Weight management is crucial for a cat’s well-being. Sadly 61% of domestic cats are overweight. While a few extra pounds might seem harmless, it can lead to various health issues in cats, from diabetes to arthritis.
Choosing healthy cat food and managing their portions are simple ways to control your feline’s weight. But the market is flooded with cat food options, making the choice overwhelming for pet owners. From wet to dry, raw to grain free options, learn how to navigate the maze of cat foods to find the perfect fit for your pet.
Healthy Cat Food: The Foundation
A proper diet sets the stage for overall well-being in cats. At the heart of a cat’s dietary needs is selecting the right food, formulated to provide all the essential nutrients without unnecessary fillers or harmful additives.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so a well-balanced diet should prioritize high-quality proteins, the right balance of fats, fibers and minimal carbohydrates. This ensures a healthy weight, radiant coat, clear eyes and increased vitality.
Open Farm is committed to transparency and sustainability, offering cat food that is ethically sourced and made with premium ingredients.
Wet Cat Food: The Hydrating Option
Wet cat food is often a preferred choice when considering weight loss. It’s appetizing for most cats and provides them with extra hydration, which is instrumental in promoting kidney health and preventing urinary tract issues. The texture and taste of wet food often make it more appealing to many cats, ensuring they get a tasty meal that satisfies their palate and dietary needs.
Wet cat food generally has fewer calories than its dry counterpart, making it a good choice for cats on a calorie-restricted diet.
Try Open Farm Chicken & Salmon Rustic Blend. It contains a nutritious blend of Ocean Wise® approved wild-caught salmon and humanely raised chicken for an excellent source of omega fatty acids, essential for regulating inflammation, improving skin and coat health and promoting cellular health. It also contains added taurine to promote heart and kidney issues.
Dietary fiber in dry food can help cats feel fuller, which can be helpful if you cut back on their portion sizes. But ensure you select a high-protein option that helps preserve lean muscle mass, especially if the cat is losing weight.
Monitor portion sizes as it’s easy to overfeed with dry food and avoid cat foods filled with artificial additives, fillers or excessive carbohydrates. Depending on the formulation, good quality cat food will primarily contain meat, poultry or fish, possibly with some fruits, vegetables or grains.
Open Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Dry Cat Food contains nutrient-rich, high-protein ingredients like New Zealand lamb and liver combined with complex carbohydrates like garbanzo beans and red lentils. This nutrient-dense formula provides your pet with a balanced meal to satisfy their appetite and reduce the risk of overfeeding.
Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach: Gentle and Nutritious
Open Farm caters to cats with delicate tummies to help them enjoy a healthy weight loss journey. For cats that may have sensitivity to the most common feline protein sources like beef or turkey, try Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend. The combination of ethically sourced turkey, coconut oil and vegetables like spinach and carrots provides your pet with a complete meal that promotes digestive health while they lose weight.
If you switch your cat’s food, do so over 7 to 10 days, gradually incorporating a higher proportion of their new food into the old brand each day. A sudden change in diet can upset a cat’s stomach, even if the new food is of higher quality or designed for sensitive stomachs.
RawMix Cat Food: A Natural Approach
RawMix cat food is based on feeding cats a diet closer to what their wild ancestors would eat. This type of food is typically high in protein, low in carbohydrates and devoid of fillers and artificial additives.
Open Farm’s RawMix recipes like Wild Ocean Grain-Free RawMix for Cats are a good option for cats aiming to lose weight because they are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, contain natural ingredients and are easy to digest, leading to better nutrient absorption.
Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats: Combatting Sedentary Lifestyles
Indoor cats tend to lead a more sedentary lifestyle than their outdoor counterparts. This means they’re more susceptible to weight gain. The best cat food for indoor cats focuses on lower calorie content, higher fiber to aid digestion and essential nutrients to keep them healthy, even if they spend most of their day lounging.Getting a puzzle feeder is also a great way for indoor cats to have enrichment while feeding.
Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food? Age-Appropriate Choices
When considering weight management, it’s essential to think about age-appropriate nutrition. Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats due to their rapid growth. While kittens can occasionally eat adult cat food, it’s not ideal for their regular diet.
Adult food might not offer the necessary nutrients for a growing kitten. For weight loss in younger cats, it’s always best to consult a vet for guidance. They can answer the question, “Can kittens eat adult cat food?” based on your kitten’s age, overall health and level of activity.
Choosing the Best for Your Feline Companion
Addressing weight loss in cats requires careful consideration of their dietary needs, age and any special health conditions they may have. With the variety of choices available, from wet and dry options to RawMix, there’s a suitable weight management solution for every feline. Explore Open Farm’s complete range of cat foods today and consult your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.
At Open Farm Pet, we prioritize your pet's well-being. However, we are not veterinarians. We urge pet parents to maintain an ongoing relationship with their vet for tailored advice. While we offer general pet care insights and quality products, they shouldn't replace professional veterinary guidance. Ensure regular check-ups with your vet to address your pet's unique health needs.
