When veterinarians discuss a cat’s weight, the conversation often centers on feline obesity. However, many cats also struggle with being underweight, and just like with weight loss, gaining weight can be a complex issue. It’s not simply a matter of adjusting food portions. The first crucial step is to identify why your cat is losing weight, which will then guide you in creating a safe and effective plan for them to reach a healthy weight.
Understanding the Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss
Several underlying health conditions can lead to a cat losing weight. It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any potential issues. Common causes include:
- Intestinal parasites
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Dental disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Lung disease
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
Developing a Plan of Action for Your Cat
Once you and your veterinarian have established a plan to address the underlying medical condition, the focus can shift to healthy weight gain. Your veterinarian will likely provide specific recommendations tailored to your cat’s age and medical needs. A diet customized to your cat’s particular health condition offers the best chance for a positive outcome. Your vet will also determine your cat’s ideal weight and schedule regular weigh-ins to ensure the plan is effective and that your cat doesn’t exceed this goal. For cats who are unwell, regaining a healthy weight is about more than just increasing calorie intake. Diets designed for specific conditions are formulated with the precise macronutrients and micronutrients needed to promote weight gain while simultaneously managing disease-related concerns.
What to Feed a Cat to Aid Weight Gain
If your cat’s underlying health problem is under control—such as treated parasites or removed painful teeth—simply correcting the calorie deficit might be all that’s needed. Your veterinarian will consider several factors when recommending a healthy cat food for weight gain:
Prioritize Palatability and Preference
The most critical initial step is to find a food that your cat enjoys eating and that doesn’t cause digestive upset. The ideal food should meet their dietary requirements while also being highly palatable to encourage them to eat. It’s common for cats to have strong preferences for specific flavors, food types (canned or dry), or even textures. Conversely, they might be repulsed by certain factors. Understanding and catering to your cat’s preferences is the fundamental first step in ensuring they eat sufficiently to gain weight.
Ensure Nutritional Adequacy
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must obtain essential nutrients for their health from animal-based products. The natural prey of cats, such as small rodents, are estimated to consist of approximately 55% protein, 45% fat, and 1–2% carbohydrate on a dry matter basis. While the macronutrient breakdown of prey shows a very low carbohydrate content, most cats can utilize up to 40% of their diet in the form of carbohydrates as a valuable energy source. Generally, dry cat food tends to contain a higher percentage of carbohydrates compared to wet food.
Cat Food Options for Weight Gain
High-quality kitten food is an excellent option for promoting weight gain in healthy cats, and most cats find it appealing. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition dry cat food for young kittens is nutrient- and calorie-dense and is typically highly palatable for most felines.
Your veterinarian may 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 formulations are highly digestible and provide the extra calories your cat needs for healthy weight gain.
Calculating the Right Amount of Food
Once you’ve selected a food that meets your cat’s needs and sparks their interest at mealtime, it’s time to determine appropriate portion sizes. Mathematical calculations are beneficial here. For gradual and healthy weight gain, it’s generally recommended to calculate your cat’s resting metabolic needs and then feed that amount of calories plus an additional 20%. Your veterinarian can assist you in translating this into the correct feeding quantity of the chosen food.
Tips to Encourage Weight Gain in Your Cat
Addressing underlying health issues, selecting the appropriate food, and determining portion sizes are critical for success. However, these are just the foundational steps. Once these are in place, establishing a consistent feeding routine is essential. Here are several tips to help your cat eat reliably and gain weight safely:
Feed Small, Frequent Meals
A cat’s stomach is quite small, approximately the size of a ping-pong ball. Therefore, it’s normal for your cat not to consume large amounts of food at once. Whether your cat prefers wet food, dry food, or a combination, try offering one tablespoon of food every few hours. These smaller, regular meals are generally better tolerated and can help reduce the likelihood of vomiting after eating.
Consider Warming Your Cat’s Wet Food
Cats are enticed to eat by the aroma of their food. 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 at or near their body temperature, around 38.5°C (101.5°F).
Offer Appropriate Snacks Between Meals
Healthy snacks offered between meals can contribute to your cat’s weight gain. Try tempting your cat with a few high-protein, simple bites of freeze-dried chicken, such as PureBites chicken breast freeze-dried raw cat treats, between their main meals.
Minimize Your Cat’s Anxiety
A calm cat is a happy cat, and happy cats are more inclined to have a good appetite. Cats are naturally solitary hunters and eaters, preferring to consume their meals without disturbance. When your cat has been unwell, it’s natural to want to provide constant attention. However, your cat may eat better if given some personal space.
Consult Your Vet About Appetite-Stimulating Medication
Your veterinarian may have access to medications that can help stimulate your cat’s appetite. Approximately an hour after administering such medication, your cat should experience an urge to eat. You can also inquire if your vet can provide the medication in a transdermal form (a patch or gel applied to the skin or gums), which can be a convenient alternative to administering a pill.
