It’s a common problem: our beloved feline friends can easily pack on extra pounds, especially if they’re indoor cats. Even a little extra weight can lead to serious health issues like arthritis, skin infections, and diabetes. Switching to a specially formulated weight loss cat food, whether wet or dry, is a great first step in helping your cat slim down without feeling hungry. As veterinarian Dr. Georgina Ushi-Phillips DVM explains, “While all foods will require an overall caloric deficit, cat weight loss foods can make this process easier for both cats and cat parents.”
To help you find the best options, we conducted a poll of 299 real cats (through their human companions) to get firsthand feedback on which cat food brands and types worked in their households. We also collected data on each cat’s size and age. Below are our top recommendations, based on this real-world testing and expert advice. You can find more details about our polling process in the “How We Found The Best Cat Food For Weight Loss” section after the recommendations.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Dry Cat Food at Amazon $66
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Also Great:
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food at Amazon $52
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Best Wet:
Royal Canin Weight Care Food at Amazon $29
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Best Budget:
Purina One +Plus Ideal Weight Dry Cat Food at Amazon $18
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Best for Seniors:
Fromm Healthy Weight Gold Cat Food at Amazon $47
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Best With Probiotics:
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Cat Food at Amazon $41
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Best for Hairball Control:
Iams Proactive Health Weight Control Cat Food at Amazon $34
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Best Variety Pack:
Tiki Cat Lean Gelee Variety Pack Grain-Free Wet Cat Food at Amazon $26
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Best Overall
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Dry Cat Food
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PHOTO: Amazon
$66 at Amazon $25 at Chewy $33 $25 at Walmart
What We Like:
- Wet and dry food formulas available
- Developed by scientists and veterinarians
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Enriched with L-carnitine to support metabolism
What We Don’t Like:
- No seafood recipe option
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Cat Food is our top recommendation for cats needing to shed some pounds. A significant number of the 299 cat parents we surveyed cited veterinarian recommendations as a key reason for choosing Hill’s Science Diet. The Perfect Weight formulas are protein-rich, primarily from chicken, helping cats maintain healthy muscle mass during weight loss. They are also enhanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, taurine, vitamins, and L-carnitine, an amino acid that aids in converting fat into energy. Fiber and easily digestible ingredients support a healthy digestive system.
The dry food comes in two Perfect Weight recipes, both chicken flavored, with one tailored for indoor cats who are typically less active. Wet food options include liver and chicken entree and roasted vegetable and chicken medley, both featuring pork liver as a primary ingredient along with chicken and broth for added moisture. Once your cat reaches their ideal weight, you can continue feeding Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight to help maintain it.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavors: Chicken recipe, liver and chicken entree, roasted vegetable and chicken medley | Package Sizes: 3, 7, 15 pounds; 2.9 ounces
Also Great
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Weight Control Adult Dry Cat Food
PHOTO: Amazon
$52 $47 at Amazon $47 at Chewy $67 $48 at Walmart
What We Like:
- Weight Control and Weight & Hairball Control formulas
- Free of artificial flavors and preservatives
- No soy, wheat, corn, or byproduct meals
- Chicken and rice flavor is often appealing to cats
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited flavor options
Blue Buffalo offers two dry food options for feline weight management: Tastefuls Weight Control and Tastefuls Weight & Hairball Control. Both feature chicken as the primary protein source, combined with whole grains and vegetables for natural fiber to help adult cats feel full between meals. The Hairball Control version includes psyllium seed husks and cellulose to aid in processing ingested fur. If your cat enjoys Blue Buffalo’s Tastefuls Adult Indoor Cat Food chicken and rice recipe, they are likely to accept these weight loss formulas with the same familiar flavor.
Each serving is enriched with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to bolster the immune system and overall health. Blue Buffalo foods are made without corn, wheat, soy, byproduct meals, artificial flavors, and preservatives, which may be beneficial for cats with allergies or sensitivities. While there isn’t a senior-specific formula, it is suitable for all adult cats.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavor: Chicken & brown rice recipe | Package Sizes: 3, 5, 7, or 15 pounds
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PHOTO: The Spruce Pets / Jordan Provost
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PHOTO: The Spruce Pets / Jordan Provost
Best Wet
Royal Canin Weight Care Food
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PHOTO: Royal Canin
What We Like:
- Available in three textures: slices in gravy, chunks in gravy, and loaf in sauce
- Contains L-carnitine and fiber blend
- Can be combined with dry food
- High protein content from pork and chicken
What We Don’t Like:
- No seafood flavor option
Royal Canin Weight Care Cat Food is designed to promote satiety between meals, reducing begging for more food. This wet food is rich in hydration, protein, fiber, and L-carnitine. It comes in three textures: thin slices in gravy, chunks in gravy, and loaf in sauce, catering to various feline preferences. The pork-flavored food is available in 3-ounce or 5.1-ounce cans and can be mixed with Royal Canin’s Weight Care kibble.
This nutritionally balanced cat food uses pork byproduct meal as the primary protein source, along with chicken, chicken liver, and pork liver. While byproduct meals sometimes have a negative image, Royal Canin uses high-protein, nutrient-rich animal parts like organs and intestines, which are typically less expensive and help reduce food waste.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavor: Pork | Package Sizes: 3, 5.1 ounces
Best Budget
Purina One +Plus Ideal Weight Dry Cat Food
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PHOTO: Purina
$18 $17 at Amazon $33 at Chewy $33 at Walmart
What We Like:
- High in protein
- Dry and wet food options
- Fortified with L-carnitine
- Free of fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains corn, corn meal, and other fillers with lower protein density
Purina ONE +Plus Ideal Weight Cat Food offers an affordable and accessible option, available at most supermarkets, big box stores, and online. It comes in three flavors: turkey (dry), white meat chicken (wet), and tender salmon (wet), all designed to reduce daily calorie intake. The Ideal Weight line includes L-carnitine to help cats convert fat to energy.
Each serving also provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Manufactured in Purina’s US facilities, it undergoes rigorous testing for quality and nutritional balance. While the dry food lists real turkey as the first ingredient and the wet foods are moisture-rich, recipes do include byproduct meals, soy, and corn.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavors: Turkey, white meat chicken recipe, tender salmon recipe | Package Sizes: 3.5, 7, 16 pounds; 3 ounces
Best for Seniors
Fromm Healthy Weight Gold Cat Food
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PHOTO: Fromm
$47 at Amazon $25 at Walmart View on Gofromm.com
What We Like:
- Contains L-carnitine, antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics
- Recipes are free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors
- Family-owned and operated in Wisconsin
What We Don’t Like:
- Less widely available than other brands
Fromm Healthy Weight Gold Cat Food is formulated for senior cats who tend to become less active and gain weight. It includes L-carnitine to help older cats maintain a healthy weight by supporting lean muscle and overall health. This protein-rich food features Fromm’s blend of antioxidants, prebiotics, and probiotics for digestion, plus salmon oil for coat health.
Available in dry and wet food, which can be mixed. The dry kibble uses chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal as primary proteins, while the wet food contains chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, and duck. Both are produced in Fromm’s Wisconsin facilities. Primarily sold in specialty shops and online.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavor: Chicken | Package Sizes: 4, 10 pounds; 5.5 ounces
Best With Probiotics
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Cat Food
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PHOTO: Purina Pro Plan
$41 at Amazon View on Chewy View on PetSmart
What We Like:
- Wet and dry food formulas
- High protein and live probiotics
- Developed by scientists, nutritionists, behaviorists, and veterinarians
What We Don’t Like:
- Includes corn, corn meal, and other fillers with lower protein density
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management food is enhanced with live probiotics to support digestive health and weight loss. The dry food, chicken and brown rice recipe, has 20% fewer calories than Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials dry cat food. The wet food, turkey and rice, offers a 10% calorie reduction compared to Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials canned food. Cats already eating Purina Pro Plan are likely to find the flavors familiar and appealing.
The dry food uses real chicken as the first ingredient for high protein and essential nutrients. The wet food derives protein from turkey and beef liver and provides hydration. Made in the USA without artificial flavors or preservatives, it also includes taurine, amino acids, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavors: Chicken and brown rice recipe, turkey and rice recipe | Package Sizes: 3.5, 7, 16 pounds; 3 ounces
Best for Hairball Control
Iams Proactive Health Weight Control Cat Food
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PHOTO: Iams
$34 at Amazon $34 at Chewy $34 at Walmart
What We Like:
- Fiber blend to aid hairball processing
- L-carnitine for metabolism support
- Enriched with calcium, potassium, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E
- Human-grade ingredients, with salmon or chicken as first ingredient
What We Don’t Like:
- Bags are not resealable
Iams Proactive Weight & Hairball Control cat food is formulated with a fiber blend including beet pulp, ideal for indoor cats needing weight loss and prone to hairballs. It supports digestion and boosts metabolism with L-carnitine.
Available in salmon or chicken flavors, both made with human-grade ingredients. Each serving provides omega fatty acids, vitamin E, calcium, and potassium for immunity, muscle and bone strength, and skin and coat health. It’s readily available and budget-friendly, but bags are not resealable.
Life Stage: Adult, senior | Flavors: Salmon, chicken | Package Sizes: 3.5, 7, 16 pounds
Best Variety Pack
Tiki Cat Lean Gelee Variety Pack Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
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PHOTO: Chewy
What We Like:
- High protein, low fat and calorie meals
- Gelée provides extra hydration
- Single-serving pouches for freshness
- Non-GMO ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- Not made in the U.S.
Tiki Cat’s Lean Gelée wet cat food features high-quality animal protein first on the ingredient list. It is grain-free, low-fat, and low-calorie, made with non-GMO ingredients. The bone broth gelée provides extra hydration, and L-carnitine supports metabolism. Flavors include Chicken, Chicken & Duck, and Chicken & Salmon, in single-serving pouches for freshness.
This variety pack offers high protein, balanced nutrition, and hydration in a flavorful, appealing texture that can help cats feel full longer. However, it’s not sourced or produced in the USA.
Life Stage: All, adult | Flavors: Chicken, chicken & duck, chicken & salmon | Package Sizes: 2.8 ounces, 12-count
Final Verdict
For cats needing to lose weight, Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Cat Food is our top recommendation due to veterinarian recommendations and palatability. For a more budget-friendly option, Purina One +Plus Ideal Weight Cat Food is readily available and contains L-carnitine.
What to Look For in Cat Food for Weight Loss
Veterinarian Dr. Georgina Ushi-Phillips explains, “The first thing to realize is that cats can lose weight on any food. Weight loss is a result of cats expending more calories than they consume.” When comparing calories, compare wet to wet and dry to dry, as moisture content affects weight and calorie calculations.
Read labels carefully and look for certifications. Dr. Ushi-Phillips suggests, “A good starting point is to look for higher-fiber diets. Increased fiber helps cats feel fuller, and you can typically give more food volume.”
Consult your veterinarian for specific recommendations for your cat’s weight issues and be prepared to try different foods.
Texture and Wet Versus Dry
Wild cats naturally eat varied textures and get hydration from fresh meat. Domesticated cats may instinctively prefer wet or raw foods, but individual preferences vary. Veterinarians often recommend a mix of wet and dry food.
Raw cat food is a growing trend, believed to preserve nutrients, but research is limited. Raw food carries a higher risk of salmonella and listeria.
Protein and Carb Content
Nutrition, moisture, and fat content are crucial. Cats are carnivores needing high protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrates.
Dr. Ushi-Phillips advises, “Look for high protein, which is good for cats and helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss.” Dry foods have higher protein and fat percentages due to lower moisture content.
Aim for at least 8-10% protein in wet food or 25% in dry food. Fat should be at least 5% in wet or 20-30% in dry. Limit carbohydrates among the first ingredients, favoring healthy carbs like pumpkin, sweet potato, or brown rice.
Ingredients
Ingredients are listed by weight. Look for a named meat source first and whole grains if grains are included. Cats need vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids, varying by life stage. Balanced pet food eliminates the need for supplements. Preservatives like vitamin C and vitamin E are used for shelf life.
Meat byproducts, including organs and bones (excluding hooves and teeth), are common and nutritionally valuable.
Organic and Natural
“Organic” is USDA-regulated, requiring pesticide-free land, no artificial additives, hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or irradiation. “USDA Certified Organic” ensures compliance. “Natural” is AAFCO-defined as plant, animal, or mined sources, but “natural” doesn’t always mean healthy.
Avoid “fillers” like corn, wheat gluten, soy, byproducts, and fruit/vegetable pulps, which offer low nutritional value.
Probiotics
Pre-, post-, and probiotics support gut health, beneficial for domesticated cats lacking natural bacteria exposure, especially for sensitive stomachs or post-antibiotic recovery.
How We Found the Best Cat Food for Weight Loss
Our research panel surveyed cat parents to identify important qualities in cat food for each life stage. We noted veterinarian-recommended brands and trustworthy ingredients, considering budget and availability. We collected cat size, breed, age, and health details to tailor recommendations.
299 respondents provided feedback on cat food preferences using scores and detailed comments.
FAQ
Is dry or wet cat food better for weight loss?
Dr. Ushi-Phillips: “Wet food’s higher moisture makes it less calorie-dense and more filling, aiding weight loss. Dry kibble is easier to measure accurately. Adding water to dry kibble can be a good compromise.”
Are high-protein cat foods better for weight loss?
Dr. Ushi-Phillips: “High-protein diets are generally good for cats. For weight loss, they help preserve muscle mass. Muscle increases base calorie needs, making a calorie deficit easier.”
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
Updated by Anna Mejorada, The Spruce Pets writer and pomeranian owner. She researches and writes about pet products, dedicated to finding optimal pet items.
Survey data collected on brand preferences and feeding habits, including cat age, size, breed, and food history.
Previous version by Lorraine Wilde, a long-time cat owner, and Dr. Georgina Ushi-Phillips DVM, with expertise in nutrition, surgery, and emergency care.
The Spruce Pets uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, as per our editorial process.
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