When veterinarians talk about a cat’s weight, they usually focus on feline obesity.
Obesity is a major health issue for cats, but many cats also struggle with being thin. And just like losing weight, gaining weight can be just as problematic for cats. Simply changing the amount of food you give them is not enough.
First, you need to find out why your cat is losing weight, then you can put together a plan of action, including diet, that will help your cat safely return to a healthy weight.
Create a plan of action for your cat
Once you and your vet have come up with a treatment plan for any underlying issues, you can get to the hard work of helping your cat gain weight. Your vet will have specific suggestions for your cat based on its age and medical needs.
A diet customized to your cat’s specific medical condition is likely to produce the best results. Your veterinarian will also identify your cat’s ideal weight and weigh him or her regularly to ensure the plan is effective and that your cat does not exceed its ideal weight.
For sick cats, returning to a healthy weight isn’t just about calories: condition-specific diets are customized to include the right macro- and micronutrients to promote weight gain while addressing disease-specific concerns.
Food to help your cat gain weight
If your cat’s illness has been controlled by treating parasites or extracting painful teeth, correcting a calorie deficit may be the only treatment needed.
Here’s what veterinarians look for in a healthy cat food for weight gain:
Find the food that suits your cat’s taste
The first and most important step is to find foods that your cat will enjoy but won’t cause stomach upset. Not only do you need foods that meet your cat’s dietary requirements, but they also need to be super tasty so your cat will want to eat them.
It’s not uncommon for cats to have strong preferences for certain flavors, types (canned vs dry food) or textures, and the same is true if your cat has an aversion to one or more of these elements.
Understanding your cat’s preferences is the first and most important step to getting your cat to eat well.
Make sure your food meets your nutritional needs
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to get all the nutrients essential to their health from animal foods.
A cat’s natural prey, such as small rodents, is estimated to contain approximately 55% protein, 45% fat, and 1-2% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
Although the macronutrient breakdown of prey is only 1-2% carbohydrates, most cats can use up to 40% of their diet as an energy source in the form of carbohydrates.
Dry food generally has more carbohydrates than wet food.
Cat Food Options for Weight Gain
A good quality kitten food is great for helping your cat gain weight in a healthy way, and most cats enjoy eating kitten food.
Royal Canin Kitten Healthy Nutrition Dry Food They’re high in nutrients and calories and tend to be very tasty to most cats.
Your vet may also prescribe a higher calorie cat food, such as: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food or Hill’s Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care Canned Cat Food.
These formulas are highly digestible and provide your cat with the extra calories they need to gain weight.
Calculate how much food to feed your cat
Once you’ve found a food that meets your cat’s needs and gets her excited at mealtimes, you’ll need to decide on the appropriate portion sizes.
This is where the math comes in: In general, to achieve gradual, healthy weight gain, it’s best to assess your cat’s resting metabolic needs and feed them that amount of calories plus 20%.
Your vet can use this to help you feed your pet the right amount.
Tips to help your cat gain weight
Addressing any underlying health issues, choosing the right foods, and knowing how much to feed are all essential for success.
But that’s just the starting point: once that’s in place, you need to establish a feeding routine.
Here are some tips to ensure your cat eats and gains weight safely.
Feed small, frequent meals
A cat’s stomach is only about the size of a ping pong ball, so it’s normal for them to not eat a lot at once.
Whether your cat prefers wet food, dry food, or both, try giving them a tablespoon of food every few hours.
Small, regular meals are easier to tolerate than large meals and can reduce the risk of vomiting after eating.
Try warming up your cat’s wet food
Cats are motivated to eat by the smell of food, so heating up the wet food will make it smell even better for your cat, stimulating their appetite.
To warm up your cat’s food, place the food in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for a few seconds.
The optimal temperature for most cats is at or close to body temperature, which is 38.5°C (101.5°F).
Providing appropriate snacks between meals
Providing healthy snacks between meals can help your cat gain weight.
Consider giving your cat some freeze-dried chicken for a simple, high-protein treat. PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Breast Cat Treatsbetween each meal.
Reduces cat anxiety
A calm cat is a happy cat, and a happy cat is more likely to have a good appetite.
Cats hunt alone and eat alone, which means they prefer to get their meals undisturbed.
It’s natural to want to be there for your cat when she’s sick, but giving her a little space may help her eat better.
Ask your vet about appetite stimulants
Your vet can prescribe several medications to help stimulate your cat’s appetite.
Your cat will start to feel hungry about an hour after giving the medicine. You can also ask your vet if you can prescribe the medication transdermally (a patch or gel that is placed on the skin or gums) so you don’t have to give them pills.
Featured Image: iStock.com/AaronAma
