Keeping your indoor cat healthy starts with the right nutrition. While indoor cats may enjoy a cozy, safe environment, their dietary needs differ from outdoor cats. With lower activity levels and a tendency toward weight gain or hairballs, our indoor feline friends benefit from formulas tailored to support their needs..
In this Sploot Vets guide, we go over some of the best cat foods for indoor cats, exploring dry food and wet food options that support your indoor cat’s health and well-being.
Overview:
- Most indoor cats benefit from specially formulated indoor cat food designed to meet their nutritional needs and match their less active lifestyle.
- Indoor cat food typically has lower calories and more fiber content
- Indoor cat food has numerous benefits and is available in both wet and dry food varieties to suit your cat’s preferences.
Do Indoor Cats Need Special Food?
Yes, in many cases, indoor cats need special cat food, particularly if they are struggling with any of the following issues, which are common in indoor cats:
1. Unhealthy Weight Gain
Indoor cats have lower caloric needs than outdoor cats. Therefore, the best cat foods for indoor cats have fewer calories, helping reduce the risks of unhealthy weight gain—while still providing indoor cats with the energy they need to thrive.
Note: If an indoor cat has already gained a lot of excess weight, a veterinarian may first prescribe weight-loss cat food before recommending indoor cat food moving forward.
2. Frequent Hairballs
Indoor cats tend to groom themselves more frequently, which can lead to more hairballs. Indoor cat food helps control these hairballs with a blend of fibers that support healthy digestive motility. While indoor cat food may help with hairball control, it can be supported by other hairball remedies.
→ Learn more – 7 Cat Hairball Remedies: Which Ones Actually Work? [Vet-Approved]
Note: If hairballs are too frequent or if an indoor cat is vomiting hairballs, this can indicate underlying gastrointestinal issues, especially when accompanied by prolonged unproductive retching, signs of cat pain, and lack of bowel movement. If you see any of these signs, we recommend reaching out to an urgent care veterinarian.
3. Irregular Stool
A lack of exercise in indoor cats can lead to slower digestion, resulting in less frequent stools and potential constipation. Therefore, the best indoor cat foods typically have ingredients to support healthy digestion, such as prebiotics, probiotics, and added fibers.
What is the Best Quality Cat Food for Indoor Cats?
When choosing indoor cat food, here are some things to look for to make sure that you are getting the best quality cat food:
- Fit for your cat’s age – some larger breeds of cats (e.g., Maine Coons) may need kitten food for longer than a year
- Offers complete and balanced, according to AAFCO’s standards (a.k.a AAFCO cat food)
- Made by a trusted brand (e.g., Royal Canin, Hill’s, Purina)
- Recommended by your veterinarian for addressing your cat’s individual health needs.
Note: A nutritional consultation with a vet does not only help pet parents choose the best cat food; it also provides the opportunity to discuss other dietary considerations, such as dry food vs wet food vs mixed feeding, picky eating behaviors, addressing low thirst drives or inadequate hydration, and more.
5 Best Dry Cat Food For Indoor Cats
1. Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food [Chicken Recipe]
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (see ‘feeding tips’); for indoor adult cats up to 6 years old; contains prebiotic fibers and antioxidants
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for indoor cats. It also contains a ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that provide indoor cats with energy while also helping reduce the risk of unhealthy weight gain.
Additionally, this formula contains Hill’s ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit, a blend of antioxidants and prebiotic fibers that promote healthy digestion, immune function, and overall health. The prebiotic fibers also help maintain healthy and regular cat stool. With all of its features, this product is one of the best dry cat foods for indoor cats for overall wellness.
2. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Indoor - Cat Food [Chicken Recipe]
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (see ‘feeding tips’); for older indoor cats 7 years old and above; contains prebiotics and antioxidants
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Indoor Chicken Recipe helps promote vitality in older cats, starting with balanced nutrition and high-quality protein for overall health.
This formula also includes Hill’s ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit, a blend of prebiotic fibers and antioxidants that supports a healthy gut, digestion, and regular stool, which is highly beneficial for older cats that are more prone to digestive problems. The antioxidants also help promote cellular health for the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs. Additionally, this formula also contains Omega-6 and vitamin E for healthier skin and fur.
With an array of ingredients to support graceful aging, this product is among the best dry cat food for indoor cats in their senior years.
→ Learn more - 4 Best Senior Cat Foods: Why It Matters & How to Choose
3. Purina® Pro Plan® Indoor Care [Turkey & Rice Formula]
- Highlights: Complete and balanced nutrition for indoor cats (see ‘Overview’); for indoor adult cats; contains prebiotics, taurine, & Omega-6
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care (also known as Pro Plan Adult Indoor + Hairball), is a specially formulated cat food that provides complete and balanced nutrition for overall health. It is made with real turkey, and its high protein content also helps indoor cats maintain a healthy weight.
This formula also has natural fibers for hairball control and natural prebiotics to maintain gut health. Additionally, Omega-6 fatty acids help maintain a healthy skin and coat. Lastly, this formula contains taurine helps support your cat’s vision.
With its high-quality protein and beneficial ingredients, this product is one of the best dry cat foods for indoor cats on the market.
4. Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (Nutritional Adequacy Statement); for indoor adult cats up to 7 years old; general health
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food offers tailored nutrition for cats living indoors, providing a complete and balanced diet for cats with this lifestyle. The formula also has a moderate fat content, adjusted to the lower activity of indoor cats to help prevent unhealthy weight gain.
This cat food also contains healthy fibers for hairball control, helping facilitate the elimination of hair that indoor cats swallow during grooming. These fibers also help maintain healthy stools and reduce odor by promoting good digestion. With its highly digestible proteins, balanced nutrition, and digestive support, it’s one of the best dry cat foods for indoor cats.
5. Royal Canin Indoor Long Hair Dry Cat Food
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (Nutritional Adequacy Statement); for indoor adult cats up to 7 years old; contains fibers, EPA, & DHA
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Royal Canin Indoor Long Hair Dry Cat Food is specially formulated for cat breeds such as Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Persians, and the like. This cat food is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition, with additional features that support the needs of long-haired cats.
Long-haired cat breeds are more prone to hairballs and dull coats. To address these, this cat food contains a combination of fibers that support the intestinal transit of hairballs while also helping maintain regular stool. The fibers also help reduce stool odors by supporting good digestion.
In addition, the formula contains EPA and DHA, which are not only beneficial for reducing inflammation, but also help maintain a healthy skin and coat. With its intentional blend of ingredients, this product is one of the best dry cat foods for indoor cats, particularly for long-haired breeds.
2. Best Wet Cat Food For Indoor Cats
Many pet parents opt for wet-food-only or mixed feeding diets to help boost their cat’s hydration and kidney health. If you’re looking for wet cat food that is especially formulated for indoor cats, here are some vet-approved options:
1. Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (see ‘feeding tips’ for each product); for indoor adult cats up to 6 years old; comes in different flavors—Ocean Fish Entrée, Savory Chicken Entrée, & Salmon & Vegetable Medley
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food is a product line of wet cat foods that offer rich flavors and complete nutritional support for indoor cats. As of the writing of this article, this product has three flavor variants, which appeal to many cats, including picky eater cats.
While the tastes may differ, all product variants offer complete nutrition for overall health and high-quality protein for building lean muscles. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat Food products also contain natural fibers to help control hairballs and promote healthy stools, contributing to an easier litterbox clean-up.
In addition, the formulas feature antioxidants, Vitamin C & E, which promote a healthy immune system while also contributing to cellular health. With its creative flavors and thoughtful ingredients, this product is one of the best wet cat foods for indoor cats.
2. Royal Canin Indoor Adult [Morsels in Gravy]
- Highlights: AAFCO cat food for indoor cats (Nutritional Adequacy Statement); for indoor adult cats up to 7 years old; for cats that have been spayed or neutered; general health
- Available on the SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code AUTO35.
Royal Canin Indoor Adult [Morsels in Gravy] is a savory and healthy cat food formulated for indoor cats, including those that have been spayed or neutered. With its complete nutrition, optimized mineral balance, and highly digestible proteins, it promotes overall feline wellness.
In addition, this wet cat food has a ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that provides indoor cats with the energy they need while also helping prevent unhealthy weight gain. All in all, it’s one of the best wet cat foods for indoor cats, combining taste appeal with overall wellness support.
Final Thoughts: The Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats
Finding the best cat food for indoor cats means choosing formulas that offer optimum nutrition, digestibility, and palatability. Whether wet or dry, the right food helps support a healthy weight, reduces hairballs, and keeps your cat active and content.
If you’d like to get personalized dietary recommendations for your cat, consult a trusted veterinarian. For more information on cat nutrition, check out our vet-approved guides on cat parenting:
- Top 10 Healthiest Human Foods That Cats Can Eat
- 4 Best Cat Food Brands - AAFCO & WSAVA Compliance
- 3 Weight Loss Cat Food [& Weight Care Tips]
- 6 Best Kitten Food for All Breeds: Wet & Dry Food [Vet-Approved]
- 5 Best Cat Vitamins & Multivitamins [Which One to Get]
Nutritional Consultations at Sploot Vets: All-In-One Cat Vet
At Sploot Vets, we help your cat stay at their healthiest and happiest. Our all-in-one vet care includes preventive care, urgent care, and emergency vet services. From nutritional guidance to annual check-ups and urgent cases, you can always count on us for top-tier care.
We also offer a stress-free, cat-friendly clinic environment, along with our Fear Free veterinary approach to ensure your cat’s comfort.
Visit one of our convenient locations in Denver, Chicago, and Colorado Springs; our doors are open 365 days a year with extended clinic hours to fit your schedule.
Easily book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app today!
