When discussing a cat’s weight, the focus often falls on feline obesity. However, many cats also struggle with being underweight, and gaining weight can be as complex as losing it. It’s not simply a matter of adjusting food portions. The first crucial step is to identify the underlying reason for your cat’s weight loss. Once the cause is understood, a plan can be developed to help your cat safely return to a healthy weight.
Common reasons for a cat losing weight include intestinal parasites, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, dental disease, gastrointestinal issues, lung disease, chronic pain, and cancer.
Creating a Plan of Action for Your Cat
After you and your veterinarian have identified and begun treating the underlying condition, the focus shifts to healthy weight gain. Your veterinarian will likely provide specific recommendations tailored to your cat’s age and medical needs. A diet customized for your cat’s specific condition is key to achieving the best outcome. Your vet will also help determine your cat’s ideal weight and schedule regular weigh-ins to ensure the plan is effective and your cat doesn’t exceed their target weight. For ill cats, regaining a healthy weight involves more than just increasing calorie intake; diets for specific conditions are formulated with the right macronutrients and micronutrients to support weight gain while addressing unique disease-related concerns.
What to Feed a Cat to Promote Weight Gain
If your cat’s medical issues are managed—such as treated parasites or removed painful teeth—correcting a calorie deficit might be the primary treatment needed. Your veterinarian will consider several factors when recommending a healthy cat food for weight gain.
Finding a Food Your Cat Enjoys
The most critical initial step is selecting a food that your cat finds appealing and that doesn’t cause digestive upset. The ideal food should meet their dietary requirements while being highly palatable to encourage consumption. Cats often have strong preferences for specific flavors, types (canned/dry), or textures of food, and can be repulsed by others. Understanding and catering to these preferences is the first and most vital step in ensuring your cat eats well.
Ensuring Nutritional Adequacy
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must obtain essential nutrients for their health from animal products. The natural prey of cats, such as small rodents, is estimated to consist of approximately 55% protein, 45% fat, and 1–2% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis. While their natural diet is low in carbohydrates, most cats can effectively utilize up to 40% of their diet in carbohydrate form for energy. Generally, dry cat food tends to have a higher carbohydrate content than wet food.
Cat Food Options for Weight Gain
High-quality kitten food is an excellent option for healthy cats needing to gain weight, and most cats enjoy it. For instance, Royal Canin Feline Health nutrition dry cat food for young kittens is nutrient- and calorie-dense and is typically highly palatable. Your veterinarian might also prescribe high-calorie cat foods such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food or Hill’s Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care canned cat food. These specialized formulations are highly digestible and provide the extra calories your cat needs to gain weight.
Calculating Your Cat’s Feeding Amount
Once you’ve identified a food that meets your cat’s needs and sparks their appetite, determining the correct portion sizes is the next step. Mathematically, for gradual and healthy weight gain, it’s generally recommended to assess your cat’s resting metabolic rate and then feed that amount of calories plus an additional 20%. Your veterinarian can assist in translating this into the precise amount of food to offer.
Tips for Assisting Your Cat in Gaining Weight
Addressing underlying health issues, selecting appropriate food, and determining portion sizes are fundamental to success. However, this is just the beginning. Establishing a consistent feeding routine is also essential. Here are several tips to encourage your cat to eat reliably and gain weight safely.
Feed Small, Frequent Meals
A cat’s stomach is relatively small, comparable to the size of a ping-pong ball, so it’s natural that they won’t consume large quantities at once. Regardless of 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 generally better tolerated than large ones and can help minimize the risk of vomiting after eating.
Warm Your Cat’s Wet Food
The aroma of food stimulates a cat’s appetite. Warming up wet food can enhance its scent, making it more appealing to your cat. To warm the food, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for a few seconds. The ideal temperature for most cats is around their body temperature, approximately 38.5°C (101.5°F).
Offer Appropriate Snacks Between Meals
Healthy snacks offered between meals can contribute to your cat’s weight gain. Consider tempting your cat with a few high-protein, simple pieces of freeze-dried chicken, such as PureBites chicken breast freeze-dried raw cat treats, between their main meals.
Reduce Your Cat’s Anxiety
A calm cat is a happy cat, and happy cats tend to have a better appetite. Cats are naturally solitary hunters and eaters, preferring to consume their meals undisturbed. When your cat has been unwell, it’s natural to want to stay close, but they may eat more comfortably if given some personal space.
Consult Your Vet About Appetite-Stimulating Medication
Several medications are available from your veterinarian that can help stimulate your cat’s appetite. About an hour after administering the medication, your cat should feel an urge to eat. You can inquire with your vet about the availability of transdermal formulations (gels or patches applied to the skin or gums) to simplify administration and avoid the need for giving pills.
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