Thoughts on weight loss diets for cats?

My cat will eat until he throws up and has been gaining quite a bit of weight since I picked him up from the shelter. I started limiting his food to twice a day, but then he likely developed cystitis from the stress of not having constant access to food (now resolved). The thing is, he didn’t lose weight, just stopped gaining. He comes from a hoarding situation, so he’s very anxious about food and everything in general.

I’m thinking about putting him on a reduced-calorie diet. Does anyone have thoughts on the quality of these diets? Has anyone had success with them?

My mom’s cat got really chunky too, and what worked for us was switching his food and slowly reducing the amount we gave him. We started by cutting it back a little every day so he wouldn’t freak out. It helped him adjust without stressing out too much.

@Montana
Thanks for that suggestion. I’ll try cutting back little by little instead of making big changes at once. Hopefully, that will help him adjust better.

You might try giving him food at set times again, even if he protests at first. Some brands have weight management options, from higher-end ones like Blue Buffalo to more affordable ones like Purina. It might help to stick to the same brand he’s already used to so the transition is smoother.

I don’t have experience with weight loss diets specifically, but I use an automatic feeder to give my cats small portions throughout the day. That way, they don’t feel deprived by only eating twice a day. Wet food is also lower in calories compared to dry food, so it might help your cat feel full without consuming as many calories. If he eats too fast, you could try using a lick mat or a puzzle feeder to slow him down. That might make him feel fuller too, since he’ll take longer to eat.

You should check out r/dechonkers for some good tips and inspiration!

Some wet foods are lower in calories, and the extra water content can help with your cat’s urinary tract health. I’ve found that Weruva’s ‘Cats in the Kitchen’ chicken variety is reasonably low in calories. Just make sure to introduce it slowly because fast changes in diet can upset their stomach. Dehydrated chicken is also a good, low-calorie treat. Also, dry food is usually pretty high in calories, like anywhere from 350 to 500 calories per cup. Wet food is often lower in calories, so it might be worth a switch.

I’d recommend an automatic feeder that dispenses small portions multiple times a day. Your cat will get that ‘new food’ feeling more often, and probably won’t notice how small the portions are!