Feline Wellness

Feeding an Indoor Cat: Important Things You Need to Know

September 02, 2022

Most cats can agree that the great outdoors is a lovely place to be, but there’s nothing quite like the life of an indoor cat. Lounging in our cozy beds and sharing a home with our favorite humans are fine and dandy ways to live, but like most things, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. 

Not only are chase-worthy critters just out of reach on the other side of the window, but we don’t get as many opportunities to get up and moving as outdoor cats. Without an adequate amount of exercise, we’re likely to pack on extra pounds, which could lead to a variety of health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. 

An indoor cat’s diet is a huge factor that determines their overall health, and we depend on our pawrents for the nutrition that we need. If you’re not sure where to start, I’m here to help!

Read on for everything you need to know about feeding an indoor cat and how to keep your feline friend lean and able-bodied for years to come. 

Nala’s Tips For Feeding an Indoor Cat

Choose the Right Food

Eating the right foods is the most reliable way to manage weight, even for cats! 

When you’re shopping for your cat’s food, look for options that are high in protein, low in calories, and packed with essential nutrients and minerals. Some foods are formulated specifically for indoor cats, which can make your shopping trip easier, but they’re not an absolute must for feeding an indoor cat. You can make almost any food that offers complete and balanced nutrition work. 

Wet cat food is a great option since it’s less calorically dense than dry kibble, keeps your cat hydrated, and uses protein as a main ingredient. Plus, it’s absolutely delicious! 

If the thought of hunting for the best indoor cat food sounds like a massive chore, I’d love to share some recommendations from Love, Nala’s Cat-a-logue: 

  • Chicken & Pumpkin Recipe: This tasty gravy recipe (one of my purrsonal favorites) is made with real shreds of chicken, beneficial pumpkin, and taurine to support a healthy heart and eyes. 
  • Flaked Tuna With Carrot & Green Pea: Fish is a fantastic choice of protein for your cat’s weight management, and the vitamin-packed vegetables are a tasty bonus to every meal. 
  • Flaked Chicken With Sweet Potato & Tomato: Fiber is an essential ingredient for feline weight management since it helps us properly digest and pass food, and the fiber-filled sweet potato in this recipe will do just that! 

Create a Feeding Routine

Cats are natural grazers, so many pawrents keep their pet’s bowls stocked with food throughout the day. However, this makes it easier for your cats to eat out of boredom and more difficult for you to keep track of how much they’ve eaten. 

Try feeding your cat two measured meals at the same times each day. Not only does this limit how much your cat can eat in one sitting, but it can get picky eaters more excited for mealtime.

Portion Control

Count those calories! When feeding an indoor cat, it’s important to portion their servings based on the food’s calorie count and their weight, size, age, and activity level. Most cat foods have serving suggestions and feeding guidelines to make this part easy for you. 

Just be sure not to underfeed your cats! If they’re not getting the nutrients they need each day, they’ll quickly lose weight and could become sick. 

Exercise

The right diet paired with an adequate amount of exercise is the ideal recipe for a healthy and happy indoor cat. Here are just a few ways you can help your fluffy roommate stay in shape without ever leaving the house:

  • Play with cat lasers: I don’t know what it is about those bright red dots that are so appealing to us, but WE. MUST. HAVE. IT! Use a laser pointer to get your cat running, jumping, and pouncing. It can be great entertainment for you, too! 
  • Provide spaces to climb: We love to observe the world from our high perches. Give your friend a special place to climb such as a cat tree, cat ladder, or hammock. I’ve seen some pawrents even use an empty wall to create a cat agility course. 
  • Bring out the catnip: If your cat responds well to catnip, give them a little taste to kick playtime into high gear and activate the zoomies! 

Feed From the Heart With Love, Nala

We believe that every cat deserves the best, and that includes the food they eat. That’s why my pawrents and I created wholesome cat food and mousse treats that are just as nutritious as they are delicious. 

Check out our wide variety of succulent wet food, tasty dry food, and beneficial supplements, and don’t forget to share your favorite Love, Nala moments with us on Instagram and Facebook

From my family to yours, thanks for being a part of our pawsome community! 

Love, Nala