No matter what is the taste and preference of your feline friend has, obesity is a serious issue but a significant portion of cats are underweight and require close attention. By offering the best protein-rich canned foods without artificial color or preservatives that are available in the marketplace, you will witness that your cat enjoys the meal and gains weight since the canned foods are grain-free and have higher nutritional value when compared to dry kibble.
The marketplace is full of different types of best canned cat food for weight gain. It requires an onerous effort to figure out which one is the best since all the canned food providers declare themselves as the best in the town.
Before jumping into the 7 best high protein cat food for weight gain, take a glance at:
- What causes rapid weight loss in cats?
- What are the different types of cat food?
- Dry cat food vs Wet cat food
- How to pick the best canned food for weight gain?
Let’s dive in.
What causes rapid weight loss in cats?
The amount of food supplements you are offering to your cat is not a matter of concern. If you have noticed that despite eating protein-rich cat foods, your cat’s weight deteriorates then you must visit your vet.
Here are the 7 causes of weight loss in cats.
Gastrointestinal Problems – That throws into disorder GI tract to absorb the food and properly digest it.
Diabetes – That leads to the incapability to produce the insulin as necessary to balance blood sugar, glucose level, etc., and thereby results in excessive water drinking and urination.
Hyperthyroidism – This disease is caused by either a surge of thyroid hormones from an enlarged thyroid gland or enlargement of thyroid glands result in a benign tumor which can lead to excessive water drinking and urination.
Anxiety, stress, and depression – When you are offering food in a cat bowl that isn’t whisker-friendly, or is a dirty food bowl, or has much noise in the feeding area, these things can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression of your feline friend.
Dental problems – If your cat is suffering from gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth resorption then these diseases can deter your cat to eat whatever food i.e. dry or wet cat food you are offering, and thereby your cat will lose weight.
Cancer – No matter what is the age of your feline friend, if it is diagnosed with cancer, your cat will experience a rapid weight loss.
Gastrointestinal parasitism –Intestinal parasites or worms i.e. hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, stomach worms, etc. in cats can cause weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
What are the different types of cat foods available?
Are you hunting high and low for the best cat foods that your feline friend would love, but you are at sixes and sevens about deciding what types of food you should offer to your kitten especially when you are a first-time pet parent?
Simply put, there are three types of cat foods available in the marketplace. They are dry food popularly known as kibble, semi-moist food, and wet foods aka canned food.
Dry cat food vs Wet cat food
Are you at sea when it’s time to decide what type of food you should offer to your four-legged friend?
There is no fit-for-all formula when it’s time to choose between dry foods and wet canned foods. Both have some pros and cons. Here we will offer you the advantages and disadvantages of canned food that will help you to decide the best option you have got.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of dry cat food?
Dry cat foods have low moisture. It’s better for teeth and can be left out all day without any woes since they don’t spoil quickly.
On the downside, since dry foods have lower moisture, they can lead to dehydration problems and are prone to urinary tract infections and kidney issues.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of canned food?
No matter what is the age of the feline, when you are offering dry food then the chances are higher that your cat can be affected by urinary tract infections and kidney problems. Dry foods contain only 10-15% moisture that leads to dehydration.
But when you include canned wet foods in the diet plan, you are helping your cat to stay clear of dehydration. Wet foods contain 75-85% water. Plus, wet foods contain protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that not only strengthen brain development, vision, heart, immunity but also boost healthy metabolism to stay clear of digestive issues.
On the downside, wet canned foods are not only more expensive when compared to dry foods but also quickly perishable if not promptly refrigerated.
How to pick the best cat food
In case your feline friend is underweight and you are at sea to decide what to feed your cat to put on few pounds, then you should check whether the cat food has the following essential nutrients.
Protein – No matter what is the age of the feline friend. You must provide cat food that has high protein content. Protein helps your kitten to not only build lean muscles but also strengthen the immune system. As a bonus protein has amino acids namely taurine, arginine, etc. They are essential for strong teeth and vision. As a good rule of thumb, include a cat food that contains at least 30% protein.
Fats – When you are offering your cat fat-enriched foods that have a blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, then the chances are higher that your cat has healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Vitamins – Like humans, cats are no exception, they also need vitamins for the proper functioning of nerves, immune system, bones, and muscles. Plus, vitamins are necessary for healthy metabolism and gastrointestinal functions.
Minerals – The minerals play a vital role from the formation of the bone and bone growth to blood coagulation. So, the deficiency in minerals can lead to anemia, heart issues etc.
Fiber – To gain weight and better digestion, include a cat food that has a higher percentage of fiber. Fiber helps to not only control the blood sugar level but also maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Recent studies have found that fiber boosts life expectancy and lowers the risk of cancer.
Prebiotics and Probiotics – Both are essential for better digestion by letting the ‘beneficial’ bacteria grow in the gut and by establishing dominance over ‘harmful’ bacteria namely E. coli or Salmonella. Simply put, prebiotics and probiotics allow ‘good’ gut bacteria to pop up and let your cat stay clear from digestive issues that result in vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and even obesity. When your feline friend doesn’t experience any digestive issues, this will boost the immune system and let them lead a happy life.
Water – When you include the wet cat food in your pet friend’s diet, they don’t experience any dehydration issues as wet cat foods have 85% moisture.
An added bonus, choose a cat food that has all the 7 essential nutrients and doesn’t have artificial color, flavor, or preservatives since they can lead to food allergies.
It’s an open secret that even if you’re offering a nutritionally-balanced diet to your feline friend that takes in high-quality protein with restricted phosphorus content, your cat is prone to suffer from kidney disease with the progression of age. The treatment cost of the kidney disease can potentially make a hole in your pocket and demand anywhere between $100 and $500 a month. Hence, it’s a good idea to buy pet insurance from Eusoh [25% off the first month] which asks for $35 a month to save a tidy dollar amount month after month. Above all, the insurance also covers the multiple pre-existing conditions for instance diarrhea, Urinary tract or bladder infections, vomiting, and counting.
7 Best Canned Cat Food for Weight Gain
Unlike dogs, the cats are carnivores. It means your feline friend is analogous to its wild predecessors and requires a rich protein diet. To lend a helping hand to your cat to gain weight, pick grain-free wet canned cat foods that contain at least 25% protein and 10% fat.
Let’s take a walkthrough of 7 protein-rich, grain-free cat foods which will help your kitty to maintain a healthy weight and stay active that is full of happiness.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
When you are looking for grain-free protein-rich dry cat food for weight gain then this is one of the best dry cat food for weight gain that you can offer to your cat. It’s stuffed with deboned chicken that will help your feline friend to develop and maintain strong and lean muscles.
Feline obesity is a common issue among cats that require close attention. Keeping feline obesity in mind, the Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food has enriched with a blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that are quite helpful to keep the coat and skin of your pet friend well bright.
Since it’s grain-free and free from animal by-products, the chances are higher that your cat won’t experience any digestive issues, when you are offering ingredient-rich dry foods that are available in the marketplace. Additionally, this canned food is stuffed with Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits that is a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to boost the immune system and help your kitty to lead a healthy life.
Thought this is an expensive buy? But let me tell you if your cat is prone to allergies or food sensitiveness, then this is a must-buy. This kibble is free from poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Another great advantage of offering this food brand into the diet is that it contains sweet potatoes and peas in order to add some carbohydrates into the diet.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Cat Food comes in three different flavors namely Chicken, Duck, and Solomon. Additionally, you will find five different weights to select from – two ounces, two and a half ounces, five ounces, six ounces, eleven ounces, and twelve ounces.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
For those cats which have allergies or intolerance to traditional red meats, you may include those food supplements that contain lamb from a young sheep. It’s not only a healthy ‘Novel’ red meat alternative but also a good source of protein.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food being made primarily with lamb, turkey, and liver, and no artificial colors or preservatives added, it’s one of the best cat foods that you can include in your cat’s diet especially when your cat has digestive issues as all the ingredients are easily digestible.
This lamb-rich diet not only strengthens the nervous system but also boosts immunity since lamb contains:
- B-group vitamins [Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12], that are essential for proper nerve function.
- Zinc, compulsory to boost immunity.
- Omega-3 fatty acid that will keep healthy skin and shiny coat.
- Linoleic acid that will lift muscle function.
Plus, the food item is free of grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, or by-product meal. So, the chances are higher that your four-legged friend won’t experience food sensitivities as the above-mentioned ingredients are known to trigger food sensitivities.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food is made up in the USA and comes in two different weights to select from – three ounces, five and a half ounces.
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food
If you are looking for the best wet cat food to put on weight that successfully preserves the nutritional value, then you must give Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food a try. It is undoubtedly the best in town.
This cat food is primarily made from the grass-fed lamb and fresh blue mackerel that are being sourced from ethical farms and pristine oceans of New Zealand. To preserve the original nutritional value, this cat food is slowly and gently air-dried, unlike the other canned foods that are being cooked at a high temperature. This implies that the gentle twin-stage drying process not only eliminates pathogenic bacteria but also preserves and protects the nutritional value to the max.
This cat food includes blue mackerel, grass-fed lamb, organs, bones, green mussels [a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine that strengthen joint health]. The blue mackerel and grass-fed lamb are not only high in protein but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boost the immune and nervous system and help to retain enhanced skin and coat. Plus, the food includes organic kelp which will boost metabolism, minimize inflammation, and safeguard against heart and brain issues since organic kelp is a natural source of minerals and antioxidants.
An added bonus, they don’t include grains, corn, soy, potatoes, wheat, rice, or preservatives. It makes the cat food safe and easily digestible that allows you to feed your cat in smaller quantities per day. Apart from that, unlike other brands that include cheap fillers namely grain, potato, or peas, by offering this cat food you need not worry about obesity, or food allergy, or other health troubles.
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Mackerel & Lamb Recipe Cat Food is made up in New Zealand and comes in two different weights to select from – 2.2 Pounds, 14 Ounces.
Iams Proactive Health Healthy Kitten Dry Cat Food
If you are hunting high and low for the best nutrient-rich kitten food made in the USA that you can offer to your kitten, then you must bring this item to your home as this food features chicken as the first ingredient that is quite helpful to transform your kitten into a healthy adult cat. Apart from that this cat food has small dry kibble that is designed to fit the small mouths of your kitten.
Plus, another feature is that this cat food contains not only Omega-3 DHA that helps to healthy brain development but also Omega-6 to develop healthy skin and a glossy coat. On the positive side, the kibbles have nutrients like those in the mother’s milk along with vitamin E that will boost immunity. The kitten dry food includes natural fiber, beet pulp, and prebiotics that allow your cat to develop a healthy digestive system. It also contains taurine that will assist to stay the course to a strong vision and healthy heart.
Iams Proactive Health Healthy Kitten Dry Cat Food is made in the USA and comes in three different weights to select from – three and a half ounces, seven ounces, and sixteen ounces.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food
If you are in a witch hunt for grain-free high protein wet cat food for weight gain that is packed with real chicken since chicken is a primary source of protein that will provide the required energy that your four-legged friend needs to stay active, then you can offer this wet cat food to your feline friend. Keeping in mind that protein is quite essential to maintain and improve the vision, heart and stay healthy, this cat food supplement is stuffed with high-quality protein.
Since the vitamins are responsible for the immune system, healthy vision, healthy metabolism of carbohydrates, nervous system, gastrointestinal functions, red blood cell function, and keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy, this canned food contains the finest natural vitamins.
An added bonus, this cat food has improved the nutritional value with added minerals that help from the formation of the bone and bone growth to blood coagulation. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that blue’s wet cat food contains neither chicken by-product meals, nor artificial flavors or preservatives. Simply put, by offering blue’s cat food that is enriched with vitamins and minerals, you are gifting your cat a life that is healthy and well-balanced.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food comes in two different weights to select from – three ounces, and five ounces.
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entree Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
What your cat will find when you offer your cat this healthy natural food is lean meats that are an excellent source of high-quality proteins that are essential for your cat to stay active all day long. Made with lean meats, fruits, and veggies, Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entreé contains all the necessary items such as antioxidants, vitamins, balanced minerals, omega fatty acids, to prop up immunity and lead a life without any digestive issues. In addition, this nutrient-rich cat food is enriched with taurine which is excellent in supporting not only the teeth and gums but also skin and coat.
Plus, this wet food contains water. This wet food is the easiest way to increase your cat’s water intake to tackle dehydration and provide plenty of energy to thrive. With no wheat, corn, soy, and no added artificial colors, flavors, carrageenan, or preservatives, your cat won’t experience any food allergy issues.
Wellness Complete Health Pate Chicken Entreé is manufactured in the United States and comes in two different weights to select from – three ounces, and twelve and a half ounces.
Wysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
When you are in a witch hunt for dry cat foods to optimize your feline friend’s wellness, then you must fill the cat bowl with Wysong Epigen 90 Starch Free Dry Cat Food. This cat food is not only starch-free but also biologically designed to eat. It successfully retains the natural flavor and taste that your pet truly loves.
Plus, Wysong was the first company to put probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, phytonutrients, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals into pet foods that are beneficial to not only boost the cat’s immune defenses by minimizing damage to cells of the immune system but also improve digestion by helping the good gut bacteria thrive. An added bonus, it’s rich in Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids that make Epigen 90 a great choice if your cat has allergies or suffers from dry skin or hotspots. Simply put, when you are offering a food supplement that is rich in fatty acids then you can expect your cat will have healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Wysong Epigen 90 Starch Free Dry Cat Food is made in the USA with USDA and FDA-approved ingredients. Since it’s very nutrient-dense, introduce this dry cat food slowly as per the feeding guidelines.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, as a pet owner, you have got various options when it’s time to choose the best cat food for weight gain. Initially, screen what type of foods they don’t show any interest in to eat. Offer them different types of meat namely beef, chicken, rabbit, lamb, turkey, and observe what food they aren’t interested in anymore and decide accordingly. Whatever protein-rich cat food you are offering, make sure that the canned food is easy to digest and has 40% protein, 20% fat, and a lower percentage of carbohydrates since they aren’t essential in the cat’s diet.
- Read also: Best Canned Cat Food for Hyperthyroidism
- Read also: Best Canned Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wet cat food better than dry?
Well, every question doesn’t have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. But if you are at sixes and seven since the marketplace is full of different types of pet foods, as a good rule of thumb offer them dry food and canned food both. Dry food strengthens the teeth and you can leave dry food out all day when compared to canned foods that are perishable and require refrigeration. On the flip side, canned food helps your kitty to stay clear of dehydration problems as they have higher moisture content when compared to dry foods.
How much wet food to feed a cat?
Well, there’s no fit-for-all amount of wet cat food you can offer to your cat. When your feline friend is overweight or underweight then the feeding amount needs to be altered. But in the scenario of your cat is underweight, you need to increase the feeding amount that allows your cat to gain weight and stay active and healthy all day.
How often should I feed my cat wet food?
If your kitty’s age is between six months and one year, you should feed your four-legged friend twice a day. But when your cat becomes matured then feeding once or twice a day is ok to stay active and healthy.
Since the canned cat foods are available among various weights, I will recommend that you should feed one three-ounce can a day when your kitty’s weight varies between 3 and 3 and a half pounds.
How long can wet cat food sit out?
Depending on the room temperature, wet cat food can last up to 4 hours. But without proper refrigeration, the wet cat food is prone to Bacterial Contamination.
A majority of the cats don’t finish the wet food at once, that’s why it requires proper refrigeration since they are perishable. When your cat gets hungry again, get the food out of the refrigerator and warm up the wet food in the microwave and offer your feline friend.
Can kittens eat adult cat food?
Since the kitten’s nutritional need is at variance with adult cats, you shouldn’t offer adult cat foods to your kitten. However, you can offer those foods that are leveled with the ‘for all life stages’ tag.
The kitten foods have higher calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals that not only strengthen the lean muscles, immune system but also support brain development. Plus, the kitten foods provide the required energy to stay active all day long.
Once, you have celebrated your kitten’s first birthday, then you can offer it adult canned foods without any woes.
Hope this article has helped you to pick the best cat food that you can offer to your furry friend that can lead to a healthy life and stay active.
Have I missed any best cat food that you found helpful? Make a comment below so that I can add it ASAP.
If you have found this post helpful feel free to share with pet parents that will help them to lead a happy and active life with their four-legged friend.