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FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed Weight Management

A few extra ounces on a cat isn't cosmetic — it's calories. Most overweight cats aren't eating the wrong amount of meat; they're eating the wrong kind of food, loaded with carbohydrates their bodies were never built to burn.

Cats are obligate carnivores. The most reliable way to get a cat back to a lean, athletic body is to feed the diet they're designed for: high in animal protein, rich in moisture, and very low in carbohydrate. Freeze-dried raw, measured to ideal weight, does exactly that.

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    A healthy Weight Management cat
    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    What Weight Management actually needs

    Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

    • Obligate carnivore

      Needs: Calories from animal protein, not carbohydrate

      Freeze-dried raw is muscle meat, organ and bone — dense in protein so a cat feels satisfied on fewer, better calories instead of carb-heavy filler.

    • Poor carbohydrate metabolism

      Needs: A very low carb load to avoid fat storage

      A meat-first raw diet keeps carbs minimal, helping steady blood sugar and an easier lean weight than kibble ever allows.

    • Lean body built for protein

      Needs: Enough protein to protect muscle during weight loss

      High animal protein helps a cat shed fat while holding onto lean muscle, so weight loss is healthy, not just lighter.

    • Low thirst drive

      Needs: Moisture in the meal to support satiety and metabolism

      Freeze-dried raw rehydrates to a high-moisture meal that adds volume and helps a cat feel full without extra calories.

    • Grazing-hunter rhythm

      Needs: Small, measured meals over the day

      Pre-portioned raw makes it easy to feed several small, exact meals — no free-fed bowl quietly creeping the weight back up.

    How much to feed Weight Management

    Quick answer: portion freeze-dried raw by your cat's ideal weight — about 0.13 oz per pound per day (a 10 lb cat ≈ 1.3 oz), split across two or more small meals. Kittens need more; seniors and indoor cats a little less. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.

    Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
    6 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
    8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
    10 lb 1.3 oz 0.7 oz
    12 lb 1.6 oz 0.8 oz
    15 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
    18 lb 2.3 oz 1.2 oz

    Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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    What to feed Weight Management

    Build the bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw recipes that are high in animal protein and naturally low in carbohydrate. Rehydrate with a little warm water to add moisture and volume, so a smaller calorie portion still feels like a full, satisfying meal.

    Skip the carb-heavy kibble and the constant free-fed bowl. Rotating lean proteins keeps mealtime interesting on a measured plan, and single-ingredient treats let you reward your cat without derailing the calorie math.

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    Feeding by life stage

    • Kitten: Kittens shouldn't be calorie-restricted — they need extra energy to grow. Focus on a meat-first raw diet and regular meals; build lean habits early rather than dieting.
    • Adult: This is where weight management matters most: feed measured raw meals to ideal weight, lean on protein density for satiety, and keep the carb load low.
    • Senior: Seniors lose muscle easily, so don't over-restrict protein. Trim calories carefully, keep moisture high, and protect lean mass with digestible animal protein.

    Common concerns — and the diet connection

    • Carrying extra weightA protein-dense, low-carb raw portion supports a lean body, helping a cat feel full on fewer calories than carb-heavy kibble.
    • Steady energy & metabolismMinimal carbohydrate and high animal protein support stable blood sugar and an active metabolism, which helps maintain a healthy weight.
    • Muscle through weight lossAbundant animal protein helps maintain lean muscle while a cat sheds fat, so the body stays strong, not just smaller.
    • Hydration & satietyThe moisture in rehydrated raw adds meal volume and supports healthy hydration, helping a cat feel satisfied on a measured portion.

    Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

    Feeding Weight Management: what to know

    Feed to your cat's ideal body weight, not their current weight or the size of the scoop. A measured portion of about 0.13 oz of freeze-dried raw per pound of target weight, split across two or more small meals, gives steady fuel without overfeeding.

    Weigh the food rather than eyeballing it, and re-check body condition every couple of weeks — you should feel the ribs easily under a light layer of fat, with a visible waist from above. Aim for gradual loss; ask your vet to confirm a safe target.

    Cat feeding questions

    How do I help my cat lose weight safely?
    Feed to ideal body weight, not current weight: about 0.13 oz of freeze-dried raw per pound of target weight per day, split into small measured meals. Lean on high protein and low carbs so your cat feels full, and aim for slow, gradual loss — confirm a safe target with your vet.
    Is raw food good for an overweight cat?
    Yes. Freeze-dried raw is high in animal protein and very low in carbohydrate, which suits a cat's obligate-carnivore metabolism and helps them feel satisfied on fewer calories than carb-heavy kibble.
    How much should I feed an overweight cat?
    Base the portion on your cat's ideal weight rather than what they weigh now — roughly 0.13 oz of freeze-dried raw per pound of target weight, measured by weight and split across two or more small meals.
    Why is my indoor cat gaining weight?
    Indoor cats burn fewer calories but are often free-fed carb-heavy kibble. Switching to measured, protein-dense raw meals removes the constant grazing and gives calories the body can actually use.
    How many meals a day for weight loss?
    Two or more small, measured meals suit a cat's natural grazing-hunter rhythm and keep them satisfied better than one large bowl — without leaving food out to nibble all day.
    My cat begs constantly on a diet — what helps?
    Protein density and moisture do the heavy lifting: rehydrate raw with warm water for more volume, keep meals measured and frequent, and reward with single-ingredient treats counted into the daily total.

    THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

    If your cat won't eat it, it's on us

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    • Obligate-carnivore formulated
    • AAFCO complete & balanced
    • Pathogen-tested every batch

    • "My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she's drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it."

      — Dana & Miso

    • "Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He's more playful and his coat looks incredible."

      — Theo & Pepper
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    Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.