7 Best High Calorie Cat Foods: Review & Comparison of 2022

How Do I Know If I Have An Underweight Cat?

It’s best to visit your veterinarian if you think your cat is underweight – especially if it has come on suddenly. They will be able to advise you if there are any underlying medical problems and what you should do.

However, you may want to monitor your cat’s weight from time to time to make sure they are not losing too much.

The best way to do this is to weigh them. If you don’t have an accurate scale you may be able to pop by your vet’s office for a free weigh in every so often. Check with the office to see what they say.

You can also check to see how prominent your cat’s ribs are. If bones are noticeable whenever you pet your cat or even look at your cat – that may be a sign they should gain some weight.

The average housecat weighs about 10 pounds. But the healthy weight range can vary by breed. Do some research – and ask your vet – what a healthy weight range is for your cat.

It’s also important to keep in mind that even a pound or two below their ideal weight is 10-20% of their body weight. So, if a cat who should weigh about 10 pounds weighs 8 pounds that’s the approximate equivalent to an adult who should weigh 120 pounds weighing 96 pounds! That’s hugely underweight.

Why Might My Cat Be Underweight?

There is a long list of reasons why your cat may be underweight. These range from easy fixes, to ones which require some serious medical attention. These are typically the most common reasons your cat may be losing weight.

You’re Not Feeding Them Enough

It’s quite simple – if your cat is not eating enough, they’re going to lose weight. Maybe you’re not feeding them enough food to keep them nourished. But it’s more likely that your cat isn’t eating enough of what you are feeding them.

It’s also possible the food isn’t caloric enough for your cat. Or perhaps they simply don’t like their food.

Your Cat Has Anemia

Similar as in humans anemia in cats is when the body doesn’t carry enough red blood cells to properly move oxygen around the body. You’ll often see not only weight loss and appetite loss in your cat, but extreme lethargy.

If you notice possible anemia in your cat seek medical attention as soon as possible. Anemia can be helped greatly by supplements, medications, and other treatments.

Your Cat May Have Dental Issues

Perhaps your cat is uncomfortable when they eat – so they simply don’t. And now they are losing weight because of it. Dental issues in cats are not uncommon.

If your cat is trying to eat but seems uncomfortable dental issues may be to blame. Or if you see them pawing at their mouth that can often be a sign they are having some issues with their mouth and should be seen by a vet.

Your Cat Is Stressed Out

Cats can suffer from stress just as much as humans can.  And it can certainly affect their appetite.

If you have recently moved, your cat has been sick, or you’ve had a new addition in the home, your cat may feel a bit out of sorts. And if you have suffered a great deal of stress your cat can pick up on your feelings and get stressed themselves.

Try to make your cat feel more comfortable and loved. And try your best to manage your own stress to make your cat feel better.

Your Cat Could Have Kidney Issues

There are a variety of kidney diseases and conditions which can occur as a cat gets older. And a lot of these can cause weight loss and lack of appetite in your cat. Depending on what the issue is there are usually treatments.

They May Be Suffering From IBS/IBD

These are all too common conditions affecting the intestines which can make a cat lose their appetite and lose weight.

Treatment usually involves a change in diet and maybe medications.

Your Cat Could Have Diabetes

Although it’s more common for overweight cats to develop diabetes, any cat is truly susceptible.

And weight loss can be a possible sign that your cat has developed diabetes. Treatments vary depending on symptoms.

Your Cat Is A Senior Now

As cats get older, they become less active and sometimes eat less. Plus, age is when dental issues, health problems like hyperthyroidism creep in. Not to mention that aches and pains due to arthritis and general aging become greater – which can lead to your cat feeling uncomfortable and not wanting to eat.

It’s also possible that your cat has lost their sense of smell, which can happen to some senior cats, and their food isn’t appealing to them as much as it used to be.

They Could Have A Parasite

If your cat is an outdoor cat it’s possible he could have picked up a parasite in his travels. This can cause lack of appetite, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.

Parasites will almost always need to be treated by a veterinarian – and some can be quite dangerous to cats and even humans.

They Could Have Other Health Issues

The above issues tend to be the most common reasons why your cat may be underweight. But this is by no means an exhaustive list.

As I said above, it’s always best to take your cat to see their vet if you notice any changes in their health, appearance, or behavior.

So, Tell Me How to Fatten Up A Cat

When it comes to ways to help your cat gain weight you’ve got many options.

Food

If you’re not feeding your cat enough food, you could simply start with feeding them a little more. Or if you are only feeding your cat dry food – you may want to add wet food. Most cats tend to prefer wet canned cat food over dry. You can also feed them both – just watch they don’t suddenly get too much food.

But there are also a ton of high calorie cat foods out there that will help your cat gain weight as well.

Kitten Food

I know this is also a food, but kitten food gets its own category. Kitten food is meant to add a lot of healthy fats, nutrients, and calories to support a growing cat. So, chances are it will bulk up your cat, even if she is no longer a kitten.

Supplements

There are supplements you can give your cat to boost their appetite and add flavor to food. These come in all different forms but are usually highly palatable gels or other liquids which are either given to your cat before they eat their regular food or mixed into it.

Appetite Stimulating Drugs

If your cat is extremely underweight or has major health concerns that require them to gain weight very fast your vet can prescribe some medications to stimulate their appetite.

These are generally a last resort choice however, and again, only give your cat these if they have been prescribed by your veterinarian.

Snacks

There are high calorie cat treats and other snacks you can feed your cat to bulk up their weight.

Other Foods

There are some cat food recipes using human food which can help some cats gain weight. Since a lot of human food isn’t good for cats you would only want to do this if you received the recipe from a professional.

What Are Some Other Ways I Can Help My Cat Eat More And Gain Weight?

If your cat simply doesn’t eat their food, there are a few ways you can help your cat eat more.

Feed Smaller Meals More Frequently

Maybe your cat only likes to eat a little bit at a time. Or maybe your cat is suffering from aches and pains, or dental issues, and they can only eat a little at a time.

So instead of feeding your cat a full serving once a day – feed them a smaller amount 3-4 times throughout the day.

Watch Where You Feed Them

Cats don’t like a lot of distraction while they eat. So, if you’re feeding them in highly trafficked areas of your home, chances are they may feel rushed – and not eat as much.

So feed your cat in a room that isn’t highly trafficked, or at least make sure they are in a corner or tucked away where they can eat in peace.

And don’t put your cat’s bowls close to their litter box. Just like you probably wouldn’t like to eat your meals in the bathroom, they don’t either.

Don’t Watch Them Eat

Although you may want to, especially if you’re concerned that your cat isn’t eating it’s not a good idea to watch your cat while they eat. Being watched may make them shy away from their food, even if you are encouraging them to eat.

And tempting as it may be, try not to peek in on your cat to check if they are eating. Feed your cat in their own area, leave them alone, then return later to check how much of their food they ate.

Feed Your Cats Separately From Each Other

If you have multiple cats, they may appreciate being fed apart from one another as well. Occasionally one cat can “bully” the others and nudge in to eat their food, which can mean that cat isn’t getting enough food.

Warm Up Their Food

Warmed up food produces more of an aroma and can therefore stimulate your cat’s hunger – and make the food more palatable.  And some cats just don’t like the feeling of cold food in their mouth. So, they’ll respond a lot better to room temperate or warmed up food.

A small scoop on a plate only takes a few seconds in the microwave. Don’t make it so hot it will burn your cat!

Keep Their Eating Area Clean

If you simply dump new food on top of dried up bits of old food, you cat may reject their food. It can potentially be dangerous for your cat to eat food that has been sitting out for long periods of time – especially if it is warm. Plus, the dried-up bits could be too hard for your cat to eat – leading them to turn away from the whole plate.

You also want to make sure their water bowl is fresh and clean. Even if their food bowl is clean, they may be turned off by a dirty water bowl beside it. Especially if they like to drink before or after they eat.

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Helping My Cat Gain Weight Safely?

If you start giving your cat one of the weight gain options, you need to then watch them carefully to make sure they do start to gain weight.

And you also need to watch your cat very carefully to make sure they don’t get any side effects. Make sure your cat doesn’t get any gastrointestinal issues or any other strange symptoms from the new food.

And although it may seem like a good thing, if their weight gain comes on very fast that can harm your cat.

Sometimes when you’re excited that your cat is gaining weight it can be hard to stop them at the point when they’ve gained enough.

It truly is best to be under a veterinarian’s care during the time your cat is gaining weight. And it’s also very important to monitor them yourself. After all, you certainly don’t want your cat to go from being underweight to being overweight – that’s just exchanging one health issue for another.

What Else Do I Need To Know About Buying High Calorie And Weight Gain Cat Food?

Watch out for the words “weight control” as these foods generally are formulated for overweight cats to help them lose weight. So, this will only make your cat’s weight issue even worse.

Although they may not specifically add extra calories like other foods and supplements will, high protein cat foods are usually enough to do the trick for cats who are only slightly underweight and in good overall health.

You must watch out for high fat content in weight gain formula cat food. As in humans, high fat foods can lead to health issues over time. These foods should only be used for short periods of time, and under the supervision of a vet.

Basically, you need to make sure the food you are buying has a good blend of nutrients and not just fat and calories.

Why Might I Choose A Supplement Over A High Calorie Cat Food?

If your cat loves their food maybe you don’t want to mess with it. So, adding a supplement to it is a great choice.

There are a lot of great quality weight gain supplements for cats out there to boost the nutrients and calories in your cat’s food.

How Can I Successfully Switch Over My Cat’s Food?

Whenever you are switching your cat’s food, you’ll want to do it slowly. Most cats don’t take well to changes in their food so switching from one food to another from feed to feed may leave them confused and rejecting their food – even if they like it.

So, over a few days to a week period add a little bit of your cat’s new food into their old food each time you feed them. Do this until you’re completely feeding only the new food.

What Are The Best High Calorie Cat Foods And Supplements To Help My Cat Gain Weight?

As I mentioned above there are a ton of weight gain and high-calorie cat foods out there. But they are not all made the same!

I have done a lot of tests and done a lot of research and have come up with the best foods and supplements for you to consider to help your cat gain weight.