Cat weight loss: how to help your cat lose weight safely
A slow, measured plan that you can check on the scale every 2 weeks.
To help your cat lose weight, feed a measured amount of food in meals, count every treat and weigh your cat every 2 weeks. Aim for a slow loss of 0.5 to 1% of body weight a week. Cutting food hard is dangerous for cats, so change amounts in small steps.
Score 7, about 20% over ideal weight.
Score 6, the waist starts to show again.
Score 5, ideal weight.
Safe weekly weight loss chart
| Current weight | 0.5% a week | 1% a week | Too fast (over 2%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg (8.8 lb) | 20 g | 40 g | Over 80 g |
| 5 kg (11.0 lb) | 25 g | 50 g | Over 100 g |
| 6 kg (13.2 lb) | 30 g | 60 g | Over 120 g |
| 7 kg (15.4 lb) | 35 g | 70 g | Over 140 g |
| 8 kg (17.6 lb) | 40 g | 80 g | Over 160 g |
Rates from the AAHA weight management guidelines (0.5 to 2% a week for cats). Use a 2 week average, since single weigh ins vary.
Need your food's label numbers? Look them up in the cat food calorie database: Hill's Science Diet calories, Fancy Feast calories, Purina Pro Plan calories, Tiki Cat calories, 9Lives calories, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets calories.
Why must cats not lose weight fast?
When a cat suddenly eats very little, its body can break down fat faster than it can handle, and the cat can become seriously ill. The AAHA guidelines warn against feeding a cat less than 60% of its resting energy needs. So never put a cat on a crash diet, and call your vet if your cat stops eating.
How many calories should an overweight cat eat?
The calculator above, with body condition set to Chunky, uses a gentle starting point: the resting energy need (RER) for the current weight.
Vets often go a step further. The AAHA guidelines describe feeding about 80% of the RER for the ideal weight, under a vet's supervision. For a 6 kg cat that scores 7, the ideal weight is about 5 kg, so the two approaches give:
| Approach | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| RER at current weight (6 kg) | about 268 kcal |
| 80% of RER at ideal weight (5 kg) | about 187 kcal |
Which target fits your cat is a decision for your vet. Whichever you use, the safe rates in the chart above tell you whether it is working.
What is a good diet plan for an overweight cat?
- Weigh and score. Note the weight and the body condition score, then estimate the ideal weight.
- Count everything. Treats, toppers and table scraps count. Keep treats under 10% of daily calories.
- Weigh the food. A kitchen scale is more accurate than a scoop. Look up your food's kcal in the cat food calorie database.
- Feed meals. Two to four measured meals beat a bowl that is always full. In a home with several cats, feed them apart.
- Play more. A few short play sessions a day help burn calories.
- Weigh every 2 weeks. If there is no real change after 3 weeks, try about 10% less food and count all treats. If your cat loses more than 2% a week, give about 10% more and check with your vet.
Does weight control cat food help?
It can. Weight control and light formulas have fewer calories per cup or can, so the bowl looks fuller for the same calories. Compare labels in the calorie database and recalculate the portion when you switch, because the amount changes with the food.
What happens when my cat reaches its goal?
Once your cat scores 4 or 5, switch the calculator back to Ideal and feed for the new weight. Keep weighing once a month so the weight doesn't creep back.
Questions
How long does it take for a cat to lose weight?
Months, not weeks. A 6 kg cat losing 30 to 60 g a week needs about 4 to 8 months to reach 5 kg. Slow is safe.
Can I just feed less of the same food?
Yes, if you measure it and cut in small steps. Weight control food can help because the portion looks bigger for the same calories.
My cat begs all the time. What can I do?
Split the daily amount into more small meals, use a puzzle feeder, and play before meals. Begging often fades after the first few weeks of a set routine.
Sources
- AAHA: 2014 weight management guidelines for dogs and cats
- WSAVA: Body condition score chart for cats (PDF)
- WSAVA: Feeding treats to your cat (PDF)
- WSAVA: Calorie needs for an average healthy adult cat (PDF)
Related guides
Estimate only. Check with your vet. BowlMath gives a practical starting estimate, not veterinary advice. Cats should not lose weight too fast. Ask your vet before changing food a lot, and for kittens, seniors, pregnant or nursing cats, cats on special diets, or cats gaining or losing weight unexpectedly.