Low-fat cat food
Low-fat cat food is a complete food formulated with a reduced fat content compared with a standard adult recipe, usually chosen either as part of managing a cat's weight or on a vet's recommendation for a specific health reason. It is not automatically the right choice for every cat, and a healthy, active cat at an ideal weight generally has no need for it.
Why owners choose low-fat food
Weight management is the most common reason owners look for a low-fat option, particularly for an indoor or less active cat whose energy needs are lower than a more active outdoor cat's would be. Reducing fat is one of the more straightforward ways to lower a food's overall calorie density without cutting portion sizes drastically.
Some cats are also recommended a lower-fat diet by a vet for specific health reasons unrelated to weight alone, in which case the choice of food should follow the vet's specific guidance rather than a general low-fat label, since the right level of fat restriction can vary by individual case.
What to check on the label
Check that a food described as low-fat is still a complete food for your cat's life stage, since some lower-fat recipes are aimed specifically at senior or less active cats and may not suit a younger, more active one nutritionally. The fat percentage is listed in the analytical constituents on the label, so you can compare it directly against a standard adult recipe from the same range.
Reducing fat without adjusting portion size does not guarantee weight loss on its own — overall calorie intake, including treats, matters just as much as the specific recipe chosen. A food described as low-fat fed in excessive amounts will not achieve the same result as a properly portioned diet.
Making the switch
Introduce a low-fat food gradually over several days, mixing it with your cat's current food rather than switching overnight, since cats can be particular about sudden changes and a gradual transition reduces the chance of a fussy response.
If your cat is overweight, your vet can help set a realistic target and a sensible pace for getting there, and regular weigh-ins are a useful way to check the new food and portion size are actually working rather than assuming they are.
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
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
Whiskas 7+ Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in an 800G bag
£6.09
Whiskas 2-12 Months Kitten Complete Dry Food Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for kittens aged 2-12 months in a 7KG bag
£30.15
Whiskas 1+ Adult Cat Complete Dry Food Tuna
Complete tuna dry cat food for adults in a 7KG bag with 30% protein
£30.15
Whiskas 1+ Adult Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry cat food for adults in a 7KG bag with 30% protein
£30.15
Burns Adult/Senior Cat Sensitive Grain Free Duck & Potato
Grain-free duck and potato food for cats with digestive or food sensitivities
£16.49
James Wellbeloved Light Adult Dry Cat Food Fish
A lower-calorie fish dry food for adult cats managing their weight, with joint-support ingredients
£24.65
Common questions
- Does my cat need low-fat food?
- Only if they are overweight, less active, or your vet has recommended it for a specific reason. A healthy, active cat at an ideal weight generally does not need a low-fat diet, so it is worth checking with your vet before switching rather than assuming it is beneficial by default.
- Will low-fat food help my cat lose weight?
- It can help as part of an overall plan, but portion size and total calorie intake, including treats, matter just as much as the food's fat content. Your vet can advise on a realistic weight target and how to structure feeding to actually achieve it.
- Is low-fat cat food suitable for kittens?
- Generally no. Kittens have higher energy needs to support growth and usually need a complete kitten food rather than a reduced-fat adult recipe. Check the pack states it is suitable for your cat's actual life stage before choosing.
- How do I switch my cat to a low-fat food?
- Introduce it gradually over several days, mixing increasing amounts with their current food rather than switching all at once. Cats can be particular about sudden changes, and a gradual transition makes a fussy reaction much less likely.
- Is low-fat food the same as light or weight-control food?
- They usually overlap but are not always labelled identically — 'light' and 'weight control' foods are typically both reduced in fat and overall calories, while a food specifically marketed as low-fat may focus on the fat content without necessarily using either of those other terms. Check the analytical constituents rather than relying on the front-of-pack wording alone.
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.