Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat was overweight. How much should I feed her to reach a healthy weight?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 2 years and 8 months old | 10.6 lbs

I have a 2.5 year old spayed female cat, domestic short hair, 10.6lbs. I feed her Blue Wilderness grain free dry (1/8 cup at night) and Wellness grain free wet (1/4 regular sized can morning and night). Vet said last summer she was overweight (she was around 12lbs). I was feeding her the same as now except she was given 1/4 cup dry and only 1/4 can wet once per day. How much should I be feeding her? She's always hungry since I cut back. What weight should she be?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 3rd, 2016

These are good questions, and I will try to help you as best as I can. The problem with judging how much a cat show weight depends not only on their breed, but their bone structure as well. Some cats are naturally bigger than others, and what is a healthy weight is individual per cat. American shorthair females can range in weight from 6-12 pounds, so it can be normal for some females to be at Luna's weight or even higher. That being said, however, she may be smaller in frame, and needs to be closer to the middle or lower end of the weight range. I certainly wouldn't want to say she needs to lose a certain number of pounds, and have her be too skinny. It's great that she has lost 1.4 pounds, and if she hasn't been seen by a vet since the summer, it may be that she has reached a better weight (sometimes cats only need to lose a few pounds to reach a healthy weight). I would recommend taking Luna back into the vet for an exam to see if she has reached a healthy weight according to them. Another way to tell is to look at her body condition score. This will help give you an idea of how she is doing weight wise, and the vet can confirm how much more she needs to lose. I will put a link to a body condition chart for cats:
http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20cats.pdf

As for how much to feed her, what you've been doing has clearly helped her lose weight, and I would continue to do that if the vet feels she needs to lose more weight. If she doesn't, then you can discuss with a vet a healthy diet for her. It's normal she will be hungry, dieting is not easy for either humans or cats :-)
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Try transitioning her to all canned food. The higher protein content in canned diets may give her that feeling of satiety (feeling full) more than the dry food. An average sized cat can get a half can twice daily. That would be a regular 6oz can.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Food & Nutrition
My cat gained weight after spaying. Why is she always hungry now?
Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. On average, most normal sized cats should be between 8 and 12 pounds. Any cat over 12 pounds (unless it is a large breed cat like a Maine Coon) would be considered overweight. So, Mittens is at the high end of the range already. Based on the photos she does look to be overweight. Due to her body frame I would say 10-11 pounds would be a more ideal weight for her. You just need to cut back on her food. Typically wet food is very high in calories so I suggest you cut that way back or stop giving it all together. My recommendation would be to work with your vet on weight loss if you attempt to get her to lose weight and she doesn't. Sometimes a prescription weight loss diet is needed. Many cats are just vocal - it doesn't mean they are hungry. If you give in to her every time she begs you she will continue to gain weight. Many times it is not food they are after is that they are getting something from you (it's like a type of bonding). You many have to get her an automatic feeder so she does not associate you with food. Hope this. helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Is my 14-pound cat overweight, or am I underfeeding her?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. The side of bag offer basic feeding recommendations that try to account for the cats with the highest metabolism in that age bracket. Each food differs in calories per cup so it is difficult to make an accurate recommendation for her without this information. As far as assessing her weight, she needs only a thin covering over her ribs. You should be able to feel them through her skin. She should have a defined waist from the top and side views. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
How much food should I feed my chubby cat to help her lose weight?
Hello and thank you very much for your question. This answer may seem simple but it’s very practical. First, you must decide how much you believe your cat should ideally weigh. please ask your veterinarian to give your cat a body condition score and ask them what is the appropriate weight for your breed and physical make up of your pet. Second, once you find out that ideal weight, you will look on the back of your bag of food and it will show you exactly how much to feed that pound of an animal. so for instance, and 8 pound cat will get a certain amount of food daily that can be divided either into two or three different individual feedings. I hope that makes sense. Thank you very much for reaching out to our service.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
How often should I feed my overweight cats to help them lose weight?
I recommend you switch to the Royal Canin light 40 food. https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Canin-Cat-Light-400g/dp/B000T5MCTI/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1504529362&sr=8-3&keywords=royal+canin+light+40 You feed them based on the recommendations on the bag according to their "ideal" weight (not the weight they are now) which I would say should be 10-11 pounds. Whatever the bag tells you to feed you can split anyway you like - into 2 feedings, 3 feeding, whatever you want as long as that is all they get for the day. If they still don't lose weight, you probably need to see your vet to get a prescription weight loss diet. You are right to be concerned. Overweight cats often get diabetes which is really not fun to manage in a cat :( Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again! Best wishes!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
How can my 6-month-old overweight cat lose weight without hunger?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, you can cut back a bit on how much you feed her. Ideally, this is based on your veterinarian's recommendations on how much to cut back which is based on how much she weighs and the kind of food she eats. Another alternative, is feeding her a weight loss diet that works great called Hill's Science Diet metabolic weight management diet. This is something you can buy online or at your local pet store. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My indoor cat gained weight. What's the best diet and amount?
Yes, you should definitely cut the food back. If she seems overly hungry when you cut the food back you may need to talk to your vet about putting her on a prescription weight loss diet. Prescription diets are low in calories (so they can eat more of it) and it is very filling (they are high in fiber). If she doesn't lose weight I would be very worried about her developing diabetes. Remember, you need to feed the amount of food recommended on the bag for their IDEAL weight. Ideally she should be between 10-12 pounds. The average indoor cat should have 20 calories per pound so you should only be feeding her 200-240 calories per day INCLUDING her treats.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My cat lost weight on diet food. Is this a healthy change or a concern?
Thanks for visiting Petcoach. A lot of vets have a hard time assessing an overweight cat during an exam, mainly because some cats have a short temper and we are working against the clock in a lot of these cases. So sometimes we cannot feel for the ribs, spine, etc. It is very possible that Jasper was overweight to begin with and now is more ideal weight. Without a photo attached it is hard to tell, but as long as his other faculties are intact (i.e. eating well, normal stools), then I would not worry about the weight loss. The weight control food is limiting his calorie intake, and with his activity level, he is likely just going back down to his normal standard weight. He should level off with he weight loss once he has reached his ideal weight soon, if this is the case. Here is a website link so that you can assess his BCS (body condition score) yourself at home https://www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/PDF_old/Body-condition-score-chart-cats.pdf If however, you are still concerned about his weight loss, and he seems overly hungry, then I would be suspicious of underlying thyroid disease. A thyroid test would be next on the agenda if he meets these criteria. Thyroid disease is typically easily managed in cats and he is of the age where we do see more of this disorder. i hope that Jasper's weight loss is attributed to his new food and that he starts to level off with his weight soon! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Cat FoodCat SuppliesWet Cat FoodWeight Management Cat TreatsCat Health & WellnessCanned Cat FoodVeterinary Diet Cat FoodGrain Free Cat FoodCat Hairball ControlCat Food with GrainCat Thyroid MedicationHairball Control Cat FoodHigh Protein Cat FoodCat Vitamins & SupplementsSenior Cat FoodSkin & Coat Supplements for CatsDry Cat FoodHigh Fiber Cat FoodKitten FoodCat Treats
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button