Dry Cat Food Versus Wet Or Canned Cat Food
Dry cat food is a popular choice partly because it is more convenient than wet cat food. Dry food is cost-effective, odorless, and it can be stored for long periods of time without spoiling, says Ferris.
But Julien notes that dry cat food can also be higher in carbohydrates than wet cat food. Just as you think about all the sourdough youve been eating while baking at home, you should also consider the amount of carbs your cat is eating. An active cat can absolutely use carbohydrates as an energy source, says Julien, adding that a sedentary aka indoor cat will store extra carbs as fat.
Wet food requires a bit more effort it has to be refrigerated once the can or pouch is opened and can be more expensive. But it may also help cats get more water in their diet . Canned or wet food has higher levels of protein and fat, making it a great option for cats of various lifestyles and ages, says Kornreich.
Best For Adult Cats: Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
Chewy
Weight: 15 pounds| Form: Dry, Pellets | Flavor: Chicken | Life Stage: Adult
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Rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals
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Comes in 3-, 7-, or 15-pound bags
The best premium dry cat food for adult felines is Royal Canin Indoor Dry. Recommended by Dr. Singleton, it’s formulated with a blend of fiber for digestion and weight maintenance.
This cat food contains optimal portions of chicken meal, animal fat, vegetable fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The highly digestible and metabolizable ingredients keep your adult cat healthy, energized, and satisfied. Be sure to buy this food from a reputable pet retailer as counterfeit versions of this pet food seem to be an issue. If you’re shopping on Amazon, it’s best to make sure the product is being sold and shipped by the manufacturer.
Are There Any Ingredients In Indoor Cat Food I Should Avoid
All cats thrive best on a diet high in protein, and healthy fats, with a little fiber thrown in at times. However, your feline friend doesnt need carbohydrates to thrive. Avoid any foods high in grains and vegetables which might not give your cat any extra nutritional value. Its also worth staying away from meals using excessive artificial preservatives like BHT, BHA, and TBHQ. Artificial flavors arent ideal for your kitty either.
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The Best Cat Food For Indoor Cats In 2022
While many cats are happy to be outside and free-roaming, some pet owners decide to keep their felines permanently indoors. Whether its due to their breed or personality, urban space constraints, or perhaps because of their health, cats can be happy and thrive without ever stepping outside.
Compared to outdoor cats, the indoor variety tend to live longer as they enjoy a cushy, warm, and hazard-free life but you do need to be mindful of certain things that could affect their health and happiness. As indoor cats are less active, they can be prone to weight issues and their diet needs to be packed with the right nutrients to keep them in good condition. They also need to be stimulated and still have ways to play and exercise as any cat should do.
As well as making sure they are well-hydrated and have plenty of toys and indoor playtime, what you feed them will also make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of your home-happy cat. To help you make the right food choice for your pet, why not check out our review of the best cat food for indoor cats to see if you need to shake up your felines mealtime.
Our Top Picks For Best Cat Food
Food Label
Main protein sources: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets , Flounder, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Eggs, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg
Main plant ingredients: Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Navy Beans, Lentil Fiber, Pea Starch
Guaranteed analysis: Crude protein 40%, Crude fat 20%, Crude fiber 3%, Moisture 10%
*These details may change depending on the foods flavor.
Why we chose this food: Dry cat food is often very high in carbohydrates, which isn’t biologically appropriate for cats since theyre true carnivores. This Orijen Original formula, however, is protein-rich, featuring a mix of poultry and fish as its main ingredients.
Dry cat foods often include fillers, like corn or wheat, in large amounts. Although cats can eat fillers, they often benefit from heavily meat-based diets they can better digest. Orijen Original features chicken, turkey, mackerel, flounder and herring as its main ingredients, just to name a few.
Orijen Original Cat is grain-free and coated with freeze-dried liver to improve its taste. Its also appropriate for all life stages, from kittens to seniors.
- Bag only available in one size
Food label
Main protein sources: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver
Food Label
- Only available in one flavor
Don’t Miss: Best Non Grain Free Cat Food
What Should I Look For When Buying Cat Food
Similar to dog food, cat food has its own set of parameters laid out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials that determine whether a brand or formulation is nutritionally complete. As SELF has previously reported, the AAFCO isnt a regulatory body. Rather, it sets industry guidelines for a healthy, balanced diet. A good first step in finding a high-quality cat food is looking for an AAFCO statement on the foods label, and to make sure the food contains an adequate amount of protein Dr. Simpson says, AAFCO recommends commercial cat food contain at least 30% protein on a dry matter basis for kittens and 26% for adults.
She adds that the amino acid taurine is another essential nutrient for cats, and some foods contain much higher levels of protein and other nutrients than is recommended, which can lead to illnesses: Excess levels of protein, phosphorus, and sodium can exacerbate chronic kidney disease, while too much calcium may lead to the formation of urinary tract crystals and stones.
In addition to the AAFCO, Dr. Simpson points to global nutritional guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association , which specifically concern the quality of pet food manufacturers. These guidelines include several key questions you should ask about your cats food:
Mackerel Recipe For Senior Cats
Fish is an excellent source of fatty yet nutritional oils for cats. When we think of their love for fish, tuna might be the first swimmer to pop into our heads, but mackerel is a much healthier option. This recipe would be a great treat for a senior cat once or twice a week to ensure they get their fill of the healthy fats mackerel provides! Sardines are another great alternative if you are looking to swap mackerel occasionally.
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Top 7 Best Cat Foods For Indoor Cats
Choosing the right food for your cat is one of the best ways to make sure they remain fit and healthy throughout their lives.
Cats need access to specific nutrients and minerals to fuel their active lifestyle, whilst at the same time avoiding anything harmful to them. While all feline friends deserve a high-quality meal plan, indoor cats do have slightly different requirements to their outdoor counterparts. So it is important to think careful when deciding on the best cat food for indoor cats.
Its generally a good idea to buy any cat a diet high in protein, because cats need protein more than practically any other substance. However, youll also need to be cautious about how much fat is available in a felines diet. Indoor cats tend to be less active than their outdoor alternatives, which makes weight gain and obesity more of an issue.
For Sphynx Kittens And Younger Cats
Your Sphynx kitten has different nutritional needs than a fully grown cat of the same breed. Therefore, it is critical that you do the following when it comes to feeding your kitten.
Look for foods that provide support in the areas of digestive health, as well as immune system support.
Kittens:
- Are gaining weight rapidly as per their growth. They may eat 3-4 meals a day.
- Need higher amounts of protein, amino acids, and minerals, as well as vitamins.
- Need plenty of fresh, clean water.
- Need food that is easy to chew as their teeth are small.
Your Sphynx kitten is growing at a rapid rate-and remember, Sphynx naturally have a higher metabolism as they do not have the hair other breeds do.
Combine these two factors and you have a kitten that should be fed as much as they can eat-in this manner, their growth will not be hindered, and they will have the high energy that kittens often possess.
Do not be fooled by foods that provide nutrition at all stages of development-stay with food that is formulated for kittens. It will have the correct nutrients for your young cat.
Sphynx love liver and meat, as well as fish. But for kittens, stick to high-quality pet food. Raw meats and fish, along with raw eggs and milk, can cause health problems in young kittens.
Raw meat can have parasites and bacteria. Raw fish can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B. And milk may cause diarrhea in weaned kittens as they lack the enzyme needed to break it down.
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Indoor Complete Cat Food
This affordable dry food is designed for indoor cats and is excellent for the less-active adult kitty. Chicken, lentils, and salmon head up the recipe, along with pumpkin, dandelion greens, berries, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. If you want to try it out, they have a 3-pound bag its also available in 6- and 14-pound sizes.
Crave Grain Free High Protein Cat Food Is Our Top Choice
Nandini Balial is a writer and fact checker specializing in a variety of lifestyle topics, including film/TV, literature, and feminism, with work appearing in Slate, Wired, Pacific Standard, and more prestigious outlets.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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Our top choice is the Crave Grain Free High Protein Indoor Adult Cat Food. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food is also veterinarian-recommended.
Choosing cat food isn’t always a straightforward process. It’s an owner’s responsibility to provide for a cat’s nourishment requirements, which can change over time. “Cats are what we call obligate carnivores, meaning they must have protein as the majority of their diet,” Dr. Lewis Singleton, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in South New Jersey, explains. “Cats are not able to naturally make certain amino acids and vitamins such as taurine, arginine, vitamin A, vitamin D3, and other B vitamins, and therefore they must be included in their diet.”
With Dr. Singleton’s guidance in mind, here are the best premium dry cat foods.
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Smalls Fresh Raw Cat Food Best Overall
The Smalls Fresh Cat Food is the best overall cat food made in the USA. All Smalls cat food varieties are made in the USA, sourced from the USA, and even cooked in USDA-certified kitchens. In other words, every aspect of Smalls Fresh Cat Food takes place in the US.
The fresh human-grade foods are all prepared in Chicago, Illinois. Meanwhile, the freeze-dried raw foods are made in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the kibble is made in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Better yet, the Smalls cat food even meets the USDA requirements for human consumption. What this means is that your precious feline gets food that is such high quality that even you can eat it. The same cannot be said about most other cat food brands.
All Smalls cat foods are made primarily from animal protein sources and are free of any fillers, by-products, and artificial additives. You have your choice between chicken, turkey, and beef recipes, as well as two textures.
The only potential downside of this food is that it is more expensive than other varieties, but it is well worth the price. Because every step of the making of the food happens in the US, you can trust this food is safe for your furry friend.
- Uses some ingredients from outside the U.S.A.
Do Indoor Cats Require Different Diets Than Outdoor Or Wild Cats
Indoor cats have slightly different dietary requirements than outdoor cats. As you shop for cat food, youll notice that some foods have labels indicating they are specific for indoor cats.
Most of the time, the primary difference is the number of calories, because indoor cats often get less exercise than outdoor cats. The lower calorie count in indoor cat food helps protect against obesity. Indoor cat foods may also have higher fiber content because indoor cats are more prone to hairballs. Outdoor cats are predators, so outdoor cat food formulas tend to be higher in protein than indoor cat food formulas. It’s also very important that indoor cats have plenty of access to water, as dehydration can be a common problem for pet cats.
Also Check: How Do Cats Regulate Their Body Temperature
How To Treat Vomiting In Cats
In some cases, the best treatment for vomiting in cats is no treatment at all. This is generally the case with occasional vomiting and hairballs. If vomiting becomes a chronic issue, however, youll want to take the time to identify the cause then take steps to treat it.
For occasional vomiting, your vet might recommend giving your cat a bland diet for a day or two until the vomiting subsides. Make sure water is freely available as well to prevent dehydration.In cases of severe or chronic vomiting, your vet might prescribe medication to help control the problem.
To determine how best to treat your cats vomiting, consider the following:
- Frequency of vomiting. If your cat vomits one to three times within a 24-hour period, it may be nothing to worry about. Vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours should be addressed by a veterinarian to identify the cause.
- Energy and activity. If your cat is vomiting but otherwise acting normal, it may be nothing to worry about. If your cat becomes lethargic or experiences additional symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or excess vocalization, take him to the vet.
- Appearance of blood. Vomiting blood is generally an indication of internal bleeding should be treated as a medical emergency. It may look red in color or dark brown to black.
Best Wet Senior Cat Food
Senior cats can have their nutritional needs met with either wet or dry food, as long as the food meets AAFCO nutrient requirements for maintenance. Similar to senior dry foods, wet foods for senior cats contain added ingredients, such as fish oil, to help maintain good overall health and cognitive function.
Wet food provides a few other benefits for senior cats. Its soft, moist texture is ideal for senior cats with periodontal disease, a painful and uncomfortable disease of the teeth and teeth-supporting structures that can make eating difficult. The high moisture content in wet food benefits senior cats with chronic kidney disease the water in the food helps to support kidney health and manage symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Wet food’s high moisture content also promotes good digestion, helping senior cats whose digestive systems may not be working too well.
If your senior cat is a long-time fan of dry food, transitioning them to wet food may take some time. Rather than transitioning to all wet food, consider adding wet food as a tasty topping to your cat’s dry food to provide additional moisture and taste.
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How Are Indoor Formula Cat Foods Different To Regular Ones
The main difference between indoor and general cat food is that those designed for indoor pets typically has fewer calories. This means that your furbaby is less likely to have a surplus calorie intake, which could help her to manage her weight more effectively. Obesity is a common problem affecting felines, with as many as 1 in 3 cats now considered to be carrying additional pounds. Unfortunately, obesity can have serious health implications for your pet including the development of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Another difference between indoor and outdoor formulas is that indoor varieties are designed to reduce the risk of hairballs forming. Cats who spend most of their time indoors usually spend significantly longer grooming themselves, and this can make them more likely to develop a hairball an accumulation of matted hair in the digestive tract or stomach that typically occurs as a result of the natural grooming process. While most hair passes through without a problem, small amounts can remain and build up into a hairball. Products marketed as having a hairball reducing formula typically contain a little more fiber, which will help the hair to pass naturally.
Homemade Beef Cat Food
Here is another great option for senior cats with sensitivities. Limited and all-natural ingredients and simple preparation make this recipe one for the books!
Of course, old age is inevitable, but that doesnt mean we need to start preparing for the worst. It means we should prepare for the long haul! Maintaining the health of your feline as they age should be a priority and starting with their food is an excellent idea.
We hope that you have found these unique yet simple recipes useful when learning how to make cat food for senior cats!
Looking for more great recipes for your feline? Check these out!
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