What Can I Feed My Cat to Help Her Gain Weight?
Too much and too little weight are somewhat two sides of the same coin. In both, responsible pet owners strive to help their little ones hit the ideal weight mark. Too much focus is placed on helping overweight cats lose pounds with the little solution being offered for the skinny ones.
Diet is one approach parents of underweight cats could use to help their feline friends fatten up. With this information in mind, here is some best cat food for weight gain to consider purchasing for your scrawny kitty.
#1) Natural Balance L.I.D Indoor Grain-Free Salmon and Chickpea Formula Dry Cat Food
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diet Indoor Grain-Free Salmon and Chickpea Formula Dry Cat Food is custom-made to perfection for cats with tummy sensitivities. The formula uses limited select ingredients with the elimination of any grain matter.
This kibble also carries high protein and fat content to enable your cat to form strong muscles as they gain weight. This cat food starts with real meat from salmon that is combined with various meals to boost energy and protein levels.
Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals this food is a perfect choice for cats that spent most of their time locked in. Prebiotics like inulin are blended in to assist with digestion.
Taurine works to keep immunity at its very best, with healthy oils used in the formula releasing omega fatty acids for lustrous skin. Prebiotics enhance the absorption of minerals in the body too. Natural flavors used in this food release a sweet aroma that your cat will find quite hard to resist.
Key Features
- Supports healthy weight gain by using lean meat as the first ingredient
- 100% grain-free cat food made with limited ingredients making it a fitting choice for cats with sensitive stomachs
- Rich in fiber and prebiotics to aid digestion
- Enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and taurine for healthy body systems
- Free from artificial colors, preservatives, or fillers
#2) Blue Buffalo Healthy Living Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food
The perfect fusion of ingredients in this recipe will see your cat get heavier and healthier. Deboned chicken furnishes your kitty’s insides with high-quality protein. Whole grains, such as brown rice along with barley, are easy to digest carbohydrates for the provision of the much-needed energy in adult cats.
They are also great sources of natural fiber that aids in digestion. Fish oil rich in fatty acids keeps skin shiny and healthy. The food is well supplied with antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Vitamins derived from some fruits used in this formula such as cranberries support excretion processes.
Blue Buffalo foods come fortified with exclusively selected ingredients that make up the LifeSource Bits which promote healthy immunity and good oxidative balance in the body. Blue Buffalo Healthy Living Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food are manufactured without byproduct meals, corn, or soy.
Key Features
- Specially formulated for adult cats
- Quality protein food with excellent fat-low balance for optimum weight gain
- Antioxidant-rich to support immune health
- Enriched with LifeSource Bits to promote good oxidative balance in the body
- Uses all-natural ingredients rich in fiber for smooth digestion together with rich oils for beautiful shiny skin
#3) Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
Next on our best cat food recommendation list is Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food. Though formulated for kittens, this food works for cats in other life stages looking to build upon weight. This is because the food has an abundant supply of protein as it is carefully put together for the growth of kittens into strong adults.
It is also has a high-calorie count to help your little one get heavier. If your cat has issues with his dental, this dry cat food offers a solution through its small-sized kibble that helps ease chewing to ensure nourishment is retained at required levels. Calcium features among the various minerals that keep body structures healthy.
This food gives the body access to multivitamin supplements that help the cat live a longer healthier life. Essential fatty acids present in this meal prevent unnecessary shedding of skin to remain to look radiant. They also promote healthy cognitive, cardiac, eye and liver function.
Key Features
- High protein and calorie content that promotes healthy weight gain
- Small-sized kibble for ease in chewing
- Contains plenty of minerals and vitamins for healthy body structures
- Made with fatty acids for healthy skin, eyes, heart, brain and liver
- Complete and balanced food that promotes longer healthier cat life
#4) Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Dry Cat Food
As the name suggests, this cat food is made of tender crunchy bits that are rich in nutrients. Cats are from carnivore ancestry and serving them chicken will satisfy this innate craving. The kibble being tender but crunchy helps keep low plaque build-up in teeth.
Cats require protein levels of about 30% with a minimum of 9% fat requirement for their bodies to function well. Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken has a protein content of 34% while fat is at 13% making it the best cat food for weight gain purposes.
The food has no artificial fillers. Instead, it is enriched with vitamins and minerals from natural ingredients for whole-body health. There is sufficient fiber to boost the digestion process along with omega fatty acids for fluffy healthy skin.
Key Features
- Uses protein from real chicken for strong muscles and energy supply
- The tender crunchy meaty bits keep teeth clean while delivering complete balanced nutrition
- High protein cat food with increased fat level for healthy weight gain
- The food is made from natural ingredients furnished with omega fatty acids for healthy skin and boosted immunity
- Sufficient fiber content to enhance absorption of nutrients during digestion
#5) Iams ProActive Health High Protein Chicken and Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food
This dry cat food is perfect for active cats as it uses real chicken to provide energy for activity while supporting lean muscle mass. Chicken and salmon combined are a great dose of protein and calories for felines looking to put on some weight.
To boost energy supply, ground whole grain corn is included and it also adds up to the present prebiotic fiber bulk to promote healthy bacteria in the gut.
The expertly put-together mineral-vitamin blend from apples, blueberries, carrots and spinach helps keep all body structures healthy. For instance, on the ingredient list is calcium that helps in the formation of strong bones and teeth.
Improved blood flow is one of the benefits your cat will get from this recipe as it contains taurine that also plays other important roles in the body. Grab this cat food for your four-legged bud and watch him grow into the vibrant healthy cat he ought to be.
Key Features
- Tasty healthy dry cat food made with the inclusion of whole grains
- 100% complete balanced nutrition that starts with real meat from chicken
- Rich with omega fatty acids from salmon and chicken for skin health
- Fresh fruits and veggies are sourced to supply antioxidants for immunity
- Contains taurine for improved cardiovascular function
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Best Cat Food for Weight Gain Buying Guide & FAQs
Factors to Consider When Selecting Best Cat Food for Weight Gain
High-Calorie Content
Some pets lose weight because they are simply a bundle of energy but the foods they consume do not provide them with enough calories to burn to support this and their body ends up using glucose in the muscle resulting in weight loss.
If your kitty is highly active you may need to get him food high in calories instead of increasing food portions or feeding him severally. High-calorie food could also help cats experiencing weight loss due to an illness gain and retain their ideal weight as they recover.
Related Post: Best Dry Cat Foods
High-Quality Protein
Protein from real meat sources should be the first ingredient used in any cat food. Protein is vital for muscle formation, retention and provision of energy. Checking for quality is also important because not all proteins listed as part of ingredients are beneficial to your cat’s body, especially for weight gain purposes.
Food packed with high-quality protein and low to moderate carbohydrates is ideal for putting on some pounds, as the two work to give enough glucose in the blood to support activity.
Limited Ingredients
If your buddy is losing weight mostly because of gastrointestinal issues then your priority should be getting him cat food with fewer ingredients. Limited ingredient foods help reduce irritation, therefore, maximizing nutrient absorption in the body.
If you are unsure of the ingredient causing digestive upsets in your cat, going for a limited ingredient diet helps narrow down and identify what they are allergic to. However, if you do not want to keep experimenting with foods approaching a vet will provide clear guidance on what to feed for weight gain with less or no flare-ups at all.
High-Fat Content
Fat is necessary for every cat’s diet. Fat contains twice the amount found in proteins or carbs. Some pet food manufacturers use fats to improve the palatability of the meal for picky eaters.
Consumption of extra fat by underweight cats could assist them in putting on weight. Care should however be taken to avoid overfeeding on fat causing them to become obese.
Natural Ingredients Composition
Always check for food made with naturally sourced ingredients with a perfectly balanced nutrient profile. If your cat is choosy look for food made with natural flavors to help him eat more.
Natural preservatives should be used in the food with zero artificial additions that could trigger allergies that could result in more weight loss. A complete and balanced is not only important for weight gain but overall sustenance of good health as well.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Best Cat Food for Weight Gain
Q: How Long Will My Cat Take to Gain Back Weight?
This all depends on your cat. The process could be faster or take a couple of months. The average underweight cat could take about three to six months to obtain healthy body weight.
Weight gain is a slow but steady process which is why you should consistently check your weight check plan to ensure it is effective. If achieving ideal weight is taking longer than you expected you can consult with a vet to know whether to change your approach or not.
Q: What Should I Do If My Cat Refuses to Eat the New Food?
It is good to train and expose your cat in their early years to different types of food, wet or dry, or various brands. This helps when it comes to transition. However, if that is not the case, you can try to slow down on the transition.
Exploring a new flavor could help or even warm up the food to bring out the smell to appeal to your finicky eater. As a pet parent, you should be keen on your cat’s preferences so that you can serve just what he likes.
Q: What Should I Feed My Cat for Weight Gain? Wet or Dry Cat Food?
Wet cat food is preferable for overweight cats as it has fewer calories which are replaced with moisture content. Pets with constipation could benefit from wet food as well.
For thinner felines, dry cat food is better because it contains more calorie counts. If you are worried about dehydration, provide your cat unlimited access to water. Some cat parents flavor water with broth to encourage fluid uptake whereas others add a little water to the dry food.
Read: Weight Gain Feeding Plan for Cats
Conclusion
In weight gain, consistency is key and requires a long-term commitment. The changes you make for your cat to gain may not sit well with him at first but he will live long to enjoy the benefits of your efforts. If you choose to go the diet change direction, our review on the best cat food for weight gain should help set your plan in motion.