Keeping an indoor cat happy and healthy requires more than just affection and a warm place to sleep. Because indoor felines live a highly protected and generally sedentary lifestyle, their dietary needs differ significantly from their outdoor counterparts.
If you are wondering how to navigate the endless options in the pet food aisle, this guide will help you choose the perfect diet to keep your indoor cat in peak physical condition.
The Indoor Cat’s Metabolism
Outdoor cats expend a massive amount of energy hunting, patrolling territory, and regulating their body temperature in varying weather conditions. Indoor cats, by contrast, spend the majority of their day sleeping, lounging, and grooming.
This lifestyle difference means indoor cats need a diet tailored to:
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Lower Calorie Output: To prevent weight gain, diabetes, and joint stress.
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Increased Grooming: To manage the large amount of fur they ingest daily.
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Urinary Tract Health: To compensate for a naturally low thirst drive and concentrated urine.
