If your feline friend is looking a bit too slender, you’re likely concerned about their health and well-being. While veterinary focus often leans towards managing feline obesity, many cats also struggle with being underweight. Similar to weight loss, gaining weight can be a complex issue, extending beyond simply adjusting food portions. The journey to a healthy weight for your cat begins with understanding the underlying causes of their weight loss and then implementing a tailored plan, often involving a carefully selected diet.
Identifying the Root Cause of Weight Loss
Before embarking on a weight gain strategy, it’s crucial to determine why your cat is losing weight. Several medical conditions can lead to unintended weight loss, and addressing these underlying issues is paramount. Common culprits include:
- Intestinal parasites
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Dental disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Lung disease
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
Creating a Tailored Action Plan for Your Cat
Once you and your veterinarian have identified and are managing the underlying medical condition, the focus can shift to safe and effective weight gain. Your vet will provide specific recommendations based on your cat’s age, overall health, and medical needs. A diet customized to your cat’s specific condition is most likely to yield the best results. Your veterinarian will also help determine your cat’s ideal weight and schedule regular weigh-ins to monitor progress and ensure they don’t exceed their target weight. For cats battling illness, achieving a healthy weight is about more than just increasing calorie intake; specialized diets are formulated with the precise macronutrients and micronutrients to support weight gain while addressing unique disease-related concerns.
Nutritional Strategies for Weight Gain
When your cat’s underlying health issues are under control—such as treated parasites or removed painful teeth—correcting the calorie deficit may be the primary treatment required. Your veterinarian will look for specific qualities in a healthy cat food designed for weight gain.
Finding a Palatable and Suitable Food
The most critical first step is identifying a food that your cat genuinely enjoys eating without causing digestive upset. The ideal food should meet their dietary requirements while being highly palatable, encouraging them to eat consistently. It’s common for cats to have strong preferences for specific flavors, food types (canned or dry), or even textures. Conversely, they can also be repulsed by these factors. Navigating your cat’s preferences is the foundational step in ensuring they consume adequate nutrition.
Ensuring Nutritional Adequacy
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must obtain essential nutrients from animal-based products. The natural prey of cats, such as small rodents, typically comprises about 55% protein, 45% fat, and 1–2% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. While their natural diet is very low in carbohydrates, most cats can utilize up to 40% of their diet in carbohydrate form as an energy source. Generally, dry cat food tends to contain higher carbohydrate levels than wet food.
Recommended Cat Food Options for Weight Gain
High-quality kitten food is an excellent option for healthy cats needing to gain weight, as most cats find it appealing. For instance, Royal Canin Feline Health nutrition dry cat food for young kittens is nutrient- and calorie-dense and generally highly palatable to many cats.
Your veterinarian may also prescribe specialized high-calorie cat foods. Options such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food or Hill’s Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care canned cat food are highly digestible and provide the supplementary calories your cat needs for weight gain. [cite:0, cite:1, cite:2]
Calculating Appropriate Feeding Portions
Once you’ve selected a food that meets your cat’s nutritional needs and excites their appetite, the next step is determining the correct portion sizes. This is where a bit of math comes in handy. For gradual and healthy weight gain, it’s generally recommended to calculate your cat’s resting metabolic rate and then feed that amount of calories plus an additional 20%. Your veterinarian can assist you in translating this caloric calculation into the precise amount of food to serve.
Tips for Encouraging Weight Gain in Cats
Addressing underlying health issues, choosing the right food, and calculating appropriate portions are crucial for success. However, this is just the beginning. Establishing a consistent feeding routine is also vital. Here are several tips to help your cat eat reliably and gain weight safely:
Feed Small, Frequent Meals
A cat’s stomach capacity is relatively small. Therefore, it’s normal for your cat not to consume large quantities at once. Whether your cat prefers wet food, dry food, or a combination, try offering one tablespoon of food every few hours. These small, regular meals are typically better tolerated than large ones and can help reduce the risk of vomiting post-meal.
Warm Up Wet Food
The aroma of food stimulates a cat’s appetite. Warming up wet food can enhance its scent, making it more enticing. To do this safely, place the food in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for a few seconds. The ideal temperature for most cats is close to their body temperature, around 38.5°C (101.5°F).
Offer Nutritious Snacks
Healthy snacks offered between meals can contribute to your cat’s weight gain. Consider offering small, high-protein treats, such as freeze-dried chicken bites, between meals to supplement their intake.
Minimize Stress and Anxiety
A calm and content cat is more likely to have a healthy appetite. Cats are naturally solitary hunters and eaters, preferring to dine without disturbances. While it’s understandable to want to stay close to a sick or underweight cat, they may eat better if given some personal space.
Consult Your Vet About Appetite-Stimulating Medication
For some cats, appetite-stimulating medications prescribed by a veterinarian can be beneficial. These medications can help induce hunger about an hour after administration. Discuss with your vet the possibility of transdermal forms (gels or patches applied to the skin or gums) if administering pills is a challenge.
Featured Image: iStock.com/AaronAma
