What Food Should I Feed My Indoor Cat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Dry Cat Food.
  • Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food.
  • Purina Beyond Dry Cat Food (Salmon)

Should I feed my cat wet or dry food?


Wet food

is more expensive and less easy to use but can be beneficial in cats prone to lower urinary tract disease, constipation and that are overweight. Dry food can be a very efficient way to provide calories in thin cats with food volume limitations and allows for the use of food puzzles and food toy dispensers.

What kind of food should I feed my cat?

Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. They have to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system.

Cooked beef, chicken, turkey

, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. Raw or spoiled meat could make your cat sick.

How many cups of food should I feed my cat?

If the cat owner is feeding a good quality dry food, that has a good quality protein, then the indoor cat needs only approximately

1/3 to 1/2 cup of food each day

. Most high quality foods have approximately 500 calories per 8 ounce cup of food. The major protein source of the food is very important.

Why is my cat so hungry all the time?


Hyperthyroidism

: Cats with an overactive thyroid gland have hyperthyroidism and it makes them always feel hungry. Diabetes: In diabetes, the pancreas isn’t producing insulin properly and as a result, the cat can’t use the sugars produced from digesting food for energy.

Can a cat survive on just dry food?

Many cat owners feed

only dry food to their felines

. “Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced,” says Dr. … Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages.

Should I leave food out for my cat all day?

Even if your cat prefers to eat their food in a few sittings, don’t be tempted to leave wet food out all day, as this increases the risk of disease-causing bacteria developing.

After a maximum of four hours

, throw out the old food and wash the bowl properly with soap and water before refilling with fresh food.

Can male cats eat dry food?

“There are a lot of people who believe that cats only need to eat canned food and will be unhealthy if they eat dry food,” says Larsen, noting that

most cats can do fine on either

.

What is the best feeding schedule for cats?

Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a

breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule

is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.

How many cans of food should a cat eat a day?

But, in general, cats do best when they eat multiple smaller meals throughout the day—

two at a minimum

, but more might be better. The math that you just performed can help inform your decision. In the example that we’ve used, the cat should be eating 3 1/3 cans per day.

How much dry food should I feed my overweight cat?

Weight loss.

If your cat is overweight, you will want to feed for

2 pounds less

, or 40 fewer calories a day, and readjust every time your cat loses a pound, until you hit a healthy weight, and then maintain.

How much dry food should I feed my 13 lb cat?

Cat’s Weight (lbs) Cat’s Weight (KG) Dry Food (oz) 12 5.4 2
13


5.85

3
14 6.3 3 15 6.75 3

Do cats know when to stop eating?

Some animals can be free-fed and

will stop eating when they are full

, while others will gain weight with just the occasional table scrap.

Is it OK to mix wet and dry cat food?

Mixing

wet

and dry food makes it easier for you to manage the dietary and nutritional needs of your unique cat. … For example, if your cat is naturally picky and highly active, you can mix wet and dry food to encourage your cat to eat the dry food that meets the caloric intake they need.

Can you add water to cat dry food?

Do consider adding water to dry kibble.

Just

take about a 1⁄4 cup of filtered water and add it to the top of the bowl of kibble

in order to moisten and enhance the flavor of the pet food. Cats often stand to benefit the most from doing this, as they frequently have issues with dehydration.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.