As cat owners, we’ve been warned all too often about the dangers of feline obesity. But did you know that being underweight can be equally harmful to our precious kitties?
Anorexia or malnourishment in cats can be a sign of or lead to a whole host of health issues, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It’s especially concerning in senior cats, who may become pickier with their food as they age and consequently suffer from illnesses due to their lack of nourishment.
Now the best way to help your finicky, scrawny kitty gain weight is by giving her healthy, nutrient-rich, high-calorie food. If you’re struggling to find the right food to help your cat pack on more of the pounds she desperately needs, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up our top 5 picks for the best cat food for gaining weight and gathered advice from experts on how to help your kitty achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Buying the Right Cat Food for Weight Gain: Factors to Consider
Not all cat food is created equal, so it’s important to be thorough when you choose the right food for your underweight kitty. Here are a few nutritional requirements to look for in cat food for weight gain:
High in Calories
Increasing your cat’s daily caloric intake by giving her calorie-dense food is one of the most effective ways to help her gain weight. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian to learn how many calories your cat needs per day to help her achieve a healthy weight, especially if her weight loss is caused by an underlying medical condition.
In general, though, a cat who needs to gain weight will have to consume around 230 to 270 calories per day. This means wet cat food with 90 to 200 calories per serving and dry food with 200 to 250 calories per ½ cup are ideal options to help facilitate weight gain.
High in Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, so your picky cat may refuse to eat food that’s high in carbs and low in protein. This can cause further weight loss.
Food rich in protein from high-quality sources like real meat can encourage finicky cats to eat more. Dry food with 30% to 40% protein or wet food with at least 25% protein is ideal for weight gain.
Take note that if your cat has lost weight due to kidney disease, high-protein food may not be the most suitable option for her. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian before switching up her diet.
High in Healthy Fats
A balanced diet is incomplete without healthy fats, especially when it comes to helping cats gain weight. These fats should be acquired from wholesome sources, such as animal fats, fatty fish, or plant oils. Besides helping your cat gain weight, they can also give your cat a boost of energy, which is particularly beneficial for senior cats.
Dry food for weight gain should have around 15% to 25% fat content, and wet food should have around 4% to 5% fat content.
No Grains or Fillers
Grains and fillers may add to a product’s caloric content, but they’re empty calories that offer little to no nutritional value to your cat. Fillers include ingredients like animal by-products and corn meal.
Choosing grain-free cat food with no fillers helps ensure your cat gains weight in a healthy way.
Top 5 Cat Food for Weight Gain
1. Instinct Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Pâté (Variety Pack): Protein-Rich & Calorie-Dense Recipe
Crude Protein (Min.) 10.0% min
Crude Fat (Min.) 7.5% min
Calories 131 kcal/can
Real meat features as the first ingredient in every can of the Instinct Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Pâté, making it an excellent protein-rich food for weight gain.
This wet food variety pack is inspired by raw diets and packed with protein from cage-free chicken, cage-free duck, and wild-caught salmon. Each can of this meaty, savory pâté promises a delicious experience even the pickiest of cats will love!
Its high-protein, calorie-dense recipe is designed to help build strong, lean muscles while encouraging cats to eat more and achieve a healthy weight. While it’s primarily meat-based with 95% protein, it also contains healthy carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, including artichokes, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkin, and tomato.
Better yet, it contains ground flaxseed and menhaden fish oil that serve as excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Not only do these ingredients add healthy fats to your kitty’s daily diet, but they also help promote skin and coat health and reduce inflammation.
Pros:
- Protein-rich pâté made with real meat
- Encourages weight gain and boosts appetite
- Delicious meaty taste and soft texture entices even finicky cats
- Balanced nutrition with healthy fats and carbohydrates
- Variety pack contains plenty of flavors to choose from
- No grains, soy, corn, carrageenan, artificial flavorings, or artificial preservatives
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
2. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Wet Cat Food: Boosts Appetite & Weight Gain
Crude Protein (Min.) 10.00%
Crude Fat (Min.) 5.00% min.
Calories 96 kcal/can
A gourmet meal fit for your royal cat, the Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Wet Cat Food is crafted with the finest ingredients that can help plump up your skinny kitty. This high-calorie wet food is made with real deboned chicken that serves as its primary source of protein, along with a blend of natural ingredients that offer balanced and complete nutrition.
Its delicious meaty flavor makes it irresistible to cats, while its soft texture is ideal for cats who may have dental issues that make eating chunky wet food or dry kibble difficult. It’s also made without soy, corn, or wheat, so you can be sure your kitty eats more without consuming empty calories.
Essential vitamins and minerals are included in this pâté as well, including taurine, and vitamins A, B12, and D3. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids sourced from salmon oil and ground flaxseed that boost coat shine and skin health.
Pros:
- Encourages weight gain with calorie-dense and protein-rich recipe
- Made with real deboned chicken
- Offers complete nutrition with wholesome natural ingredients
- Ideal for picky eaters or cats with dental issues
- No corn, soy, or wheat
Cons:
- Contains carrageenan
3. Sheba Perfect Portions Paté Wet Cat Food: Affordable & Appetizing
Crude Protein (Min.) 7.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 2.5%
Calories 38 kcal/serving (2 servings per tray)
With a range of addictively delectable seafood flavors, the Sheba Perfect Portions Pâté is crafted to be the ultimate culinary delight for felines! Its nutrient-packed formulation, high-protein content, and appetizing taste and smell will help your cat gain back her robust appetite and put on more weight.
This pâté features a blend of seafood (including white fish and salmon) with chicken and other premium ingredients that elevate every meal into a pleasantly satisfying experience. Each serving comes in an easy-to-use food tray that guarantees less mess and no leftovers: all you have to do is pull the lid off and serve it to your hungry kitty.
Many cat parents have praised this product for helping their sick, skinny kitties gain weight—some also report that their picky cats beg for this food and lick their trays clean! Plus, it’s on the cheaper side compared to other cat food products for weight gain.
Pros:
- Delicious seafood flavor with protein-rich and nutrient-packed formulation
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals
- Contains fish oil for healthy fats
- Comes in an easy-to-use food tray with 2 servings
- Ideal for underweight cats with poor appetites
- Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons:
- Not suitable for cats with seafood allergies
4. IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food: Kitten Food For Weight Gain & Healthy Digestion
Crude Protein (Min.) 32.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 15.0% min.
Calories 416 kcal/cup
Kitten food is typically higher in calories since kittens need more nutrients for healthy growth and development. As such, kitten food can be ideal for cats struggling to gain weight—and the IAMS Proactive Health Kitten Dry Food is among the best options on the market!
This dry kibble has an impressive nutrient profile that promotes overall wellness for your underweight kitty, while its high-fat and high-protein content with its delicious chicken flavor ensures she packs on the pounds in a safe and healthy manner. Fortified with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and packed with vitamins and minerals, it also helps boost immunity and promote skin and coat health.
Besides facilitating weight gain, this dry food can help aid in healthy digestion and promote firm and regular bowel movements. Its bite-sized pieces also make it ideal for senior cats who may have dental problems but still prefer kibble over wet food.
Pros:
- Calorie-dense, high-fat, and protein-rich dry kibble helps cats gain weight effectively
- Packed with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients
- Contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
- Improves digestion, immunity, and skin and coat health
- Easy to eat and chew
- Ideal for senior cats who are underweight or who have dental issues
Cons:
- Contains corn gluten meal and chicken by-product meal
5. Solid Gold High Protein Dry Cat Food: High-Protein & Nutrient-Dense Formulation
Crude Protein (Min.) 42.0%
Crude Fat (Min.) 20.0% min.
Calories 455 kcal/cup
Solid Gold has gained a reputation for producing natural, high-quality pet food, and their High Protein Dry Cat Food is no exception. This dry kibble is made with fresh-caught Alaskan Pollock, eggs, and 20 superfoods including carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberries to achieve the perfect balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
Crafted with cage-free chicken and whole grains, this dry food can help your cat achieve a healthy weight and gain more energy. It’s also fortified with probiotics that support gut health, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that boost skin and coat health, and antioxidants that promote overall wellness.
Besides its nutrient-dense formula that offers plenty in the way of health benefits, cat parents also report that their picky felines seek out this dry food’s delicious and enticing flavor. If your kitty needs more moisture in her diet but refuses wet food. you can mix this kibble with her wet food or use it as a topper.
Pros:
- Helps both overweight and underweight cats achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Strikes the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates
- Promotes gut, skin and coat, and immune system health
- Improves digestion and metabolism
- Appealing to picky cats
- Ideal for cats of all ages
Cons:
- Expensive
How to Help Your Skinny Kitty Gain Weight
There’s nothing more concerning than feeling your cat’s protruding ribs and pronounced spine when you pet her. Luckily, there are a few measures you can take to help your gaunt and bony feline fill out and achieve her ideal weight. These include:
Feed your cat warm wet food
Wet food is generally better for weight gain and overall health—plus, its taste and texture tend to be more appealing to picky eaters. Make sure to warm her food before serving it to her.
However, if your cat prefers dry kibble, you can try mixing wet and dry food together.
If your kitty is recovering from a serious illness, your veterinarian may put her on a prescription diet to ensure she gets the nutrients she needs.
Go for smaller, more frequent meals with snacks in between
Giving cats smaller meals helps reduce the risk of vomiting, and also encourages your cat to finish her food. You can also give her a few snacks between meals, but be sure not to overdo it so she doesn’t fill up on her treats and lose her appetite for dinner.
Experiment with different flavors
Just like humans, cats can grow tired of and become bored with their food. If your cat has suddenly started refusing her food for no reason, you can try buying small packs of food with different flavors and see which one your kitty likes best.
Give your cat a high-calorie supplement
Ask your veterinarian about giving your cat an appetite booster. These supplements often come in the form of a gel or patch.
In Closing
If your cat has lost an alarming amount of weight recently, it’s best to take her to the veterinarian immediately. Once you know the root cause of her weight loss, you can select the right food that can help boost her appetite and achieve her ideal weight. Feel free to use our list of the best cat food for weight gain above to guide you in your search. This way, you can get your beloved kitty started on her journey toward becoming a little plumper, fluffier, and healthier!
Please also consult your veterinarian! They have years of experience and will be able to give you the best advice.