Natural Weight Loss for Indoor Cats 2025: Vet Feeding Plans That Work 🐱✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Indoor cats are more likely to be overweight—and less likely to burn calories through hunting or roaming. But crash diets and calorie restriction aren’t the answer. With the right natural food, feeding strategies, and enrichment, your cat can lose weight safely and happily.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s how to help your cat lose fat—not muscle—using real food, feeding enrichment, and vet-safe routines.

⚖️ Is My Cat Overweight?

• Ribs are hard to feel without pressure
• Visible belly pad (fat pouch) or rounded back
• Difficulty grooming or jumping up on furniture
• Body Condition Score (BCS) 6–9/9 = overweight to obese

📉 Vet-Approved Weight Loss Targets

• 1–2% of body weight loss per week is ideal
• A 6kg cat should lose ~60–120g per week
• Too fast = risk of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease)

✅ Natural Diet Tips for Indoor Weight Loss

1. Moisture-Rich, Protein-Heavy Meals

• Cooked or raw meals with 70%+ moisture and moderate fat
• Turkey, rabbit, or lean lamb with steamed veg and broth

2. Feed by Weight, Not Volume

• Use a scale to measure food by grams—not scoops
• Weigh your cat weekly and adjust meals every 2 weeks

3. Add Volume with Fiber

• 1 tsp pumpkin or mashed green beans adds bulk without calories

4. Enrichment-Based Feeding

• Scatter feed or hide food around the house

🧠 Feeding Routine for Weight Loss

• Feed 2–4 small meals daily
• Warm meals slightly to enhance flavor
• Add 1–2 tbsp of water or goat milk to each serving for satiety

📋 Sample Daily Meal Plan (for 5kg Cat on Weight Loss)

• Breakfast: 40g cooked turkey + 1 tsp pumpkin + probiotic
• Lunch: 30g white fish + mashed carrot + warm broth
• Dinner: 40g lamb + steamed zucchini + omega-3 oil

🛑 What to Avoid

• Free-feeding dry food (constant calories with no effort)
• Grain-heavy “light” foods with too little protein
• Feeding based on hunger cues alone (many cats overeat out of boredom)

🔁 Exercise & Movement Matter Too

• Use wand toys, feather chasers, or laser play 2–3x/day
• Encourage climbing with cat trees, shelves, or window perches
• Rotate toys weekly to keep interest high

🔗 Tools from & Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Upload feeding logs, weight charts, and get a vet-customized fat loss plan

📋 Summary Excerpt

Indoor cats can lose weight safely using moisture-rich food, portion control, and feeding enrichment. A vet explains how to naturally help your cat burn fat without sacrificing quality of life.

❓ FAQs

• Q: How fast should my cat lose weight?
  A: About 1–2% of their body weight per week is ideal. Faster = risk of liver disease.
• Q: Can I just feed less of their current food?
  A: Maybe—but switching to higher-protein, moisture-rich food helps preserve muscle and improves satiety.
• Q: What if my cat begs constantly?
  A: Try small, frequent meals, feeding toys, and water-rich toppers to stretch volume without adding calories.