What food should my cat with HCM, dull fur, and weight issues eat?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is diet that would be perfect for him because it can help him lose weight and it is also well-balanced. It is the Science Diet metabolic weight management diet. If you wish to not use a weight loss diet then any of the Science Diet foods for adult cats would be great for him. Good luck and have a great day!

I would recommend the hills metabolic range in either wet, dry or mixed as long as total daily volume is within guidelines for target weight. The skin and coat should improve as he loses weight and regains mobility to groom himself, daily brushing will help in the meantime

I recommend changing his diet to a specialized weight management diet such as hills metabolic so he can feel full and receive all the necessary nutrition to be healthy, whilst still losing and then maintaining weight. Mist vets offices provide free weight clinics to monitor and advise on feeding such diets and maintaining health and fitness

I have attached a link below that provides some general information on HCM. Your cardiologist may have given you much of this and i am sure has ruled out things like high thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and high blood pressure. The most important things are to rule out other diseases that can cause thickening, monitor at home for any changes, and follow up with your cardiologist to see if the disease is progressing. For cats that are diagnosed when asymptomatic (such as evaluation for a heart murmur) the disease may or may not advance. Many cats can live a long life if the disease does not advance. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! www2.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy

Thanks for trying to be proactive about Fici's health! It's a shame you cannot get the Metabolic diet shipped to you as this diet is great for weight loss. An Alternative for Fici is Royal Canin Weight Control. I'd recommend feeding an all canned diet as this is more likely to help with weight loss than dry foods. If you cannot find any prescription diets then another type of canned food may still help with weight loss. Weruva makes canned foods that tend to be lower in calories and are available in pet stores or online. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck with Fici!

It's unusual for Hill's metabolic diet (the prescription version) to not work at the labeled feeding amounts. I would recommend that you discuss your concerns with your vet. They can consult with representatives from Hill's to determine a different feeding regiment. It's also important to point out that some stalled weight loss can be caused by inappropriate measuring tools, feeding treats, or having the pet get food from other pet food bowls. Your vet can help you determine if this may be the case.

Thank you for submitting your question! Most indoor cats tend to be a bit over weight as a result of plenty of food and little exercise. First off, encourage plenty of play time. You can feed them on elevated surfaces so they have to jump up to get a meal. You can also hide kibble around the house (out of their pre-measured daily amount) to engage them in their natural hunting behavior. This is mentally stimulating for them and encourages more exercise. Science Diet is a high quality food and would be a good choice for them. I do not typically recommend grain free formulas as they are high in carbohydrates and result in weight gain. Measure the food daily for each cat and feed them separately (several small meals throughout the day). This way you will how much each cat is receiving. Lastly, feed them less than recommended for their weight bracket since they are both overweight. Good luck!