Dr Marie Menniti - Miss Cats Team

Dr. Marie Menniti's Veterinary Advice

There are a number of reasons that can cause a cat to lose weight. Sometimes weight loss can be a symptom of illness. If your cat is very thin or has lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, contact your veterinarian for an appointment. They can determine whether the weight loss is a simple caloric imbalance or if it is something more serious.

In many cases, a change in diet can help a cat gain back lost weight.

Always follow your veterinarian’s advice first when picking out a food for a cat with a medical condition. The following tips can help you get started on choosing a diet for weight gain in your cat.

1. Choose a more energy-dense diet

A cat that is losing weight may not be getting enough calories in her diet. Choose a diet that is energy-dense, meaning there are more calories per cup.

You can speak to your veterinarian to determine exactly how many calories your kitty requires per day. Always weigh out meal portions as cups are inaccurate. Even though your cat might need to gain weight, make sure not to overdo it. Many cats are prone to obesity and should only be given the number of calories they need to stay healthy.

2. Choose a diet with a high fat content

Fat is an energy-dense nutrient, and it will increase the number of calories your cat gets in each bite. Studies have also shown that dietary fat on its own will also encourage weight gain.

For a thin cat, choose a food with a fat content that is at the higher end of the recommended intake for adult cats: 20-30% fat, on a dry matter basis.

3. Choose a diet with a high protein content

A cat that has lost weight will likely have lost muscle mass. Protein is important to help to rebuild and maintain muscle.

It also has the added benefit of making a food more tempting to the taste buds of a cat. A diet with a protein content at the high end of the recommendation for adult would be suitable for weight gain: 35-45% protein, on a dry matter basis.

(Note: The nutrient value listed on your food label will most likely be given on an “as fed” basis. You can learn how to convert these values to dry matter basis here.)

4. Consider your cat’s food preferences

To encourage eating, choose a food that your cat really enjoys. Diets differ in their water content, texture, and flavor. Since cats tend to be picky, you can often find most types of diet in a wide variety of textures and flavors including chicken, beef, fish, and liver.

High moisture diets have the added benefit of being able to be easily warmed up, which can help to release the food’s meaty aroma and entice even the most finicky eaters.

What is the Best Cat Food for Weight Gain?

Author:
Last updated June 28, 2021
IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
Top Pick
Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 486 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 40%
Wellness Complete Health Pate
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 182 kcal/can
  • Protein: 47%
Solid Gold Indigo Moon High Protein
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 485 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 42%
Diamond Naturals Active Chicken Meal & Rice
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 400 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 40%
Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 41 kcal/serving
  • Protein: 45%

Cat Food for Weight Gain Reviews

Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Deboned Chicken
  2. Chicken Meal
  3. Turkey Meal
  4. Deboned Cod
  5. Whole Peas
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 486 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult and kitten
NUTRITION
Fat
20%
20%
Protein
40%
40%
Fiber
4%
4%
REVIEW

Nulo Freestyle Chicken & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain Review

This recipe from Nulo Freestyle is specifically formulated with growing cats in mind. It has an optimal balance of 40 percent protein and 20 percent fat on a dry matter basis, and it contains 486 calories in each cup. The protein comes from a blend of real poultry and fish, which supports lean muscle growth.

This recipe is also fortified with a number of other essential ingredients for full-body health. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help keep your cat’s coat soft and shiny. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E and vital minerals like taurine. These come from natural ingredients like dried kelp and chicory root. This is the best cat food for weight gain on the market due to its balanced and appealing formula.

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Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food for Weight Gain

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Chicken Liver
  3. Turkey
  4. Chicken Broth
  5. Carrots
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 182 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
32%
32%
Protein
47%
47%
Fiber
4.5%
4.5%
REVIEW

Wellness Complete Health Pate Canned Cat Food for Weight Gain Review

If you’re looking for the best canned cat food for weight gain, this option from Wellness is a good one to consider. It has a very high protein content, at 47 percent, and each single-serving can has 182 calories. The main ingredients in this high-quality formula are chicken, chicken liver, and turkey.

In addition to these excellent sources of lean protein, this pate contains fruits and vegetables like carrots and cranberries. These add flavor and are an excellent source of antioxidants. The formula is further fortified with vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids to create a balanced diet. This dense cat food is an excellent option for cats that need to gain weight.

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Solid Gold Indigo Moon High Protein Wild Alaskan Pollock Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Ocean Fish Meal
  2. Chicken Meal
  3. Peas
  4. Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
  5. Pollock
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 485 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
20%
20%
Protein
42%
42%
Fiber
3%
3%
REVIEW

Solid Gold Indigo Moon High Protein Wild Alaskan Pollock Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain Review

This formula from Solid Gold contains plenty of powerhouse foods that can help your cat gain weight. It’s one of the best dry cat foods for weight gain. Two of the most nutritious ingredients in this formula are fresh caught wild Alaskan pollock and whole egg. These are excellent sources of protein as well as essential omega-3 fatty acids. There’s over 450 calories in each cup, so it can help your cat gain weight quickly.

Additionally, this formula is excellent for your cat’s digestive system. It contains probiotics to help keep the gut healthy. It also doesn’t contain any grains or gluten, both of which can irritate your cat’s digestive system in some cases.

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Diamond Naturals Active Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken Meal
  2. Ground White Rice
  3. Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
  4. Natural Flavor
  5. Flaxseed
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 400 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
20%
20%
Protein
40%
40%
Fiber
3%
3%
REVIEW

Diamond Naturals Active Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food for Weight Gain Review

This cat food from Diamond Naturals is specifically formulated for active cats. It’s very calorie dense, with over 400 calories in each cup, and can help your cat gain weight quickly. It’s made with real cage-free chicken, which is an excellent source of protein. It is also fortified with fruits and vegetables, which contain essential antioxidants to support your cat’s immune system.

This formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy skin and coat as your cat grows. Finally, it contains a healthy probiotic blend to support a regular digestive system – something that is particularly important as your cat starts to gain weight.

BUY HERE →

Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack Wet Cat Food for Weight Gain

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Water
  3. Poultry Liver
  4. Chicken Broth
  5. Guar Gum
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 41 kcal/serving
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
25%
25%
Protein
45%
45%
Fiber
7.5%
7.5%
REVIEW

Sheba Perfect Portions Multipack Wet Cat Food for Weight Gain Review

The Sheba Perfect Portions offer some of the best wet cat food for weight gain on the market. It comes pre-portioned for convenience, and each can contains 40 calories and a balance of vital ingredients that can help keep your cat healthy.

This multipack comes with three appealing flavors – chicken, turkey, and beef pate. They use fresh ingredients that act as an excellent source of protein. Each serving is also fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, as well as taurine to support your cat’s eye and heart health. It’s made without any grains, corn, or soy as well.

BUY HERE →