Hi Walt and welcome to FDMB. I'm glad you are being proactive and interested in preventing your cat from developing feline diabetes. A proper diet could also have a beneficial effect on other health issues. Could you elaborate on what the other health issues are, as that might have a significant effect on what kind of input we offer.
Generally:
www.catinfo.org is a wonderful site about feline nutrition. Dr. Lisa Pierson runs that site and has created a food chart with many of the commercial brands of cat food, categorized by percentages of protein, fat, phosphorus, carbs and calories. Check it out!
I am not an expert, but I would think that proper weight loss for your cat would be like for a human, good nutrition, sensible portions, adequate calorie intake and
gradual progress. If you can, instead of big meals, break it down and offer smaller meals more often, for satiation and conditioning the stomach that it doesn't have to be overfull. Then perhaps reduce the number of meals/calories until kitty is getting the proper amount of calories a day.
If you are at work, or away from home, use a timed feeder, or freeze wet food in ice cube trays. Leave out a food cube to thaw and be available.
We use a low carb wet diet for our sugar cats, and it's better for all cats. No dry food, it's full of carbs, the cat has to seek extra moisture and most is not nutritious enough.
Please read the following:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...r-more-than-just-carbohydrate-content.175004/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/transitioning-your-cat-from-dry-to-wet-food.956/
As kitty loses that extra weight it will be easier for him to move and exercise. You will find ways to entice him to chase a shoelace, bat a little bell ball around, play with one of the laser lights, or the "fishing poles".
Good luck with your endeavor.
