The best cat food for overweight cats in the UK is specially formulated to provide essential nutrients whilst being lower in calories. This is not for kittens, pregnant or nursing cats - rather it's for those pets that have chosen to embrace a cat's life and are more Garfield than Simba.
Cats can struggle with their weight, especially when they spend all or most of their time indoors. If your cat can go outdoors, do allow them to exercise their natural instinct to run, scratch, pounce, climb and hunt in the garden. Getting active and being able to fully stretch their muscles will maintain their body condition. It's important for wellbeing too. Plus, your cat's food should come from a good brand.
If your cat is an indoor cat, provide lots of toys and stimulating activities for play. Provide indoor cat grass to enhance their environment and provide micronutrients. Spend time interacting with your pet - it's both a wonderful bonding opportunity and gets your cat active. If you've got guts, you can use a slow feeder to turn meal times into a stimulating puzzle which also means your moggy won't be able to gobble up the goodies. Additionally, their digestion will be much improved. If your cat is proving to be a scoffer rather than a grazer, an automatic pet feeder can be useful for giving the right portion size of the kibble.
Best cat food for overweight cats at a glance in the UK:
A cat is classed as obese if their body weight is 10-20 per cent above what is normal for their breed and build. Almost half of domestic cats in the UK are obese and 50,000 are suffering from diabetes. For a longer life expectancy, these fat cats need to be placed on a calorie-restricted diet. Here's our round-up of the best lighter pet foods and premium foods that promote better health and body condition.
Best cat food for overweight cats UK
Best dry cat food for overweight cats
Hill'swww.zooplus.co.uk
To get your cat from chunky to hunky, Hill's Science Plan Perfect Weight Dry Adult Cat Food with Chicken is the top dry cat food for healthy weight maintenance. With a balance of 50 nutrients, it's clinically proven to help cats achieve a healthy body condition. This kibble is suitable for adult cats 1+ years. In addition to chicken, there is also a tuna flavour – which at least gives a bit of flavour variety. Although it's worth noting that cats have fewer taste buds than dogs and humans, it's not worth getting too hung up on gourmet flavour combinations for cats.
Customer reviews praise this dry food for helping their overweight cats lose weight at a steady rate. Vets recommended it to them. Another benefit is that owners have noticed how much more active their cats became after switching to this food. In a minority of cases, it didn't agree with cats, so check the ingredients to see if your cat has particular allergies.
Pros
- This brand produces a range of wet food and flavours that are for weight control
- Effective in helping cats achieve an optimum body weight
- Complete nutrition to give cats everything they need to stay healthy
Cons
- Contains gluten
| Quantity: | 1.5kg (2.5kg) |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Chicken and turkey meal, brewers' rice, maize gluten meal, cellulose, tomato pomace, dried beet pulp, flaxseed, animal fat, coconut oil, digest, minerals, L-lysine, DL-methionine, dehydrated carrots, L-carnitine, vitamins, taurine, trace elements and beta-carotene |
Best wet cat food for overweight cats
Royal Canin Cats will enjoy the delicious texture of this Royal Canin Ultra Light Weight Care in Gravy Adult Wet Cat Food. The high water content promotes a healthy urinary system. Containing 19 per cent less calories, the high protein content maintains muscle mass while limiting weight gain. Royal Canin claims: "Over 90 per cent of slightly overweight cats achieved a healthier weight in eight weeks." Offer this wet food in conjunction with dry kibble, otherwise, this becomes a costly way to feed a cat.
Customer reviews once again say their vet recommended this food. It's helped overweight cats regain a healthy body condition, and cats with sensitive stomachs have been able to digest this food without issue. A review comments that they found it difficult to open the pouch and serve the food, so bear this in mind if you have difficulty with pouches, as trays or tins might be more accessible.
Pros
- Cats like the taste
- Effective in helping cats reach a healthy body weight
Cons
- A bit difficult to get the food out of the pouch
| Quantity: | 85g per pouch (pack of 12) |
| Food type: | Wet cat food |
| Ingredients: | Meat and animal derivatives, cereals, eggs and egg derivatives, derivatives of vegetable origin, minerals |
Best dry food for sterilised cats
Smillawww.bitiba.co.uk
For less active and sterilised cats that have gained weight, Smilla Adult Light Poultry is a complete dry cat food to help balance the fat and energy levels affected by a slower metabolism. To illustrate portion size, Smilla suggests that an active adult cat, weighing around 5kg, should eat 85g of Smila a day. In comparison, a neutered cat with the same weight should eat 45-60g daily. It contains 30 per cent of high-quality poultry protein, reduced fat, and plant fibres to aid digestion. This is an excellent kibble for overweight cats and cats with low activity levels.
Reviews comment that this dry food helps their cats lose weight. They comment that the kibble size is larger than other dry cat food, so it stops cats from wolfing their food down. The crunchiness forces them to stop and chew, effectively preventing cats from throwing up their food due to guzzling. Also, it helps a cat feel sated.
It would be best to transition your cat to this food by gradually increasing the proportion of new food to old food daily.
Pros
- Complete food to give cats essential nutrients in order to stay healthy
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Good for teeth too as the crunchy kibble removes plaque and tartar build-up
Cons
- The kibble is 9-10mm – it's larger than a lot of other dry foods – which might be difficult for some cats
| Quantity: | 1kg, 4kg and 10kg |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | 30 per cent animal protein (poultry, dried), maize (ground), maize meal, rice meal, barley (ground), oils and fats, beet molasses pulp (desugared, dried), apple pomace (dried), potassium chloride, linseed, sodium chloride, yeast (dried), yucca schidigera (dried) |
Best cat food for less active cats
Purinawww.pet-supermarket.co.uk
The industry leader in pet food, Purina has a huge range of specially tailored products developed with pet nutritionists and vets. Purina Pro Plan Light Cat Optilight contains 38 per cent protein from turkey, which will keep your kitty lean and full of vitality. This formulated dry cat food also contains OptiRenal, a special mix of nutrients – including vitamin C and E beta-carotene, arginine and the omega-3 fatty acid EPA – to improve kidney function and support lifelong healthy kidneys.
Customer reviews say they were surprised how their usually fussy cats took to this food. The smell must appeal to cats because some pets had previously refused to eat kibble. It is also a hit with picky eaters, and it has improved the health and vitality of cats. It's an effective food for regulating a cat's weight. It's just a shame there's only one flavour.
Pros
- Easy to digest so it's a good option for cats with sensitive digestion
- Quality ingredients and nutrients
- Kidney care from added vitamins and omega-3
Cons
- Kibble size is 11mm – some cats might struggle with the larger bite
| Quantity: | 3kg |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Turkey, rice, dehydrated poultry protein, wheat, soya meal, maize gluten meal, wheat gluten meal, dried beet pulp, maize, minerals, fish oil, animal fat, cellulose, digest, yeast, dried egg |
Best bulk buy
Perfect FitYou never see a fat fish, so it stands to reason that eating salmon-based food will efficiently get your cat into shape. Perfect Fit Cat Complete Dry Adult 1+ Salmon is made with your cat's health in mind. Encouraging a well-balanced diet, this complete dry adult cat food supports adult cats with their coat, digestion, healthy urinary tract, and optimum weight and body condition.
This is an Amazon's Choice recommended brand with customers saying it is good value for money and great quality food. Always have fresh water available, as a review comments that their cats drank more water as a result of eating this dry food.
Pros
- Lots of nutrients for all-round good health
- Specifically tailored for adult cats
Cons
- Fairly small pieces mean bigger cats might eat too fast
| Quantity: | 2.8 kg (2 x 2.8kg or 7kg) |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Dried Salmon Protein, Wheat Maize Flour, Greaves Protein, Soya Protein, Poultry Fat, Maize Protein, Soya Meal, Dried Poultry Protein, Rice, Liver Digest, Yeast, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sunflower Oil |
6.
Katkin Club
Best subscription for healthy cat food
Katkinwww.katkin.com
If you're looking to jump to a high-quality cat food subscription box (like HelloFresh or Gaucho for us humans), check out Katkin Club for cats. They make fresh meals for cats daily starting at £1.89 a day, including dry, wet, homemade and raw options. It is slightly expensive to upkeep, but they offer a two-week free trial if you're looking to test them out. Katkin Club devise a personalised plan, so your cat gets the calories they need… and no more.
With over 8,500 reviews on Trustpilot, 84 percent of customers rate Katkin 5 out of 5. It encourages fussy eaters to enjoy their food, and pets thrive on the quality ingredients.
For some cats, it may take time to transition to this fresh diet, and Katkin's customer support offers lots of advice to help with that.
Pros
- 100 per cent human-quality meats
- Gently cooked to protect nutrients
- Frozen fresh with no preservatives
Cons
- Storing packs of frozen food takes up space
| Food type: | Dry, wet, homemade and raw options |
Best dry cat food to maintain body condition
IAMSYour cat will be looking sleek with IAMS. IAMS for Vitality Dry Cat Food with Chicken is supplemented with vitamins and minerals underpinned by over 70 years of research, development and innovation. The main ingredient is chicken, a natural taurine source, essential for maintaining a healthy eyesight and immune system. Iams contains a high percentage of meat protein. The composition of ingredients is a unique formulation that reduces urinary pH and has prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion. In addition, omega 3 and 6 support healthy skin and a shiny coat.
It is a top-choice cat food, with over 11,450 reviews rating it 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. Plus, it is an Amazon's Choice recommended brand. This dry food is available in a range of flavours and for all life stages.
Customer reviews say their pet thrives on Iams. It's digestible and gives their cats lots of protein to keep them in tip-top condition. However, some reviews say this wasn't the food for their pet. It's worth buying a small bag to see if they like it and that it agrees with their digestion.
Pros
- Tailored blend of minerals for optimum health
- Wheat-free, no artificial colours, flavours or GMOs
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Other cat foods have higher protein
| Quantity: | 3kg |
| Flavours: | Chicken, Lamb, Salmon, Seafood |
| Ingredients: | Dried Chicken and Turkey, Maize, Wheat, Animal Fat, Dried Beet Pulp, Hydrolysed Animal Proteins, Fructooligosaccharides, Potassium Chloride, Dried Whole Egg, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate |
Best portion size for weight control
Lily's Kitchen
Lily's Kitchen Pate is portioned in 85g trays. This Organic Chicken Pate is extra lickable—pair it with a puzzle feeder to make the treat last longer for your cat. In addition, eating slower will help their digestion. Even better, this is grain-free with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar, so you're getting high-quality meat, too. The organic ingredients include freshly prepared chicken, pork, beef, fish, and carrots for a winner-winner chicken dinner.
Another Amazon's Choice recommended brand, reviews praise it for being high-quality food. It's a controlled portion size which can help with weight management. The majority of cats enjoy this food, even fussy cats and felines with sensitivities. But, it didn't appeal to a minority of pets. It's best to try a one-off tray, then you can have more confidence to buy a pack.
Pros
- Very smooth so it's easy for older cats to eat
- Wide variety of flavours
- Quality organic ingredients
Cons
- Feeding your cat this way will accumulate lots of packaging
| Quantity: | 85g per tray (19 trays) |
| Flavour: | Organic Chicken Dinner (Beef, Fish and Turkey available) |
| Food type: | Wet |
Best dry cat food for indoor and outdoor cats
Royal CaninRoyal Canin has a wide selection of dry food that caters to various cat lifestyles - indoor, outdoor, sensitive stomach and picky eaters. We've selected this newly formulated food intended for adult cats who go outside but spend most of their time indoors – a perfect all-rounder for cats. Royal Canin Fit 32 Adult Cat is suitable for cats between 1-7 years old. Its formulation of 32 vitamins and minerals supports every major function in a cat's body. The adapted kibble size will thoroughly clean their teeth, controlling plaque.
Customers like this kibble can be purchased in bulk from Amazon at an affordable price. It keeps their cats (and their teeth) in great condition. Cats enjoy the taste and the kibble has helped revitalise overweight cats into happier and healthier pets. It's best to supplement this kibble with another food as it can be expensive. Also, note the ingredients as it contains grains that might be an irritant to cats with sensitive digestion.
Pros
- Maintains a healthy weight and body mass
- Reduces hairball formation
- Supports digestive function
Cons
- No flavour variation
| Quantity: | 2kg, (400g, 4kg and 10kg available) |
| Food type: | Dry kibble |
| Ingredients: | Dehydrated poultry protein, rice, wheat, maize, animal fats, dehydrated pork protein, vegetable fibres, wheat flour, hydrolysed animal proteins, maize gluten, yeasts and parts thereof, beet pulp, soya oil, fish oil, minerals, psyllium husks and seeds, hydrolysed yeast (source of mannan-oligosaccharides), marigold extract (source of lutein) |
Best cat bowl for weight management
SureFeed www.argos.co.uk
Surefeed's pet feeder is a high-tech solution if you have more than one pet. The sensor detects when your cat is in the bowl by microchip and only opens for them. You can monitor how much they are eating and set portion control. This feeder is suitable for all cats, even small dogs, and has an integrated seal that keeps food as fresh as possible.
Customer reviews praise this feeder for its effectiveness in stopping cats from eating too much. In a multiple-cat household, it prevents a dominant cat from stealing the other cats' food. It also keeps dust and insects off food. A few reviews note a flaw in the design where their cat has worked out how to break into the feeder! But, on the whole, this has been an extremely effective way of controlling and monitoring a cat's food intake.
Pros
- Insight into your cat's feeding behaviour
- Portion size control
- Convenient way of feeding your cat if you are often away from home
Cons
- Your cat has to be microchipped
| Dimensions: | 21H x 23W x 31Dcm |
How we chose the best cat food for overweight cats in the UK
All of these cat foods have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered quality, effectiveness and affordability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching the best cat food for overweight cats to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
FAQs
What causes cats to gain weight?
It's tempting, but try not to give too many tidbits. Treats should only be 10 per cent of a cat's daily diet. Dry cat kibble can be measured out into exact portions using scales and is ideal if your cat prefers to graze all day. Alternatively, wet cat food contains a higher proportion of water, which keeps your cat hydrated, and feeling full and produces more dilute urine.
Look for cat food that contains a source of fibre - it will be listed in the product description and is commonly beet pulp. Just remember that cats are obligate carnivores and depend on meat in their diet. Chicken is a top choice because it contains taurine which maintains the immune system.
Sterilisation changes a cat's metabolism. Their appetite can increase and their metabolism drops as a result of being neutered. If your cat has been spayed or neutered it's important to notice any weight gain. It's essential to keep your cat at their optimum weight to prevent a range of health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract disorders and heart disease.
Have you checked for worms? Yes, it's icky but worms can cause an increase in appetite. If your cat has a pot belly or distended abdomen worms could be the cause. Do note, that other symptoms of worms include weight loss, diarrhoea, itching and deteriorating condition of their coat.
Is it better to feed my cat wet or dry food?
Both types of food have their benefits. Wet food is mostly water and fills up your cat's tummy. In addition, wet food can be better for bladder health as the water content makes a more diluted urine.
Other the other hand, dry cat food in the form of kibble is great for dental health as the crunchy biscuits break down tartar and slow the build-up of plaque. Also, if your cat prefers to graze, dry cat food is the better option because it can be left out all the time.
You can feed your cat a combination of wet and dry food to get the best of both worlds.
What is diet cat food?
Diet food contains fewer calories, so it reduces a cat's energy intake without having to cut the quantity of food. Both dry cat food and wet cat food are available in lighter versions. Typically, they are lower in fat and contain a source of fibre. Also, complete diet foods are enriched with vitamins and minerals to keep your cat in tip-top condition. It's important to note that weight gain can be a result of additional health problems, so giving your cat the best possible nutrients is essential.
How much should I feed my overweight cat?
The correct portion size depends on your cat's size, lifestyle and weight. All commercial pet food has a feeding guide on the packaging that tells you how many grams per day a cat should be eating. Treats should be 10 per cent of their daily diet. Follow the PSDA's advice on feeding overweight cats: "If your cat is overweight, it’s important to feed them the amount recommended for their ideal weight, not their actual weight. So, if your cat is 5kg, but their ideal weight is 3.5kg, feed them the amount recommended for a 3.5kg cat".
How can I prevent my indoor cat from gaining too much weight?
It's a cat's life after all, but sedentary indoor cats are most likely to gain weight. In addition to the right food and portion size, give your pet stimulating activities that simulate their hunting, roaming, climbing, running and jumping needs. Lots of play is great exercise, so make sure your cats have several toys to stalk, chase and pounce on.
Wet cat food is bulkier because of its water content - this is filling and with fewer calories. It's stimulating for a cat to enjoy a delicious texture and smell and makes a great option for indoor cats. Meanwhile, puzzle feeders can make your cat more active and stop them from eating too fast.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.