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.
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.
What Foods Should Cats Avoid
Even if youre skeptical about not giving the foods mentioned below, because you have seen cats on television or in movies eating them, these types of food are harmful to your cat. The first thing on the list is milk, cheese, or any other dairy product. They dont have the proper enzyme to digest dairy products which in turn causes indigestion. Then you have chocolate, raw fish, egg or meat, dog food, bread and yeasts, tuna fish, onion, and garlic which you should never give your cat to consume in any situation.
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Weight Control Vs Indoor Vs High Protein Cat Food Formulas
Have you ever wondered how cat food labels like weight management, indoor formula, and high protein formula stack up against each other?
Youll often see people claim high-protein formulas are best for promoting weight loss. Thats no surprise since it has long been established that high protein diets are vital in retaining lean muscle mass in cats.
Studies have also shown, however, that high-protein diets can encourage cats to eat more. That definitely isnt ideal for a cat that needs to lose weight.
What about indoor formulas? We know that indoor cats have typically less active lifestyles that we should cater to with a diet that is lighter on calories. It makes sense that indoor formula cat foods have fewer calories than your regular cat food.
This lowered calorie count begs the question of whether indoor formulas could be suitable for use as a weight-loss food. Lets take a look at how the three formulas compare.
Is Wet Or Dry Cat Food Better For Weight Loss
Canned wet cat food is better for cats who want to lose weight. Wet food contains fewer calories than kibble hence helping in weight loss. Another good reason is that the smell of canned wet food is more than dry food. This attracts the cats, and thus its easier to feed these best diet food for cats.
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Creating A Weight Reduction Plan For Cats
Weight loss is tough for anyone – two- or four-legged! However, losing weight and getting in shape can not only add years to your cat’s life, but it can also make those extra years more enjoyable. Helping your furry feline to shed a few pounds may be easier than you think. It simply requires a commitment to weight loss and fitness, attention to details, and the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team.
Why Your Cat Could Be Overweight
The biggest cause of obesity in cats is reckless overfeeding. The practice of free-feeding can be handed some of the blame. This is especially a problem for indoor cats, since their diets often need to be adjusted to account for the lowered activity levels of a life indoors.
In rarer cases, the cat may have a medical condition that predisposes them to obesity. If you think this applies to your cat, its best to visit a vet and get them checked.
Obesity is more common in older cats because of the natural decrease in the cats exercise. While the decreased activity is a natural process, being fed them the same quantity of food as when they were active is not. You should tailor your cats diet to their lifestyle and age to help them maintain a healthy weight.
An average cat only needs about 200 calories each day, so regular overfeeding alongside treats and human food can cause weight issues very quickly.
Consider an ounce of cheddar cheese given as a treat. An ounce doesnt sound like much to us, does it? And I bet your cat tucks in. But that tiny amount contains just over 100 calories, 50% of the average cats daily allowance! Dr. Joanna Woodnutt
Treats are a huge contributor to weight gain in cats due to their high-calorie content. We recommend asking your vet during your next visit about the best course of action for supplying treats in a responsible manner.
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How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Overweight Or Obese
An extra flab or two on humans is an obvious sign of being overweight or obese. Cats would also exhibit the same. Aside from the visible signs of excess body fat. Here are other ways to identify if your cat is a possible candidate.
Low Activity Level Leading to Lethargic Behavior
You might think that an extra 2 pounds in your cats weight are alright and that his or her laziness is just normal. Think again!
While an extra 2 pounds is not something to worry about for us humans, this extra weight is, in fact, hazardous for cats. Think proportion.
On a human that weighs 140 pounds, the 2-pound excess in a cats weight is actually equivalent to 28 pounds. Imagine that same amount of weight being carried around by our four-legged pals. Now you understand why they would prefer to sit around.
Try Giving your Cats a Hug
Feeling for your cats ribs is another method you can use to check if your cat is possibly overweight. If your cat is obese, you will have a hard time feeling her ribs due to the thick layer of fat that covers it. A bulge on her tummy will also be visible.
Determine Your Cats Body Condition Score
Identifying a cats body condition score would involve a careful assessment of its body composition. This may come on a scale of one to five where a score of 3 is normal, and a score of 4 or 5 is considered overweight.
Brand With The Best Cat Food For Weight Loss In
With the task of finding a healthy way to help your furry companion lose weight, its important to find a quality brand that you can trust. We put together a list of brands that offer a cat food for weight loss, that delivers nutritious yet low fat options.
- Fatty acids for skin, joint, and coat health
Cons
- Though fish is the main ingredient, this food does contain chicken meal. This could irritate cats with allergies to poultry.
- Some purchasers state that their cats with known urinary problems had more UTIs while consuming this food. In this foods defense, a cat with a known history of UTIs should be on a specialty prescription diet anyways.
- Focuses on natural ingredients and added nutrients for overall health
- WellFlex system that helps to improve joint and mobility health
Cons
- Chicken is the first ingredient, so cats with poultry allergies may not be able to consume
- Though many purchasers say their cats loved this food, there are quite a few reviews that state their picky cats turned their nose up tp this food
- L-carnitine for a faster metabolism
- Vitamins and minerals for immune support
Cons
- Since chicken is the main ingredient, cats with allergies to poultry may not be able to consume.
If you are looking for a recommended lean treat to offer your cat as a reward for their effort in their weight loss journey, below is a low fat treat we trust.
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High In Dietary Fiber And Moisture
Fiber has been known to be a quick fix for constipation, but this also helps cats achieve a healthy weight. While fiber provides little energy, this is essential in boosting cats metabolism. Fiber, as well as water or moisture, also satiates cats cravings for more food preventing the cat from feeling hungry after a meal.
Is It Dangerous For A Cat To Be Overweight
It may be common for house cats to be a bit overweight, but that does not mean there arent dangers that come along with this weight gain. Just like in humans, obesity can lead to a number of concerning medical complications.
Some dangers of obesity in cats include:
- Higher risk of developing diabetes
- Excess weight can place a burden on joints leading to pain and stiffness
- Overweight cats can develop high blood pressure which can put stress on their heart
- Due to the stress that excess fat puts on the body and its organs, overweight cats have a shortened life span
- Overweight cats are more prone to liver complications
- Overweight cats can experience respiratory difficulties, or difficulty catching their breath when they are active
- Cats with excess weight can experience complications while anesthetized if your cat ever has to undergo surgery.
- When a cat is overweight they can experience overall immune depression, meaning they may be more at risk to bacteria and infectious agents
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How Much Does Shipping Cost
Delivery charges vary depending on the size and weight of your order and your chosen delivery address. We offer a flat rate shipping charge of $6.95 to the major metro areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. Outside these major metro areas, the shipping cost you pay will be dependent on your location and the size of your order.For an accurate delivery quote: place the items you wish to order in your shopping cart, proceed to the checkout or Shopping Cart overview page. There is a Calculate Shipping calculator under your selected products.Simply enter the postcode or suburb of your shipping address and select the relevant location from the dropdown list that appears and click the Go button. The shipping cost calculator will display the total cost for delivery to your selected postcode or suburb. Your final shipping charges will be displayed in your checkout page before you proceed to payment so that you know exactly how much shipping will be. All prices are in Australian Dollars and freight costs are payable in addition to the product price.
Please note that we are unable to deliver to PO boxes or Parcel Lockers.
Royal Canin Weight Care Food
With just 276kcal/cup, its no surprise that Royal Canins Weight care makes our list as one of the best cat foods for weight loss available today. Its ability to provide a nutritionally complete meal with such a low calorie count is fantastic, and the formula reflects the needs of overweight cats perfectly.
Royal Canin formulas are world-renowned for their effectiveness, so buyers choosing this food can expect results that rival those of prescription-only weight loss cat foods. As always, Royal Canins options are far from the cheapest out there, but for quality ingredients and formulas backed with 40 years of science, you can expect no different.
If you can afford it at every meal, we think its one of the most effective over-the-counter cat foods for weight loss ever made.
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Diet Foods For Cat Weight Loss
Discover the best cat food for your overweight cat!
Many cats can struggle with their weight, particularly if they spend the majority of their time indoors rather than roaming outside. Here at zooplus we offer a great range of low fat diets to help with this issue, offering the best cat food for weight loss and healthy weight maintenance. After sterilisation weight gain can be a real issue for felines, as appetites can increase whilst energy requirements and metabolism can drop, so it is essential that you choose the best cat food for your felines health. These diet foods are the best cat food for keeping your feline nourished and healthy whilst encouraging steady weight loss, with both wet and dry food options to meet every need. These diet cat foods are designed to help keep overweight and obese cats feeling full between meals, reducing energy intake without reducing the quantity of food they can enjoy. Here at zooplus we offer a great range of diet foods for cat weight loss to meet every need. Browse the full range of Diet Foods for Cat Weight Loss available here at zooplus
We offer diet cat foods for both healthy cats and those requiring prescription diets. Before introducing your cat to a prescription diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
Take a look at the rest of the Cat Specialist Diets & Supplements available here at zooplus!
Guide To Helping Cats Lose Weight With Diet Food
A surprising amount of cat owners arent aware of the healthy weight ranges for adult cats. For most domestic cats, that range is between 8 and 10 pounds but this varies hugely depending on breed and body type.
Its important that you do your research into what constitutes a healthy weight for your cat . And different body types exist too- the average moggy can be a healthy weight at 5 pounds or 12 pounds, depending on build.
According to the APOP its estimated that 59% of cats are overweight or obese.
A cat is usually described as obese if its body-weight is more than 20 percent above the ideal level. Thinking in terms of percentages can really make the problem hit home. Its easy for us as humans to dismiss a few extra pounds as nothing serious, but an extra 2 pounds on a cat is the equivalent of a staggering 28 pounds on a 140-pound human. Imagine the feeling of carrying around all that extra weight just walking around, let alone jumping and running!
There are some telltale signs that should make it obvious if your cat is overweight just by looking at them. If your cat does not have a clear and visible waist/hip structure, if you cant feel their ribs easily, or if they have a stomach that hangs downwards, then its likely that theyre a little overweight at best.
This is where your veterinarian can come in really handy. They can weigh your pet, assess their body condition score , and estimate you an ideal weight to aim for Dr. Joanna Woodnutt
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Spayed Or Neutered Cats & Weight Gain
Once your cat is spayed or neutered, weight gain is very common. That is because these procedures cause a cats metabolism to slow down, causing body fat to be distributed to the body, especially in the abdomen.
Its very easy to tell when a cat is fixed because a large portion of their body weight gravitates towards their infamous fat pouch on their bellies.
Even though some weight gain is expected, it can be really easy for your cat to pack on the extra pounds. If their activity levels are also decreasing, it is incredibly important to get a handle on offering extra calories.
Final Thoughts On The Best Cat Food For Weight Loss
As you can tell, getting your cat to lose weight doesnt have to be a hard, stressful experience. Simply changing their food can put your cat on the right track to living their best kitty life!
The best cat food for weight loss is Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Perfect Weight. Not only does it help your cat maintain muscle mass and boost their metabolism, but it is also made from all-natural ingredients and is the number one veterinarian-recommended cat food. Not to mention, over 70% of cats lose weight in just 10 weeks when eating this dry food!
Overall, as long as you monitor what your cat eats and encourage them to be more active, it should be rather easy to help them lose weight. Before you know it, you will have a healthy, happy kitty that will surely be there for a very long time!
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How To Help A Cat Lose Weight
At the first visit, a veterinarian. He will help you by advising a proper cat weight loss plan. He might ask you to perform some cat tests to diagnose problems with obesity if any.
- Start your cat on a weight management diet. Make a proper diet plan for your feline, which will have an adequate amount of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Dont starve your kitty and make a proportionate diet.
- Change your cats diet gradually. Dont just give your cat a new diet on one fine morning because it will require some time to adjust. So at first mix 25 percent of the new food with the old one, then 50 percent, etc.
- Encourage your cat to play. Everyday exercise is a must to fasten the process of weight loss. So make sure that your kitty does the minimal amount of exercise and, if required, get along with your cat and give motivation.