How to Help a Fat Cat Lose Weight
📝 Summary
Obese cats risk diabetes, heart and liver disease. Feed high-protein (45%+), low-carb wet food rather than muscle-burning 'light' kibble, set fixed mealtimes instead of free-feeding, and cut intake to 60–80% of RER for very fat cats. Keep them active.
1 Why Diet, Not Light Kibble
Carbs correlate directly with feline obesity: they become stored fat and, worse, reduce protein uptake. Since a cat’s metabolism runs on breaking down protein, too little protein loses muscle and slows the metabolic rate, making the cat fatter.
Many ‘diet’ foods are low-fat, low-carb, high-fiber and do cut weight—but at the cost of muscle. Healthy loss keeps lean body mass while trimming fat, because that lean tissue drives metabolism; lose it and the weight rebounds fast.
2 What and How to Feed
Best is high-protein (45%+), low-carb food—wet food, raw, or cans beat kibble, since extruded kibble must contain starch. Protein also keeps the cat feeling full. Avoid free-feeding; give set meals (e.g., morning/noon/evening/bedtime, or morning/evening/bedtime for workers).
Count calories: most cats do fine at resting energy requirement (RER); a very obese cat should drop to 60–80% of RER. Pair feeding with play to burn energy.
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