This is a specific conversation about Wet vs dry cat food — the honest answer — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Your vet has already done the hard diagnostic work here — mild obesity in a 6-year-old Bombay is very manageable, and switching to a lower-calorie wet food is genuinely the right call. Wet food helps with weight loss because it's high in protein, low in carbs, and the water content means your cat feels fuller on fewer calories than dry food provides. Before I point you to something specific: is your Bombay currently on dry food only, and do you know roughly how much she's eating per day? Also, any other health notes from the vet — kidneys, teeth, anything like that?
Yeah she's been on dry food her whole life, just free-fed in a bowl. Vet didn't mention anything else, just said she's about 800g overweight and to cut the calories. No other health issues.
inparticular.ai
Free-feeding dry food is one of the most common routes to feline weight gain — cats are grazers by instinct but dry food is so calorie-dense that it adds up fast. The good news is switching to portioned wet food meals is one of the most effective things you can do. Moving from free-fed dry to scheduled wet meals is a bit of a transition though — some cats resist it initially. How is she generally with new foods? Fussy, or fairly adaptable?
She's a bit fussy to be honest. She's turned her nose up at wet food the few times I've tried it before.
inparticular.ai
That's really common with cats raised on dry food — the texture and smell are completely different and they genuinely find it strange at first. The trick is a gradual transition: mix a small amount of wet into her dry food and slowly shift the ratio over two to three weeks rather than going cold turkey. For the actual product, I'd go with Purina ONE Sterilised Cat Food in gravy pouches — it's specifically formulated for cats that need to manage their weight, high in chicken protein, lower in fat, and the gravy format tends to be more palatable for fussy cats than pâté. It's also well-regarded by vets and widely available. Once she's fully transitioned, aim for two measured meals a day rather than leaving food down — that alone makes a significant difference.
That sounds sensible. How many pouches a day would she need, and how long before I'd see her losing weight?
inparticular.ai
For a cat her size targeting weight loss, typically two pouches a day is the right range — each Purina ONE pouch is 85g, so two gives around 130–150 kcal depending on the variety, which is appropriate for a moderately active indoor cat in a calorie deficit. Check the pack guidance and cross-reference with your vet's target weight. As for results — if you're consistent with portions and no extra treats sneaking in, most cats show noticeable weight change within 8–12 weeks. Bombays can be stubborn losers because they're muscular and dense, so don't be disheartened if progress feels slow. Your vet will likely want a weigh-in at around the 8-week mark anyway.
Great, that's really helpful. I'll grab some and try the gradual mix approach.
inparticular.ai
That's the right move. Give it at least three weeks before deciding she doesn't like it — cats often come around once wet food becomes the new normal. If she's really digging her heels in, warming the food slightly (not hot, just room temp) can help with the smell and palatability. Good luck with her — 800g is very fixable and you're catching it at a good age.
