Many of us decide to keep our cats indoors to ensure their safety. They’re away from busy roads, the big bully cat up the street, and they’re less likely to pick up any nasty parasites. But keeping a cat indoors does have its difficulties. Indoor kitties naturally get less exercise so weight management can be a problem for some cat owners.
Even with all the toys, catios, and fun games you can think of, indoor cats just move less. Luckily, however, there are some great food brands offering nutritious, well-balanced meals specifically designed for cats that stay inside. So, what is the best cat food for indoor cats and what do you need to be looking out for?
Best Cat Food for an Indoor Cat
Best For | Food | Reasons Why |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | Iams ProActive Indoor Cat Food | Chicken is the first ingredient Special formula reduces hairballs Complete set of essential minerals and vitamins |
Best for Sensitive Stomachs | Blue Buffalo Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food | Deboned chicken primary protein No corn or soy products Good balance of ingredients |
Best for Senior Cats | Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers | 3 tasty flavors High moisture content Balanced vitamins and minerals |
Best for Kittens | Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Kitten Food | Formulated for growth Primary ingredient chicken Contains antioxidants |
Best Wet Cat Food | Wellness CORE Grain-Free Classic Pate | Low levels of fat and protein for indoor cats Grain-free Multiple primary proteins |
Why Choose Indoor Cat Food?
Indoor cats have different needs from outdoor cats. They don’t spend their days roaming the local neighborhood, chasing after mice, and doing whatever it is that cats get up to when we’re not looking!
This means, generally, they spend a bit more time snoozing on the couch or watching the world pass by from the window. Whilst well-cared-for indoor kitties are just as happy as outdoor cats (if not happier), owners do need to keep an eye on their nutrition and diet. Less space to roam means less exercise which can lead to weight problems.
The best cat food brands for indoor cats are specifically designed to give less-active kitties all the nutrients and vitamins they need but with fewer calories. They’re often vet recommended and can really help to keep your cat’s weight under control.
What is the Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats?
There are a few things you need to take into consideration when choosing the best food for your indoor cats. Their weight, age, taste preferences, and how much it will cost you are all important.
Here are five of the healthiest cat food for indoor cats which are both yummy and nutritious:
Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
Best Overall
This cat food is specially formulated to help with healthy weight management. It contains L-Carnitine which aids with fat burning and helps to promote a healthy metabolism – ideal for indoor cats that don’t exercise as much!
The main proteins are chicken and turkey which most cats love. But not only is it delicious and way healthier than many other cat foods, but it’s also been designed to help with hairballs. The special fiber blend with beet pulp improves digestion which can reduce the chances of hairballs forming. It’s packed full of healthy fats too!
Food Information
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn.
Primary Proteins: Chicken
Life Stage: Adult
Package Size: 3.5-22lb bags
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 30%, Crude Fat 11%, Crude Fiber 8.3%, Moisture 10%
Caloric Content: 302 kcal/cup.
Blue Buffalo Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
Best for Sensitive Stomachs
This is a great kibble option that uses deboned chicken as the primary protein for lots of nutrients and flavor. As well as that, there are plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables to keep your cat fuller for longer!
There are no genetically modified soy or corn products which are often the cause of an upset stomach. Just natural grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. The Blue Buffalo Indoor Cat Food is also formulated using LifeSource Bits, which is a blend of animal nutritionist-selected antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to help with immune health.
Food Information
First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Barley
Primary Proteins: Chicken
Life Stage: Adult
Package: 3-15lb bag
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 32%, Crude Fat 15%, Crude Fiber 6%, Moisture 9%
Caloric Content: 402 kcal/cup
Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Canned Cat Food
Best for Senior Cats
This is a great indoor cat food for senior kitties who want a bit more variety at mealtimes. The canned food comes in 3 different flavors (chicken, turkey, and beef), is slowly cooked, and served with delicious gravy to tempt even the pickiest of pets!
This Purina food has been formulated to have 100% complete and balanced nutrition in every serving with plenty of minerals and vitamins to help the overall health of your older cat.
Food Information
First 5 Ingredients (Turkey Feast): Poultry Broth, Turkey, Liver, Wheat Gluten, Meat By-Products
Primary Proteins: Turkey
Life Stage: Adult
Package: 3-oz cans
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 9%, Crude Fat 2%, Crude Fiber 1.5%, Moisture 82%
Caloric Content: 67 kcal/can
Hill’s Science Indoor Kitten Food
Best for Kittens
Kittens are constantly exploring, playing, and learning new things – so they use up more calories than older, sleepier cats. This Hill’s Science food is one of the best indoor kitten foods you could get.
Chicken is the main protein but it also contains veggies such as broccoli and carrots and antioxidants such as cranberries to boost your cat’s immune system. It’s full of high-quality ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Food Information
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Whole Grain Oats
Primary Proteins: Chicken
Life Stage: Kitten/nursing
Package: 3.5 or 7 lb bag
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 33.5%, Crude Fat 16.5%, Crude Fiber 3.5%, Moisture 8%
Caloric Content: 544 kcal/cup
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Classic Pate
Best Wet Cat Food
This is a great option for cats that are fans of wet food and particularly love paté (which, let’s be honest, is most cats). It’s grain-free, nutrient-dense, and contains chicken and chicken liver as the main ingredients.
It’s well balanced and full of flaxseed and salmon oil which are omega-rich and help maintain healthy skin and a smooth coat. It’s also totally grain-free, meaning there are no fillers which some owners will love!
Food Information
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Meal
Primary Proteins: Chicken, Chicken Liver
Life Stage: Adult
Package: 3 or 5-oz can
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 11%, Crude Fat 4%, Crude Fiber 2%, Moisture 78%
Caloric Content: 74 kcal/can
Buyers Guide to the Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats
Knowing what are the best cat food brands for indoor cats can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many products at the store – and that’s before you’ve even entered the world of online options.
We’ve put together this useful buyers guide so you know the most important things to look out for when choosing your furry friend’s dinner.
Protein
We all know that cats need protein, but choosing the right type and amount is especially important for indoor cats. Protein helps your cat feel fuller for longer (so less pestering for mid-day snacks) and makes them strong and healthy.
But not all protein is the same. Try to buy your cat food that uses real meat or fish, such as chicken, salmon, lamb, or turkey. As is the same for us, real cuts of meat are much better than highly-processed by-products which contain a lot of added nasties.
To maintain a healthy weight, the AAFCO recommends feeding your kitty food that contains at least 30% of protein. Overweight cats may need a different amount and it’s worth speaking to your vet to decide on a diet that’s best for your pet.
And now you’re maybe wondering why the wet cat food has much lower protein levels? Really helpfully, the AAFCO recommends the nutrient levels based on dry food matter (so the wet food without all the moisture). Pet food labels, however, print the protein levels based on the food you’re actually feeding your pet (so with all the moisture).
If you work out the protein level of the paté above (by subtracting the moisture content and dividing the protein percentage by what’s left) you’ll actually find out that the paté has 50% protein in it.
Who knew math would come in useful when reading cat food labels?
Is Your Cat a Little Overweight? Get to Know the Best Cat Food for Overweight Cats here.
Carbohydrates
Cats don’t really need carbohydrates and many owners choose to feed their kitties grain-free diets. Some cat food uses carbohydrates such as corn and soy as ‘fillers’ which your cat digests really quickly and which will leave them feeling hungry shortly after eating.
The best cat food for indoor cats, however, contains carbohydrates such as fruits and veggies. Ingredients such as broccoli, peas, blueberries, and carrots can give your cat much-needed nutrients which they wouldn’t get elsewhere. Many cats also love the flavor. The fiber and water content in veggies can also help to make their toilet breaks more regular!
Calories
Because your cat isn’t roaming for miles at a time, it’s important for you to regulate their calorie intake. It’s best to double-check with your vet that your cat is a healthy weight, but if they are, you shouldn’t be feeding them more than 300 calories per day. Kittens and young cats may need a bit more as they tend to burn more energy.
As well as feeding your cat the correct amount of calories, it’s really important they have enough opportunities to play and move. Lots of toys, climbing frames, and tunnels can help to encourage them to exercise which will burn calories.
Taurine
Taurine is a really important amino acid that cats can’t produce themselves. In fact, this amino acid can only be found in animal products that cats need to eat. If your cat isn’t getting enough taurine in its diet, it may develop eye and heart problems.
Water
Cats aren’t the best drinkers in the world. In fact, they’ve developed to not have a very high thirst drive. This means they need to get a lot of their liquids from their food if they’re not to develop bladder or kidney problems. Wet cat food, of course, contains more water than dry cat food.
Fats
Although you don’t want to be feeding your indoor cat a high-fat diet, there are some fats that are important. Essential fatty acids, such as omega acids, can help with joint health, skin irritation, and even improve their immune system. Fish oil is a great source of ‘good’ fats.
Ingredients to Avoid Feeding an Indoor Cat
So, as well as the things that should be in your cat’s diet, there are a few ingredients that shouldn’t.
In general, try to avoid artificial additives and preservatives – especially TBHQ, BHT, and BHA.
As with human food, if you can, don’t give your cat artificial flavors. These often contain added nasties which can lead to health problems and weight gain. Good cat food should already be tasty and contain everything your cat needs!
How to Understand Cat Food Labels
Do you know what calcium iodate anhydrous is? Me neither. But it’s an ingredient found in some cat foods. So no wonder many of us find it difficult to read cat food labels – they can be really confusing (and that’s before we even start doing the protein math).
When looking at a cat food label, it’s best to look at the guaranteed analysis. This gives you a detailed breakdown of exactly how much protein, omega acids, moisture, etc is in each serving.
The ingredients list can give you a good idea of the main food items used (such as the main protein and any secondary proteins) but you’ll also find a few lesser-known ingredients which aren’t particularly helpful.
Even though it’s their job (quite literally), try not to be persuaded by cat food packaging. Pet food that markets itself as ‘premium’ or ‘luxury’ may not actually be any better than other brands. Check the guaranteed analysis, how much is in the bag/can, and any serving suggestions. You’ll soon realize which brands are doing what they say on the tin and which aren’t!
If you want to get technical on cat food labeling, take a look at the regulations outlined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Your Indoor Cat
How often and how much should you feed your indoor cat?
If you have a slim and healthy cat, you should feed them according to the packet instructions. If they’re overweight, you may want to speak to your vet about reducing the amount of food or changing brands. It’s a good idea to portion control your cat’s meals. This helps you to make sure they’re getting everything they need without overfeeding them. After all, once the pounds are on it’s pretty hard to get them off!
Wet or dry cat food – which is better for indoor cats?
Many experts say a mix of both in your cat’s diet is best. Both have benefits and your cat will enjoy the different textures and flavors. You can mix them together, or give your cat wet in the morning and dry in the evening – it’s really up to you. What’s important is that you don’t overfeed them. Make sure you portion out both wet and dry food and don’t be tempted to add more!
How to transition to a new brand of indoor cat food?
Before you change your cat’s diet, it’s worth checking with your vet first. Changes to your cat’s diet should always be done slowly so as not to upset their stomach. Cats can also be notoriously fussy, so a sudden change may put them off eating – which no one wants.
It’s a good idea to mix in the new food with the old food over a 7-10 day period so they can get used to it slowly. Start with small quantities of the new food and gradually increase day by day.
For example:
Days 1-3 | 75% old food, 25% new food |
Days 4-6 | 50% old food, 50% new food |
Days 7-9 | 25% old food, 75% new food |
Day 10 | 100% new food |
If, whilst sticking to this schedule, you notice that your cat isn’t eating as much, just take your time and do 50% and 50% for a little longer. If you’re really unsure, consult your vet. I explain this further in my article on switching cat foods.
Conclusion
Getting your kitty the best cat food for indoor cats is really important. The food is specifically designed to provide them with a well-balanced diet whilst not being too calorie-heavy. The best choice for your cat will depend on their weight, activity level, and age. But with any of the top five on this list, you can be sure you’re getting your cat delicious food that’s great for their lifestyle.
Have you tried any of the brands on the list for your indoor kitty? Which was your favorite?
I’m an indoor cat convert and created My Indoor Cat to help other indoor cat owners make the best choices for their cats and kittens.