Cat food for overweight cats
The right food for an overweight cat is one lower in calories and fat but still high enough in protein to keep them satisfied and preserve muscle while they lose weight — but the food is only half the answer. How much you feed and how often matters at least as much as which bag it comes from, and a genuinely overweight cat is worth a vet check first to rule out anything else going on.
What actually changes in a weight-management food
A cat food aimed at overweight or less active cats is usually lower in calories per gram than a standard adult recipe, often through reduced fat, and higher in fibre to help a cat feel full on a smaller portion. Protein is generally kept relatively high rather than cut, since the goal is to lose fat rather than muscle.
"Light" or "indoor" on a label is a reasonable starting signal but not a guarantee — the actual calorie content per 100g on the back of the bag is the figure that tells you whether a food is genuinely lower-calorie than what your cat is currently eating, and it is worth comparing that number directly rather than trusting the front of the pack.
Why portion size matters more than the food itself
Free feeding — leaving a bowl topped up all day — is one of the most common reasons an indoor cat gains weight, regardless of what is in the bowl. Measuring out a set daily amount, ideally split into two or more smaller meals, gives you far more control than switching food alone ever will.
Treats count too. A few extra biscuits handed out through the day can add up to a meaningful chunk of a cat's daily calories without anyone noticing, which is worth bearing in mind if a weight-management food does not seem to be making a difference.
When to get your vet involved
A cat that has put on weight gradually over months is usually a diet and activity question, but sudden weight gain, or weight that will not shift despite a genuine change in feeding, is worth a vet visit rather than trying yet another food. Some health conditions affect weight, and a vet can also weigh your cat properly and suggest a realistic target and timeframe rather than you guessing.
This page cannot tell you how much to feed your specific cat — that depends on their current weight, target weight and activity level, and a vet or vet nurse can work out a proper feeding plan for your cat individually, which is more reliable than a general guideline.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Whiskas 1+ Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete salmon dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
James Wellbeloved Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for adult cats, without the grain-free or joint-support extras
From£21.79
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 1 Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
A complete dry food for cats 1+, with chicken present only in the brown kibbles
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Catit Creamy Chicken Treats 4 Pk
Lickable chicken cat treats, 4 tubes, for treating or as a food topper
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Tasty Chicken
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with chicken, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Common questions
- Will a light or diet cat food make my cat lose weight on its own?
- Not by itself. A lower-calorie food helps, but if you feed the same volume as before, or free-feed throughout the day, your cat can still take in as many calories as they did on the previous food. Portion control alongside the food switch is what actually drives weight loss.
- How do I know if my cat is actually overweight?
- You should be able to feel your cat's ribs easily under a thin layer of fat without pressing hard, and they should have a visible waist when viewed from above. If you are not sure, your vet or a vet nurse can assess your cat's body condition properly and tell you honestly.
- Should I switch food or just feed less of the same food?
- Either can work, but feeding less of a food designed for a fully active cat can leave them hungry and short on some nutrients if you cut the amount too far. A food formulated for weight management, fed in a measured portion, is generally the more comfortable route for the cat.
- Is wet or dry food better for an overweight cat?
- Wet food is often lower in calories per gram and higher in water content, which some owners find helps a cat feel satisfied on fewer calories, but plenty of cats manage well on a measured amount of dry food too. The bigger factor is the total calories fed each day rather than the format.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.