Helping Butabi Lose Weight (Without Losing Our Minds)

Lucy
Sep 24
5 min read

Here’s the scoop:

How IBD + prednisolone made hunger levels skyrocket for Butabi
Creative ways we’ve helped him stay active (despite arthritis)
The surprising truth about "weight control" cat foods
Our go-to low-calorie wet foods that actually help
How to calculate your own cat’s ideal daily calories
Small tricks that help big cats feel full

The Big, Sweet, Constantly-Hungry Boy

Butabi has always been a big ol’ cuddlebug. Even as a kitten, those giant paws gave away his destiny...he was never going to be a dainty lad.

When we adopted him, the rescue told us he’d been found behind a Pizza Hut, scared and starving. I honestly tear up every time I think about him being that hungry and afraid. It's no surprise that he developed what I call the scarcity strategy: if food is there, eat it. All of it. Now. Because who knows when you'll eat again?

Naturally, we spoiled him right out of the gate. Food? He got it. Treats? Of course. And very quickly, we learned that Butabi did not self-regulate.

And when he’s hungry? He’ll scream at you. Loudly. In your face. And if you don’t respond fast enough? Cue the spiteful hunger vomit.

We made it work. We started portioning food. But then came the real curveball.

The IBD + Prednisolone Combo: A Double Whammy

When Butabi was diagnosed with IBD about six years ago, it explained a lot of his digestive issues. Prednisolone was the miracle we needed. It calmed his gut, improved his quality of life and gave us back our joyful boy.

But as many pet parents know, steroids like prednisolone often come with a not-so-fun side effect: hunger. Like, bottomless pit, no-you-can’t-be-full hunger.

The problem? If I didn’t feed him when he begged, he would puke. It was a mess. Literally.

So I had to get creative. His joints weren’t thrilled with the extra weight and arthritis eventually joined the party. It was time for Operation Butabi Slimdown.

Feline Weight Loss Tips

Here are some general tips I found in my deep dive of feline weight management strategies:

Portion control Measure food precisely. Don’t eyeball it. Even a few extra bites can add up over time.
Scheduled meals Stick to consistent mealtimes instead of always free-feeding.
Switch to wet food Canned food often has fewer calories per gram than dry and helps with hydration.
Choose lower-calorie foods Not all "weight control" foods are created equal...read those calorie counts!
Add water to meals Just a splash can help your cat feel full while slowing down eating.
Limit treats Those extra nibbles count. Try breaking treats into smaller pieces.
Encourage movement Even light play helps. Rotate toys to keep things interesting. And use cat nip for extra pizazz!
Use puzzle feeders These slow down eating and provide mental stimulation.
Regular vet check-ins With your vet’s guidance on how much and how fast to lose the weight, use an at-home baby scale to weigh your pet regularly and track progress.

Exercise, But Make It Arthritis-Friendly

Butabi isn’t running marathons thanks to his achy joints. But that doesn’t mean we’ve given up on movement.

Our go-to strategy? Lying down play. I use a feather toy or a ribbon wand and he bats it around while lounging like a king. No stress on the joints, but still mentally and physically engaging. It’s the cat version of chair yoga.

The Great Food Search: What Actually Works

I searched high and low for foods that didn’t just say weight control but actually helped Butabi stay under 200 calories per day (per our vet's guidance) without making him feel cheated.

Surprisingly, many “diet” foods were still high in calories. Some had extra fiber but didn’t reduce calorie count much. Others had fillers I wasn’t thrilled about.

Then I found Weruva Classic Cat Pâté. Game-changer.

Here are our favorite low-calorie flavors:

Press Your Lunch: 103 cal / 5.5 oz can (Link to Chewy)
Meows 'n Holler PurrAmid: 114 cal / 5.5 oz can (Link to Chewy)
Who Wants to Be a Meowionaire: 106 cal / 5.5 oz can (Link to Chewy)
Jolly Good Fares: 117 cal / 5.5 oz can (Link to Chewy)
Meal or No Deal: 93 cal / 5.5 oz can (Link to Chewy)

These foods allow me to serve half a can, twice a day and still leave room for some crunchy nibbles (which he lives for). That made a huge difference...not just in his calorie intake, but in his mood. He no longer acts like I’ve starved him half to death.

Calorie Calculations: Know Your Cat’s Number

Want a ballpark idea of how many calories your cat should eat each day? Here's a simple 3-step process:

1. Start with their ideal weight (not current weight!)

Ask your vet what your cat’s ideal weight is...how much they should weigh.

Then do this:

Ideal weight in pounds ÷ 2.2 = weight in kilograms (kg) Example: If your cat’s ideal weight is 12 lbs → 12 ÷ 2.2 = 5.45 kg

2. Use this easy calorie formula

Now take that number and plug it into this simple formula:

70 × (your cat’s weight in kg to the ¾ power)(Don’t worry, we’ll make that easy!)

Here’s a cheat sheet so you don’t have to do weird math:

Weight (kg)	RER (Calories per day at rest)
4 kg	~200 cal/day
5 kg	~225 cal/day
6 kg	~250 cal/day
7 kg	~275 cal/day

(If your cat’s weight is between numbers, just estimate.)

3. Adjust based on your cat’s needs

Now take that number and multiply it depending on your cat’s situation:

Neutered indoor cat (maintain weight) → RER × 1.2
Needs to lose weight → RER × 0.8
Needs to gain weight → RER × 1.4

Example:

Let’s say your cat’s ideal weight is 12 lbs:

12 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 5.45 kg
RER is about 235 calories/day
If you want your cat to lose weight, multiply by 0.8:→ 235 × 0.8 = 188 calories/day

That’s your target!

For Butabi, the vet helped us determine that 200 calories per day was our sweet spot for safe weight loss without hunger tantrums. Always check with your vet to customize this for your cat’s needs.

Even Slow Progress is Progress

If you’re navigating this journey with your own food-loving feline, I hope Butabi’s story encourages you. With the right tools, the right food and a whole lot of patience, you can help your chonky little buddy feel better, move easier and stay with you even longer.

Takeaway Treats

Butabi’s hunger is rooted in early food insecurity and made more intense by IBD and prednisolone
Free-feeding was a no-go for us, but so was ultra-restriction
Arthritis made active play tricky, but we found ways to adapt
Many “weight control” cat foods are still surprisingly high in calories
Weruva Classic Cat Pâté is our favorite for big portions with fewer calories
Aim for slow, steady weight loss...ask your vet to help you calculate your cat’s ideal calorie needs
Water, routine and a little creativity can make a big difference
You’re not alone in this! Cat weight management is tough, but totally doable