Indoor cats are usually less active and more prone to weight problems. Consider feeding your indoor cat food specifically tailored to her lifestyle. If you want to know the best cat food for indoor cats, there are a few dietary requirements you should look for when considering the different cat food diets.
The diet of an indoor cat
Keeping slim and lean is a major problem for the indoor cat. Typically, a desexed cat living in a stable, warm but restricted space will have fewer opportunities for exercise. This makes it much harder for indoor cats to retain their natural shape than outdoor cats.
It is important that indoor cats aren't overfed, which can lead to obesity. Overfeeding is especially widespread among owners who like to leave food out for their cat during the day, particularly if they are at work.
You only need to put out a measured amount of food that meets your cat’s energy needs and nothing more.
It’s easier to see the effects of a diet on an indoor cat because you are more likely to spend time with them. For example, the beauty of the coat, bright eyes, digestibility of the food, and the smell and nature of feces in the litter box are all useful pointers as to the effectiveness of the cat’s diet.
There is a range of commercially-produced cat foods developed for the specific needs of indoor cats. Look out for the ones that contain:
- High levels of protein and low in fat. These help to make sure calories are converted into maintaining a lean condition as opposed to fat.
- A controlled balance of minerals, which minimizes the risk of urinary problems.
- High levels of indigestible fiber. This means lower calorie content as well as helping to ease swallowed hair along the digestive system and avoiding the formation of hairballs.
- Special fermentable fiber, which reduces litter box odors by optimizing gut bacteria.
- Highly digestible ingredients to help form small firm feces that are easily cleaned.
View our recommendation below of brands and products PURINA has available for indoor cats.
