Cat Nutrition
Wet vs Dry Cat Food: What Cat Owners Should Know
The real differences between wet and dry food — hydration, calorie density, cost and convenience — and why many owners end up combining both.
9 min read
How to Help an Indoor Cat Lose Weight
Excess weight is one of the most common health problems in indoor cats, and one of the few that owners can influence directly. It also has to be done slowly: rapid weight loss in cats can trigger serious liver disease.
The Urban Feline EditorialUpdated 8 min read
Health information on this website is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from a qualified veterinarian.
Start with your vet
Weight loss plans for cats should be set up with a veterinarian. Cats that lose weight too quickly can develop hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition. Never crash-diet a cat.
Assess body condition first
Weight alone means little across different frames. Use a body condition assessment: you should be able to feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, see a waist from above, and see an upward tuck of the belly from the side.
Why indoor cats gain weight
- Free-fed dry food with no measured portions
- Treats given outside the daily calorie count
- Neutering lowers energy requirements — portions often do not follow
- Short bursts of activity replaced by long sedentary stretches
- Multiple household members feeding the same cat
Building a plan that works
- Agree a target weight and rate of loss with your vet — typically slow and gradual.
- Weigh food with a kitchen scale; measuring cups are unreliable.
- Split the ration into more, smaller meals to reduce begging.
- Move part of the ration into puzzle feeders.
- Add two short play sessions daily.
- Reweigh on the same scale every one to two weeks and record it.
Handling treats and begging
Count treats within the daily allowance, or replace them with a few pieces of the measured ration. Much of what looks like hunger is a request for attention — a play session often satisfies it.
A note on veterinary advice
Health information on this website is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from a qualified veterinarian. If something about your cat has changed, book an appointment rather than waiting to see what happens.
Products mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
- How fast should a cat lose weight?
- Slowly, and under veterinary supervision. Your vet will set a safe rate for your individual cat and monitor progress; rapid loss risks serious liver disease.
- Is wet food better for weight loss?
- Wet food is lower in calories per gram and higher in water, which helps some cats feel full. The bigger factor is total measured intake.
- My cat wakes me demanding food. What can I do?
- Move a small measured meal to just before bed, keep the schedule identical every day, and avoid feeding in response to waking. Discuss timed feeders with your vet if the pattern persists.
About this guide
We research, write and update every guide on this site. Our articles are general educational information for cat owners and are reviewed against current guidance from veterinary and feline welfare organisations. Read our editorial policy.
Related guides
Indoor Cat Basics
How Much Exercise Does an Indoor Cat Need?
A realistic activity target for indoor cats, how to split it across the day, and how to adapt it for kittens, adults and older cats.
7 min read
Indoor Cat Basics
How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy and Stimulated
Boredom shows up as overeating, over-grooming, night yowling and furniture attacks. Here is what actually holds a cat's interest indoors.
8 min read
Indoor Cat Basics
Indoor Cat Daily Routine: A Practical Guide
A workable daily schedule for meals, play, litter and quiet time — including how to run it around a nine-to-five.
6 min read
More in Cat Health
Better Cat Care, Delivered
Get practical indoor-cat tips, helpful guides, and product recommendations delivered to your inbox.
A short email now and then. Unsubscribe any time.