The 11 Best Cat Foods For Weight Gain (High Calorie)
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Some cats are infamous for being finicky. They turn up their noses and walk away from the food dish no matter what you put out for them.
God forbid if your favorite grocery store or e-commerce site also runs out of the variety they want. Does this sound familiar?
With literally hundreds of products available, it may be tough to choose the best one for your cat. It's really difficult if your pet has a food intolerance or allergy.
Then, even if you're buying the same food, you have to read every label. After all, manufacturers occasionally experiment with novel formulations and recipes.
In our roundup of the best cat foods for weight gain (high calorie), BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has done the legwork for you. We'll go over all you need to know about choosing the best product for your BFF.
We've also added reviews to show you just how to check them. You'll learn how to evaluate a cat food based on what's on the label. Let's get this party started!
Reviews
Best Value Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food
The best cat food for weight gain for the money is Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food. The nutritional profile is outstanding. It’s 33% protein and 21% fat.
The latter makes it an excellent choice for a pet that needs to gain weight. It has a number of chemicals that increase its value, including as vitamin A, taurine, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
The calorie count is 416, which the fat most likely increases. The principal sources of meat and fat are chicken and eggs.
While the nutrition is labeled kitten, it is more than suitable for pregnant or nursing people. It is available in 3.5, 7, and 16-pound packages.
Pros
- Protein-rich diet
- Protein derived from chicken
- Better nutrition supplements
- Simple to understand
Cons
- There is no medium-sized bag.
Weight Care High Calorie Cat Food by Royal Canin
If you want the best in personalized nutrition, Royal Canin Weight Care Dry Cat Food is a fantastic choice. This product gets high marks for its protein content, which is 34%.
Chicken has both protein and fat. We loved that it didn’t have any filler components. It’s simply a well-balanced, very nutritious diet.
Some pet owners may like the addition of rosemary, citric acid, and tocopherols to the food to keep it fresh. It contains psyllium seed husk, which is a good source of fiber.
The cuisine costs more than comparable options. We’d forgive that if the calorie count per cup was more than 255. It is available in 3, 6, and 14-pound bags.
In terms of high-end options, we believe this is the best high-calorie cat food for weight gain.
Pros
- High protein content
- Nutrition that is complete and balanced
- Good fiber content
Cons
- Pricey
- Lower calorie count per can
Canned Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Cat Food
Adult Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Chicken and pig are the key protein sources in canned cat food. It also contains a variety of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as coconut oil.
These supplements will help your pet’s skin and coat. At 84%, the moisture content is adequate. It also contains 3.5% fiber, which will keep your pet satisfied.
On the negative side, the cat food is pricey, especially in 2.9-ounce cans. To maintain the weight of a 10-pound cat, you must also feed your pet 4 14 cans.
This emphasizes the importance of fiber content. It does contain fluff components like spinach and carrots, which give it a stew-like consistency.
Pros
- Moisture content is high.
- Fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6
- A high fiber content
Cons
- Spendy
- Ingredients for fluff
Purina Cat Chow Dry Cat Food Healthy Weight
Purina Cat Chow Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food contains 30% of its protein from a variety of sources. Chicken, beef, and soy are among them.
The diet also exceeds vitamin A and B3 requirements. Given that indoor pets are frequently less energetic, it does an excellent job of balancing caloric intake and exercise.
It is available in four sizes ranging from 3.15 to 20 pounds. Whatever you order is also reasonably priced. The cat food has 5.5% fiber, which will keep your pet satisfied between meals.
At 358 calories per cup, the calorie content is more than ample. On this diet, your little girl will quickly achieve a healthy weight.
Pros
- Excellent value for money.
- Hairball management
- Nutritional balance
Cons
- High carbohydrate content
Canned Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Cat Food
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is a pate-like diet that is high in protein sources including turkey and chicken.
It also includes organ meats, which are delicious. While these components are appealing, we couldn’t help but notice a conflict with other ingredients in the dish, such as cranberries.
The calorie count per can is reasonable at 101. It also contains a variety of fatty acid sources, such as salmon oil and flaxseed.
We liked that this weight gain cat food comes in 3- or 5.5-ounce cans. However, it is costly, given that an adult need two meals every day.
Pros
- There are two can sizes available.
- USA-made
Cons
- Ingredients for fluff
- Expensive
How to Choose the Best High-Calorie Cat Food for Weight Gain
Weight loss, especially if unexplained, can be harmful and even fatal to your pet. It can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from intestinal parasites to more serious medical issues.
The former is one of the reasons we advise keeping your cat indoors. Many parasites, including pinworms, are carried by rodents.
A healthy adult cat requires approximately 240 calories. Several factors can have an impact on the bottom line, including:
- Age
- Status of reproduction
- Levels of activity
- Health
The most important thing to remember is that the feeding guide on the back of the bag or can is just that: a guide.
You and your veterinarian must decide whether your pet’s diet requires an increase in calories. To decide which products pass approval, start with the label. You must learn the following things:
- Stage of life
- Analysis of nutrients
- Calories
- Ingredients
- Nutritional compliance according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
Let’s go over each one in depth.
Life Stage of a Cat
Like dogs, the nutritional demands of kittens and cats fluctuate with age and life stage, but not significantly. However, it is sufficient to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy pet.
As a result, we advocate keeping with the proper product even if it is just to reduce the danger of obesity in pets that are at their ideal weight.
Nutrient Analysis of Cat Food
The nutritional analysis is the point at which the petal meets the metal. The most important thing to remember is that cats are obligate carnivores who acquire the majority of their nutrition from meat.
Kittens must consume at least 30% protein. Adults require 26%. Of course, your pet may consume grass or catnip on occasion.
The cat food you feed must be nutrient-complete and balanced in the proper quantities. Cats, unlike dogs, cannot produce vitamins A or B3 (niacin).
That has to do with what you put in their dish. Cats would receive these nutrients from their prey, mainly rodents, in the wild. You can use the guaranteed analysis on the bag or can to help you choose a product.
Kittens, for example, require 9,000 IU/kg of vitamin A and 60 mg/kg of niacin, which should be considered while looking for a high calorie kitten food.
Adults must receive 5,000 and 60 points, respectively. Arachidonic fatty acid and taurine must also be included in cat diet. The amounts or percentages of these vital nutrients will be provided in high-quality products.
Calories in Cat Food
Based on her bodily state, you can determine whether your cat requires food for weight gain. An underweight cat has minimal fat around her ribs, which makes them easier to feel.
You might detect them as well if you stroke her back. The Pet Nutrition Alliance has a helpful calculator that you may use to estimate your feline’s daily caloric intake, even by food brand.
We recommend that you collaborate closely with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is gaining weight in a healthy manner. Less is sometimes more.
The last thing you need is a vomiting cat because she ate too much, too quickly. Slow and methodical weight loss is the best technique to give her delicate body time to acclimatize.
Ingredients in Cat Food
The ingredients on the bag or can must be listed in order of weight, from most to least. Because protein is so important, we prefer goods that include it first.
However, don’t be alarmed by the phrase “byproducts.” They are safe to use to meet your pet’s nutritional needs, according to the AAFCO. We agree that it is a more environmentally friendly option than wasting food.
Organ meats are a fantastic source of nourishment. They frequently include higher protein levels for a balanced diet. There are also some items that include numerous types of meals.
These are concentrated meats or bones that have been rendered safe for your pet by the producer. The nutritional balance of these components is subject to stringent restrictions.
Many so-called boutique companies will include people items on their ingredient list, such as blueberries and peas. You might also come across things labeled “human-grade.”
These are basically advertisements. Foods near the bottom of the list are frequently insignificant. The pet industry is very aware of how some pet owners perceive their pets and will market their products accordingly.
AAFCO Conformity
The best pet foods will include a declaration stating that they meet the AAFCO’s nutrient profiles for the species and life stage.
That is what you want to see on whatever product you purchase. That way, you can be sure it has the perfect combination in the exact proportions for maximum nourishment. Remember that this information only relates to diets, not treats.
A product’s name is held to the same standards. If it says “all-chicken,” it is exactly that. If it contains ingredients, it must contain 95% of the list.
This rule applies if a company employs a flowery name, such as chik’n. You may come across cat food labeled “Kitty’s Fish Delight.” AAFCO requires it to be at least 25% of the product’s weight, excluding water.
Conclusion
According to our reviews, the Smalls Freeze Dried Raw Bird Recipe is the finest cat food for weight gain overall.
If you want to put some weight on your cat, this could be a fantastic option for you. The protein source is primarily chicken. This human quality dry food will be devoured by your feline.
Iams ProActive Health Kitten Dry Cat Food outperforms on multiple fronts. It may be fed to pets at various stages of development, making it an even better buy.
It’s also gentle on your child’s digestive tract. With this product, Iams knocked it out of the park.
Choosing the correct diet for your cat is a serious effort, especially if she suffers from a medical condition that affects her weight.
Every pet owner’s goal is presumably to find something she enjoys that also delivers adequate nutrients.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes this best cat foods for weight gain (high calorie) list has helped you choose the perfect one for your kitty BFF.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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