Best Cat Food For Indoor Cats – Reviews And Buying Guide

Cat food. It is the single most debated topic in the world of enthusiastic cat lovers. With today’s huge and fast-growing cat industry that supplies almost everything a cat owner can possibly think of from the most essential tools to the smallest details, it seems easy to find something for your beloved furry friends to eat. But does it? Finding the RIGHT cat food for your cats is no easy matter because there are too many brands to choose from and so many factors to consider.
It’s why we bring you our reviews of best cat food for indoor cats along with some other useful tips to make the best decision.

Why You Need Special Food for Your Indoor Cats? 

Try to think about this human analogy: Humans living in a civilized modern world have drastically different diet from those living in jungles. Why? Because of the differences in environment and lifestyle. Those living in the globalized world consume food that is manufactured by factories and food that is washed and cooked carefully.

Whereas, tribes living in jungles consume more natural proteins, and much more proteins to help them fight wild animals. Similarly, indoor cats have a very different environment and lifestyle from outdoor felines. It’s why there are different kinds of food for them.

Let’s examine the 2 most serious health problems indoor cats will face if they do not eat a special indoor diet.

Weight

Cats kept inside a house (whether big or small) tend to lead a sedentary lifestyle compared to their outdoor counterparts. Since they do not have any motivation to hunt to avoid hunger, they do not move much. And inactivity causes many cats to be overweight. There are serious health complications associated with obesity such as liver diseases, diabetes, etc.

Food made especially for indoor cats contains less fat and calories than the typical wild meat outdoor felines eat. Plus, there is a nutrient named L-carnitine in indoor cat food that turns fatty acids into energy to maintain healthy weight in indoor cats.

An indoor diet supplies enough energy for cats to be playful all day but at the same time, limits their intake of fat.

Hairballs

All cats have the habit of grooming themselves. As they do it, there is always an amount of hair getting into their stomach. As the hair accumulates in cats’ stomachs, it forms hairballs. The problem with hairballs is that they can cause intestinal blockage for your cats. 

Outdoor cats eat grass to get their fiber and pass hairballs out successfully. But there is no grass inside your house. This is why you need to feed your cats with a fiber-rich diet of indoor cat food. Fiber in these food not only prevents hairball problems but also promotes your cats’ digestive systems.

What to Consider When Buying Indoor Cat Food?

Cats’ Ages

Just like humans, cats of different stages in their life require different nutrients for optimal development. Little kittens need something small and soft enough for them to swallow and digest easily. They also need a reasonable proportion of protein to be energized and grow. For adult cats, the amount of protein and other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, etc. required may be very different from kittens. Senior cats need food that can help improve their joint health. In general, age matters when it comes to choosing the best cat food for indoor cats.

Health Profile

Different cats have different health problems. Not all cats are born healthy and equal. Some have sensitive stomach issues. Some have to live with a weak immune system. Others are allergic to a specific ingredient. Cat owners should give their feline friends frequent health check-ups to identify specific health concerns. Then, they should buy indoor food that is made for their cats’ problems. Otherwise, cats’ health will get worse over time.

Food Ingredients

Below are the ingredients you should avoid or ask a certified vet about when buying indoor food

Meat by-products: these are remnants from animals killed in slaughterhouses. They can include lungs, kidneys, bone, fatty issues, etc. The problem is that they do not contain much nutrition value. Pet food manufacturers often use them to add protein to their food but actually the quality is not good.

Corn as filler: there is usually an excessive amount of carbohydrates in this ingredient, so if you do not want your furry friends to be overweight, you should skip this.

BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin: these are artificial preservatives used to make dry cat food last long, but they are linked to cancer. It’s why most customers look for “No artificial preservatives” when they choose cat food.

Brands

This is not to suggest that small brands produce 100% bad food for your cats. In fact, many customers have only used small brands and their cats can’t be happier about their food. Even fierce contenders on the market have seen some very negative reviews about their products. But the point is large brands have more consistent quality products. They invest more money, have better technology and refund policies. If you buy from these brands, your cats’ health is more likely to be secured and you enjoy more rights as a customer.

Our Reviews of Best Cat Food for Indoor Cats

Dry Food for Indoor Cats

1. Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Natural Dry Cat Food - For Adult Cats

This product is one of the top favorites from the well-established brand Nutrish. It guarantees tasty meals and a whole lot of natural nutrients for your indoor cats. 

The ingredients are simple, natural yet very wholesome for the full development of adult cats. Real salmon in this product helps adult cats’ organs function well and strengthens their muscles. Farm-raised chicken is easy to digest and energizes cats throughout the day. Omega 6 fatty acids and amino acids protect cats’ skin and give them a gorgeous coat.

This product deserves to be the best cat food for indoor cats because of its unique blend of superfood tailored to indoor cats’ needs. The first ingredient in the superfood mixture is lentils, which boost metabolism and keep adult cats in the best weight range possible. Fiber-rich pumpkin and dandelion greens containing natural prebiotics are magical cures for digestive problems. You can find other best cat food for digestive problems from our website if you’re interested. The final components of this superfood blend are cranberries and blueberries packed with antioxidants for optimal immunity.

Nutrish says no completely to artificial flavors or preservatives. There is also no poultry by-product nor fillers. Ground corn, soy or wheat are not a part of Nutrish products.

This product is from one of the best go-to cat food brands, Purina. It has all features to desire in indoor cat food.

Its ingredients include natural fiber that is excellent at moving hair through your cats’ systems. This is an effective prevention against hairball problems, which may have terrible consequences to cats’ health. The product also contains an exclusive Purina formulation of natural ingredients to help maintain healthy weight in indoor cats. Your cats will get all 25 essential vitamins together with critical minerals to keep good overall health. Purina emphasizes a perfectly balanced diet for any cat with any special needs, including indoor cats.

There are certainly no artificial chemicals inside the food that can do any harm to your beloved friends. Purina says no to any chicken or poultry by-product.

Customers are pleased about the reasonable price for all the benefits they and their furry friends enjoy. The product is known to be the favorite of even the pickiest felines.

This chicken-flavored dry food for indoor cats from IAMS is a strong contender on the market. IAMS has been many customers’ first choice since 1950s.

This product contains the L-carnitine formula for burning fat and enhancing metabolism. For treating hairballs, the product contains a special fiber blend including prebiotics and beet pulp that maximize the absorption of nutrients and reduces hairballs. Another great feature is the excellent Omega 6:3 ratio for healthy skin and shiny coat. The food does a satisfactory job of keeping indoor cats in optimal weight range. Also, real chicken is a wonderful source of protein to fill your cats with vitality. IAMS makes sure there are no harmful artificial chemicals and fillers in your cats’ food.

Many customers have reported how the product pleases all of their cats, unlike some brands on the market that do not work for picky cats or have inconsistent quality. Many cats have also overcome their vomiting issues thanks to daily consumption of IAMS.

4. Hill’s Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food – For Kittens

We always make effort to include variety in our product reviews because we understand it’s important for our diverse reader base. Having reviewed the top dry food for indoor adult cats, we now bring you our best pick for indoor kitten dry food.

Hill’s Science is no stranger to avid cat lovers. The brand offers the best products anyone can possibly find on the huge market of cat supplies. This particular package is designed for kittens younger than 1 year old.

The product contains a lot of natural fiber to smooth little cats’ digestion systems. Customers of Hill’s Science are especially happy about their cats’ poop which indicates good health and makes cleaning up litter box an easier task. If you don’t wish to be grossed out by your furry friends’ unhealthy waste, this is the right solution for you.

The product helps kittens maintain good weight with high-quality lean protein. Fiber blend, together with essential vitamins and minerals, prevents hairballs and keeps kittens in ideal overall health for optimal development. Food is in the form of crunchy kibble so that kittens can find joy in their everyday meals.

We think some of you may be looking for a good deal for your long-lived furry friends. Royal Canin has just the right product to offer 7+ year old cats.

The product comes with a unique zip system to maintain the fresh atmosphere inside the package for the best quality of food. There are a lot of problems with older felines. For example, old age and a sedentary lifestyle cause cats to lose their muscle mass. This product provides the right protein to help strengthen senior cats.

There is also a higher prospect of obesity, appetite loss, dental issues and weakened senses. Luckily, Royal Canin has all the solutions. The product contains a special combination of antioxidants and vitamins that limits the negative effects of the free radicals eroding cells. This formula helps with the healthy aging of your senior friends.

The food is in very soft kibble form that breaks down easily in old cats’ mouths for sensitive teeth and gum. One of the great powers of the product is curbing the foul smell problems of old cats’ feces. A well measured phosphorus level keeps senior cats in good renal health.

Here is the part where you can find the best canned cat food for indoor cats. Purina Friskies ranks high on many review lists.

With this particular product, you can bring a whole new world of outdoor tastes to your indoor felines thanks to the special garden greens ingredients. Real high-quality meat provides adult cats with the amount of protein they need for daily functions and strong muscles. Besides, the smooth pates or meaty bites are irresistible treats to your cats. Savory gravies as well as sauces please even the most finicky felines with delightful tastes.

The product is a perfectly balanced diet that helps boost immune system, treat hairball problems and control weight.

The quality of the product is clearly seen in the litter box, as customers report, with their cats pooping less and producing good-looking feces.

This product from Hill’s Science is especially designed for adult cats from 1 to 6 years old. Just like any other Hill’s Science products, this one has a lot of fiber to aid cats’ digestion. The proof of good food digestion can be seen in the litter box. Another important ingredient is high-quality lean protein that strengthens cats’ muscles and helps them stay in healthy weight range.

This product is the result of the hard work from more than 220 vets, pet nutritionists and scientists happily cooperating with Hill’s Science to produce the best cat food. They ensure that cats consuming this product have a perfectly balanced diet with all the natural vitamins and minerals they need for overall health.

Customers have reported that the product works well for cats diagnosed with food allergies. The price of this product is much lower than typical prices of special food allergy recipes. It means that Hill’s Science offers the best products at a reasonable cost.

This wet food for indoor adult cats is introduced to you by Wellness – a well-known brand with a philosophy of making every meal count.

The product contains live active probiotics, prebiotics as well as fiber, all of which ensure the health of the intestinal tract and digestive system. There are also essential vitamins, minerals and a balanced ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 that boost cellular functions, maintain healthy coat and promote immune system. Eyes, teeth and gums are also protected and rejuvenated with important nutrients.

Real chicken and turkey give your cats wonderful tastes and at the same time, build strong muscles. The high protein level in this food also increases adult cats’ ability to burn the extra fat and calories. Fresh fruit and vegetables contain crucial antioxidants for immunity and overall health. This product is grain-free, contains no corn, soy, meat by-products, wheat nor any artificial chemicals that cause harm to cats.

The brand also offers a service called “Subscribe & Save” for their customers to get the best deal of the best food.

This is a proud product from BLUE – a familiar and respected brand on the market with the highest quality food.

For this particular can, BLUE introduces to customers top-shelf real chicken in tender flakes form for easy digestion and building muscle mass. Cranberries play an important role in promoting urinary tract health. For little kitties struggling with the common hairball problem, this product has a special blend of natural fibers as an effective solution. The special combination of fibers also helps curbing feces odor.

Experts from BLUE have measured a perfectly balanced amount of calories for this product so that your kittens can maintain a healthy weight and be properly energized at the same time. The product does not contain any wheat. BLUE prides itself on the complete removal of this ingredient from their products because wheat is often used by other brands as a cheap thickening agent in wet food.

The last one in our review is for indoor senior cats. High quality chicken provides crucial protein for maintaining and building strong muscles, which cats tend to lose as they get older. An exclusive natural mixture of fibers helps remove hairballs from old cats’ stomachs and support digestive system. Odor from feces in litter box is another problem for old cats and this product can help eliminate the odor.

As cats age with time, they are likely to lose the shine in their coat so BLUE offers a diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 to ensure cats’ coat health. This product is also 100% wheat free and consequently, few cats develop allergies to this food.

A wonderful combination of garden vegetables and antioxidants ensures healthy aging for mature cats living indoors.

Conclusion

We hope the variety in our reviews has been useful in guiding you through your decision. Those are the best cat food for indoor cats you can possibly find anywhere on the market. If you’re still hesitating, we’d like to make our suggestion.

For dry cat food, we’d pick number 2 – Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor Dry Cat Food. It has all the desirable ingredients and sells at a good price. Plus, the cons are not much of a big deal.

For wet food, we’d go for number 6 – Purina Friskies Indoor Wet Cat Food because it not only has all the essential nutrients but also brings outdoor tastes to your indoor cats. Its cons are not significant compared to other products’.

That’s it. You should read the reviews carefully and maybe share with friends for some advice. Keep your indoor friends healthy and happy!