Let me start by saying that if your cat is truly off their food, go to the vet. It only takes a few days of a cat not eating for them to be at risk of a really serious illness called hepatic lipidosis (or fatty liver disease) that can be fatal. That being said, you have now probably been sent home with Hills Science Diet A/D or Royal Canin’s Recovery alternative.
If you are syringe feeding, A/D is useful. At 180 calories per can and a liquidy consistency, it is useful and I have certainly used it but mine will turn their noses up at it in a bowl. So what high calorie foods can you use? It goes without saying that you should discuss using alternatives with your vet. Some have more fat, some have more protein and may not be suitable dependent on your cat’s illness.
Hill’s Science Diet A/D has 180 calories per can while Royal Canin has 183. You should try to find a food low in carbs (not just grain free as some have cheap potato fillers instead) and high in protein. If your cat has been losing weight, you need to get at least 200 calories into them a day (more for bigger cats, one of the times I am thankful Izzy is so small while attempting to nurse her back to health). So getting the most calories per feeding is obviously optimal.
Non Cat Food Options
- KMR Kitten Milk Replacement $7.99 for ready to feed can or $22(ish) for powder. This is not ideal for cats as they need different protein and fat levels than baby kittens. However, if they are not handling solid food well, you can get 11 calories per tablespoon (15ml) into them using it.
- Nutri-Cal Paste $9.99-$13.99 dependent on source and brand. This has been a life saver – literally. It does not make up for real food and their stomachs will still shrink without food (and the hydration from wet food) but at 23-30 calories per teaspoon you can make sure your kitty gets enough calories while not eating.
- Baby Food this does not have taurine so it not a long term solution, but some cats go crazy for it and it is very easy to syringe feed. You want to look for a stage 2 type meat food only. The best ones that are easy to find in Canada are Heinz Chicken with Broth or Beef with Broth, Do not feed the recipe ones that may have onion etc in them which is poisonous. The plain 100g/ml jars with the blue labels. The beef variety has 180 calories in 100ml (10 syringes if you are using the easy to find 10ml/cc syringes) while the chicken has 130 calories but more protein.
High Calorie Cat Foods For Cats – Alternatives To Hills A/D
So, foods with at least 180 calories per 5.5oz can means 100 calories for the smaller 3oz cans. Remember if syringe feeding these that you are likely watering them down. So count the amount of can used and not syringes as they will have much less calories. Some of these are available in regular stores like PetSmart while some will be in the more specialized ones that concentrate on higher end pet foods like Global. I am lucky that my local Pet Valu carries a good range of foods in both ends of the spectrum, because if she want’s to eat Friskies, I will let her eat whatever I can get into her.
Izzy would only handle two without vomiting while we were handfeeding her (mixed syringe and meatball method depending on how well she was eating). Blue Wilderness Chicken (ok she would eat the others too including the Blue Turkey & Chicken but never vomited the Wilderness Chicken back up) and Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver.
Blue Wilderness – Alternative to Hill’s A/D Food
Blue Wilderness packs a huge calorie punch at 132 calories for a 3oz can. Compared to Hills A/D at 180 for 5.5, you get an extra 62 calories for the same amount of food – 242 per 5.5oz. It is not as soupy for syringe feeding but light and easy to swallow if using the meatball method. We separated it into 5 portions and made 6 mini meatballs from each portion. At $2.09 per 3oz can, it is not cheap but not overly expensive either. Considering it has close to the calories of 2 cans of some Fancy Feast varieties, seems more reasonable too.
Natural Balance Ultra – Alternative to Hill’s A/D Food
Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver is a little soupier in texture but still needed some watering down to go through the syringe. It does have little carrot? pieces that stick in the syringe occasionally. At 180 calories for a 5.5oz can, it is the same calories as Hills A/D but the smell of it didn’t seem to set off nausea in her (or me, A/D stinks). It is also $1.89 for the 5.5oz cans at my local Pet Valu so quite affordable compared to some of the other options – and easier to find.
Performatrin Ultra – Alternative to Hill’s A/D Food
Honourable mention goes to Performatrin Ultra in Turkey, Duck & Salmon Pate. At 119 calories for 3oz cans and a price tag of $1.69 she tolerated it well. It has more calories than Hills A/D and is a little lower in fat compared to Blue Wilderness if that is a concern. Maybe she would have tolerated it better if we tried it later than we did. Stil at almost 40 calories per oz, worth trying.
Be aware that other flavours/varieties can have vastly different calorie counts. These three also show the calories on the cans unlike many brands so you can easily check. Again, your cat may need the formula of A/D for more than just the calorie count. Please discuss alternatives with your vet.
List of Possible Alternatives to Hills A/D and Calorie Counts
- Beyond Pate 3oz in Duck & Sweet Potato, Wild Salmon or Artic Char & Spinach – 100 calories (these are quite expensive for small cans and quite rich tasting. Even my non-sick cats won’t finish a can). 33 calories per oz
- Blue Healthy Gourmet – yes, Blue is actually decent in some formulas. Plus more affordable than some of the other high calorie foods. Opt for Kitten Chicken which has an amazing 122 calories per 3oz can (223 in the same size as an A/D can). 40 calories per oz The kitten formula is highest in calories but has more fat and less protein than some of the others. Adult options are Turkey & Chicken or Beef Pate at 110-113 per 3oz can. 37 calories per oz
- Blue Wilderness is what really worked for us, especially when we moved from syringe feeding to meatballs. The chicken variety is probably the highest calorie food out there at 132 calories for a small 3oz can. They are quite high in fat though so may not be recommended depending on what made your cat sick. 44 calories per oz
- Chicken Soup For the Cat Lover’s Soul in Kitten formula has 208 calories per 5.5oz can and a decent protein to fat ratio. 37 calories per oz
- Evo comes in Turkey or Duck in gravy at 204-208 calories per can but is not the highest in protein. If you have a gravy lover though, it may be a good option. 37 calories per oz
- GO (available at Pet Valu) Grain Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck Pate is 209 calories for a 5.5oz can. My local store charges $2.30/can but mine love this. I only need to get 1 can of this into Izzy a day for all of her calories. 38 calories per oz
- Hi Tor – Holistic Select is available at Global Pet Foods and all 180 calories per 5.5oz can 33 calories per oz
- Natural Balance Ultra Premium available at Pet Value is 170+ calories for all kinds. The chicken & liver pate is 180 calories and has a fairly soft consistency for syringe feeding. 33 calories per oz The Salmon & Green Pea is the highest at 230 calories. 41 calories per oz. Ultra Whole Body Chicken is higher in calories but has less protein so not recommended.
- Natural Balance Wild Pursuit are harder to find and expensive for 3oz cans. They pack 120 calories into the small cans (220 in the same size as A/D). 40 calories per oz
- ProPlan True Nature Beef & Giblets is 111 calories for 3oz (chicken & liver or turkey & chicken are pretty high too). 37 calories per oz
- Wellness Core in Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver is 218 calories for 5.5oz. 39 calories per oz
- Wellness Complete Health varieties are 180-220 calories for 5.5oz cans. 33-40 calories per oz
Affordable Alternatives to Hills A/D
Fancy Feast and Friskies if cost is an option, select types of Fancy Feast are actually not terrible for your cat. They are better than some of the other grocery store options. These are also the ones many cats are willing to actually eat!
Fancy Feast varieties that may work for you are
- Turkey & Giblets Feast 96 cals per 3oz 32 calories per oz
- Tender Beef & Liver or Tender Beef & Chicken 95 cals per 3oz. 32 calories per oz
- Flaked Chicken & Tuna Feast 102 cals per 3oz 34 calories per oz
Friskies Classic Pates (not the ones with cheese and stuff added) are all 170-185 calories per 5.5oz can 31-34 calories per oz
