Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How to help your cat get healthy: Fantastic cat supplements for weight gain

By
Siamese cat eating wet food out of a dish
Veera/Shutterstock

If your cat is looking a little thin, he may need more calories than his current diet is providing. Cats can lose weight for many reasons, including stress, lack of appetite as they age, and high activity levels. There are even some health issues that can contribute to weight loss. If your cat needs to gain weight, you can help him fill out in various ways.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

15 minutes

What You Need

  • Cat food

  • Food topper

  • Supplements

How to help your cat gain weight

In many cases, helping your cat gain weight requires a few changes in his diet. But remember you'll want to make them gradually. Suddenly switching up his food can lead to digestive upset. Instead, gradually introduce any food modifications.

Step 1: Upgrade their kibble.

Start by looking for a food that delivers better nutrition than the one you’ve been feeding him. Opting for a high-calorie food can help your cat get more calories with every meal, even though he may be eating the same amount.

Siamese cat eating wet food out of a dish
Veera/Shutterstock

Step 2: Increase their intake.

Consider making dry food available to your cat continuously so he can graze as he pleases. If your cat is eating only a dry or a wet food, try offering the other type to encourage him to eat more. Sometimes, just changing up the food you offer can pique a cat’s interest.

Step 3: Add some flavor.

If your cat’s picky appetite is affecting how well he eats, consider changing the flavor of his food or adding a cat food topper. Food toppers make your cat’s meals more interesting and appetizing, encouraging him to finish every bowl.

Top cat weight-gain supplement options

While increasing your cat’s food is one way to promote weight gain, this strategy might not work when used alone. A cat with a poor appetite may not eat enough of the food to gain weight, so supplementation becomes important.

Weight-gain supplements contain concentrated calories to give your cat a nutritional boost without requiring him to eat more food. Many of these supplements contain calories from fish oils for a healthy addition to your cat’s diet, and they’re packed with the necessary minerals and vitamins for cats to gain weight.

Supplements are available in many different forms, including liquid and gels. You may have luck mixing a supplement into your cat’s food, which might appeal to your cat if he’s a picky eater. Some supplements are so palatable that your cat will lick them right off a spoon. Alternatively, you can feed a liquid supplement with an eyedropper, ensuring that your cat gets the full dose.

  • Miracle Vet High Calorie Weight Gainer is one of those convenient liquid supplements. It’s suitable for both dogs and cats and delivers 150 calories per ounce.
  • If you’re looking for a gel, TOMLYN Nutri-Cal High Calorie Nutritional Gel is safe for both cats and kittens. It provides extra calories and vitamins and works as an appetite stimulant, calorie booster, and weight gainer.
  • If your cat loves his wet food, you can easily mix in Lexelium Weight Gainer and Appetite Stimulant. This powdered supplement is all natural, and it’s odorless and tasteless, perfect for picky eaters.
  • In cases where your cat isn’t eating, such as if he’s recovering from a serious illness, ensuring he gets the calories he needs is essential to his health and recovery. Under the Weather Ready Cal for Cats & Dogs is designed for just this situation. This high-calorie nutritional supplement contains nine vitamins and seven minerals to support your cat’s health. It’s delivered in an oral dosing syringe with measurements so you can make sure that your cat gets just the right amount.
cat weight gain supplement pawing at treat
Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock

When it’s time to see a vet

Sometimes an overeating cat manages weight loss, still – and if this is the case, it’s time to call the vet. It’s a good idea to take your pet there anytime you notice unexplained weight loss, whether that occurs suddenly or gradually. Cat weight loss can be triggered by many health issues, including intestinal parasites, food allergies, infections, and diabetes. Your vet can check your cat over and make sure that none of these serious issues is behind the weight loss.

Your vet can also help you make a plan for your cat’s weight management. Be sure to share information about any supplements or foods that you’re currently feeding.

Helping your cat gain weight can take time, but it’s an important step in keeping him healthy. Your vet is an important partner in this journey and can advise you which supplements and options are best for your cat’s individual situation.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
How to tell if a cat is pregnant: The key signs to watch out for
Here's how you know that baby kittens are on the way
Resting pregnant cat sprawled on the ground outside

Your little cat has suddenly put on a few pounds. She's started hoarding blankets. Her appetite now seems to resemble that of a small horse. What's wrong with your feline? Truthfully, it could be nothing, and she just might be pregnant. Of course, this only works if she has not been spayed and has recently been in close proximity with male cats, so you can rule it out when neither of these track. But assuming you can check those boxes, how do you know for sure that kittens are on the way? Here's how to tell if a cat is pregnant.
Could my cat be pregnant?

We already covered the birds and the bees part, but there's more to it than just having a tomcat around. For starters, only a kitty in heat can conceive. Your cat's heats could start as young as four months and last her whole life — she never goes through menopause like a human. This cycle will usually occur in spring, though, that can depend on your location and the climate regulation in your house, which could trick her cycle (indoor cats can even enter heat in the winter).

Read more
How to get rid of cat pee smell fast: Easy methods that work
Tips and trick to remedy this issue
A white and orange cat steps out of a litter box and greets an orange kitten

No matter how much you adore your feline friends, there may come a time when all you want is to hide the signs of having a cat in the house. After all, you'd like for your guests to see your pet cat — not smell them! Whether it's a well-used litter box or an incontinence issue that leaves lingering odors behind, getting rid of the smell of cat pee is a struggle that all cat owners can relate to. By the time you're done cleaning, though, no one will have any clue what you've been dealing with.
There are many helpful strategies to help you tackle the smells and stains of cat pee, so read on to discover which tips and tricks will work best for your home. Learning how to get rid of cat pee smell is easier than you think!

Why does cat pee smell so bad?

Read more
How to keep a cat from scratching up your furniture
Use these tricks to redirect your kitty's energy
Gray cat scratching a couch

You’d never trade your cat for peace and quiet or an empty house, but now there are scratch marks on your favorite furniture. It’s gone too far. Your cat is your companion, but it’s time to learn some manners!

Scratching is a distinct cat behavior, but you don’t have to sacrifice your furniture to keep your cat happy. You can find a way to satisfy your cat’s urge to scratch in a healthy and less irritating way. Let’s take a look at a few reasons your cat might be clawing and how to stop a cat from scratching the furniture.
Why cats need to scratch

Read more