What is the healthiest cat food for an indoor cat
The 7 Best Cat Foods for Indoor Cats
If your cat recently switched from an outdoorsy lifestyle to one indoors, then you are likely wondering about the best cat foods for indoor cats.
Thankfully, many cat food brands offer an enticing variety of cat food formulas designed for your cats unique activity levels, age, breed, and health conditions. In this guide, we will explore some of the best food options that we have found on the market for cats who live most of their lives indoors.
At a Glance: The Best Cat Foods for Indoor Cats
Overall Best
9.9
Picked by 31 people today!
- Rich in protein from chicken and liver
- Good source of hydrating moisture
- Adjustable meal plans good for indoor cats
Budget Pick
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!
- Animal proteins are at the top of the ingredient list
- High in protein and moisture, very low in carbs
- Reasonably priced
Premium Pick
9.7
Picked by 31 people today!
- Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- Packed with high-quality animal protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration
Best Dry
9.6
Picked by 31 people today!
- Chicken meal is the top ingredient
- Highly digestible for most cats
- No history of product recalls in the company's history
Best for Hairballs
9.5
Picked by 18 people today!
- Simple, highly-digestible recipe
- Limited ingredient list
- Contains egg
Best for Kittens
9.4
Picked by 25 people today!
- One of the most protein-packed kitten foods on the market
- Ultra-soft pt texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Calorie-dense recipe to fuel growth and development
Best for Seniors
9.3
Picked by 31 people today!
- Low in phosphorus, which may help to prevent and ease the symptoms of kidney disease
- Rich in highly-digestible animal protein
- Low carbohydrate content may reduce your cats chances of developing diabetes
Cat foods for indoor cats are of a special variety of food that promises to nutritionally target your cats specific needs. But do cats who live inside really need different food than those who live outdoors?
What Are the Dietary Needs of Indoor Cats?
Think about humans who spend most of their time outdoors versus those who are usually inside. Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors typically get more exercise than the average desk jockey. Like human outdoor enthusiasts, outdoor cats tend to spend more time exercising by climbing trees, hunting, and exploring.
Decreased activity means decreased calorie needs. Your indoor cat may be inactive or tirelessly energetic, but in general, cats who live indoors dont get as much exercise as those who live outside. This, in combination with an inappropriate diet, puts them at riskof becoming overweight or obese.
Because indoor cats have more free time to spend grooming themselves, they tend to suffer more from hairballscompared to cats who live outside.
Hairball issues are directly linked to poor digestive health something that can be improved through a biologically-appropriate diet. Some of the best foods for indoor cats incorporate additional fiber to help hairballs pass through smoothly.
Why Trust Cats.com
We buy cat food products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Top 7 Best Cat Foods For Indoor Cats
Now that weve established a criteria of what makes the list of the best cat foods for indoor cats, heres a quick list of some of the best foods for your indoor cat.
Choosing a Great Food for Your Indoor Cat
Your indoor cat may not catch mice, but it is a dedicated carnivore nevertheless.
According to much evidence, cats dietary needs havent changed much since they first wandered into human settlements and started killing and eating rodents around 9,500 years ago.Their propensity for eliminating grain-eating mice earned cats their place in human society back then so why are so many people now feeding them mouse food?
The ideal diet for your cat is a balanced raw diet made from raw muscle meat, organs, and bones. If you dont 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. Any food that uses corn or rice as the first ingredient is better off in the trash than your cats food bowl.
Also Read: The 7 Best Raw Cat Food
Avoid By-Products and Fillers
The inclusion of byproducts puts you at risk of feeding your cat low-value meat from low-quality animal parts, unidentified animals that could trigger allergic reactions, and low-quality cuts of meat that arent easily digestible or highly nutritious.
Always look for high-quality meat ingredients like turkey, lamb, beef, and chicken liver. Avoid labels including vague ingredients like poultry, meat byproducts, and rendered meals.
Ingredients like corn, soy, and wheat are fillers that dont offer any nutritional value for your cat. Theyre cheap binders and should always be avoided.
Look for Food That Wont Contribute to Weight Gain
This is the number one thing that cat food manufacturers are targeting when they make cat foods for indoor cats: accommodating the reduced calorie needs of a less active cat.
What they so often get wrong is cutting higher calorie protein and replacing it with lower calorie-containing fillers, so as to appear to contain a lower total amount of calories.
Good cat foods for indoor cats keep them satisfied for extended periods of time. While they often have lower calorie counts, carb-rich foods wont keep your cat full and can lead to blood sugar spikes and fat accumulation.
Instead of picking the first low-calorie food for indoor cats, the best approach is to seek out a high-quality protein (even if it seems to be higher in calorie content compared to other fillers), nutritionally-dense food, and serve it in controlled portions.
Is Dry or Wet Food Better?
Whether your cat lives indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between, the answer is generally the same: choose wet food.
Cats have naturally low thirst drives and dont typically drink enough water to compensate for the lack of moisture in dry food. Those who consume dry diets often become chronically dehydrated, leading to urinary tract disease and renal failure.
Only wet or raw food, with its approximate 70% water content, can deliver the moisture that your cat needs to stay healthy.
High-moisture foods are also more satiating and help your indoor cat to stay slim and feel less hungry.
With that being said, cats are highly individualistic. Some cats have no problem drinking enough water, and some prefer dry cat food. In these situations, keep a close eye on your cats water intake to make sure they are staying hydrated. You can also incorporate some wet food into their diet on occasion, assuming your cat is open to it.
Also Read: How Long Can A Cat Go Without Drinking Water?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is indoor cat food really better for indoor cats?
Indoor cat food is designed for less active indoor cats and contains fewer calories. This means that your cat is less likely to become overweight or obese, which leads to a number of health problems.
Is dry food or wet food better for indoor cats?
Wet food is generally better for indoor cats. The moisture in the wet food helps keep cats hydrated, which in turn lowers the likelihood of them developing urinary tract disease and renal failure. Some cats may prefer dry food or do not need that extra hydration because they do drink enough, although cats, in general, have a low thirst drive. It can be challenging to track their water intake, and wet food helps to eliminate that guesswork.
Is it OK to give cats wet food everyday?
Yes! Wet cat food with quality ingredients is an excellent thing to feed your cat each day. It also has the benefit of keeping your cat hydrated and feeling satisfied after eating.
The 11 Best Cat Foods in 2024, Recommended By Vets
Feeding your cat awell-balanced and nutritious dietis a vital part of your cats health. But with so many options on the shelves, how can you know whats the best cat food?
You may wonder if dry cat food or wet cat food is the way to go, or what to select if your cat has health-related issues, such as frequent stomach issues like diarrhea, or urinary tract health concerns.
While theres no one-size-fits-all food bagit all depends on your cats health needs. There are a few key things to look for when determining the best food for cats, which is why we asked our team to curate a list of veterinary approved cat foods to help make the decision a bit easier.
Here are the best cat foods, as recommended by our team of veterinarians.
Finding the Best Cat Food: What To Look For
Our vets highly recommend that the food you feed your cat meets standards set by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which oversees the regulation of pet food and animal feeds. AAFCO states that there are six essential nutrients required for cats:
- Water:Along with drinking water, cats also get this essential nutrient from wet food.
- Carbohydrates:While carbs are typically thought of as an energy source, cats have evolved to get most of their energy from protein and fat. Therefore, they have relatively low carbohydrate needs.
- Protein:Your cat needs protein for their cells to grow, repair, and function properly. Protein amounts and the source of protein are important considerations when evaluating the right food for your feline friend.
- Vitamins:Vitamins are essential for normal feline metabolism. The AAFCO states that cat foods should include vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K; thiamin; riboflavin; pantothenic acid; niacin; pyridoxine; folic acid; biotin; and choline.
- Minerals:Minerals help build strong bones and teeth, and they turn your cats food into energy. The AAFCO states that cat foods should contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, and selenium. If your cat is eating a balanced diet adhering to AAFCO standards, you should not need to provide additional supplements or multivitamins.
- Fat content:Fat is the most energy-rich nutrient in cat foods and acts as a transport module to help other nutrients be absorbed. Some fats, such as essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, also help decrease inflammation and are important for skin health and wound healing.
Other considerations when looking into the best cat food may include:
- Addition of antioxidants:Antioxidants are extremely beneficial for a variety of health concerns, such as reducing inflammation, supporting eye health, supporting aging and aiding brain function, and generally preventing cell damage
- Addition of prebiotics and probiotics:Prebiotics and probiotics are important to maintaining gut health. Prebiotics are often high-fiber foods to support the good bacteria in the digestive tract, whileprobiotics are live microorganismsthat help improve that bacteria.
- Ingredient list:Its best to think of ingredients as vehicles for nutrient delivery. Ingredients that seem less appealing at first, such as a byproduct, are highly digestible and provide pets with essential nutrients. The ingredient list does not provide any information on the quality of the cat food or if the ingredients were used in amounts that would provide a nutritional benefit.
The 10 Best Cat Foods of 2024 We Tested Them All
Cat Food Reviews
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Learn more.
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Whether wet, dry, raw, or freshly cooked, the best cat food honors your cats needs as an obligate carnivore. Its rich in animal-sourced protein, has the right amount of fatty acids, and doesnt spike your cats blood sugar with excessive carbohydrates.
After researching feline nutrition and reviewing all kinds of cat foods, we learned which brands and products are worthy of your cats bowland which ones arent.
With taste, nutrition, and quality ingredients always top of mind, here are 10 of the best cat foods you can feel good about feeding your cat.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food to Buy in 2024
Best for Sensitive Stomachs
9.4
Picked by 31 people today!
- No heavy carb fillers like corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes
- Ideal for sensitive stomachs and inappetent cats who need encouragement to eat
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
Over the past four years, Ive tested hundreds of cat products including dozens of cat food brands. Informed by my personal experience and countless hours of research on feline nutrition, I selected the best cat foods on the market to test at home with my two cats, Wessie and Forest.
In choosing products to test, I prioritized meat-centric formulas for cats in various life stages with different needs and preferences. All products were purchased at full retail price and evaluated in-depth. My cats provided input on the foods flavor and general appeal while I analyzed the product information to determine its nutritional adequacy. I also researched the brands to assess their trustworthiness and rate of customer satisfaction.
Our team of veterinary experts provides additional informative support as well as their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food product. Heres the full methodology behind our cat food ratings.
Finally, we consulted seven veterinarians to get their professional opinion on what makes a great cat food.
Our Veterinary Advisors:
The Best Cat Food on the Market: Our Top 10 Picks
At the top of the list is Smalls Cat Food. Its hard to beat this wet foods combination of outstanding protein content, emphasis on animal-sourced ingredients, and the exclusion of additives that might harm your cat over time.
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors, including quality of ingredients, price, and popularity, among others. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while Smalls is our top choice, it may not be ideal for your unique cat.
- Made In: Thailand
- Guaranteed Protein: 11% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 37
- Typical Cost Per Day:$2.90 per day
RAWZ Wet Cat Food is made in a human-grade food facility, with zero meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Another factor that sets this line apart from other wet food brands is that it isnt thickened with carrageenan (linked to intestinal inflammation) or gum thickeners like guar gum and xanthan gum (known to cause loose stools).
The RAWZ Chicken and Chicken Liver Pt is made with 96% chicken and chicken liver. The recipes single protein makes RAWZ a good choice for cats with food allergies or sensitivities. And the high moisture content and short ingredient list make it easily digestible as well.
This recipe also contains fenugreek seeds and dandelion greens, but given the low carbohydrate content of the food overall, they dont appear to contribute significantly in terms of the products composition.
Some cat owners may also appreciate that RAWZ donates 100% of their profits to benefit individuals who have experienced spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. A portion of the proceeds goes toward providing these individuals with service dogs.
Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Fenugreek Seeds, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Salt, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Turkey Liver
Ingredients We Didnt Like: None
Crude Protein: 9%
Crude Fat: 8%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 78%
Protein: 40.91%
Fat: 36.36%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 18.18%
Protein: 27.75%
Fat: 59.91%
Carbs: 12.33%
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Negligible carbohydrate content
- Rich in moisture and animal-sourced fat
- Contains 96% turkey and turkey liver
What We Didnt Like:
- Fairly expensive, over$3.25 per day
- Some reviewers dont like the foods consistency
Crude Protein: 47%
Crude Fat: 37%
Crude Fiber: 5%
Moisture: 5%
Protein: 49.47%
Fat: 38.95%
Fiber: 5.26%
Carbs: 6.32%
Protein: 32.9%
Fat: 62.9%
Carbs: 4.2%
What We Liked:
- Gently freeze-dried
- Grain-free, legume-free
- 100% traceable ingredients
- Rich in animal-derived protein
- Organic fruits & vegetables are always 100% non-GMO
What We Didnt Like:
- Low moisture content before rehydration
- Expensive
Crude Protein: 16%
Crude Fat: 2.6%
Moisture: 80%
Ash: 1.6%
What We Liked:
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
- Low ash shouldnt contribute to crystal formation
- Species-appropriate pH helps keep things in balance
What We Didnt Like:
- Contains sunflower oil instead of species-appropriate animal fat
- Low fat content isnt right for every cat
- Very low in fiber
Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 1.3%
Crude Fiber: 0.5%
Moisture: 86%
Protein: 71.43%
Fat: 9.29%
Fiber: 3.57%
Carbs: 15.71%
Protein: 65.12%
Fat: 20.56%
Carbs: 14.33%
What We Liked:
- Offers a blend of vitamins, minerals, and taurine: essential for your older kittys vision and heart health
- Made with grass-fed beef
- 100% grain-free
- Carrageenan-free
- Free from artificial ingredients and meat by-products
What We Didnt Like:
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 12% Min
- Age Range: Kitten
- Calories Per Ounce: 36
- Typical Cost Per Day:$3.5 per day
Wellness COREs Chicken, Turkey, and Chicken Liver Recipe has everything we look for in kitten food. Its loaded with nourishing animal protein from turkey, chicken liver, chicken muscle meat, and chicken meal. The dry matter carbohydrate content is below 10%, and its a hydrating source of moisture.
While fish oil is the primary added fat in this recipe, herring also supplies animal-sourced omega-3 fatty acids. Both are strong sources of DHA, which contributes to brain and eye development in kittens. Omega-3s also play an important role in supporting healthy skin and coats in cats.
This recipe doesnt contain any grains or starchy beans, peas, or legumes.
At over 50% crude protein measured as dry matter, this recipe is formulated to support the development of lean mass. Its also calorie-dense enough to fuel your kittens growth at about 36 calories per ounce.
Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Herring, Chicken Hearts, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Ground Flaxseed, Dried Chicory Root, Tricalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Cranberries, Sunflower Oil, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Herring, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didnt Like: Guar Gum, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum
Crude Protein: 12%
Crude Fat: 7.5%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 78%
Protein: 54.55%
Fat: 34.09%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 6.82%
Protein: 37.84%
Fat: 57.43%
Carbs: 4.73%
What We Liked:
- Ultra-soft pt texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Rich in protein and calories
- Hydrating canned food
- Supplemented with fish oil as a species-appropriate source of DHA
What We Didnt Like:
- Can be quite expensive when feeding a hungry kitten
What to Consider When Buying Cat Food
Choosing great cat food starts with an understanding of your cats unique nutritional needs as an obligate carnivore. Veterinarian Dr. Lizzie Youens, BVSc, MRCVS explains, Our domestic pet cats have not altered their physiology much from their wildcat ancestor. In other words, they crave meat.
According to Dr. Youens, cats gain most of their energy from protein, rather than carbohydrates; they use fats to process certain vitamins and nutrients.
An extra point to consider for our feline friends is that they cannot make certain amino acids, such as taurine, and so they must be provided as part of their balanced diet.
When weighing your options, Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH, a veterinarian practicing at VCA Centreville Animal Hospital, recommends asking yourself the following:
- What life stage is my cat in (kitten, adult, or senior)?
- If a senior, does my cat have any specific nutritional needs that a diet can address, such as muscle loss or arthritis?
- Does my cat have any medical conditions that can be addressed with a particular diet?
- Is this cat food nutritionally balanced? (Does it carry an AAFCO statement, and is it meeting at least the minimum nutritional requirements for my cats life stage?)
- Does this cat food have a moderate caloric density (especially important for indoor cats)?
- Is this a food that my cat loves and will gladly eat?
Keeping these parameters in mind, heres what to look for when choosing the best cat food for your cat.
Look for Low Carbohydrate Content
Cats primarily utilize protein and fat as energy sources. While they can metabolize carbohydrates, high carbohydrate content is not a part of the natural feline diet. Theres little evidence that high-carb foods are harmful, but theyre also not necessary. We prefer foods that model a cats ancestral diet.
Choose High-Quality Protein
It helps to understand the difference between crude protein and digestible protein. Digestibility values, not percentages in the guaranteed analysis, are key to measuring nutritional value. For example, an egg and a feather may share the same protein values on a labels guaranteed analysis. But an egg (unsurprisingly) is far more digestible and nourishing than a feather. For that reason, we prefer foods that incorporate high-quality, clearly-named protein sources.
Avoid Animal By-Products
Animal by-products are one of the most misunderstood ingredients in cat food. While many common by-products are highly nourishing and delectable to cats, digestibility and quality control are major concerns.
Vaguely-specified ingredients may be produced from any number of animal parts. Besides not knowing what type of animals contributed to the by-product stew, you dont know if it contains more wholesome liver or nutritionally weak chicken feet. To ensure maximum protein digestibility, avoid purchasing cat foods with meat by-products and other vaguely-named ingredients like meat, poultry, and meat and bone meal.
Choose Minimal Plant Protein
While its unclear exactly where each source of plant protein lies on the digestibility spectrum, we do know that protein from peas, potatoes, and other plants is less efficient than that from animal ingredients. While a single prey animal offers all the amino acids a cat needs, plant ingredients need to be combined with animal protein and synthetic additives to recreate that mix of amino acids. Furthermore, many cat guardians report that their cats have less waste when theyre eating a diet composed primarily of animal-sourced protein.
Prioritize Moisture-Rich Foods
Our cats ancestors were desert dwellers. Because fresh water was scarce, early wild cats evolved to have low thirst drives and a natural inclination to get their water from the moisture-rich bodies of their prey. This means that they typically dont drink enough water to compensate for moisture-depleted dry food.
Favor Foods Free Of Harmful Ingredients
Artificial flavors and colors are unnecessary and have been tied to health consequences for both humans and animals. Some preservatives may also be of questionable safety. For example, BHA is considered safe in animal feed for all species except for cats due to inadequate safety data. Most pet foods have replaced them with natural alternatives including Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), rosemary extract, and other antioxidants.
Seek Brands With Trustworthy Reputations
While it doesnt tell us everything about the brand, a companys recall history provides key insights into its ethics, safety standards, and the quality of its products. If a company faces voluntary, or worsemandatoryrecalls every five years, purchasing from that company could subject your cat to three or more potentially harmful slip-ups during their lifetime. A communicative, transparent company isnt afraid to share this information with its customers.
Additionally, its helpful to check out what other consumers are saying about the brand. Through social media, blogging, reviews on retail platforms, and sites like Consumer Reports, pet parents can easily share their complaints or praises with the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dry cat food?
The best dry cat food is rich in animal-derived protein, low in carbohydrate content, and made from high-quality ingredients. One of the best brands for dried cat food is Open Farm RawMix.
What is the best wet cat food?
The best wet cat food honors your cats needs as a carnivore. Its a meat-rich product that delivers all the protein, fat, and micronutrients your cat needs without a lot of plants and starch. A few of our favorite brands include Smalls, RAWZ, and Nulo.
What is the healthiest cat food?
The healthiest cat food is nutritionally complete and balanced, emphasizing meat over plants and protein over starch. Look for expert-formulated recipes that were made with carnivores in mind.
Is dry or wet food best for cats?
Because its more hydrating and typically lower in carbohydrates, wet food is best for cats. A dry diet is convenient, but it could increase your cats chances of health complications over time.
Is grain-free cat food best for cats?
Cats dont need to avoid grains. What they need to avoid is excessive carbohydrates. Grain-free foods often replace grain with an unhealthy dose of biologically inappropriate ingredients like potatoes and peas.
