Help gaining weight with wet food?

I have a cat who can only eat wet food or he'll throw up.  He's fattened up a lot since I got him, so I thought it was fine, but he seems to have lost a bunch of weight this winter despite still eating voraciously (easily two or more cans a day), and I'm concerned he isn't getting enough calories. He's currently on canned Friskies food, and seems to like the chunky stuff better than the pate but he'll eat both.

Are there more calorie-dense wet foods or supplements, ideally ones that aren't too expensive? (Still paying his dental bills...) Would kitten food be any good? Would getting a/d food be worth it?

How old is he? Have you had him at the vet to rule out a medical issue? I'd be very concerned about eating a lot but losing weight that's a red flag for a thyroid issue or something else medically related.

I'd try and feed some higher quality wet food. Friskies pates are okay but I think if you can afford a little bit that's always best something from Petco or a local pet store would be good. Merrick has some good choices, Nutro natural choice, Wild calling, instinct are all good choices. On the lower end you could add in Fancy Feast Classic (chicken is a popular choice) or if you're near a Tractor Supply they have good low cost food called 4Health grain free.

You definitely need to get him checked out by a vet. He shouldn't be losing weight like this when he's eating so well.

Kitten food can be a good way to get extra calories into a cat, but some adults find it too rich. Try a single can to see how he handles it before buying more.

He went to the vet for a checkup a few months ago and was given a bill of good health back then. He'd even gained a bit more weight and was starting to get porky. He's not underweight yet, but he's definitely lost padding and feels bony.

If he does like the kitten food/doesn't throw it up, would switching him to that entirely be safe, or is there a limit? I'll check around for the other brands too. He's got a lot of miscellaneous health oddities so it's hard to tell how he'll handle anything in advance.

Oh, and I don't know how old he is. He's at least nine years old. I've had him for three years. I found he had microchip that was put in six years ago but the company wouldn't tell me anything else.

Keysmash said:

 
He went to the vet for a checkup a few months ago and was given a bill of good health back then. He'd even gained a bit more weight and was starting to get porky. He's not underweight yet, but he's definitely lost padding and feels bony.

If he does like the kitten food/doesn't throw it up, would switching him to that entirely be safe, or is there a limit? I'll check around for the other brands too. He's got a lot of miscellaneous health oddities so it's hard to tell how he'll handle anything in advance.

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Honestly he should be checked out again and have blood work done. Eating and weight loss are huge indicators of a medical issue. 

missmimz said:

Honestly he should be checked out again and have blood work done. Eating and weight loss are huge indicators of a medical issue. 

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I completely agree with this. Especially if he's lost weight since his last blood work. Cats shouldn't be losing weight when they're eating a lot.

Okay. Better safe than sorry, I guess!

Keysmash said:

Okay. Better safe than sorry, I guess!

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That's become my motto in the last three months or so.

I want to echo what others have said about getting your cat checked again. Mine went for a checkup in September which was fine and in December we found out she had cancer after she had been losing interest in food and losing weight. I don't meant to say that's what it is for your cat, its just my experience that things can change in a mere matter of months. It could be many many things causing your kitty to be losing weight and I wish you both the very best!! Its definitely better to be on the safe side than to regret not acting later on.

sidneykitty said:

 
I want to echo what others have said about getting your cat checked again. Mine went for a checkup in September which was fine and in December we found out she had cancer after she had been losing interest in food and losing weight. I don't meant to say that's what it is for your cat, its just my experience that things can change in a mere matter of months. It could be many many things causing your kitty to be losing weight and I wish you both the very best!! Its definitely better to be on the safe side than to regret not acting later on.

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Sad to say but I learned this lesson the same hard way.

I'm glad you're going to take you cat the to the vet, @Keysmash, particularly since lots of things are very treatable if caught early!