The Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats in 2023 – 11 Quality Picks

by Farmer Jack
Updated on

Is your feline friend struggling with being overweight? Are you scared that your cat may find it difficult to walk around due to its big body mass? In today’s homes, it’s very common to find an overweight cat.

Indoor cats are prone to getting over-weight due to the lack of enough exercise and movement around the house. Cats that are overweight have a reduced lifespan and prone to lifestyle diseases as humans do. More to that, they can’t give you proper companionship since they are less playful and slow.

Ideally, cat weight loss foods are supposed to be high in protein while low in fats and starch. We have made a complete review of the best food for overweight indoor cats with a buyer’s guide.

Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Comparison List

Before we get started, here’s a quick comparison list we’ve compiled for you. It brings together our top indoor cat food favorite foods in brief.

#NameFlavorWeightPrice
1Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Cat Food by IamsChicken22 PoundsCheck Price
2Freedom Grain Free Natural Indoor Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food by Blue BuffaloChicken1 PoundsCheck Price
3Wet Cat Food, Adult, Light, Liver & Chicken by Hill’s Science DietChicken8.26 PoundsCheck Price
4Adult Indoor Cat Food, Recipe Dry Cat Food by Hill’s Science DietChicken15.5 PoundsCheck Price
5Indoor Care Adult Dry Cat Food & Wet Cat Food by Purina Pro PlanTurkey & Rice16 PoundsCheck Price
6Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Cat Food by InstinctChicken10 PoundsCheck Price
7Indoor Hairball Control and Weight Control Cat Food by Blue BuffaloChicken & Brown Rice7 PoundsCheck Price
8Healthy Gourmet Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food by Blue BuffaloIndoor Salmon Pate Entrée8.25 PoundsCheck Price
9Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food by Blue BuffaloChicken11 PoundsCheck Price
10Weight Management, High Protein Adult Dry Cat Food by Purina Pro PlanTurkey & Rice4.5 PoundsCheck Price
11Grain Free Indoor Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food by Halo Purely For PetsChicken & Chicken Liver1.37 PoundsCheck Price

Weight Management Tips for Cats

Maintaining a healthy weight is an important thing in life for cats to enjoy their lives. Good weight not only prevents cats from contracting diseases but also increases their life span.

Over-weight cats are prone to contracting lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Healthy cats are livelier and playful than overweight cats.

Therefore, it’s very necessary to find ways to curb excessive weight gain. Here are several tips that you can put into consideration.

Enrolling the Cat Into a Weight Loss Program

Weight loss programs for cats are designed to curb the number of calories that consume every day. Its main purpose is to feed a cat with the right portions of food that can meet their basic metabolic rate while discouraging lazy or boredom eating.

Seeking veterinary advice shall help you get healthy meal plans, low calorie, and good for your cat.

Taking the Cat Out for Exercise

Another way that you can manage a cat’s weight is through going on picnics and walks together. Walking and running uses energy that in turn reduces the calories a cat is taking in every day. Also, playing with a cat in the backyard can help it shed more weight.

Reducing the Feeding Frequencies

Depending on the current weight and target weight for your cat, it’s important to reduce the number of times your cat is feeding per day.

Besides that, the food quantities should also be reduced to ensure the cat gradually gets used to eating less food hence leading to weight loss.

Medical Treatment

Some cats begin to become overweight due to the existence of other sicknesses such as type 2 Diabetes. These lifestyle conditions have to be treated for a cat to reduce weight significantly. A cat should receive regular weighing and check-ups to ensure it stays happy and healthy.

And now, it’s time for the reviews. Hopefully, you’ll find them detailed enough to help you make an informed choice.

The Best Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats – Review

1. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food

The IAMS cat food is made up of 22- pound real animal protein content made of mainly chicken and turtle. It is the most protein-rich food that will enable your cat to gain strong muscles and healthy energy with low calories.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this meal is formulated with l-carnitine that increases the rate at which your indoor cat is losing or maintaining a healthy weight. It’s recommended that you use just one cup if your goal is to reduce your feline’s weight.

You should know that it helps reduce hairball formation significantly due to its proprietary fiber blend with beet pulp. Using this food on your cat will start showing results in 3 weeks after the commencement of the special meal plan.

More Benefits

What’s more, healthy cat food contains 10% less fat that boosts muscle formation instead of weight gain. Also, the formula is manufactured and stored without artificial preservatives, no wheat, and no synthetic dyes.

Therefore, your cat will be risk-free from getting allergies from this food. Besides that, the meal lacks fillers that usually lower the quality of the servings. Depending on your cat’s age and size, there’s a special type of IAMS cat food that you can get.

It’s also important to note that it has nutrients such as omega-6 that promote the development of healthy and glossy skin.

Pros

  • Has a variety
  • Highly digestible
  • Carbs free
  • No artificial preservatives

Cons

  • Prone to the frequent recipe change

2. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food

If you’re looking for a meal that will boost your cat’s immune system while helping reduce weight, then this is your best choice. The Blue Buffalo Freedom meal contains some of the essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that fight off diseases and infections.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this food is made up of real chicken meat that is delicious and highly palatable. It’s a good source of protein and fiber that will improve digestion for your feline friend. This meal is well balanced to give your cat the ideal regular body weight.

What’s more, this meal plan is gluten-free. Grains have not been included in the formula and therefore calories have been reduced significantly. Due to that factor, the cat can stay healthy and its weight is kept in check.

More Benefits

Besides that, the Blue Buffalo Freedom cat food is made with life source bits. These are a special combination of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are selected by qualified veterinarians and animal nutritionists as healthy.

The life source bits provide life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance in a cat’s body system. It’s also good to note it’s 100% natural with no by-products such as soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Therefore, when you feed your cat with enough portions every day, there will be a significant weight drop in weight from your indoor cats.

Pros

  • Cat’s favorite
  • Grain-free
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Has fiber

Cons

  • Expires fast under normal temperatures

3. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food, Adult, Light, Liver & Chicken

A cat requires a high-quality protein meal so that it can maintain and grow its lean muscles. This product does that in the best way possible. Also, ​the canned meal is enriched with antioxidants and vitamin C to ensure your feline’s immune system does not go low.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this meal is highly flavored to ensure your cat has a high appetite for the adult liver and chicken meal while it maintains the ideal weight. More to that, the food is canned and made with natural ingredients that provide all essential nutrients for your cat.

Besides that, the meal has low calories and low-fat formula automatically ensuring your cat is not growing out of shape.

More Benefits

It’s been studied that most users of this cat food interact with a happy cat after the meal has been served.

Moreover, the quality and safety of food is guaranteed. The cat food company only accepts ingredients from suppliers whose facilities meet stringent quality standards and have been approved.

The company also analyses each product ingredient for essential nutrients to ensure your pet gets the precise formulation needed. You need to know that they have a food, shelter, and love program that donates cat food once in a while to boost cats’ public health

In addition, this food works best by decreasing your normal food while increasing its concentration every day until the cat is fully weaned.

Pros

  • High quality
  • Safety guarantee
  • Natural ingredients
  • Low-fat formulae

Cons

  • May cause constipation

4. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, For Adult Indoor Cats, Chicken Recipe

Hill’s science diet cat food is a specially formulated meal that fuels the energy needs of adult cats with an indoor lifestyle. Your cat shall find it easy to consume since it is made with natural fibers that promote healthy digestion and come with an easy litter box clean up.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Besides that, the food uses quality proteins that are important for adult cats to reduce hunger after the reduction of normal food intake while controlling obesity. This food will give your feline friend a variety of nutrients since it has a science balanced diet.

Also, this meal is made with 100% natural ingredients. This means that your cat may not be at risk of consuming an uncommon compound from the food causing sickness or allergies that may affect its health.

More Features

Furthermore, this brand formulates unique foods that can be consumed by cats of different ages and special needs. The food guarantees you that the cat’s life shall be extended significantly once it has been introduced to the meal.

The ingredients are outsourced globally from trusted suppliers. Therefore, you will find that the cat food is way more superior to its competitors. Finally, the result of indoor cat weight loss is seen slightly after a month of use.

It’s recommended to serve the kitty water after every meal to improve digestion and absorption of the food into the body.

Pros

  • High protein
  • Loved by cats
  • Easy to serve
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Highly perishable

5. Purina Pro Plan Indoor Cat Food

A Purina indoor cat food plan is made of real turkey as the number one ingredient. This provides high protein sources for your cat while maintaining a healthy weight.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What’s more, all the ingredients that are contained in this food are super premium and have been chosen for a specific purpose. This should give you a feeling of confidence since you know you serve good and safe food to your cat.

You need to know that this dry cat food is nourished with antioxidants and essential nutrients that support the feline friend’s health system. It’s important to note that regulating the daily servings is important in checking on the cat’s weight increase or decrease.

More Benefits

Besides that, it’s recommended that you allow your cat 7-10 days to gradually shift its normal diet to this one. The pro-plan should be fed little by little every day until the cat gets used to the meal. You will avoid dietary upsets for your cat that is caused by an immediate shift from a normal to a new diet.

In addition, it’s crucial to provide clean water for the cat every day. Moreover, seeing a veterinary is important so that he can advise on adjustments that need to be made on the new diet. Food quantities served to each cat shall depend on its age, activity, and environment.

It’s important to check on a cat’s behavior to ensure that you aren’t underfeeding or overfeeding it.

Pros

  • Made of mainly turkey meat
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Easily palatable
  • Improves health system

Cons

  • Stock is unreliable

6. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe Natural Dry Cat Food

If you want cat food that is mainly made of cage-free chicken for your cat, then this should be your number one priority. It has a raw boost food type that contains high protein with probiotics that support healthy digestion and omega fats for skin and coat nourishment.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this food has a delicious taste that a picky kitten and cat find sweet. The food is mixed with food toppers in one bag. Its balanced nutrition is good for the indoor cat since it reduces the chances of it getting overweight significantly.

More to that, it is made of raw ingredients with minimal processing. This means your cat has better digestion and gets more nutrients from the food.

More Benefits

Your cat will be relieved from food sensitivities once you start giving it this super quality meal.

The natural process through which it has been produced enables it to be compatible with different cat breeds of all ages and sizes.

The product can be frozen and therefore its shelf-life is long. It’salso nutrient-dense since there is reduced cooking and processing therefore natural flavors, antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals are in plenty.

You will experience that your cat will start developing mealtime excitement as well as increased energy and vitality. The meal does all this without increasing the weight of the cat.

Pros

  • Long frozen shelf-life
  • Suitable for picky eaters
  • High protein content
  • Loved by cats

Cons

  • Out of stock

Read More: Best Food for American Bully

7. Blue Buffalo Weight Control Dry Cat Food

Finding a real meat cat food meal that contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit is rare. The Blue Buffalo cat food is made of real meat with all these nutrition-rich additives. The dry food is made up of high protein from chicken that enables your cat to gain strong muscles.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this meal is very effective when it comes to controlling the weight of your feline friend. It’s formulated with an optimal blend of proteins and little calories to ensure your cat doesn’t gain or lose too much weight.

In addition, the food contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help your cat have a shiny coat and healthy skin. What’s more, it is enhanced with life source bits.

More Benefits

These bits are a natural blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins selected by animal nutritionists to support a good immune system and good oxidative balance. Your cat will not be susceptible to recurrent infections of bacterial and viral causes.

Besides that, this cat food is made of the finest natural ingredients and does not contain poultry by-products such as corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. You will therefore have a naturally healthy cat that will be playful and enjoy its good company.

You need to know that this meal promotes healthy digestion due to the presence of fiber in the diet. Furthermore, your cat will enjoy the meal since it’s highly palatable.

Pros

  • Contains anti-oxidants
  • High protein content
  • Enhanced with life source bits
  • Boosts immune system

Cons

  • Contains whole grains

8. Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Pate Wet Cat Food

When you want your cat to have good maintenance of its muscles and health without gaining extra weight, this cat food is your best choice. This food will be liked by your feline friend since it’s delicious with a smooth texture and savory gravy for an irresistible face.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You need to know that this cat food does not contain poultry by-product meals such as corn and wheat. Also, there are no added preservatives and artificial flavors that may cause problems for your cat.

Each can contains tender flakes of real tuna or fish completed by irresistible natural flavors. Fish foods ensure your cat has strong feet that can allow it to run and jump around the house with no major injuries.

More Benefits

The meal is a good holistic meal that provides essential amino acids and vital nutrients they need every day. Besides that, your cat will have energy from whole grains such as brown rice, barley, and oats.

In addition, the cat food is made with healthy garden veggies and fruits such as carrots, cranberries, and sweet potatoes that contain phytonutrients that ensure the cat is healthy. Furthermore, the food is highly digestible which means your cat will benefit fully from the meal.

What’s more, when you serve water after the meal, your cat will not suffer from constipation. 

Pros

  • High Protein
  • Liked by cats
  • No artificial preservatives or sweeteners
  • Contains Phytonutrients

Cons

  • Not liked by kittens

9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Dry Cat Food, Chicken

Blue Buffalo cat food is known for its gluten-free formula. First, this meal is high-protein since it’s made of real chicken which your cat will crave to help build and maintain lean muscle mass.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, the chances of your cat becoming obese are very low. This is because there is no grain content in the ingredients. More to that, the meal has a special formula that helps a cat with a sensitive stomach or hairball control.

In addition, the cat food contains life source bits which have antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help your cat grow healthy.

More Benefits

In addition, it’s very important to note that cat food doesn’t contain any poultry by-products. Another benefit of this cat food is that you can create a different type of diet for your cat.

Adding water to the meal and mixing it with our other ingredients makes it healthier and tastier. All the ingredients in this cat food have been approved by animal nutritionists. Besides that, it enables your cat to have a healthy heart, eyes, and a proper protein balance.

What’s more, the vitamins come with fiber that is very crucial in the digestion needs of your cat. Good health outcomes can be seen 2 weeks after the introduction of the meal.

Pros

  • Has life source bits
  • Has no grains
  • No preservatives and artificial flavors
  • High in protein

Cons

  • No varieties for different ages and sizes of cats

Also Read: Best Dog Food for Maltese Tear Stains

10. Purina Pro Plan Weight Management, High Protein Adult Dry Cat Food & Wet Cat Food

The Purina Pro Plan cat food is majorly made of turkey and rice. It’s important to note that the meal can be either wet or dry. Therefore, during shopping, make it clear on your preferred type. It’s known to have advanced nutrition that helps old cats live longer.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, it has a tender, moist morsel and delicious taste helps to enrich your cat’s mealtime experience, encouraging the cat to look forward to having it. More to that, this cat food has optimum protein levels that help cats lose fat and gain muscle.

You should know it has essential nutrients that support your cat’s whole-body health.

More Benefits

Your indoor cat will not have to take other additional meals since it meets all the unique needs of your feline companion. It has been properly manufactured and balanced for the maintenance of adult cats.

Besides that, the rice grains are very important in providing the cat with calories to boost its energy needs. Moreover, the cat food has soybean flour and pea protein. It also contains other high-quality ingredients such as ocean fish and poultry liver.

When you feed your cat with this cat food, your cat will always be active and playful. It’s important to provide water to the cat in the case of the dry food formula.

Pros

  • Kittens love it
  • Good for sensitive stomach
  • Healthy skins and coats
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Needs more gravy

11. Halo Grain-Free Indoor Healthy Weight Dry Cat Food

This grain-free indoor cat food is mainly made of chicken meat. The main advantage of this food is that it has high super digestibility, providing more bioavailable nutrients to your indoor cat.

Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also, this food contains chickpeas and non-genetically modified vegetables. It has been manufactured with a healthy weight recipe that has reduced calories and fats to maintain lean muscle.

More to that, L-carnitine is available to boost metabolism and push your cat to achieve ideal weight and size. Besides that, the food contains fiber which helps your cat to feel full and proper digestion.

It’s important to note that the cat food brand has food options for your cat if it has special dietary needs. This includes kitten food, senior cat food, and sensitive cat food.

More Benefits

Also, the cat food has reduced calories and fat to support weight reduction. It’s made with Dream Coat which are fatty acids from non-GMO plant sources and Vitamin E to support healthy skin and shiny coats.

Halo cat food is certified as humanely raised and of a high quality due to its philosophy that drives a holistic approach to responsibly sourced cat food. We highly recommend this cat food if you have more than one indoor cat having different nutrient requirements.

Finally, the food is certified by animal nutritionists as safe and therefore it’s your feline companion’s food you can trust.

Pros

  • GMO-free
  • High quality
  • Grain-free
  • High digestibility

Cons

  • Pricey

Buyers Guide for Top Cat Food for Overweight Indoor Cats

In the cat food market, there are hundreds of types and brands selling unique and high-quality products. However, deciding on which type to buy, there are factors that you should put into consideration as discussed below.

Nutritional Content

The nutritional content is very important when choosing cat food type. Some food contains high protein content and low on grain and vice versa. Other foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that are an added advantage to your cat. 

Cat food with high-calorie content may not be effective in helping your overweight indoor cat reduce weight. On the other hand, food with high protein content with low calories is very good to regulate a cat’s weight.

Type of Cat Food

Generally, cat food is produced wet or dry. Wet cat food is high in protein and low in calories whereas dry cat food contains relatively high-calorie content. Therefore, depending on your cat’s requirements, you should adopt a meal plan that is unique to its special needs.

Cat Age and Condition

We have cat food made for old cats, small kittens, and the ones having a sensitive stomach. Therefore, when buying cat food, it’s important to look at the targeted type of cat.

Additional Benefits

Some cat food contains additional nutrients such as omega 3 fats, life source bits, and other special vitamins. Therefore, buying these products may improve your cat’s health than buying a plain cat food type.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have you got some questions on this topic? Below, we respond to some of the burning queries.

How do I get my indoor cat to lose weight?

There are a few things you can do to help your feline companion lose weight. First, talking to your veterinary should be the first thing so that they can give an expert opinion.

Also, reducing the number of calories you serve your cat every day is very effective. More to that, reducing foods with carbs is also important to enable the cat to get lean weight.

Is wet or dry food better for overweight cats?

Dry cat food generally contains more carbohydrates than wet cat food. Therefore, wet cat food is better since it has fewer calories than dry cat food.

How can I know the best brand of cat food?

There are many brands of cat food that is ideal for indoor overweight cats. There’s no particular brand that we can pick as more superior than the others.

However, checking on peoples’ reviews online may help you make a more informed decision before the purchase.

Best Pick Overall

In our view, the IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food is the best for indoor overweight cat food. It’s the best quality in the market and has the highest pure protein content. It’s very effective in building your cat’s muscles and bones without adding extra weight.

Final Thought

Many indoor cats become lazy and sickly when they become overweight. They become bored and are unable to play and keep us company properly. However, cat food that is low in calories helps them reduce extra weight while ensuring they achieve a healthy diet.

We hope this review will help you find something your cat will enjoy.

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Farmer Jack

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