TL;DR: Indoor cats need 65% fewer calories than outdoor cats, more protein (30-40%), and higher fibre (3-5%) to stay healthy. Free-feeding causes weight gain. Measure portions, feed on schedule, and watch for visible waist, shiny coat, and regular stools as signs your cat's diet works.
What you need to know:
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Indoor cats need about 200 calories daily vs 330 for outdoor cats
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Look for 30-40% protein, 3-5% fibre, 10-15% fat on food labels
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Transition to new food gradually over 7-10 days
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Feed measured portions at set times, not free-feeding
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Monthly weigh-ins help track if the diet works
Why Your Indoor Cat Needs Different Food
Indoor cats move less. They burn fewer calories. A 4.5kg indoor cat needs roughly 200 calories daily. An outdoor cat the same size needs about 330 calories.
Free-feeding causes problems. When food sits out all day, cats eat more than they need. New Zealand's feline obesity rate hits 63%. That's higher than the USA's 40%. (Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11577473/)
For Timaru cat owners, choosing the right indoor cat food Timaru shops stock makes all the difference in preventing weight gain.
What matters: Indoor cats need fewer calories but more protein to maintain muscle mass whilst eating less overall.
What to Check on Food Labels at For Pets Sake
Standing in the cat food section? Check these three things when selecting indoor cat food Timaru pet shops offer:
Protein: 30-40% minimum
Cats eating less than 40% protein lose muscle mass over time. Their bodies break down muscle tissue to meet protein needs. Look for real meat in the first few ingredients. Chicken, fish, or turkey. Not "meat meal" or by-products. At For Pets Sake in Timaru, quality indoor cat food Timaru residents trust features these real protein sources.
Fibre: 3-5%
Indoor cats groom constantly. They're less stimulated by outdoor activities, so grooming becomes a bigger part of their day. All that fur needs to move through their system. Higher fibre pushes fur through so it exits properly instead of coming back up.
Fat: 10-15%
Indoor cats don't burn fat like outdoor cats. Moderate fat gives energy without excess calories.
Bottom line: Quality protein sources and proper fibre content make the difference between a healthy indoor cat and one with weight and hairball problems. When shopping for indoor cat food Timaru locations like For Pets Sake can guide you to the right formulas.
How to Stop Free-Feeding
Leaving food out all day leads to weight gain. Here's how to fix it:
Week 1: Measure everything
Use a measuring cup. Check the portion guide on your cat food bag. Most people give nearly double the recommended amount without realising it.
Week 2-3: Three meals daily
Morning, after work, and evening. Same times. Same amounts. Don't top up between meals.
Your cat will meow. They'll stare. They'll act starving. This is adjustment. Indoor cats train their owners to overfeed them.
One Timaru customer's cat sat by the empty bowl with an intense, judgmental stare. Another cat knocked things off the bench at dinner time, then ran to its bowl. One cat brought toys and dropped them in the empty bowl, trying to barter for food.
Stick to your schedule. If you cave once, you've taught them persistence works.
Week 4 onwards: Two meals daily
Once your cat adjusts, move to morning and evening meals.
Key point: Consistency matters more than your cat's protests. Same times, same amounts, no exceptions.
Why Indoor Cats Get More Hairballs
Indoor cats shed more than outdoor cats. Without seasonal temperature changes, their fur growth doesn't naturally wax and wane. They groom more because they're bored.
More grooming means more hair swallowed. More hair means more hairballs.
A hairball once every week or two is normal. More than that signals a problem.
The fix: Higher fibre in indoor formulas
Foods designed for hairball control contain high insoluble fibre. This moves swallowed hair through the digestive tract.
What you'll notice within a month:
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Fewer hairballs
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More regular, well-formed stools
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Less cleaning up carpet messes
What this means: The higher fibre in indoor cat food acts like a broom through their digestive system, solving the hairball problem most indoor cat owners face. Quality indoor cat food Timaru stores stock includes these higher fibre formulations.
Signs Your Cat's Diet Works
Watch for these indicators:
Body condition
Feel your cat's ribs easily but don't see them prominently. Looking from above, they should have a visible waist. Not shaped like a sausage.
Coat quality
A shiny, smooth coat signals proper nutrition. Dull or patchy fur means something's wrong.
Energy levels
Indoor cats should still want to play and move around. Lethargy isn't normal.
Litter box habits
Consistent, well-formed stools mean digestion works properly. Straining or loose stools need attention.
Behaviour around food
After a few weeks, your cat shouldn't act constantly ravenous between meals. If they do, the food probably doesn't have enough protein to satisfy them.
Weigh your cat monthly. Track trends. Slow, steady weight loss if they're overweight, or stable weight if they're healthy, means you're doing it right.
Remember: Observable changes in body condition, coat, energy, and digestion tell you more than any marketing claim on a food bag.
When the Diet Doesn't Work
Cat not responding after a month? Check these issues:
Are you sticking to portions?
Family members sneaking extra food, treats throughout the day, or caving when your cat meows all add up. One customer's husband fed the cat a second breakfast before work because he felt sorry for it.
Are treats the problem?
A few treats throughout the day can add up to an extra meal's worth of calories. Count them in your daily total. When buying indoor cat food Timaru pet owners should ask about appropriate treat options too.
Is the food right for your cat?
Some cats need even higher protein or a different formulation. The staff at For Pets Sake can help you find the right indoor cat food Timaru has available for your specific cat's needs.
Could it be medical?
Thyroid problems or other conditions affect weight. Check with your vet if you're genuinely following the plan and seeing no results.
The reality: Nine times out of ten, the food isn't the problem. The execution is. People underestimate how disciplined you need to be.
How to Switch to New Food
Change to a proper indoor formula gradually over 7-10 days. Otherwise you're asking for digestive upset.
Days 1-3: 25% new food, 75% old food
Days 4-6: 50% new food, 50% old food
Days 7-9: 75% new food, 25% old food
Day 10: 100% new food
Watch their litter box during this time. If stools get loose, you're moving too fast. Slow down.
Don't change anything else during this period. No new treats, no different feeding location, no schedule changes. If something goes wrong, you need to know what caused it.
For cats with sensitive stomachs, stretch the transition to two weeks.
Why this works: Gradual transition gives your cat's digestive system time to adjust without upset, saving you vet bills and cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Cat Food Timaru
How much should I feed my indoor cat?
Check the feeding guide on your cat food bag for your cat's weight. Most indoor cats need about 200 calories daily. Use a measuring cup. Don't guess.
Can I leave food out all day for my indoor cat?
Free-feeding leads to weight gain in indoor cats. Feed measured portions at set times instead. Morning and evening works for most households.
How long before I see results from switching food?
You'll notice fewer hairballs within a month. Weight changes take longer. Expect slow, steady progress over 2-3 months for overweight cats.
What if my cat won't eat the new food?
Transition gradually over 7-10 days. Mix new food with old food, slowly increasing the ratio. Most cats adjust when you go slow enough.
How do I know if my cat is overweight?
You should feel their ribs easily but not see them prominently. Looking from above, they should have a visible waist. If they're shaped like a sausage, they're overweight.
Are treats okay for indoor cats?
Treats are fine in moderation. Count them in your cat's daily calorie total. A few treats throughout the day can add up to an extra meal's worth of calories.
Should I feed my indoor cat wet or dry food?
Both work. Check the protein, fibre, and fat percentages regardless of format. Some cats do better with a mix of both. Visit For Pets Sake to explore the indoor cat food Timaru options and get expert advice on what works best.
What if my cat begs constantly after switching to scheduled feeding?
This is normal adjustment behaviour. Indoor cats train their owners to overfeed them. Stick to your schedule. The begging typically stops after 2-3 weeks.
Key Takeaways
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Indoor cats need 65% fewer calories than outdoor cats but require 30-40% protein to maintain muscle mass
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Free-feeding causes weight gain. Measure portions and feed at set times instead
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Look for 3-5% fibre content to manage hairballs, which happen more often in indoor cats due to constant grooming
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Transition to new food gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset
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Watch body condition, coat quality, energy levels, and litter box habits to know if the diet works
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Most diet failures come from inconsistent execution, not the food itself. Family members sneaking treats or caving to begging sabotages results
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Monthly weigh-ins help track progress. Slow, steady weight loss or stable weight means you're on track. Finding the right indoor cat food Timaru shops offer is the foundation of this success