Best Cat Food For Overweight Indoor Cats

Are you looking for the best cat food for overweight indoor cats?

Like humans, indoor cats can gain excess weight as they transition through different stages in life.

Although installing a Ferris wheel can provide the much-needed workout your cat needs to maintain a healthy weight, the most effective way to help your cat lose extra pounds is through diet.

With proper nutrition, you can help your overweight cats lose weight naturally.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for best cat food for overweight indoor cats:

1. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
2. Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight for Weight Management,
3. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Cat Food
4. Hill's Science Diet Wet Cat Food
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Weight Control Dry Cat Food

Best Cat Food For Overweight Indoor Cats: 2022 Top Picks

Here are our top five picks for those seeking the best cat food for overweight indoor cats’ weight loss:

1. Our Editor’s Choice: IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food

This is one of the top options you will find when looking for the best dry cat food for overweight cats.

The protein-rich meal features a mix of both chicken and turkey and supports the growth of stronger muscles and effective weight management.

If your cat generally finds it hard to exercise to lose weight, consider using this nutritious, delicious meal, which can help significantly.

It contains l-carnitine so as to help the indoor cats lose and maintain that healthy weight.

Again, it’s also good for hairball control as it contains beet pulp plus proprietary fiber blend.

And, it has no artificial preservatives or fillers.

The meal does not contain any artificial preservatives, so your cat will be receiving crucial nutrients from wholly natural proteins, which encourage the development of healthy lean muscles.

This 100% complete balanced nutrition helps ensure that the overweight cat isn’t left malnourished or unsatisfied.

What we like

• Formulated to help indoor overweight cats lose weight and also maintain a healthy weight
• Nutritious and delicious
• No artificial preservatives
• Uses real animal protein
• 100% complete balanced nutrition without fillers

What we don’t like

• The aroma doesn’t appeal to all cats

2. Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight for Weight Management,

This is a chicken recipe, a veterinarian-recommended choice that features natural ingredients tailored for adult cat weight management.

It is highly reputable among overweight cat owners as one of the best low-fat cat food products in the market, providing the perfect option when you have an adult overweight cat pet that might find it hard to exercise.

Its ingredients are entirely organic and don’t have any traces of additional human-made preservatives that might deter your cat’s health even further.

This meal is uniquely designed to support feline weight management by providing adequate and nutritious protein and fiber and is available in an assortment of categories, offering a wide variety to choose from.

What we like

• Designed for feline weight support
  • Uses organic ingredients
  • High in protein and natural fiber
  • Offers exciting varieties

What we don’t like

• Formula changes might occur for some batches

3. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Cat Food

Purina Pro Plan is the ideal choice for those looking for the best wet cat food for overweight cats. 

The turkey and rice meal is designed for adult pet weight management to help your cat lose fat naturally.

You won’t have to worry since the meal provides the much-required proteins to help your cat build muscles, thanks to the high volume of real turkey as the main ingredient and natural fiber formulated to help with hairball control.  

Even if your cat is fussy, this nutritious and delicious snack offers an irresistible treat packed with healthy organic ingredients.

What we like

• Nutritious and delicious
• Uses natural ingredients
• Rich in protein and fiber
• Supports your cat’s muscles

What we don’t like

• Contains grains
• Some cats do not like the taste of this canned food

4. Hill's Science Diet Wet Cat Food

This is another recommendable option you can purchase when looking for the best cat food for overweight indoor cats.

It’s rich in protein and also contains antioxidants and vitamins for stronger immune support.

Besides playing a vital role in managing your cat’s obesity, this meal will leave your feline healthy and incredibly satiated.

These are among the many reasons why many vets still recommend this meal to counter feline obesity.

The delicious chicken taste leaves your cat yearning for more, which is crucial since the meal supports natural fat loss in overweight cats.

If you are against artificial ingredients in your cat’s meal, don’t fret, as this meal is made entirely from natural components.   

What we like

• Recommended by vets
• Uses natural ingredients from both animals and plants
• Delicious chicken taste
• Supports natural fat loss

What we don’t like

• Not ideal for sensitive cats

5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Weight Control Dry Cat Food

For those seeking a balanced weight loss diet, Blue Wilderness weight control chicken offers an ideal option.

It features real chicken and an assortment of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for healthy weight management.

This hearty meal features no grains or fillers, meaning the cat won’t find it irksome to eat.

Your overweight cats will love this food as it incorporates weight management properties to help cut weight while developing near-distinct muscles.

What’s more, this meal offers immense support for a stronger immunity system, which helps your cat ward off various infections.

Since the food is downright delicious, your cat won’t have a problem taking a bite or clearing the entire plate.

Also, the food has no corn, soy or wheat, and it also contains zero artificial preservatives.

What we like

• Features no grains and fillers
• Natural cat food loved by most cats
• Supports a stronger immune system and a healthy skin coat
• Offers muscle  support 

What we don’t like

• Too many ingredients aren’t ideal for sensitive cats

Signs That Your Cat Is Overweight

According to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 59% of cats are overweight or obese.

This isn’t surprising, considering most cat owners aren’t aware of their pet’s weight requirements.

Healthy cat weight ranges are estimated at between:

• 8 – 10 lbs. for domestic cats,
• 7 – 12 lbs. for Persian,
• 5 – 10 lbs. for Siamese, and
• 10 – 25 for Maine Coon.

 There are various builds and body types, so it is essential to determine the healthy weight ranges for your cat.

Weight issues emerge when the cat is 20% heavier than the normal ranges.

This is equivalent to 2 pounds in a cat that should be around 10 pounds. The extra 2 pounds doesn’t sound like much compared to humans.

However, if you weigh in the build and body differences, it is equivalent to 28 pounds on an average 140-pound adult, which is a lot by all standards.

Some of the telltale signs that your cat is overweight include:

• Cat does not have a visible waist or hip
• You don’t feel the cats ribs easily
• The stomach that hangs downwards

You should research the average ranges for your cat’s breeds and compare the weights. Click on this link to try this ideal cat weight calculator for your cat based on its breed.

 Nonetheless, the outward appearance is enough to tell you if you have an overweight feline friend that needs some help.

Once you are sure, it is essential to start comparing weight loss cat food products to stop the process from worsening.

Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Cat Food For Overweight Indoor Cats

You will encounter various options when looking for the best cat food for overweight indoor cats.

The best cat food for fat cats should exhibit the following:

• High in protein (up to 35%)
• High fiber and moisture content
• Decent amounts of carnitine
• Low in carbs and fats

Tips To Help You Get Your Cat Lose Weight

There are several little things you can do to help your cat lose weight. Some of the recommended practices include:

• Buy the best cat food for overweight indoor cats
• Consult your vet for the best weight loss regimen
• Spread meals further apart
• Use chew toys and Ferris wheels to help your cat exercise
• Add water to keep the cat hydrated and satiated
• Choose lean meat

FAQs on Best cat food for overweight indoor cats

1) How do I get my indoor cat to lose weight?

There are many ways that can help you easily get your overweight cat to lose weight.

If you don’t know how to get started, taking your pet to the vet will give you an ideal assessment and pinpoint some health concerns.

Check out the food you’re giving your cat and see how much calories it has.

An indoor cat should have only have an average of 20-30 calories.

Controlling the portion of their food intake will help them lose weight easily.

Making your pets move through little exercises and playing activities can make them shed off some weight.

Give them a quick walk outside with a leash.

Finding out what your cat loves to do will give them some low-intensity exercises that can contribute to their weight loss journey.

2) Is wet or dry food better for overweight cats?

Wet or dry food is a great choice when creating a weight reduction plan for your overweight cats since obese cats can develop serious health problems.

There are some factors to consider when giving them dry or wet food.

Dry cat food is usually prescribed when your pet has dental issues because when they crunch it,the abrasive action on dry food slows down tartar accumulation.

Since dry food has lot more calories, choosing it over wet food can make your overweight cat gain more.

Canned, wet cat food on the other hand, have fewer calories.

When given in specific time of the day, it can discipline your cat to proper food intake.

Finicky felines sometimes prefer wet food over dry food.

If your cat suffers from urinary probles, wet food can help since it has moisture that provides hydration.

The quality of food matters most when feeding your cat.

You can give them dry and wet food so they’ll have a balanced nutrition.

Visiting your vet for a consultation can help you decide whether to give them dry, wet, or a combination of both.

3) How do I help my overweight cat?

When helping your overweight cat, building a habit makes a big difference.

If you have started giving them a food plan and the result is slow, there are other ways to help them for more progress.

While it takes 6-8 months to have see a dramatic result, allowing your overweight cat to get up and move will help build them muscles.

Any activity such as getting up, walking, climbing, playing, and lesser sleep will speed up their weight loss.

Always check the label when choosing their food. Look for low-calorie, high-fiber, and nutrionally-balanced canned food.

Play some food hunt! You can try putting your cat’s food in a different location so it will encourage him to look and move around before eating.

Lastly, if your cat is pestering you for them get to get food, do not give in.

Ignore them so you they can get used to and stick to their feeding schedule.

4) Do overweight cats die sooner?

Obesity in cat can shorten its lifespan.

Extra body fat and weight can make them develop illnesses and diseases that will reduce their life expectancy.

A few common illnesses associated with cat’s obesity include cancer, diabetes, hypertension, urinary bladder stones, osteoarthritis, heart diseases and many more.

Final Words

The best cat food for overweight indoor cats provides essential nutrition while aiding natural weight loss.

Some keep your cat satisfied longer while others increase metabolism encouraging the cat to lose maximum calories.

We recommend theIAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food as it is specially formulated to help overweight indoor cats maintain a healthy weight.

Also, make sure the meal is healthy and nutritious before introducing it to your cat.

If you are looking for the best organic food for your cat we suggest to check out our article about best organic cat food.