How do you put a cat on a diet?

My 'big man' Henry is an 18 lb Maine Coon. Male Maine Coons are supposed to be between 13-18lbs because they are a large breed. But he's gain about 5 lbs since we got him from the shelter in April and the vet suggested that if he gained more weight (he did), we should put him on a diet.

Here's the problem: we have 2 other cats that are normal weight and don't need to diet. We usually feed them dry food--about 1 cup total in the morning and 1 cup total in the evening spread into their 3 bowls (so 1/3 cup each). Any suggestions? Thanks!!

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

Well since they share food, this probably won't help but....Purina has a Weight Management line of food that my mom uses for her cat who needs to watch her girlish figure.

Purina website

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

Just be very careful how you do it. My mother put one of her cats on a diet several years ago. He was very obese weighing almost 30lbs. He ended up not eating anymore b/c he didn't like the food he was put on and developed fatty liver disease. We only realized he was very ill when he turned yellow. He was an all white cat so it was very easy to see. He was ill for quite a while and the vet didn't give him long to live but he survived and lived for several more years. Good luck!

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

my vet told me to feed my 'fat cat'- i also have an 18 pounder- away from the other cats. Give 1/3-1/2 cup of weight control food in the morning and 1/4 cup at night.. put it down for 15 minutes- or 30 and then take it away- don't leave any food around..

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

No carbs?

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

I have a Maine Coone too!
He is about 16 lbs.

Re: How do you put a cat on a diet?

Just be careful because that can be a sign of diabetes. My cat got it...for a month. Weird, but he gained a lot of weight, then started drinking tons of water and lost a lot of weight and we found out he had diabetes. He used to always be a big eater. We put him on Purina DM food (diabetic and the other one ate that two since i fed them they same time) and I had to give him insulin shots. Luckily it was transient diabetes and went away but I still feed them the DM food just to be on the safe side. They will get used to that food and will eat it when they are hungry. Luckily my boys liked the DM food. Good luck!