Good Fat Cat Food?

Question

My cat is overweight and I was recommended by the vet to give her dry light cat food. My cat does not like Science Diet and I don't think Purina is the best food. Wondering if anyone has suggestions on brands that do work and that cats love?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there...generally, it's first recommended to discuss an appropriate weight loss guideline with your vet as you have done. Sudden changes in dietary requirements can be distressing to a cat and could contribute to other health problems. Cats who have dramatic caloric intake can suffer from something called fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=217 which shuts the liver down and is fatal. Therefore, before beginning any weight loss plan, please be sure to get approval from the vet to make sure this will not cause any other un-necessary health problems for your cat. Some cats can be overweight as a result of thyroid problems so this should be checked as well.

In the wild, animals will naturally eat what they need and no more. The task of searching for food and other basic necessities involves lots of exercise and so wild animals remain naturally fit and healthy.

The food available to them in their natural habitat is perfectly designed to meet their needs in an environment that has not been tampered with.

Domestic animals are provided with food which they do not have to hunt for and which is not always suited for their bodies. Cats who are free fed as well as given table scraps are more noted to have obesity problems because they eat out of boredom. In addition, they are often exposed to a lifestyle which contributes to sluggish metabolism, underactive thyroids and livers which are not able to remove toxins or eliminate unwanted fat from their bodies.

Most commercial grade cat foods contain corn, corn meal which are fillers (carbohydrates) that bind the dry food together as a way of keeping foods lasting longer. Try finding cat food products which are devoid of these ingedients. The first ingredients should show chicken, chicken meal, etc. Most show the first ingredients as corn on the ingredient labels. IAMs, Science Diet, Purina, Whiskas, Friskies ...all have corn listed as the main ingredient. Cats who eat these tend to always feel hungry because the carbs don't metabolize fast enough and cats are obligate carnivores so they need a diet devoid of these types of carbs. Products such as Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Prairie, James Wellbeloved (UK), are premium brands. Most cats who eat these find that they do not eat to eat as much because their appetite is better satiated.

Additionally, it's important to schedule feed a cat so you can monitor servings taken in during the day. Each product lists the recommended servings based on a age and weight. For an overweight cat you would be reducing the intake gradually by 10% each week that the vet recommends is an appropriate caloric intake. Cats who are switched from a free-fed diet shoudl be fed multiple times a day (if permittable) such as once in the morning, mid-day, and then evening before your bedtime.

When switching to a new brand of cat food it is also important to note that sudden changes can cause sever bowel distress. Cats have very sensitive digestive systems so the quick change will cause bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. Any vet can confirm this fact. Cat food should be changed gradually by mixing the current brand with the new brand over the course of several weeks. For example you would take 3/4 servings of the old cat food to 1/4 servings with the new for one week...then the next week 1/2 to 1/2...then following 1/4 of the old to 3/4 of the new in the third week before completing the switch in the final week. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=100

Furthermore, some cats can take off the weight faster by feeding a canned food diet. For some reason the hydration in the canned products helps metabolize food better and are also completely devoid of carbohydrates, which is more optimal for the feline's body. When cats eat raw meat in the wild they get hydration from the fresh meat juices as well as some roughage from the animals who are natural herbivores. A mixture of canned and dry are always best for cats in the long-term, which many people are unaware of. We are have been exposed to so many commercial ads regarding dry food for cats, but in reality it's the manufacturer's who benefit rather than the cats. Cats are not naturally designed to eat dry--the products were designed for convenience for the owner.

Here's an article about commercial cat food; dry vs. canned, proper nutritional needs, etc: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/review.html

Finally, most cats become bored with toys quickly. It's important to rotate them by hiding them and then bringing them back out again so the appear to be like new toys. Interactive toys are the best ones to use to get a cat moving such as a laser light. Most cats love chasing the light. The goal is to get the cat to move back and forth at least for 5 minutes to begin as some tire more easily than others especially if they are overweight. You can increase play time more if they enjoy it. Some cats love chasing feather teasers tied on a string too. Experiment to what gets your cat moving. Just please remember most overweight cats tire easily so keep the sessions short and fun. Interactive toys are the best ways to get your cat to exercise rather than leaving toys for them to play with. They only bat at those and really don't move enough. Not only does the interactive toys work better, but it's a bonding experience for both of you as well.

Answer 2

You should go to www.thepetcenter.com. There is an excellent article there on feline obesity. Also a lot of information on a proper cat diet.

The best seems to be high protein, high fat and no or little carbohydrate - the Catkins diet.

Dr. Jean Hovfe has an article in her article library titled "The Right Weight Loss Program for Cats!" for additional information. She also has an article titled "Selecting a Good Commercial Pet Food".

Answer 3

If your cat is being selective as to what he/she will eat, try these things out:
Instead of "diet" food, try "Indoor Formula" for cats that don't go outside. Outside cats eat grass, etc to help with their diet and digestive track. By chosing the "Indoor Formula" you will be providing not only benefits such as the nutrients in grass, but the food is designed for cats who may not be as active because they're not outside.
Also, put your cat on a program such as feeding him/her two to three times a day. A lot of people believe that a cat's food bowl must be full at all times. Just like a dog, a cat does not need to eat throughout the day. If the food is there, they will eat it.
Instead, feed him/her in the morning - my little guy wakes me up 15 minutes before my alarm clock goes off every day. I take that time to pet him, snuggle him, then we get up and I put food in his bowl. When I get home around 4:00, I put food in his bowl again. And before bed I put food in his bowl. I keep an old 1/4 cup measuring cup in the food which keeps me from giving him too much, and makes it easy to pour.
Also make sure there is plenty of fresh water in a dish, and this should be cleaned out every two to three days to keep bacteria from building up in the dish.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Natural Choic Complete Care Weight Management Indoor. http://www.nutroproducts.com/nccciw.asp

Answer 5

Natural Choice Complete Care Weight Management or Nutro Max Cat Gourmet Classics Adult Lite Roasted Chicken Flavor.

It leaves the cats healthy, helps them lose a bit of weight, and keeps their fur shiny and soft. My cats like both of them. :)

Answer 6

I don't buy my Cats no food. Their great hunters. I got penty of Mice at my barn. They eat goodl. In fact, Pippet got a nice Rat last night and Sassy got her a field Mouse for breakfast this morning.
When my friends see my Cats they wonder what do I feed them. I tell them I don't feed them nothing.

They're great hunters and eat good.
Sometimes they get a Cardinal or a Dove and the biggest catch for Sassy was a Pigeon last year.
Nope, I don't buy Cat food. They eat good and look pretty and Fat. They keep my property up. Now when it comes to real prime rib, they get themselves a Squirrel. I got more Squirrels on my property than you can shake a stick.
Mt Cats are so good at hunting Squirrels, Birds, Mice...you name it they'll hunt it. I'll put my Cats up against any house Cat anyday.

The secret is that they're getting all theri vitmains by hunting the land.

They have all their shots and I only have two Cats and Sassy is spayed.

Answer 7

dont buy any prepared food

Answer 8

swap out brown rice or quinoa yes even the new super food which both add up to about 220 calories per cup for cauliflower or roasted peppers that are only about 30 calories per cup

Answer 9

Your vet should have a good food to offer ( they usually do) It may be a little more expensive but it will be a good quality.

Answer 10

instead of using credit card always use to pay for foods at grocery stores