This post may contain affiliate links. We are compensated for referring customers to our affiliate partners.
If you’re the proud owner of one (or more) of the 47 – 96 million cats that are owned in the US, you’re in good company. One of the biggest decision that you will make as a cat owner is whether to keep your cat indoors, or let her roam outside. Though many people think that keeping a cat inside is less-than-kind, there are many things that outdoor cats are subject to that indoor cats are not, such as:
- Feline leukemia and other diseases
- Getting hit by a car
- Dog attacks
- Poisoned food
- Pesticides
- Cat fights
- Fleas and other parasites
- Becoming lost
- Getting stolen
- Gunshot wounds
- Rabies
- Exposure to cold, rain, and snow
This is probably why the average lifespan of an outdoor cat is typically 2 – 4 years, while that of an indoor cat is 15 – 20. While it’s true that cats love fresh air and sunshine, getting adequate amounts of these elements does not require a trip around the neighborhood. As long as you do a little bit of planning and research, you can keep your indoor cat very healthy, happy, and entertained for the many years that they’ll have to come.
- Start keeping them indoors when they are a kitten. The sooner she knows that the house is her home, the less likely she’ll try to bolt when the door opens.
- Install a shelf or a place to perch near a sunny window where she can see all of the activity of the neighborhood from a safe place. If you have a birdfeeder within view, this might become your cat’s favorite place for entertainment.
- A high-rise kitty condo, or even a tall cat tree will give your cat plenty of space to climb, play, and even hide. Cardboard boxes give kitty a delightful place to relax.
- If you have a screened-in porch, let your cat hang out and enjoy the fresh air when the weather is appropriate. You can also purchase a cat enclosure so your cat can go outside without running off.
- Consider purchasing a cat harness, or a small dog harness, and teach your cat to walk along with you. If your cat does well on the harness, you might try tying him up while you relax or do work nearby in the yard.
- Playing with your cat is important on many levels, but regular playtime can also keep her entertained and excited.
- Even indoor cats should be fitted with a collar that contains ID in case they do somehow get out. Even having her fit with a microchip can be an added piece of protection.
If you currently have an outdoor cat that you want to bring in, start by making a gradual transition in his indoor conversion. Bring him inside for longer periods during the day and try to get him to stay in overnight. If you live in an area where the weather gets colder in the fall and winter, it’s a good time to start the transition as all cats prefer the warmth and dryness of your house to a cold and dark backyard.
Seeing the Vet
Some people think that if they keep their cat indoors, they don’t need to see the vet. While indoor cats don’t see the vet nearly as often as outdoors cats do, your indoor kitty needs to go at least once a year to ensure that she’s in good health with a nose-to-tail exam. Also, there are a few vaccinations that all cats need annually or even every three years. Once you cat reaches age 7 to 10, you should take her every six months to monitor illness and other changes. And always take your cat to visit the vet if she’s sick or has an issue that just won’t clear up.
Nutritional Needs
When it comes to the nutritional needs of an indoor cat, the one thing to watch out for is excessive weight gain. Indoor cats often lead a life of leisure and can get a bit paunchy around the middle. The best diet for indoor cats includes extra fiber sources, which can keep your cat feeling full for longer, extinguishing the need to eat constantly. Fiber also helps aid in hairball elimination and proper digestion.
Some of the better brands of cat food your indoor ball of fur include:
The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Turkey. This food contains ingredients that you might see on your own table, such as turkey, pumpkin, and potatoes. While the potatoes don’t offer a lot in the way of nutrition, they do provide filler that isn’t an allergy-inducing grain. Pumpkin is a perfect ingredient that will help aid in digestion and give your cat that full-feeling. And the addition of parsley gives your cat an abundance of essential nutrients that digests easily.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Adult Fish. This is a grain-free option that contains plenty of fish and fish products, flaxseed for fiber and healthy omega 3 fatty acids. It also contains cranberries, which can aid in urinary health and are easily digestible.
Solid Gold Indigo Moon All Life Stages. Chicken and fish meal provide good protein for your cat, while canola oil gives her a good amount of omega 3 and 6 to help with heart health. This brand also includes broccoli, which is rich in vitamin C, soluble fiber, and calcium.
Natural Balance Indoor Ultra Chicken and Salmon Meal. The addition of brown rice will aid in digestion and fullness levels, while oats can improve the health of a cat’s coat and skin. Alfalfa meal is beneficial as it contains optimal levels of joint-protecting manganese, minerals, and chlorophyll, which is a natural detoxifier that inhibits bacterial growth.
The Best Diet For Indoor Cats
The best diet for indoor cats isn’t always the food on the shelf that labels itself “Indoor.” It’s the ones that provide the best nutrients and plenty of meat for your cat to stay healthy and thrive, even in the great indoors.
