Blue Weight Control Cat Food

Tips For Helping Your Cat Lose Weight

An extra pound or two may not sound like much, but it can be a significant burden for a cat whose ideal weight is only 10 to 12 pounds. Obesity can increase your cats risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and other health problems. It can also lead to a 2.8-fold increase in mortality, especially among older cats .

If your cat needs to lose weight, there are three things you can do:

Remember that healthy weight loss should happen slowly. According to Tufts University, a loss of 0.5% to 2% of a cats body weight is safe. You absolutely dont want your cat to be on a drastic diet. Losing weight too quickly can trigger a dangerous condition for cats called fatty liver diseasewhich can result in liver failure. Instead, focus on slow and steady weight loss until your cat reaches their goal weight.

Wet Food Vs Dry Food Which One Works Better For Overweight Cats

Dry food for weight control is cheaper, creates less mess, and some offer dental care benefits. Many of this type of diet food for cats are branded as high in protein and low in carbohydrates. When it comes to calories, however, we can expect these to offer higher levels considering how these are manufactured.

Youll encounter some vets, however, who will recommend canned or wet cat food for weight management. Known to be high in moisture content, these leaves cats a feeling of fullness which helps control a cats food intake. It has also helped cats suffering from urinary and digestion issues.

Now the question is which one is better for your cat to remain in good health?

This is another matter in the cat food realm that leaves many scratching their foreheads. Needless to say, both have their pros and cons. So, we will have to leave the decision to you and your feline friends since this is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Your veterinarians advice will also play a big role in your decision-making.

Formulated To Help Cats Thrive

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Best Cat Food For Weight Loss Complete Buyers Guide & Reviews 2021

One way to help your cat lose weight safely and maintain a healthy weight is by checking what theyre eating. If you failed to read our article about the 12 best dry and wet cat foods, then you probably had a hard time searching for the best food for your kitty.

Thus, we compiled this list of the best cat foods for weight loss. This ensures that you do not have to go through that nightmare twice.

We know that the choices are plenty when it comes to weight loss cat food. Whats more, is that each brand says that they are the best. To help you make a smart, unbiased decision, weve searched the web and gone through thousands of user reviews to come up with the list of the best cat food for weight loss.

As an added bonus, we have also added a comprehensive buyers guide about diet cat food. Not just that, we made it a point as well to provide in-depth information about cat obesity its causes, dangers, and of course, a number of other ways to deal with this growing problem.

Here at FelineLiving.Net we have a dedicated mission to provide cat owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the best care and nutrition to their cat.

Our readers rely upon the cat food reviews, articles and recall alerts that we research and publish. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.

at a glance: our top 5 picks for cat food for weight loss

Is Wet Or Dry Cat Food Better For Weight Loss

Canned cat food has fewer calories and is better for weight loss when fed on a controlled cat diet. Cats with urinary issues. When fed a canned diet, cats get more hydration out of canned food, which is wet. Cats with constipation issues also do better when fed a canned diet, as these diets contain more moisture.

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Determining The Best Cat Food For Weight Loss

Simply reducing your cats food intake may not be enough. If you just start feeding your cat less of their current food, they may not get the nutrients their body needs, which could lead to other health problems. A better approach is to switch to a low-fat, low-calorie cat food thats specially formulated for weight loss.

Here are some things to look for in a good weight-loss cat food:

• Complete and balanced nutrition
• Rich in high-quality, lean animal protein
• Low-to-moderate fat content
• Digestible carbohydrates and dietary fiber

Cats are obligate carnivores, so protein is the foundation of any healthy diet for cats, including a weight-loss diet. Look for a cat food that lists a high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient and has low to moderate fat content. Expect the food to have a higher fiber contentthis will boost your cats digestion and keep them feeling full on fewer calories.

Best Organic: Castor & Pollux Cat Organix Shredded Chicken

Calories: 1,121 kcal/kg wet food | Flavors: Chicken, turkey, chicken and chicken liver, shredded chicken, shredded chicken and chicken liver, turkey, brown rice and chicken | Prescription Required: No

• Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur

• Added fiber to reduce hairballs

• Not available in all stores

• Some picky cats wont eat it

Although we couldnt find an organic cat food specifically designed for weight loss, many cat parents have found that their cats lost weight and maintained a healthy weight naturally when they switched to organic cat food. Although there are fewer organic cat food brands on the market, the ones that are available are pretty wonderful.

The first ingredient is organic free-range chicken or turkey. The high protein content from prey meats and low filler content will satisfy your cats appetite without wasted calories. The organic ingredients are also produced without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Castor & Pollux have been making organic pet food since 2003. Since 2017, the entire Organix line of cat and dog foods, both wet and dry, are U.S. Department of Agriculture Certified Organic. Ten of its recipes are Non-GMO Project Verified. They are even cooked in an organically-certified kitchen in the United States. Its line is also certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.

• Not available in a wet food

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The Were All About Cats Standardrating Blue Buffalo On What Matters

Weve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Heres how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.

• Recall History 3/10

Overall Score: 6.17/10

Overall, we give Blue Buffalo a C grade. It receives high marks for affordability and offers decent product variety, but many of the recipes arent species-appropriate and customer experience varies greatly. The brand has also had a significant number of recalls.

Best For Adult Cats With Hairballs: Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control

If your indoor cat needs to lose a few pounds and has a tendency to develop hairballs, Blue Buffalos Indoor Hairball Control & Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice is just what the veterinarian ordered.

Its made with natural fiber sources, including cellulose and psyllium seed husks, to help control hairballs. And its formulated with an optimal blend of protein and calories to help your feline friend achieve and maintain their ideal body weight.

This premium cat food features only the finest natural ingredients, including delicious, protein-rich, deboned chicken, wholesome whole grains, and veggies. It also contains Blue Buffalos exclusive LifeSource Bits a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health.

It doesnt contain chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.

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Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Weight Management Formula

Ground turkey provides plenty of taste for your dieting cat. This weight management formula is high in protein and low in fat, making it a good choice for weaning your adult kitty off a high-calorie food. The consistency is midway between smooth pâté and chunky wet food.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Weight Management Formula

Ground turkey and rice make a satisfying meal while keeping fat and calories under control.

What Is Feline Obesity

Obesity in cats, like in humans, is the unhealthy accumulation of fat. An easy way to determine feline obesity is by checking your cats body weight. If your cats weight is 10% to 20% above its ideal weight, then we can consider your cat overweight. However, your tabby will be considered obese once its weight goes over 20% above its ideal weight.

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Lite/light Cat Food Vs Cat Food With Reduced Calories

Cat food labeled Lite or Light, contains low-level calories per gram. Compared to cat foods labeled Less Fat or Reduced Calories, the former would often contain fewer calories compared to the latter.

So, if your fat cat just needs to lose a few pounds, then you might want to try cat foods with reduced calories. If your cat, however, is overweight or obese, then Lite cat foods might work best since they contain fewer calories. Then again, it is still best to consult your vet.

The Different Types Of Weight Control Cat Food: Pros And Cons Compared

When selecting the best weight-control cat food for your feline friend, there are a few things that you should consider.

• Wet or dry Wet cat food is usually more expensive than dry. Also, it can spoil once its been opened. But if your cat prefers one type over the other, try to find a weight-control version of that type so you dont overwhelm them with changes when they begin their new diet.
• Healthy vs. unhealthy ingredients Select food from a major brand that you can trust to help your cat lose weight in a healthy way with lean animal protein, ingredients like L-Carnitine, which has been clinically proven to support your cats ideal weight, fruits and vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid products that contain chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
• Non-specific vs. specific to your pets health needs The perfect weight control cat food is the one that meets all of your cats specific health requirements. If your cat doesnt have health issues other than needing to shed some weight, a high-quality cat food formulated only for weight control will be fine. If your cat has food allergies, such as to wheat and gluten, or health issues like hairballs, be sure to select one that addresses these requirements as well.

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Overall Best Dry Adult Cat Food: Blue Buffalo True Solutions

Our choice for best overall weight control dry cat food for adult cats is Blue Buffalo True Solutions Fit & Healthy Natural Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food, chicken.

Blue Buffalos Fit and Healthy cat food is formulated by a team of veterinarians and Ph.D. animal nutritionists to help manage your cats weight naturally. Its proven ingredients feature real chicken, healthy whole grains, and the finest natural ingredients. This delicious formula is enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, provides moderate calories, and is made with L-carnitine to help your cat achieve and maintain its ideal weight and enriched fiber to help your cat feel full longer.

This science-based weight-control cat food contains no chicken by-product meals and no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives. It is formulated with delicious, wholesome ingredients, including fruits and vegetables to help manage your cats weight naturally and antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits.

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, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, companies’ research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers 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.

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Best Overall Dry: Instinct Raw Boost Grain

Calories: 709 kcal/kg dry food | Flavors: Chicken | Prescription Required: No

• Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient

• Includes safe raw foods

• Contains probiotic for healthy gut

• Contains meal by-products

The market has a number of dry cat food recipes designed for weight loss, but theyre not created equally. Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost for Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food stands out because it combines a high-protein food with freeze-dried raw bits for balanced nutrition and flavor your cats will love.

Made in the United States, this food has 25 percent less fat, and 15 percent fewer calories than the non-weight control food. We like that cage-free chicken is the first ingredient as minimally processed bites of real chicken, so its high in protein and appealing to cats. The raw bits are high in vitamins and minerals because they havent been processed.

This food is also made without grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives. Cat owners report that their cats ate less volume of food compared to typical store brands, so a bag lasts longer.

Hills Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Wet Cat Food

Cat foods for weight loss do not have to be unappetizing. The Perfect Weight Wet Cat Food from Hills Science Diet proves this. Available in Liver and Chicken as well as Roasted Vegetable and Chicken varieties, this cat food, like its dry counterpart, ensures to give your pal quality nutrition that is great tasting.

Pros:

• Expect to see positive results when it comes to your cat losing weight.
• Most cats gobble it down up to the last drop.
• While it is more pricey compared to other brands, it is still considered as good value for money.
• It effectively helps maintain weight.

Cons:

• Check the ingredients since a few have experienced allergies and digestive issues.
• Its scent might be a problem for some.

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Protein And Carb Content

Its also important to look at the nutrition, moisture, and fat content of your cats 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, Georgina Ushi-Phillips, DMV. 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 shouldnt be the main ingredients. Healthy carbs should come from ingredients like organic pumpkin, sweet potato, or brown rice.

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.

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