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While outdoor life provides certain opportunities for adventurous cats, it’s not without risk. 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.
At a Glance: Vetting stats for Indoor Cats
Top 7 Best Cat Foods For Indoor Cats
#1 Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Green Beans, Peas, Organic Dandelion Greens, Vitamins & Minerals
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 13% |
| Crude Fat | 8.5% |
| Crude Fiber | 0.5% |
| Moisture | 73% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Rich in protein from chicken and liver
- ✔Good source of hydrating moisture
- ✔Adjustable meal plans good for indoor cats
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Expensive subscription model
- ✘Only available online
#2 Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food
Ingredients: Humanely Raised Chicken, Chicken Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Coconut Oil, Cranberries
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 7% |
| Crude Fat | 6% |
| Crude Fiber | 2% |
| Moisture | 82% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Made with 100% human-grade ingredients
- ✔Packed with high-quality animal protein
- ✔Rich in moisture to support hydration
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Price is higher than standard wet food
- ✘Some cats dislike rustic blend texture
#3 Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Turkey Formula Canned Food
Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Carrageenan, Cranberries, Blueberries
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 10% |
| Crude Fat | 8% |
| Crude Fiber | 1.5% |
| Moisture | 78% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Made with real turkey and chicken as the main ingredients
- ✔Grain-free and free from by-products or artificial additives
- ✔High in protein and moisture with added taurine
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Contains carrageenan thickener
- ✘Can be hard to source in local pet stores
#4 Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Ingredients: Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Gelatin, Chicken Fat, Dried Chickpeas, Coconut Oil, Salmon Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 59% |
| Crude Fat | 18% |
| Crude Fiber | 4% |
| Moisture | 12% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Rich in animal-sourced protein
- ✔Low-carb option for cats who like dry food
- ✔Small kibbles are easy to chew
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Lack of hydration in dry formula
- ✘Expensive dry food option
#5 Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Canned Cat Food
Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Cranberries
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 12% |
| Crude Fat | 7.5% |
| Crude Fiber | 1% |
| Moisture | 78% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Rich in animal-sourced protein and fat
- ✔Good source of DHA for kittens
- ✔Prebiotics help support healthy digestion
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Relies heavily on chicken liver
- ✘Calorie density is high
#6 Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin Canned Cat Food
Ingredients: Beef, Water Sufficient For Processing, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 10% |
| Crude Fat | 1.3% |
| Crude Fiber | 0.5% |
| Moisture | 85% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Low in phosphorus benefiting kidney health in older cats
- ✔Rich in highly digestible animal protein
- ✔Very low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Gravy reduces overall protein density per container
- ✘Low calorie counts require feeding more cans
#7 Tiki Cat Koolina Luau Chicken & Egg Recipe Canned Cat Food
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Dried Egg Product, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | 15% |
| Crude Fat | 5% |
| Crude Fiber | 0% |
| Moisture | 78% |
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- ✔Contains over 70% dry matter protein
- ✔Low in calories to help prevent weight gain
- ✔Rich source of hydrating moisture
What We Didn’t Like
- ✘Relies primarily on plant-sourced fat (sunflower oil)
- ✘Expensive compared to standard dry foods
Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats: Comparison Table
| Product Name | Brand | Guaranteed Protein | Calories per Oz | Cost Per Day | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food | Smalls | 13% | 40 kcal/oz | $4.00/day | Shop Now |
| Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food | Open Farm | 7% | 30 kcal/oz | $4.00/day | Shop Now |
| Dave’s Pet Food Naturally Healthy Turkey Formula Canned Food | Dave’s Pet Food | 10% | 33 kcal/oz | $1.64/day | Shop Now |
| Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food | Dr. Elsey’s | 59% | 113 kcal/oz | $0.89/day | Shop Now |
| Wellness CORE Kitten Turkey & Chicken Liver Canned Cat Food | Wellness | 12% | 36 kcal/oz | $3.49/day | Shop Now |
| Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites Dinner with Beef & Pumpkin Canned Cat Food | Weruva | 10% | 21 kcal/oz | $6.29/day | Shop Now |
| Tiki Cat Koolina Luau Chicken & Egg Recipe Canned Cat Food | Tiki Cat | 15% | 24 kcal/oz | $4.60/day | Shop Now |
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. 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. 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.
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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. 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.
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 to 30 calories per pound of body weight.
8+ yrs
Feline Nutritionist & Behavior Consultant
Feline Nutrition & Indoor Cat CareChloe Campbell is a wildlife rehabilitator and feline nutrition consultant based in Ontario, Canada. She specializes in species-appropriate raw feeding, digestive health, and environmental enrichment for indoor cats.
