How to help a cat gain weight

by Lenda | May 4, 2020 |

Although the case of the overweight cat that needs to lose weight is usually more common, there are also many cases of cats that are below their weight and need to reach their ideal weight. And although it seems simpler, it usually requires more help from the person responsible for the cat.

If this is your case, the first thing you should do (if you haven’t already) is to find out the cause of your cat’s low weight : have you recently been dewormed? Are your stools normal? Before thinking about gaining weight, a vet should rule out (or in your case, treat) the possible medical causes of underweight.

Sometimes, these are simply cats that eat little but have very high physical activity, or have a high level of stress, which causes them to consume more calories than they eat. In any case, your goal should be just the opposite, that you eat more calories than you spend, at least until you reach your ideal weight, and we offer you some practical tips so that you can help him.

Practical tips for your cat to gain weight

1. Looking for a feed of super premium quality , and consultation with a professional about the recipe right for your cat. For example, for a cat with digestive problems the ideal is a Sensitive type, but in other cases the most concentrated feeding designed for kittens can help you gain weight more quickly. This specialist will also recommend the daily dose that your cat needs.
2. Give him four to six meals a day (without exceeding the daily ration recommended by the professional), at a more or less fixed time. Thus, you will help your body to metabolize its food better without overloading it.
3. Unless your vet tells you to, don’t leave food available 24 hours. That is to say, at lunchtime, you serve their portion, and after 15 minutes you remove the surplus. Unappetizing cats, knowing they have their food always available doesn’t motivate them to eat right away. In addition, you will know that it has had time to digest since the previous meal.
4. Try to make your cat lead a more relaxed or less stressful life . If you have lost weight as a result of the stress caused by a change in the family, it will take time to get used to and your help will be very useful. If for example it is due to the presence of a new animal in the family, the solution can be as simple as closing a pair of doors and delimiting an area where you do not have to share space with the other. By lowering your stress level, you will consume fewer calories.
5. Be careful with food supplements ! A super premium complete diet is designed and balanced so that your cat does not need anything else. In some cases, always under veterinary recommendation, it may be appropriate to add a couple of tablespoons of olive, fish or coconut oil.