The 6 Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss of 2023

What to Look for in Cat Food for Weight Loss

“The first thing to realize is that cats can lose weight on any food. Weight loss is a result of cats expending more calories than they consume,” explains veterinarian Georgina Ushi-Phillips. When looking at calories, be sure to compare wet food to wet food, and dry food to dry food. That’s because the moisture content affects the weight and calories are calculated on a per weight basis.

Carefully read labels and look for important certifications when deciding which brand is right for your cat. “A good starting point is to look for higher fiber diets," adds Dr. Ushi-Phillips. "Increased fiber will help cats feel more full and because of the way fiber is digested, pet parents can typically give more food as well. That means everyone will be happier.”

It's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian for the key attributes to look for to support your individual cat’s weight issues. Be prepared to try more than one to find just the right fit for your overweight feline.

Texture & Wet Versus Dry

In the wild, a cat would eat a range of textures and get much of their necessary water through eating fresh meat. Some of their preference may be instinctually biased toward wet and raw foods. But domesticated cats, like humans, also have their own opinions. Some may prefer a soft minced food or chunky bites. Watch your cat eat. Do they lick their food? Do they eat the gravy first? Their habits may give you clues to their texture preferences. Most veterinarians recommend a mixture of wet and dry food throughout the week.

A recent trend in pet foods, raw cat food is said to be an optimal choice because heat has not degraded proteins and other essential nutrients, although there is not yet much research to back these claims. And research has shown that raw pet foods carry an increased risk of salmonella and listeria bacterial infections, which can be dangerous for both cats and human caretakers.

Made in the USA 

If you live in the United States, make sure your cat food is labeled with “Made in the USA.” Standards for pet food production vary widely by country. Many foods produced in other countries have been tested and impurities like heavy metals and even plastic fillers were found that are unsafe for consumption.

Protein and Carb Content

It’s also important to look at the nutrition, moisture, and fat content of your cat’s food. Cats evolved as hunters so their natural diet would be primarily carnivorous. They would consume prey that contains high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and a nominal amount of carbohydrates. 

“Pet parents should also look for high protein,” says Dr. Ushi-Phillips. “Not only is protein almost always a good option for our carnivorous cats, but high protein can help cats preserve muscle mass as they lose weight.” 

Note that protein and fat content numbers will be higher in dry foods than in wet foods, because wet food percentages are reported on a wet basis and contain a high percentage of water while dry food percentages are reported on a dry basis. You should look for about 8-10 percent minimum for protein in wet foods or at least 25 percent in dry food. Fat content should be a minimum of 5 percent in wet food or 20 to 30 percent in dry food. Some cats will turn their nose up at foods with less protein or fat than is recommended.

“Lastly, pet parents will want to avoid too many carbohydrates within the first several ingredients,” says Dr. Ushi-Phillips. “Ingredients are listed in order with the greatest amount first. While higher fiber food will have some carbohydrate sources, they shouldn’t be the main ingredients.” Healthy carbs should come from ingredients like organic pumpkin, sweet potato, or brown rice.

Ingredients

As in human food ingredient labels, ingredients in cat food are listed in order from most to least based on weight and include the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. Look for foods that list a high protein content of a specific meat first and if any grains are included, whole grains are best because of the nutrients they contain.

Cats also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. The amounts of nutrients needed vary in each stage of life—from kitten to adolescent, during pregnancy and nursing, and as a senior cat. If your pet food is well-balanced and complete for your cat’s current stage of life, they won’t require any additional supplements.

To prevent spoiling and increase shelf life, manufacturers use natural preservatives in store brands. Non-synthetic preservatives include vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate or tocopherol acetate).

Organic and Natural

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the use of the term “organic” in human and cat food. By law, the USDA must apply the same standard to cat food that they apply to human food. “Organic" refers to the way a crop or animal is grown or raised and handled. Organic crops must be grown on land free from pesticides for at least three years. The food itself must not contain toxic and persistent pesticides, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), or have undergone irradiation.

Organic livestock whose meat is used in pet foods must be fed organic feed, not be given antibiotics or hormones, and have access to the outdoors. To become USDA Certified, all of these requirements must be documented and have been confirmed via USDA inspection. Unless you see “USDA Certified Organic” on the label, it’s difficult to be sure the food is truly organic.

When only a portion of the ingredients are from certified organic sources, you’ll also see a percentage on the label, such as “95% USDA Certified Organic.”

Similarly, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines and regulates the term "natural" for pet food and animal feed. "Natural" means a feed or ingredient is derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources that have not been produced by a chemically synthetic process. However, some ingredients can be labeled “natural” without actually being good or healthy for your pet. Look out for ingredients known as “fillers” that are low-cost and have little nutritional value. They’re added to make your pet feel full with fewer high-quality ingredients by weight. Common ones are corn and wheat gluten and grain products, soy, animal by-products, and fruit or vegetable pulps.

Probiotics

Many brands are also adding pre-, post-, and probiotics that promote a healthy gut and intestinal flora. Domesticated cats that aren’t eating a natural diet of rodents and other critters aren’t exposed to bacteria they would encounter in the wild. So opt for pre-, post-, and probiotics when you have the option, especially if your cat has a sensitive tummy or has recently taken antibiotics or other medications.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years, including some special needs kitties. Her current older feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Wilde evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the companies' research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest standards for what she feeds her pets, Wilde recently switched to Evanger’s EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats' health issues.

Dr. Georgina Ushi-Phillips is a practicing veterinarian and veterinary writer for BetterWithCats.net. She grew up in Wisconsin and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Her professional interests include nutrition, soft tissue surgery, and emergency care. In her free time, Dr. Ushi-Phillips enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her hound mix, Pearle.