Kate Barrington / Cats.com
While outdoor life provides certain opportunities for adventurous cats, it’s not without risk. Outdoor cats have a higher risk of injury and exposure to dangerous pathogens. Keeping your cat indoors helps keep them safe but indoor life comes with its challenges as well.
Because they’re not roaming around and hunting for prey, indoor cats don’t always get as much exercise as their outdoor counterparts. Calorie control is essential for cats who live sedentary lifestyles but all cats have the same basic nutritional requirements.
In this guide, we’ll discuss nutritional considerations for indoor cats and explore some of the best indoor cat foods on the market.
At a Glance: The Best Cat Foods for Indoor Cats
Smalls Smooth Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Rich in protein from chicken and liver
- Good source of hydrating moisture
- Adjustable meal plans good for indoor cats
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Wet Cat Food
- Animal proteins are at the top of the ingredient list
- High in protein and moisture, very low in carbs
- Reasonably priced
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food
- Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- Packed with high-quality animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Low-carb option for cats who like dry food
- Small kibbles are easy to chew
Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Canned Cat Food
- Rich in animal-sourced protein and fat
- Good source of DHA for kittens
- Prebiotics help support healthy digestion
Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Canned Cat Food
- Low in phosphorus, may benefit kidney health in older cats
- Rich in highly digestible animal protein
- Very low in carbohydrates
Tiki Cat Koolina Luau Chicken & Egg Recipe in Chicken Consomme Wet Cat Food
- Contains over 70% dry matter protein
- Low in calories to help prevent weight gain
- Rich source of hydrating moisture
Why Trust Cats.com
While my cats have enjoyed supervised access to the outdoors over the years, they’ve always been indoor cats. One of my cats was always prone to overeating while the other two were happy to graze. I’ve spent over a decade sampling different cat food products and, over the past five years, have analyzed dozens of brands for in-depth reviews.
To write this review, I ordered the products at full retail price and tested them at home with my cats, Munchkin and Biscuit. My cats let me know what they thought about the products while I performed an objective analysis of their nutritional merits. I also researched the brands to gauge metrics like safety, ingredient quality, and overall customer satisfaction.
Top 7 Best Cat Foods For Indoor Cats
Available in several textures and an array of flavors, Smalls fresh cat food is our top pick for indoor cats. It’s packed with species-appropriate animal protein and low in carbohydrates. With a convenient subscription option, you can customize your cat’s meal plan according to their age, weight, and activity level to help them maintain a healthy body condition.
While Smalls is our top pick for indoor cats, it may not be ideal for every cat. Your cat is unique and it’s important to consider their needs and preferences when shopping for cat food. To help you get started, we’ve included a variety of options in different categories below.
How To Choose the Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats
Like human outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor cats tend to spend more time exercising by climbing trees, hunting, and exploring. While activity levels vary from one cat to another, cats who live indoors tend not to get as much exercise as those who live outside. The best food for indoor cats balances your cat’s energy requirements against their activity level to help them maintain a healthy body weight with more lean muscle mass than fat.
That said, all cats have the same general nutritional requirements. Here are some tips for shopping for cat food for indoor cats.
Make Sure It’s Biologically Appropriate
Your indoor cat may not hunt for their food but their nutritional needs remain similar to their wild ancestors. Cats are obligate carnivores, so a meat-based diet is what they’re designed to process most efficiently. Choose a cat food that relies on animal-sourced protein and fat with limited carbohydrates. High-moisture diets are ideal to support your cat’s hydration.
Look for a Moderate-Calorie, Low-Carb Option
Decreased activity means decreased calorie needs. Excess calories combined with high-carb commercial diets can increase an indoor cat’s risk of becoming overweight or obese. Choose a moderate-calorie, low-carb cat food and follow the feeding guidelines or your vet’s recommendations to help your indoor cat maintain a healthy body weight.
Consider the Fiber Content
Because indoor cats have more free time to spend grooming themselves, they tend to suffer more from hairballs compared to cats who live outside. Hairball issues are directly linked to poor digestive health—something that can be improved through a biologically appropriate diet.
A meat-based diet is ideal for all cats, but some indoor cats with digestive issues may benefit from supplemental fiber in their diets to help hairballs pass through smoothly. Too much fiber in your cat’s diet can cause problems as well, so aim for something with less than 5% fiber measured as dry matter.
Every cat is different. On top of considering your cat’s nutritional requirements, take their personal preferences into account as well. Don’t be afraid to try out different types of food and various flavors and textures to see what your indoor cat likes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is indoor cat food really better for indoor cats?
It depends on the formula. Indoor cat foods are often lower in calories than standard formulas which may help prevent weight gain related to low activity. That said, many indoor formulas are high in carbs with excessive levels of fiber. All cats can benefit from a meat-based, low-carb, high-moisture diet.
Is dry food or wet food better for indoor cats?
Wet food is generally better for all cats. The moisture in the wet food supports hydration which in turn lowers the likelihood of developing urinary tract disease and renal failure. For cats who prefer dry food, it’s important to encourage moisture intake elsewhere in the diet. Cats, in general, have a low thirst drive. It can be challenging to track their water intake and wet food helps eliminate that guesswork.
How much should I feed my indoor cat?
Calorie requirements vary according to your cat’s age, weight, and activity level. The average indoor cat needs 20–30 calories per pound of body weight. If you’re not sure how much you should be feeding your cat, talk to your vet. They will determine your cat’s body condition score and recommend the exact daily calorie count needed.
if you are going to feed your cat both dry and wet food how many time a week should you mix the two. someone said that goats milk or some kinda oil helps reduce hairballs is any of this true. i have not had a cat in 45yrs. now i am retired so i have the time needed to care for animals again
My cat only likes tuna treats , will not eat any kind of,raw food at all
Watched video on Marty’s catfood. Have emailed them twice, asking what the fiber-like thread of plastic looking material is in some of the pieces of their catfood. There was NO explanation. Only got offer to replace the food. I have pictures. It’s very disturbing. Anyone else see this?
Kelly, that is disturbing indeed. I’m going to email you, as this is something we’d like to be aware of and potentially share in our review of this brand. – Mallory