Best Diet Cat Foods

Has your veterinarian told you that your cat should go on a diet to lose weight? Is your furry companion a bit under the weather, or not as agile as before? If your kitty is becoming chunkier by the day, then it is time to think about what the right food would be to help your kitty slim down safely. Proper diet is very important for every cat, and it can cause plenty of positive changes in their health – besides the obvious one that is weight loss. After all, every cat has to be agile and energetic – it is in their nature.

Of course, we always recommend discussing these kinds of topics with your vet for personalized guidance, as you want to do what’s best for your unique pet, but we took a look at some of the best diet cat foods that are currently available, and we listed them, in no particular order, below. That way, you can talk to your vet about these options and work on gradually getting your feline friend down to her target weight. Your kitty’s best shape is just a few mouthfuls away! 

Your Vet Can Be a Valuable Guide

First off, yes, cats can be diagnosed as overweight or obese. Your vet will help you figure out if your kitty is at an appropriate weight or not. Those extra few pounds can really put your cat in a bad situation. Excess weight can lead to lack of activity, and eventually to lethargy or apathy. And that’s a path to many other issues down the road. Every pet – cat’s especially – require daily exercise and plenty of action.

Then, because weight loss for felines isn’t the same as weight loss for people, it’s important to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the best track to take to get your kitty down to the right weight. This might include steps like switching to a different food that will provide the right amount of calories, reducing the amount of food that you’re giving your cat throughout the day, and encouraging your pet to be more active through daily play sessions.

Keep in mind, too, that this is a process that requires patience. While carrying too much weight isn’t good for your cat, losing weight too quickly isn’t good either. You want to ensure your pet will lose the weight gradually and safely while getting the appropriate number of calories and the necessary nutrients for overall health. And a carefully planned diet is the ideal way for this gradual process.

Then, once your furry friend has lost the extra weight, your vet will help you figure out the best way to maintain that healthy weight for the long run. Healthy bites – in just the right measure – can be the ideal stepstone to perfect health!

Important note: If you’ve noticed your cat gaining weight, and you don’t think it’s merely because of a lack of activity or because she’s eating a lot, your veterinarian can determine if there’s an underlying condition that is contributing to the excess weight gain.

How Does Excess Weight Affect Your Cat’s Health?

Before we dive into our list of some of the top foods for cats that need to lose a few pounds, let’s discuss why excess weight could end up being a problem for your pet’s health. Remember that kitties are not the only one’s susceptible to these conditions – same goes for your dog too. Don’t allow yourself to confuse apathy and lethargy with general laziness or rest – the difference might be subtle, but the end results are critical!

According to experts, the risk of various conditions might increase when your kitty is too heavy, and those include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Diabetes
• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Respiratory problems
• Compromised immune system

Excess weight might also lead to increased inflammation, which might then increase the risk of various ailments. That is because improper diet and excess weight can lower your cat’s immune system. Without a regular intake of healthy foods and all the vitamins they bring to the table, the immune system can become vulnerable, allowing for a variety of pesky issues to develop. 

Also, in addition to boosting the risk of disease, being overweight or obese might reduce your furry friend’s quality of life. For example, your pet might find it harder to groom herself, and that may lead to skin and coat problems. Of course, a cat that is struggling with chunkiness won’t lead a normal life – they will want to run about, explore, and jump around – but that simply won’t be possible. And that will cause a sharp decrease in their mood. But what’s really scary is that being overweight or obese might even shorten your pet’s life, so it’s definitely something that should be taken seriously.