The Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats in 2022

Cat Food for Indoor Cats Buying Guide & FAQ

Because indoor cats have a different lifestyle than outdoor cats, it’s important that their diet is tailored to their unique needs. For instance, it’s always a good idea to buy cat foods that are high in protein as most felines thrive on such diets, however, if you have an overweight cat that spends most of its time lazing around the place, it’s better to go for foods that are lower in all macronutrients, including protein and fat.

We realize that finding the best food for indoor cats can be a bit difficult, so we’ve put together this buying guide and we answered some of the FAQs down below. Read on to learn about important aspects of feeding an indoor cat and things you should pay close attention to. The more you know about the special needs of indoor cats, the easier it will be to purchase the right product.

Who Is It For?

Cats who either mostly or completely live indoors have a few advantages: unlike outdoor cats, they’re not exposed to various life-threatening situations that outdoor cats are, such as car accidents, predation from dogs and other animals, etc. They’re also much less exposed to feline diseases and fleas and parasites. Overall, indoor cats do appear to lead healthier lifestyles than their outdoor counterparts, but that’s only, and only if they’re fed well and they get a fair bit of exercise/play.

Because they cannot go outside and hunt, run and play, indoor cats definitely tend to be less physically active. For this reason, it’s of vital importance to tailor their diet to their unique needs – a good cat food for indoor cats needs to have all important nutrients and then some. For instance, since indoor pets can’t eat grasses they normally eat outside, cat foods need to be moderately high in fiber to help with their digestion and hairball control. The tricky part? These cat foods cannot be too high in calories.

What To Look for in Food for Indoor Cats

As we mentioned a few times throughout this article, indoor cats are simply not active enough to eat foods very high in calories – at least not frequently. So what the problem comes down to is finding the cat food that has all the right nutrients and that is preferably rich in protein and fiber but is not very high in calories.

But how is one supposed to find such cat foods? Well, definitely check out our Top Picks if you already haven’t, as you’re guaranteed to find the right product there. But if you really want to make sure you’re doing everything right, talk to your vet. In order to recommend the right cat food, your veterinarian should weigh your cat, check if she has any health issues, and take into consideration her physical activity levels.  Of course, it’s best if the vet can tell you how many calories your pet should roughly eat a day, but this is not absolutely necessary as you should be able to guesstimate how much food is enough based on your cat’s current state ( for example, if she’s stressed out because you moved recently or she’s nursing, etc., it’s perfectly fine to feed her more than you normally would).

Generally speaking, although all cats are different, it’s a good idea to look for foods that are:

• High to moderately high in protein (unless your cat is overweight)
• Moderately high in fiber
• Low to moderately low in fats (unless your cat gets plenty of exercise)
• Fortified with important vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients To Avoid Feeding Your Indoor Cat

We’ve covered the things you should focus on when purchasing cat food, but what about the things you should avoid?

Like all cats, indoor cats require high-quality protein, healthy fats, and some fiber to be healthy, but they do not need many carbohydrates, including grains, vegetables, and fruits, in order to thrive. Does that mean you should avoid these foods? Absolutely not – many whole grains, fruits, and veggies contain a bunch of beneficial ingredients, including antioxidants such as vitamins and minerals, and other healthy compounds. However, being that most cat foods are already fortified with vitamins and minerals, if you have an overweight cat, it’s best to put her on a low-carbohydrate diet and focus on good-quality meat (protein).

But whether your indoor cat is lean and healthy, or overweight and could use to lose some weight, there are things he or she should always stay away from. These include:

• Artificial preservatives: all cat foods must contain some form of preservative so they can last a long time, however, it’s best to avoid questionable preservatives such as large amounts of BHA, BHT, and TBHQ.
• Artificial flavors: a good cat food will contain everything a feline already loves to eat, and while a little bit of added flavor can’t do much harm to outdoorsy cats, it’s best to avoid them for indoor cats completely, simply because they’re not as active.
• Garlic and onions: why would a cat food contain garlic and onions, you ask? We don’t know, but we can positively tell you that quite a number of brands use garlic as a flavoring for their cat and dog foods, even though a steady intake of the Allium species can cause anemia in cats and dogs.

Should Indoor Cats Eat Wet or Dry Food?

Both wet and dry food have their own benefits and drawbacks when it comes to what is best for your cat. As such, the main thing to consider here is the individual needs of your kitty and what works best for you both. As long as the food itself is of high quality and provides the right nutrients to your cat, as well as a good level of moisture (regardless of whether this is wet or dry cat food.) then either option can be beneficial to your puss.

What’s The Difference Between Indoor Cat Food And Regular Cat Food

While both indoor and outdoor cats both have the same basics needs – and, of course, have their own individual differences – there are a few differences in what food works best for their needs. Indoor cats are less likely to be as active as outdoor cats unless they have a good cat tree or run designed for their needs. As such, they’re less likely to require as much protein in their diets.

These more leisurely lifestyles also mean they’ll need some helping hands when it comes to digestion. Since being active can aid in digestion, outdoor cats are less likely to require as much protein as indoor cats. Instead, indoor cats will need a good level of roughage, to help keep their digestion on track.

How to Read Food Labels

When it comes to food labels, things can get a little confusing. Especially as the rules and regulations surrounding the labeling requirements can change, with little to no notice. For this reason, we always suggest looking directly at the guaranteed analysis.

The guaranteed analysis provides a full breakdown of what’s available within the ingredients when the moisture has been taken out. For example, both wet and dry food can, technically, argue that their food is made of x% of chicken. Therefore, by looking at the guaranteed analysis, you can see which item offers the most chicken, when moisture is taken out of the equation and purely the ingredients are considered.

When this happens, you’ll be amazed at the difference between the different food manufacturers – and can see exactly who is using as much good-quality food as they say they are! Instead, the guaranteed analysis will break everything down for you – including the number of fillers used. And marks them up as a percentage (out of 100, of course). This makes it easy to quickly and confidently read food labels.

Cat Food for Indoor Cats FAQ:

Q:  Do indoor cats need different food?

A:  Because most indoor cats don’t get nearly as much exercise as cats that are free to explore the great outdoors, most indoor cats do need to be fed differently – namely, they should eat less. However, that doesn’t mean that cat foods for indoor cats should be less nutritious – on the contrary, these foods should contain even more nutrients than ‘regular’ cat food. Protein, fat, fiber, and a wide array of minerals and vitamins should all be a part of your indoor cat’s diet.

Some of the best cat food brands have specially formulated kibble and wet food for the indoor lifestyle, however, it’s not necessary to look for specifically labeled indoor cat food in order to feed your feline pet the right nutrients. Just focus on healthy cat foods and avoid over-feeding your furry friend.

Q:  Should I use the feeding recommendations on the food label?

A:  If you have a healthy, lean cat and you buy only the best cat food (no overly processed fillers and a bunch of unnecessary calories), then using the feeding recommendations on the cat food label is not only ok but advisable.

But if your kitty is on the chubby side, it’s wise to talk to your vet as she or he can tell you if you should reduce your cat’s caloric intake and by how much. If they advise you to feed your cat less than what is recommended on the food label, definitely listen to their advice.

Q:  Can cat food go bad?

A:  To be able to last for months without spoiling, all cat foods contain some form of preservatives. Some contain natural, other artificial preservatives, but if you’re buying a done formula, it’s bound to have some ingredients that will keep the food fresh and safe for a long time. Saying that, cat foods do not last forever – they can definitely go bad, even if their expiration date is still not due. For instance, if the food is exposed to high temperatures during transport, it can go bad before it even reaches your doorstep! That’s why it’s important to:

• Only buy foods that contain preservatives
• Actually, look at and smell the food before you serve it
• Store it as advised on the label.

Q:  How Big Should My Indoor Cat Be?

A:  Cats love to eat, we love to spoil our cats – do you see the problem? It’s easy to over-feed our feline pets when they beg for their toppings, treats, and other not-that-healthy foods. But it’s important to stay your ground when feeding an indoor cat. No matter how much he or she meows and begs for more, do not over-feed. Even just a couple of extra pounds puts your cat at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and other health problems.

According to Pet Health Center, domestic cats should weigh around 10 pounds, although of course, this can vary depending on the breed and frame. For example, a 5 pound Siamese cat can be as healthy as a 25 pound Maine Coon – it just depends on the breed. It’s always best to check with your vet, but if you want a quick tip, here’s one: when you look down at your cat, he or she should have that hourglass figure. If you see a saggy belly hanging down, it’s highly likely your kitty is overweight.

Check out our review of the Best Cat Food for Bengals.

Q:  How Much Should I Feed Her?

A:  How much should you feed your cat depends on a few factors:

• Physical activity: If your cat leads a sedentary lifestyle, it’s important to keep an eye on her daily calorie intake. If she gets a fair bit of exercise, it’s ok to be more relaxed with her diet.
• Stress levels: if you’ve recently moved, or your cat had surgery or she’s pregnant/nursing, it’s ok to give her more food than usual. However, once the stressor is eliminated or reduced, it’s advisable to follow the feeding recommendations established by your veterinarian.
• Weight: if your cat is lean and healthy, just follow the feeding recommendations on the food label, but if she’s overweight make sure you reduce her daily calorie intake.
• Life stage: kittens and still developing indoor cats require more food than adult and senior cats. Seniors who are not particularly active should eat much less than ‘regular’ felines, so make sure you do not over-feed them.

You may also like our guide on the best dry food for senior cats.

Our Top Pick – Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain

All cat foods that ended up on Our Top Pick list are great choices for indoor cats. But Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Feline Recipe would be our top-of-the-top product because it’s highly, highly nutritious, and palatable.

Although not particularly low in fats and calories in general, this kibble has absolutely all essential nutrients an indoor cat needs:

• It’s high in protein
• It has moderate amounts of fats
• It contains moderate amounts of fiber
• It has species-specific added probiotics
• Has no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors

All of these things make this kibble great for feline’s overall health. However, because this is not a low-calorie food, it’s important not to over-feed your cat but feed her the recommended amount of food (vet recommendations are the best) on the same schedule that she’s been accustomed to.

All in all, we found the Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Feline Recipe to be a budget-friendly, healthy and nutritious cat food that is well-suited for indoor cats.

Sources:

1. Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM, Nutrition – General Feeding Guidelines for Cats, VCA