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11 Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss (Wet & Dry) – 2024 Reviews & Buyers Guide

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

fat shorthaired cat lying on the ground

Is your cat struggling with weight? Well, for starters, you cannot enroll them in the gym. However, you can change their diet to help them lose weight.

Weight gain can be dangerous in cats as it makes them prone to health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, urinary tract disease, and osteoarthritis. In addition, it reduces your pet’s lifespan, which is not a good thing. The bottom line is, that your cat needs to lose weight. But how?

If you are thinking of reducing their food quantity and putting them on an extreme diet, this will only cause more health problems such as fatty liver disease. Instead, your cat should lose weight slowly and steadily. The best way to achieve this is by introducing your cat to the best cat food for weight loss.

To help with that, we’ve reviewed the best cat foods for weight loss below.

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s case.

 

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024 Update)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Smalls Other Bird Fresh Cat Food Subscription Smalls Other Bird Fresh Cat Food Subscription
  • Rich in animal protein
  • High moisture content
  • Made from USDA certified ingredients
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food
  • Affordable
  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • All ingredients are safe for cats
  • Third place
    Instinct LID Rabbit Wet Cat Food Instinct LID Rabbit Wet Cat Food
  • Just one animal protein and one vegetable
  • Delicious pate is formulated with vitamins and minerals
  • Proudly made in the USA
  • Castor & Pollux Wet Cat Food Castor & Pollux Wet Cat Food
  • Made with organic free-range chicken
  • Packed with wholesome veggies and cranberries
  • Supports digestive and urinary health
  • Nulo Dry Weight Loss Cat Food Nulo Dry Weight Loss Cat Food
  • Good nutrition
  • Great for indoor cats
  • Prevents tartar and plaque
  • The 11 Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss

    1. Smalls Other Bird Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall

    a tabby cat looking at a bowl of smalls smooth bird recipe

    Quality: 4.9/5
    Proteins: 49.5%
    Fats: 48%
    Calories: 40 kcal/oz
    Fiber: 5%

    When looking for the ideal cat food to help with your cat’s weight loss, Smalls is just the food for you. The Smooth Other Bird recipe from the Human Grade Fresh line gets our pick for the best overall choice.

    Smalls is a subscription food service, which may not be for everyone, but the convenience and personalization are unbeatable. You get started on the website and answer the questions about your kitty, then the food is developed with the guidance of an expert in pet nutrition. All recipes from Smalls offer your cat a well-balanced and high-quality diet using USDA-certified ingredients fit for human consumption. You can rest assured that AAFCO guidelines are met to ensure nutritional quality.

    The Other Bird recipe is high in moisture and low in carbohydrates. Weight loss can be easily attained if the proper feeding instructions are followed. The first four ingredients include turkey breast, turkey broth, turkey liver, and turkey heart. Since this is fresh food, it will need to be stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer.

    Smalls Human-Grade Cat Food takes the stand as the overall best cat food for weight loss. It is low in carbs, grain-free, rich in proteins, and made with the highest quality ingredients.

    Pros
    • Rich in animal protein and low in carbohydrates
    • Formulated to meet AAFCO guidelines
    • Made from USDA-certified ingredients
    • High moisture content
    Cons
    • Needs to be stored in fridge or freezer

    2. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food – Budget Buy

    Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food

    Quality: 4.8/5
    Proteins: 31%
    Fats: 13%
    Calories: 300 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 6%

    Hill’s Science Diet is a great budget-friendly low-calorie cat food. This is because skilled veterinary nutritionists carefully formulated the diet to guarantee that cats stay healthy and content as they lose weight. Pet owners recommend it because weight changes are visible in 10 weeks!

    The formula contains essential nutrients and easy-to-digest ingredients for cats. They include whole chicken, wheat meal, rice, powdered cellulose, and corn gluten meal. All these ingredients have met the stipulated requirements of nutrition and purity, so you need not worry about your cat.

    This diet is perfect for indoor adult cats between 1 and 6 years.

    Pros
    • Promotes healthy digestion
    • All ingredients are safe for cats
    • Affordable
    • Cats love the taste
    Cons
    • Inconsistent kibble size

    3. Instinct LID Rabbit Wet Cat Food for Weight Loss

    Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Rabbit Recipe (1)

    Quality: 4.8/5
    Proteins: 10%
    Fats: 3%
    Calories: 85 kcal/3 oz. can
    Fiber: 1.5%

    If your cat has poultry sensitivity, it can be difficult to find food free from chicken and turkey. However, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Rabbit Wet Cat Food for Weight Loss will meet your needs. Made with nutrient-rich rabbit and free from grains and dairy, this food will ensure your cat gets everything they need in their diet and nothing they don’t.

    It is a little pricier than some of the other options on this list but can certainly keep your cat full and healthy.

    Pros
    • Limited ingredients
    • High in protein
    • Free from poultry for sensitive kitties

    Cons
    • Pricier option


    4. Castor & Pollux Cat Food

    Castor and Pollux Grain-Free Organic Chicken Recipe All Life Stages Cat Food (1)

    Quality: 4.8/5
    Proteins: 26%
    Fats: 15%
    Calories: 101 kcal/3 oz. can
    Fiber: 3.5%

    If you’re looking for a good wet cat food for weight loss, we recommend the Castor and Pollux Grain Free Chicken Recipe. This food is made from high-quality organic chicken. It’s also higher in fiber to keep your hungry kitty feeling full for a longer stretch.

    There are a few more calories per can than some of the other options on this list, but the high level of nutrition and the added fiber boost will help keep your cat full and prevent begging throughout the day.

    Pros
    • High in fiber
    • Nutrient-dense formula
    • Organic chicken is the first ingredient

    Cons
    • Slightly higher in calories


    5. Nulo Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for Weight Loss

    Nulo Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    Quality: 4.8/5
    Proteins: 40%
    Fats: 17%
    Calories: 468kcal/cup
    Fiber: 5%

    Nulo Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is low in carbs, grain-free, rich in proteins, and has patented probiotics to fuel your cat into action.

    This recipe contains deboned duck, turkey meal, chicken meal, and deboned cod, constituting 82% of the proteins. Nulo has included high meat content and fewer digestible carbohydrates to balance the nutrition scale.

    In addition, this weight loss cat food has a patented BC30 probiotic, which helps with food digestion, metabolism, and healthy gut flora.

    Nulo grain-free cat food has low carbohydrates, which helps with weight management. Even though your feline is overweight, this food will ensure they retain their vitality. This will prevent your cat from respiratory diseases, kidney problems, and osteoarthritis.

    Pros
    • Prevents tartar and plaque
    • Grain-free recipe
    • Good nutrition
    • Great for indoor cats
    Cons
    • Less than pleasant odor
    • Higher fat content

    6. Blue Buffalo Weight Control Adult Dry Food

    Blue Buffalo Weight Control Adult Dry Food

    Quality: 4.8/5
    Proteins: 30%
    Fats: 10%
    Calories: 346 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 9%

    Blue Buffalo Weight Control Adult Dry Food stands out as the best diet cat food. The kibbles are not only delicious but nutritious too. This chicken-and-rice cat food is designed for optimal health immunity, lean muscle maintenance, and weight management.

    It is made from real deboned chicken, a fine natural ingredient that will nourish your cat with high-quality proteins. With each serving, your cat gets 30% protein and only 10% fat. It is also rich in calories to help your feline achieve its ideal body weight.

    This dry food also contains wholesome fruit, vegetables, and grains. However, it does exclude poultry by-product meals, soy, wheat, corn, and preservatives.

    Pros
    • Antioxidants strengthen the cat’s immune system
    • Natural ingredients
    • Cold-formed LifeSource Bits retain potency
    • Great for kittens and cats with hairballs
    Cons
    • It is pretty expensive

     


    7. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Dry Cat Food

    Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control & Weight Control

    Quality: 4.6/5
    Proteins: 30%
    Fats: 9%
    Calories: 349 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 8%

    Blue Buffalo has earned a spot in pet owners’ hearts by making high-quality cat food. The Indoor Hairball Control & Weight Control has rich formulas for weight loss, making it the best cat food for overweight cats.

    Its main ingredient is lean chicken, a natural delicacy among cats. It also includes whole-grain carbohydrates, chelated minerals, probiotics, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Not only does this diet help your cat lose weight, but it does so in a healthy way. This cat food diet also helps with hairball reduction. It contains natural fiber ingredients such as psyllium seed husks and cellulose to control hairballs.

    What’s more, the cat weight loss food has LifeSource Bits, an exclusive product from Blue that supports the immune system.

    Pros
    • No by-product meals, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial flavors
    • The food helps with weight loss as well as hairball reduction
    • Fiber and protein promote healthy digestion
    Cons
    • It can cause an allergic reaction in some cats

    8. Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Dry Cat Food

    Halo Holistic Indoor Cat Food Dry, Grain Free Wild-caught Salmon & Whitefish Recipe

    Quality: 4.5/5
    Proteins: 32%
    Fats: 13%
    Calories: 400 Kcal/cup
    Fiber: 5%

    If you want your feline to stay happy and healthy as it loses weight, try Halo Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe Dry Cat Food—it’s one of the best weight-control cat foods on the market today.

    Halo foods contain whole meat, which in this case is whole salmon and whitefish. Why whole meat, you might ask? Well, it is much easier for your cat to digest it compared to a rendered meat meal. Additionally, cat food does not include preservatives, artificial colors, or preservatives. Instead, it has non-GMO vegetables. This helps your cat absorb the nutrients efficiently.

    Besides, the food is low in fats and calories. But it does include taurine, which boosts your cat’s metabolism and maintains healthy muscle function and weight. Cats love this food as it is super crunchy.

    Pros
    • Whole ingredients
    • Free of hormones, preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors
    • Great with cats with stomach sensitivity problems
    Cons
    • It is not cheap

    9. Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Weight Control Cat Food

    Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Weight Control Cat Food

    Quality: 4.â…—
    Proteins: 31%
    Fats: 9%
    Calories: 360 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 9%

    Solid Gold Fit Weight Control Cat Food is another best weight loss cat foods. This grain-free product excludes wheat, corn, and soy fillers. Nevertheless, it has 20 superfoods for weight control and loss, a better immune system, and improved coat health.

    It is packed with high-quality ingredients like chickpeas, turkey, Alaskan pollock, and chicken low in fat and calories but high in fiber and protein. The 31% protein and 9% fiber reduce your cat’s body weight while keeping them satiated and energized. With this diet, you need to worry about your feline crying for more food.

    This recipe is both nutritious and delicious, even for picky cats.

    Pros
    • Gluten-free
    • Grain-free
    • Helps with gut health, immune system, coat, and overall immune system
    Cons
    • May cause nausea in some cats

    10. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food

    Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Recipe

    Quality: 4.â…•
    Proteins: 37.5%
    Fats: 12%
    Calories: 385 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 5.5%

    If your cat loves raw cat food, then the Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Cat Food is the way to go. Its two main ingredients are fresh chicken and chicken meal. It also features supplemental protein from menhaden fish meal and salmon to make the 37.5% protein content.

    The healthy weight recipe also includes fewer calories, L-carnitine, and fiber. These help your cat burn fat, support healthy metabolism, and keep your cat energized and full. You will love that this weight-loss cat food is free of grains, corn, soy, wheat, and gluten.

    Pros
    • No artificial colors, chelated minerals, and preservatives
    • Low-fat content promotes healthy weight loss in cats
    • Added fiber helps the cat feel full and energized
    • Main ingredient is freeze-dried chicken
    Cons
    • Pricey

    11. Natural Balance Fat Cats Food

    Natural Balance Fat Cats Food

    Quality: 4.0/5
    Proteins: 35%
    Fats: 9.5%
    Calories: 320 kcal/cup
    Fiber: 9%

    Natural Balance Fat Cat Food works great with overweight adult cats. This low-calorie diet has 35% of protein to help your cat slim down while retaining muscle mass. The food contains high-quality, tasty proteins such as chicken meal, salmon, and peas. It is also packed with fiber-rich ingredients to help with satiation. Just a tiny portion and your kitty will feel full.

    This product is a balanced diet as it includes vitamins, omegas, minerals, and taurine to support a healthy heart and eyes. It is also free of artificial colors and flavors.

    Pros
    • Low-calorie kibble
    • High-quality proteins support active muscles
    • Designed for overweight cats
    Cons
    • Contains grain

     

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food for Weight Loss

    Before you purchase any weight-loss food for cats, here are five factors to take into consideration.

    Cat eating, plate in garden
    Image Credit: Ralph, Pexels

    Real Meat

    Cats are carnivores. For cats to stay healthy and strong, their bodies need proteins. Therefore, always look for a diet with real meat, not rendered meat, as the main ingredient.

    Your overweight felines need more proteins when losing weight. This helps with muscle development and energy levels.

    Balanced Nutrition

    Cats are similar to humans. They, too, need a balanced diet. For this reason, when choosing a cat weight-loss food, go for one with a protein-rich diet (minimum 30%) but low in fat (about 10%–12%).

    Also, check that it has vital vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.

    Beneficial Supplements

    Supplements, too, aid in weight loss in cats and should be part of the ingredients list. One such supplement is L-carnitine.

    It is a water-soluble amino acid that has been proven to help with weight loss. You should also look for Omega-3 fatty acids as they aid in generating heat and energy.

    High Dietary Fiber Content

    Felines need to consume fiber, particularly when losing weight. Fiber boosts the cat’s digestion while keeping them satiable on few calories. Therefore, check that the cat food has high fiber content.

    Dangerous Ingredients

    Overweight cats are more susceptible to health risks. This is why you need to ensure that the weight loss cat food does not contain dangerous ingredients. These include artificial colors, preservatives, wheat, corn, and carrageenan.

    russian blue cat eating dry food in bowl
    Image Credit: Felice Wölke, Unsplash

    Factors That Contribute to Cat Obesity

    If you are wondering how your beloved cat got to the point where they are overweight, here are five contributing factors.

    Unsuitable Diet

    Your cat’s diet likely included too much fat, which resulted in weight gain. But here is the good news. You can reverse this by introducing and maintaining a diet that encourages weight loss.

    Breed

    Did you know that some cat breeds are genetically predisposed to obesity? Breeds like Persian, Sphinx, and Ragamuffin have a higher genetic risk of obesity.

    Sterilization

    Sterilization, too, can cause obesity in your cat. If your kitty is used to ad libitum feeding, they cannot control their food intake. In addition, they have fewer energy requirements, hence their overweight size.

    Inactivity

    When a cat consumes energy-giving foods but does not utilize them, this too can lead to obesity. The energy intake becomes higher than its usage, causing an imbalance. Therefore, introduce your feline to weight control diet food if they are inactive.

    Treats

    Do you love spoiling your cuddly kitty with treats? These can also result in your cat’s overweight size. Treats have high-calorie content. When a cat consumes too many of these, its diet will have fewer vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. With time, your cat will pack a few extra pounds.

    While most cats love treats, consider showing your love and appreciation in a different way by treating your feline companion to our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl! Keeping our cats healthy and happy is key and this bowl was designed to do just that.

    Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
    • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
    • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...

     

    Final Verdict

    As a cat owner, you love your pet. However, obesity is dangerous to cats and can lead to complicated health issues. For this reason, find protein-rich, low-calorie, low-fat dietary food for weight loss.

    This review offers you the best cat foods for weight loss. Among these, Smalls Fresh Pulled Other Bird is our best overall pick. It is rich in proteins, low in carbs, and human-grade.

    Hill Science Diet is a good budget weight loss cat food. Its ingredients are easy to digest, and weight reduction results are visible from 10 weeks!


    Featured Image Credit: Eveline de Bruin, Pixabay

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