It’s no secret that our cats would powerhouse through as much delicious food as we allow them. But if your cat has been packing on the extra pounds, your vet might be a little concerned. As much as your cat might disagree, weight management is super important for cats.
After being spayed or neutered, and with the onset of aging, your cat’s body might not need as much food as they’ve been used to until now. So, if you’re looking for a calorie-light food to feed your kitty, we came up with eight of the top choices we could find. Here are our reviews.
A Glance at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription
High in protein, low in fat
Provides balanced, healthy, low-calorie nutrition
Promotes weight loss and overall health
Click to Save 40% Use code: PetKeen2023
Best Overall
Purina Cat Chow Indoor Healthy Weight
Specifically for indoor cats
Controls hairballs
Aids in digestion
Check Price
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight
High protein
Very low calorie
Proven weight loss
Check Price
Blue Buffalo Weight Control
LifeSource Bits
No byproducts
No artificial ingredients
Check Price
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight
Promotes healthy metabolism
Fortified fiber blend
Helps digestion
Check Price
The 9 Best Cat Food for Weight Loss
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
Save 40% on Smalls - Click Here & Use Code Petkeen2023
Type: Weight loss
Calories: 1220 kcal/kg
Protein: 15%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 0.5%
Moisture: 72%
Smalls Cat Food isn’t found in stores. This is a prescription meal service for cats that sends healthy food right to your door. The company uses high-quality ingredients, like protein from real animal sources, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. You can choose fresh or freeze-dried raw recipes, and they are all completely customizable.
There are several recipes with various protein options, but a popular pick is the Small Fresh Bird recipe. Chicken is the main protein source, with meat from the breast, liver, and heart. Green beans, kale, and peas are added for nutrients and healthy carbohydrates. The recipes are high in protein and low in fat, making them helpful for cats that have a few pounds to lose. The lean protein helps build lean muscle, while giving your cat energy to run and play. This food contains no artificial fillers or additives, although trace amounts of vegetable oil are used in a few recipes. We feel Smalls is the overall best cat food for weight loss.
The ordering process is simple. Just head to the website, and fill out a short survey about your cat to get started and see which recipes would be best for them.
While the subscription service is convenient, it does mean you’ll need space in your refrigerator to store the food if you choose the fresh recipes. The food is also more expensive than some other high-quality brands.
Pros
Delivered to your door
Customizable recipes
High in protein, low in fat
Provides balanced, healthy, low-calorie nutrition
Promotes weight loss and overall health
Cons
Expensive
Requires fridge space for proper storage
Vegetable oil is used in some recipes
As far as value is concerned, we liked the Purina Cat Chow Indoor Hairball & Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food the best. It is affordable, nourishing, and perfect for weight control—we think it’s the best cat food for weight loss for the money. The influx of fiber helps control hairballs and allows the digestive system to function correctly.
Delivered to your door
Customizable recipes
High in protein, low in fat
Provides balanced, healthy, low-calorie nutrition
Promotes weight loss and overall health
- Delivered to your door
- Customizable recipes
- High in protein, low in fat
- Provides balanced, healthy, low-calorie nutrition
- Promotes weight loss and overall health
Expensive
Requires fridge space for proper storage
Vegetable oil is used in some recipes
- Expensive
- Requires fridge space for proper storage
- Vegetable oil is used in some recipes
Type: Indoor Weight Control
Calories: 358
Protein: 30%
Fat: 9.5%
Fiber: 4.7%
Moisture: 12%
Check Price on Chewy
This recipe contains 358 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis on the product is 30% crude protein, 9.5% crude fat, 4.7% crude fiber, and 12% moisture. There is also linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorus, and all sorts of other necessary vitamins and minerals.
Even though this will work for most healthy adult cats, you do need to watch out for allergy triggers. This cat food does contain animal by-products, wheat, corn, and soy. So, always make sure to check the label before purchase.
Pros
Specifically for indoor cats
Controls hairballs
Aids in digestion
Cons
Contains potential allergy triggers
If you want premium cat food and money is no object, the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is our recommendation. This top-notch recipe is a specially formulated blend of ingredients to promote weight loss and maintain healthy muscle. This reduces health-related issues and provides antioxidants to create a healthy immune system.
Specifically for indoor cats
Controls hairballs
Aids in digestion
- Specifically for indoor cats
- Controls hairballs
- Aids in digestion
Contains potential allergy triggers
- Contains potential allergy triggers
Type: Adult Weight Control
Calories: 300
Protein: 36%
Fat: 8.5%
Fiber: 10%
Moisture: 8%
And one serving of this cat food contains 300 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis is 36% crude proteins, 8.5% crude fat, 10% crude fiber, and 8% moisture. It also has L-carnitine, acid, and vitamin E to provide proper bodily support.
The company boasts weight loss in 70% of pets who eat their product over 10 weeks. Even though this is a dietary food, the cats are still drawn to the taste of this recipe. However, if your cat has any grain sensitivities, you might need to look elsewhere as this product contains gluten.
Pros
Proven weight loss for 70% of pets over 10 weeks
Very low calorie
High protein
Cons
Might trigger sensitivities
We really loved the Blue Buffalo Weight Control recipe because it is full of terrific ingredients. The first ingredient is real deboned chicken, so you know that your cat is getting high-quality protein with half the calories. All Blue Buffalo recipes also have antioxidant-rich LifeSource bits to enhance appetite.
Proven weight loss for 70% of pets over 10 weeks
Very low calorie
High protein
- Proven weight loss for 70% of pets over 10 weeks
- Very low calorie
- High protein
Might trigger sensitivities
- Might trigger sensitivities
Type: Weight Control
Calories: 346
Protein: 30%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 9%
Moisture: 9%
This formula contains 346 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis is 30% crude protein, 10% crude fat, 9% crude fiber, and 9% moisture. It also contains magnesium, taurine, omega fatty acids, and L-carnitine for optimal health.
One thing we really like about this product is that it contains all-natural ingredients without by-products, corn, wheat, soy, and other artificial preservatives. However, it might not match all dietary needs, so always check the label before purchase.
Pros
LifeSource Bits
No byproducts
No artificial ingredients
Cons
A bit pricey
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food is a terrific selection to control weight and reduce hairballs. This product helps your cat spike a healthy metabolism. They use chicken as the number one ingredient to provide a healthy dose of protein.
LifeSource Bits
No byproducts
No artificial ingredients
- LifeSource Bits
- No byproducts
- No artificial ingredients
A bit pricey
- A bit pricey
Type: Indoor Weight & Hairball Control
Calories: 302
Protein: 30%
Fat: 13.5%
Fiber: 8.3%
Moisture: 10%
The best cat food for weight loss recipe contains 302 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis on the product is 30% grade protein, 13.5% crude fat, 8.3% crew fiber, and 10% moisture. It contains beet pulp and promotes a terrific fiber blend to get rid of hairballs and create a functional digestive tract.
This product also contains L-carotene, which helps your kitty burn fat and kicks up their metabolism a few notches. The only thing we didn’t care for is that the protein is a little low considering how few calories it has per serving.
Pros
Promotes healthy metabolism
Fortified fiber blend
Helps digestion
Cons
Low protein
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Weight Control Formula Dry Cat Food
Check Latest Price
Type: Veterinary-Approved Weight Control
Calories: 250
Protein: 33%
Fat: 8.3%
Fiber: 11%
Moisture: 8%
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Weight Control Formula Dry Cat Food is an excellent recipe for weight control. However, it does require veterinary approval before purchase. This recipe is specifically designed to help spayed or neutered cats maintain a healthy weight.
Promotes healthy metabolism
Fortified fiber blend
Helps digestion
- Promotes healthy metabolism
- Fortified fiber blend
- Helps digestion
Low protein
- Low protein
Check Latest Price
Type: Veterinary-Approved Weight Control
Calories: 250
Protein: 33%
Fat: 8.3%
Fiber: 11%
Moisture: 8%
This product contains 250 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis is 33% crude protein, 8.3% crude fat, 11% crude fiber, and 8% moisture. The product contains L-carotene and low-calorie support for a healthy metabolism.
This recipe is formulated with highly digestible proteins and a special blend of fibers to nourish a cat’s body while controlling their weight. If you think that your veterinarian will recommend this brand, it is definitely worth transitioning your cat in extreme cases.
Pros
Heavily specialized
Ultra-digestible protein
Unique fiber blend
Cons
Requires vet approval
Calories may be too low for some cats
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Is an excellent selection to keep your cat’s weight under control. The entire goal is to promote a healthy, lean muscle mass while losing the appropriate amount of weight. This formula is specifically a high-protein variety, with chicken as the first ingredient.
Heavily specialized
Ultra-digestible protein
Unique fiber blend
- Heavily specialized
- Ultra-digestible protein
- Unique fiber blend
Requires vet approval
Calories may be too low for some cats
- Requires vet approval
- Calories may be too low for some cats
Type: Weight Control
Calories: 437
Protein: 43%
Fat: 9%
Fiber: 5%
Moisture: 12%
This product contains 437 calories per cup. This product contains 43% crude protein, 9% crude fat, 5% crude fiber, and 12% moisture. Because of the high calorie content, it might not work for every situation, so check with your vet first.
This recipe contains considerably less fat than other recipes. It also has a dose of probiotics for digestion and immunity. It contains 600 million live CFU of natural prebiotic fiber that helps grow healthy gut bacteria.
Pros
High protein
20% less fat
600 million live CFU
Cons
Might be too high calorie for some cases
If you have a chubby boy or a girl that can’t handle gluten, Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Weight Control is a grain-free recipe that might work wonders. The entire concept is to cleanse their system with superfoods that feed good gut bacteria with antioxidants and phytonutrients.
High protein
20% less fat
600 million live CFU
- High protein
- 20% less fat
- 600 million live CFU
Might be too high calorie for some cases
- Might be too high calorie for some cases
Type: Grain-Free Weight Control
Calories: 360
Protein: 31%
Fat: 9%
Fiber: 9%
Moisture: 10%
In one serving, there are 360 calories. The guaranteed analysis is 31% crude protein, 9% crude fat, 9% crude fiber. You don’t have to worry about any harmful grains irritating your cat’s stomach, as the recipe is totally holistic and gluten-free. It is balanced with 90 million live probiotics, and it is full of omega fatty acids.
This recipe was designed specifically for less active mature cats with weight problems. However, it won’t work for every cat. It does have a 100% satisfaction guarantee from the company, so you can get your money back if things don’t work as expected.
Pros
Live probiotics
For less active cats
100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
Only for cats with gluten allergies
The Natural Balance Fat Cats dry cat food is specifically designed to promote healthy weight loss for our chunky kitties. The price range is within most budgets and the recipe is outstanding. This recipe contains very low-calorie kibble while giving your cat all of the nutrients necessary to nourish their bodies.
Live probiotics
For less active cats
100% satisfaction guarantee
- Live probiotics
- For less active cats
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Only for cats with gluten allergies
- Only for cats with gluten allergies
Type: Weight loss
Calories: 320
Protein: 35%
Fat: 9.5%
Fiber: 9%
Moisture: 10%
This recipe contains 320 calories per cup. The guaranteed analysis on this recipe is 35% crude protein, 9.5% crude fat, 9% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. It also has tons of omega fatty acids and taurine for total body support.
This product also contains some pretty decent ingredients that seem to tantalize the taste buds. It includes chicken meal, salmon meal, pea protein, and garbanzo beans to name a few. This recipe is superb for overweight cats, and the company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on the product as well.
Pros
100% satisfaction guarantee
Real chicken as first ingredient
Favorable price
Cons
Won’t work for all cats’ diets
Related Read: 7 Best Cat Foods for Indoor Cats – Reviews & Top Picks
100% satisfaction guarantee
Real chicken as first ingredient
Favorable price
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Real chicken as first ingredient
- Favorable price
Won’t work for all cats’ diets
- Won’t work for all cats’ diets
Buyer’s Guide: Choose the Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss
Why Is Healthy Weight for Your Cat Important?
Keeping your cats at a healthy weight might not seem like a big deal initially. After all, who doesn’t love a big chubby cat? Even though it might be adorable to squeeze their balls of fluff, it’s best to help them maintain a healthy weight throughout the duration of their lifetime.
This can get a little bit more challenging as they start to age and become less active. Also, once a cat is spayed or neutered, they tend to gain weight as well.
Health Issues Associated with Obesity in Cats
There are a wide variety of problems you can face when your cat is obese. These problems can develop over time, or the onset may be much faster. Some issues require treatments, medication, and other potentially expensive management methods. It might also decrease the lifespan of your cat.
Some of these health issues include:
Diabetes
Heart failure
Infections
Urinary bladder stones
Hepatic lipidosis
Osteoarthritis
Hypertension
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 cat’s metabolism to slow down, causing body fat to be distributed to the body, especially in the abdomen.
Diabetes
Heart failure
Infections
Urinary bladder stones
Hepatic lipidosis
Osteoarthritis
Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Infections
- Urinary bladder stones
- Hepatic lipidosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypertension
It’s 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.
Free Feeding vs. Scheduled Feeding
Free feeding is basically when you place food into a bowl and allow your cat to eat at their leisure whenever they feel like it. Scheduled feedings are routine, set at specific times throughout the day.
If you’re trying to get your cat on a diet, free feeding is not a good option. There’s no regulation here as far as caloric intake is concerned. Scheduled feedings create much more of a routine and allow you to closely monitor your cat’s precise intake.
Giving your pet the highest quality nutrition is a top priority, so why not give them a food and water dish to match? We think the Hepper Nom Nom Bowl is too good not to share.
Made from food-safe stainless steel, you can ensure that your pet is consuming the best nutrition out of the finest bowls on the market. Click here to get yours.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Weight Control for Cats
When it comes to controlling a wait, there are several different aspects that come into play. Obviously reducing calories is one of the main ways manufacturers formulate these recipes. There are certain ingredients that can boost metabolism while reducing weight.
L-carnitine – This chemical is made in the brain, liver, and kidneys. It helps the body turn fat into energy.
Fiber – Fiber helps to speed up and regulate the digestive tract, making sure that the digestive system is not sluggish.
Prebiotics & Probiotics – Prebiotics and probiotics work hand-in-hand. Pre-biotics lay the foundation in the gut to help probiotics flourish, growing healthy gut bacteria.
High Protein – If your cat is losing weight, they need to keep their lean muscle mass intact. Often when calories are cut in a recipe, the protein is up to make sure that your cat is getting enough protein to rebuild their muscles.
It’s best to discuss your cat’s weight loss goals with your vet so you can find the best diet.
L-carnitine – This chemical is made in the brain, liver, and kidneys. It helps the body turn fat into energy.
Fiber – Fiber helps to speed up and regulate the digestive tract, making sure that the digestive system is not sluggish.
Prebiotics & Probiotics – Prebiotics and probiotics work hand-in-hand. Pre-biotics lay the foundation in the gut to help probiotics flourish, growing healthy gut bacteria.
High Protein – If your cat is losing weight, they need to keep their lean muscle mass intact. Often when calories are cut in a recipe, the protein is up to make sure that your cat is getting enough protein to rebuild their muscles.
L-carnitine – This chemical is made in the brain, liver, and kidneys. It helps the body turn fat into energy.
Fiber – Fiber helps to speed up and regulate the digestive tract, making sure that the digestive system is not sluggish.
Prebiotics & Probiotics – Prebiotics and probiotics work hand-in-hand. Pre-biotics lay the foundation in the gut to help probiotics flourish, growing healthy gut bacteria.
High Protein – If your cat is losing weight, they need to keep their lean muscle mass intact. Often when calories are cut in a recipe, the protein is up to make sure that your cat is getting enough protein to rebuild their muscles.
You might also be interested in: 9 Signs That Your Cat Loves You
Conclusion
Overall, we stand by our first choice—Smalls Fresh Cat Food. It is specifically formulated to reduce the weight of your tubby kitty, but the recipe doesn’t scrimp on nutritional value. Also, it falls into a comfortable price range most families can afford.
But, if you’re looking to save as much as you can during this diet session, take a look at Purina Cat Chow Indoor Hairball & Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food. It’s very price-friendly—plus, it controls hairballs by providing an adequate dose of fiber.
No matter which one of these delightful recipes caught your eye, the one you choose should help curb the pounds on your kitty as needed. We won’t even tell them they are on a diet—it can be our little secret.
Featured Image Credit: Capri23auto, Pixabay
