In the next section, we’ll talk about some simple tips for helping your cat gain weight and provide recommendations for cat food. 2. He seemed pretty normal looking but I stopped because he would eat too fast and then vomit on the floor. Trustworthiness: Our pets depend on us to make informed decisions, and that bond of trust is worthy of respect. Before you start to panic about whether your cat is underweight or not, know that there is a simple way to find out. Use a mixture of dry and wet cat food. Though increasing your cat’s calorie intake is important, the quality of his diet matters more. 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. Both recipes are packed with premium animal proteins and natural meat flavor, plus a rich blend of omega fatty acids. It contains 193 calories per 5.5-ounce can and contains a dry matter calculation of 45% protein and 34% fat. If you notice your cat slowly losing weight, you may not think it is a big deal. Just about any cat food can help your cat gain weight if you feed him the proper amount. What should I feed and how much? So please pull up your socks when it comes to spicing up your kitten’s food, and she will soon start growing 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. Thanks for stopping in, we hope you found what you were looking for! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This can affect price for the owner and palatability for the cat. If you indicate that your cat needs to gain weight, his meals will be higher in calories to accommodate for that need. There may not even be a “perfect” recipe out there which makes the search that much more difficult. Your email address will not be published. Meat provides your cat with protein and vitamin A that are necessary for her overall health. 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). Sometimes cats stop eating when they become bored with their current diet – making a switch could boost your cat’s appetite. This recipe features fresh salmon as the primary ingredient, a rich source of protein and healthy fats. We also favor recipes that are highly digestible and free from artificial additives, fillers, and by-products. Obesity is a serious health concern in pets, but it isn’t the only possibility – your cat could also be very unhealthy if he is underweight. I used to feed him ""natural"" dry cat food in a giant ice cream bucket so he could always have access to food bc im not home all day. There is a great deal of misinformation out there regarding cat food and cat nutrition. Cat Weight Loss Food. 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). It features fresh chicken as the first ingredient with chicken meal, turkey meal, and deboned cod to follow. Young Again cat foods are less than 6% starch/carbs and our ZERO formulas are less than 1%. 4. Any cat food that we recommend is one that we would be happy feeding our own cats. No one understands pets like pet owners themselves! As mentioned before, you may want to try food formulated specifically for kittens as that has the most fat and protein. It is rich in omega fatty acids and contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients. 5. With such a high concentration of meat, there’s no room left for carbohydrates, making this an ideal food for cats with diabetes or a sensitive stomach. Pet Place: Tips on Feeding Thin or Underweight Cats. 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. Best Cat Food for Weight Gain and Sensitive Stomach: Food allergies and sensitivities can cause a cat to lose weight if he has trouble digesting food. As bad as obesity is for your cat’s health, being seriously underweight can be just as dangerous. 1. Best Canned Cat Food for Weight Gain: In many cases, cats who have difficulty eating tend to lose weight. Your vet can help you determine the right food, portions, and feeding schedule for your cat. The actual strategies for multiple cats are the same as above. However, look for foods with high proteins with higher fat. Not necessarily. 2. Senior cats are at risk for dental disease which can lead to dental pain or tooth loss, making it more difficult for the cat to eat. It is well-established that animal proteins, e.g., meat and meat by-products, have higher biological values than vegetable proteins, e.g., corn gluten meal, soybean meal, soy protein isolate. Not just any protein, either – it needs to be high-quality animal protein. I took my cat to the vet recently and they said he was normal, but i think he looks skinnier than usual. Good brands for high-quality dry kitten food include EVO, Blue Buffalo, Fromm and Orijen. “At diagnosis, some cats need to put on some pounds, some need to lose some pounds, and some need to stay right where they are,” says Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, Dipl. If your pet is burning up more calories than usual (by living in a hot environment, exercising more, or becoming excited over nearby female in heat), eating a new food that may not be as digestible or eating less food(and therefore fewer calories), it can lose weight. More than 50% of cats over the age of three have some degree of dental disease, so if your cat is a senior, he very likely has some kind of dental problems. 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. We certainly don’t! We look for cat foods that use high-quality sources of animal protein with a low concentration of carbohydrates. To avoid this, during the last stages of the pregnancy, feed it more than normal to start gaining weight in preparation for delivery and breastfeeding. Instead, cat carers should calculate the correct daily amount to feed, and either weigh this amount daily, or use a feeding container to give the measured amount every day as their cat’s food supply. This formula features fresh chicken and turkey as the top two ingredients, followed by chicken liver and chicken broth as rich sources of natural flavor and moisture. While canned food may not always have higher calories than dry food, the smell and taste may encourage your cat to eat more. You’ll also need to monitor his blood sugar levels. 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. Recently reformulated, this recipe contains 475 calories per cup and a whopping 42% protein and 20% fat. So, the higher the protein content of your cat’s new food, the better. This recipe contains a dry matter calculation of 44% protein and nearly 17% fat. 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