The Best Recommended Diet for Indoor Cats
- Protein is Key. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must have meat. ...
- Fats are Important. As people, we have become obsessed with "low-fat" and think fat is bad. ...
- Ditch Carbohydrates. Cats have no nutritional need for carbohydrates. ...
- Add Moisture for Best Health. ...
What is the best wet cat food for indoor cats?
- Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult Morsels in Gravy Canned Cat Food
- Complete and balanced wet food to support the specific needs of adult indoor cats 1-7 years in a morsels in gravy texture
- Highly Digestible Proteins – for optimal stool quality with a precise balance of vitamins and minerals to provide optimal health for your cat.
What is the best outdoor cat food?
The Best Dry Cat Food for Outdoor Cats in 2021
- Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food 🥇. Your cat can have good urinary tract health if you treat him with his dry food. ...
- Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Adult Fit 32 Dry Cat Food. ...
- Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Adult Salmon Recipe Dry Cat Food. ...
- Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural, Adult Dry Cat Food. ...
What is the healthiest food for cats?
Cats get the minimal natural vitamin K that they may need by eating grass and/or catnip. Healthy dry cat food should contain AT LEAST 40% ANIMAL SOURCED PROTEIN, Canned food should be grain-free, as well, and contain, at least 10% protein. The closer a pet owner can mimic a cat’s natural diet from prey, the healthier your pet will be.
Are indoor cats as happy as outdoor cats?
You’re not alone. In fact, many cat owners wonder if their indoor cats are happy. But the truth of the matter is there are many ways that indoor cats are just as happy, or perhaps even happier, than their comrades who go out into the great outdoors.
How much should you feed a indoor cat?
Most cats need 4-5 ounces of canned food per day, total. Pate-style varieties tend to be higher in calories per can than the varieties that more resemble people food with chunks and gravies- this can be useful when trying to fine-tune the number of calories per day being consumed.
Do indoor cats need wet food?
So, do cats need wet food? Not necessarily, but feeding a combination of wet and dry food can give your cat the benefits of both. The wet food will increase her total daily water intake and provide her the variety she wants and the dry kibble will help keep her teeth clean.
Can cats live on dry food only?
"Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced," says Dr. Kallfelz. Dry food may be less expensive than canned cat food and may stay fresher longer. Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages.
Is Tuna good for cats?
Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Is dry or wet food better for indoor cats?
Ultimately, your cat will decide whether she prefers dry or wet cat food. Purina nutritionists recommend feeding a combination of wet and dry food, though. This helps ensure she gets plenty of moisture in her diet, plus the dental benefits of dry food, all while adding variety to keep her interested.
Is it better to feed cats wet or dry food?
Wet food is more expensive and less easy to use but can be beneficial in cats prone to lower urinary tract disease, constipation and that are overweight. Dry food can be a very efficient way to provide calories in thin cats with food volume limitations and allows for the use of food puzzles and food toy dispensers.
Is wet cat food healthier than dry?
2) Cats eating dry food don't drink enough water, and this increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and lower urinary tract diseases, such as feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) and urolithiasis. Feeding canned foods maintains better hydration and promotes dilute urine, reducing the risk of these diseases.
Why is dry food better for cats?
Dry Cat Food Benefits Dry cat food is less expensive than canned food, so people who are on a strict budget or those that feed community cats may choose this option. Dry food also does not have to be stored in the refrigerator and can be left out much longer than can food.
1. Find the Best Indoor Cat Food
Cats are carnivores. But, because they tend to be less active, the best indoor cat food will contain the following ingredients:
2. Control Feeding for Weight Management
Cats are nibblers and love to come and go to the food bowl. But, it’s important to control their daily allowance by measuring portion sizes and not free-feeding to ensure they don’t overeat.
3. Address Excessive Grooming with a Diet for Hairballs
Shedding is largely influenced by the number of hours a cat is exposed to light in a day (called a photoperiod). Cats who live indoors, especially when they’re in homes with both heat and air conditioning, can be in a constant state of shedding because their biological system becomes confused by temperature controls.
4. Vary Dry Food Protein Options
Chicken and turkey are considered easily digestible proteins for indoor cats.
5. Add in Wet Food Options
Wet foods offer cats much needed moisture to help remain healthy since many cats do not have a high thirst drive. Popular indoor lifestyle menu options include:
6. Feed A Combination Diet
Cats are often labelled finicky eaters. But in fact, they just have their favorites in terms of both taste and texture. They are also smart. So, giving them a diet of wet and dry food allows them to eat their wet food while its fresh and palatable and save the dry portion of their meals for little nibbles throughout the day.
7. Add Vertical Space for Your Indoor Cat
A tall cat condo or cat tree can greatly improve the lifestyle of an indoor cat as going vertical gives them more ‘real estate’.
What is the best diet for a cat?
The ideal diet for your cat is a balanced raw diet made from raw muscle meat, organs, and bones. If you don’t want to feed your cat this type of diet, there are plenty of good alternatives out there, and fortunately, identifying them is simple. Look for ingredient lists that start with meat.
What is the best food for cats with allergies?
Besides chicken and chicken liver, this food contains added vitamins and minerals to make it a complete and balanced diet. It’s one of the simplest foods that you can buy for your cat, making it ideal for cats with food sensitivities and allergies.
What does it mean when your cat is inactive?
Decreased Activity Means Decreased Calorie Needs. Your indoor cat may be inactive or tirelessly energetic, but in general, cats who live indoors don’t get as much exercise as those who live outside. This, in combination with an inappropriate diet, puts them at risk of becoming overweight or obese.
How many ounces of cat food is in a smalls package?
Each package of food contains about 16 ounces of food with markings on the package at 50-calorie increments.
What is a cat's food made of?
Made with 93% meat, organs, and bones – respects your cat’s natural dietary needs. Made exclusively from high-quality ingredients – no fillers, byproducts, rendered meals, or preservatives. Low in carbohydrates. Limited ingredient list is ideal for cats with allergies and food sensitivities.
What is the best formula for indoor cats?
Lower-calorie, high-protein formula is perfect for indoor cats. Primarily made from high-quality meats. Grain-free, made without corn, wheat, or soy. Low in carbohydrates to keep your cat slim and healthy.
What are the ingredients in cat litter?
Featuring chicken thigh, breast, and liver as the top three ingredients, this fresh food is packed with premium animal protein. Green beans, peas, and kale are the only carbohydrate ingredients and they are naturally grain-free and rich in nutrients.
Protein
One of the first things you should look for when choosing a cat food for an indoor cat is the amount and type of protein. We recommend choosing a brand that provides your kitten with at least 30% protein, so your cat will have the building blocks it needs for a strong and healthy body.
Carbohydrates
Your cat is a carnivore and has no real need for carbohydrates. Some carbs, like corn and soy, can be harmful to your pet because they digest quickly and can leave your cat feeling hungry again sooner than it should.
Taurine
Taurine is an important amino acid only found in animal proteins. Cats cannot produce this amino acid in their bodies, so your cat can only get it from eating these animal proteins. If taurine levels get depleted, it can affect the cat’s eyes, leading to retinal degeneration. It can also lead to problems with the heart.
Omega Fats
Studies show that omega fats can be helpful to your cat by reducing inflammation, especially that which comes with old age. Omega fats also help with brain and eye development as well as coat and skin health. It helps reduce dandruff, dry skin, and irritation caused by insect bites. It can also help boost the immune system and promote heart health.
Calories
Since your cat does not see as much activity as it does in the wild, you will need to keep a close eye on the number of calories in each serving.
What is the best dry cat food for indoor cats?
The Purina Cat Chow Indoor Dry Cat Food is a great value choice of dry kibble designed specifically for indoor cats. With fewer calories and a higher level of fiber, this kibble helps keep your indoor cat’s weight at a healthy level and controls hairballs at the same time. Purina Cat Chow contains 25 essential minerals and vitamins to help your cat look and feel their best, while you can be confident that they’re receiving complete and balanced nutrition in every bite.
Why do indoor cats get hairballs?
If you’ve noticed that your indoor cat getting a little rounder, now might be the time to act! Indoor cats can also suffer from more hairballs due to the increased amount of time that they spend grooming.
Can you buy food for an indoor cat?
If your precious cat lives indoors, then it’s worth considering buying them food that’s specifically designed for indoor cats. Their needs can vary considerably from their relatives that roam outside. Typically, indoor cats aren’t as active, so they can put on weight quickly. If you’ve noticed that your indoor cat getting a little rounder, now might be the time to act!
Is Blue Buffalo dry cat food good for cats?
This food contains a high level of protein at 38%, most of which comes from the real deboned chicken as the first ingredient of this food. This helps your kitty build lean muscle, but it is combined with a lower fat content than Blue Buffalo’s equivalent kibble for outdoor cats, helping your indoor cat maintain a healthy weight. This formula is grain-free and made without soy, corn, or wheat.
What do cats eat?
This is because they evolved in the wild eating mostly small prey, such as rodents, birds, snakes, and insects.
How many calories are in a can of kitty food?
This is based off the assumption that a typical 1 cup of kitty kibble contains about 300 calories, and 1 6 oz can (or 2 3 oz cans) contain around 250 calories. This can be adjusted accordingly depending on whether you decide to give your companion a mix of dry and wet food.
How long do indoor cats live?
Compared to outdoor cats, indoor cats tend to live longer (typically up to 12 years or more!), so proper nutrition is essential for supporting them in every year of their life and preventing common age-related diseases. So, if you want her to be healthy and happy for a long time, it's in your best interest to select the best indoor cat food ...
What is the best food for a dog?
Fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and omega fatty acids from ingredients like flaxseed and salmon oil. Protein-rich to meet your pet's nutritional needs as a natural carnivore. 65% of its protein content comes from high quality animal sources like chicken and chicken liver.
Is it okay for cats to eat plants?
As a macronutrient, carbs are actually considered non-essential for healthy indoor felines. Not only did cats not evolve eating plants, but the ingestion of modern carbs like wheat, corn, and soy can lead to significant health issues, ranging from arthritis to obesity.
Do indoor cats live longer?
Conclusion. Indoor cats tend to live longer, healthier lives and avoid many of the issues their outdoor brethren face (like animal cruelty, wildlife, injury, and infection). But indoor cats have a few special needs to ensure they stay healthy and well-adjusted, and a proper diet is essential.
Is cat food a light cat food?
There are other reduced-calorie cat foods that are almost identical to the indoor foods, but they are labeled as a light cat food. The higher fiber also helps lower the number of calories per cup. Indoor formulas may also have a nutrient profile designed for slightly lower calorie intake.
What is the best food for cats?
Wet food is considered to be the best option for most indoor cats as it also helps to keep them hydrated, and this grain-free wet canned food from Wellness Core packs in the moisture. While you should always make sure your indoor cat has constant access to plenty of clean, fresh water, this tasty wet cat food can help to top up hydration as well as promote healthy a healthy urinary tract in your pet. It is also grain-free so can help to reduce – and prevent – any digestive issues your cat may have.
What is the best food for cats with hairballs?
Protein rich, using quality chicken and turkey, it includes a well-balanced fiber blend which includes prebiotics and beet pulp, natural ingredients that support a healthy digestive system and prevent the formation of those troublesome hairballs that can regularly form in indoor cats.
Why do cats get hairballs?
Hairballs. As fastidious groomers all cats get hairballs, but indoor cats are more prone due to modern indoor heating playing havoc with their fur shedding cycle. Adding more fiber to an indoor cat’s diet can help to reduce the problem so if it’s a concern, look for a hairball control formula cat food.
What is the difference between an outdoor cat and a house cat?
The core difference between an outdoor roamer and a house cat are their activity levels, meaning indoor cats need less food and should get their nutrition in a slightly different, more managed way. Feed indoor cats in the same way and amount as outdoor cats and you will eventually store up trouble.
What is the difference between indoor cat food and standard cat food?
A: One of the biggest differences between indoor cat food and standard cat food is that the indoor food usually has fewer calories per serving. This is to reflect the reduced opportunity for your indoor cat to exercise and roam and so burn off higher amounts of calories effectively.
Can cats eat carbs?
Yet carbs are widely used in commercial dry pet food, mainly to be used as a filler to bind everything together. For an indoor cat, carbohydrates in the form of grains can be particularly problematic as they are less active and can contribute to obesity, diabetes, digestive issues and muscle weakness, amongst others.
Is it healthy to have an indoor cat?
As an indoor cat, your feline pet will have a less active lifestyle compared to cats who explore outdoors. While this in no way means they are any less healthy than their free-ranging counterparts, their slower, more contained lifestyle needs to be factored in when looking at their nutrition and feeding routine. When deciding what type of diet, how much and when to you feed your home cat, it’s a good idea to consider the following:
What should I feed my cat?
A healthy cat diet is largely made up of animal proteins rather than plant proteins. Poultry, fish, and meat are excellent sources of animal-based proteins.
How much wet food should I give my cat?
Wet food from 150 to 250 grams (5.3 to 8.8 oz) It is possible to use different foods for your cat. All you need to do is to serve each food as a separate meal for the cat. Using a cup to weigh the cat food is much easier with wet food.
Why do cats not thirst?
Unlike lots of other animals, cats do not thirst easily. This is a result of the environment in which they evolved. The evolution of the indoor cat can be traced back to the wildcats which lived in the Middle East and Northern Africa. These were regions that offered more arid conditions. To survive such conditions, cats absorb water from their prey. They can get up to 75% of water from some prey. On the other hand, using a diet based on Kibble will provide only about 10% of the water they require. Understanding that your cat will most likely not drink the right amount of water from a bowl, it is important you add moisture to the cat’s diet. In a diet consisting of kibble, raw food is necessary to provide water to the cat. You can also use grain-free canned food. The cat will end up dehydrated if you provide only dry kibble.
Why do cats eat grains?
Providing a diet that consists mainly of carbohydrates, the cats lack the most important nutrients. Instead, excessive quantities of grains result in muscle weakness, obesity, irritable bowls, diabetes, and other health problems. Indoor cats depend on their human owners for their food.
How long does it take for a cat to eat food?
Another factor is age. The quantity of food which a kitten will consume during the first twelve months will be a lot more than what you will need to feed an adult cat during this same period.
How to add a cat to your family?
If you are adding a cat to your family, there are certain steps to take. These adhering strictly to the previous schedule, food, and quantity which the cat is familiar with. You can then slowly change the schedule and food to suit your preference. Changes can have a huge impact on a cat. To reduce the stress which comes with making drastic changes to the environment, consistency in the schedule and food can be very helpful. In addition to preventing any intestinal upset, it can also ease the transition phase.
What is the best fat for cats?
Some essential fats include fatty acids like Omega 3 , omega 6 and omega 9. These are very important for the proper development and growth of the cat. Omega 3 also improves skin and joint health, development of muscles, and immune function. Flax and fish are the main sources of the Omega 3 fatty acids.
How to feed a cat to meet his nutritional needs?
You can meet a healthy cat’s nutritional needs met by feeding the right amount of the right type of food every day . This diet should give your cat the correct quantities of carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins and proteins/ amino acids, including essential nutrients like taurine. The easiest way to do this is to use a nutritionally balanced ...
Why is it important to feed your cat every day?
That’s why it’s so important to know how much food you should offer your cat every day, so that your cat avoids preventable health problems later in life. Cats, just like humans, enjoy eating: it’s one of the great pleasures of life, and a cat’s diet is one of the most important parts of their day. And because cat carers like to make their pets ...
Why is my cat overweight?
Cat carers are often not aware that their pets are overweight or obese, yet an overweight cat is more likely to suffer health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, and a shorter life span. The most common reason for cats becoming overweight or obese is simply that cat carers offer their cat more food than their cat ...
Why is it impossible to generalise for every cat?
Whichever method is used to calculate how much a cat should be fed, it is impossible to generalise for every individual cat, because of several variables that are not the same between different animals.
How much should a cat's feeding quantity vary?
You should remember that an individual cat’s needs may vary by as much as 50% from these calculated values, and that it is always necessary to modify feeding quantities depending on how a cat’s body weight changes over time.
Do older cats need more food?
Age: growing animals need more food, and the precise quantity varies depending on how fast that cat is growing. Meanwhile, older cats (senior cats) tend to be less active, with reduced energy needs.
Can kittens become overweight?
For most cat carers, it is simpler to recognise that kittens do have higher requirements, and that it is rare for kittens to become overweight or obese.
Why is it important to feed an adult cat?
Feeding an adult cat at regular times provides the security and predictability of a routine. Meals become a cornerstone event of the day around which other activities are added.
Why do cats need a feeding routine?
A feeding routine helps your cat cope when there are changes in the household (e.g., a child moves away to college, a new baby arrives, or a vacation during which a house-sitter is in charge).
How long does it take for a cat's stomach to empty?
Because cats have a simple stomach structure, once the stomach is filled with food, it will empty within a few hours as food moves into the small intestine. After 8 - 10 hours, an empty stomach begins to send signals to the brain stimulating a hunger response. For this reason, at least two meals per day are best for your cat.
How many meals should a cat eat a day?
The number of meals a cat eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option.
Why is my cat's digestion slow?
Over-eating at any one meal can also cause stomach discomfort and bloating causing slower digestion. Cats are acknowledged to have a genetically determined "set point" for their adult size. Slower, controlled growth in kittens optimizes body condition in adulthood.
Can cats eat on a regular schedule?
It is not recommended to keep the bowl filled and allow grazing. A break in eating habits can be a warning sign of illness. When cats eat on a regular schedule, that habit becomes strong. It is easy to see at a glance if all the food from a meal is consumed.
Can kittens eat all at once?
Feeding a kitten all it can eat at one time is called ‘ ad libitum ’ or ‘free choice’ feeding. This is not recommended as it can create juvenile obesity, encourage binge eating, as well as setting the stage for some orthopedic problems and diabetes.