Introduction
Although there are an estimated 60 million to 76 million pet cats in the United States, overall United States pet ownership has declined from 68 percent of households in 1988 to 55 percent in 2012, according to the American Pet Products Association. Their loving and playful nature along with their independence is just perfect for so many families. But one thing that many cat owners often overlook is that not all cats have the same nutritional requirements. An indoor cat and an outdoor kitty will lead very different lives, and that difference will impact the type of diet a cat should follow.
Indoor cats, for their part, tend to hang out in secure, enclosed places most of the time. Then did you have toys to play with, long sleeps, and could move about about the home. Types of Cats: Outdoor cats, on the other hand, are adventurers. They scale fences, stalk birds or rodents, and hours roam around unpredictable environments. Those lifestyle differences mean their diet has to be very thoughtfully managed.
Here, we will discuss the two primary kinds of diets at length: Indoor Cat Diet and Outdoor Cat Diet. Understanding these differences will assist cat owners in deciding on the appropriate food to maintain the health and well-being of their cats.
Type 1: Indoor Cat Diet
Indoor cats have an easy and carefree life. They aren’t subject to the risks and challenges of being an outdoor cat, but that also means they’re burning fewer calories. Their low level of exercise have some special dietary requirements.
Calorie Control
Indoor cats are less active than outdoor cats, so their diet needs to be lower in calories. If they overeat or are pampered with high-calorie treats, they can quickly become overweight. Obesity is not a laughing matter in cats as it can cause health problems like diabetes, arthritis, and liver disease. Indoor cats typically need around 20 calories per pound of body weight per day, but this can vary based on their age, activity level and breed.
Protein and Fat Balance
INDOOR CATS While less active, indoor cats are still obligate carnivores. That is to say, their bodies are biologically unlocked to metabolize meat, and they cannot exist without a healthy dose of animal-based protein. A proper indoor cat diet will have between 30–35% protein. The level of fat, however, should still not be high (10–15%) as to avoid excessive weight gain.
Fiber and Digestion
Indoor cats tend to groom themselves more, resulting in hairballs. To alleviate this, feed them fiber that will aid their digestive system to move hair through their intestines more easily. A number of commercial “indoor cat formulas” are based on sources of natural fibers, including beet pulp, brown rice or pumpkin.
Portion Feeding
Free-feeding may not be an optimal method, as indoor cats may overeat. It is a balanced diet to give them a measured small portion 2 times a day. This keeps them at a steady weight and eneries them without the extra fat.
Recommended Foods for Indoor Cats
If you already feed your cat commercial cat food, any food labelled “Indoor Formula” is specifically formulated for this type of life. High protein/low-fat canned foods are good. Gives treats infrequently and in very small quantities. Freeze-dried meat treats, such as chicken or salmon, can be a healthful choice that doesn’t come with excessive calories.
Type 2: Outdoor Cat Diet
Outdoor cats have a far riskier life. They are hunters by nature and will kill mice, birds, and even insects. For hours, too, they walk and climb and run, and that takes energy. For this reason, multiplying mothers’ feed should contain additional calories and nutrients to maintain their high-energy lifestyle.
Higher Calorie Needs
Cats that are allowed to roam outside burn more calories on a daily basis than indoor kitties. They might require between 25 and 30 calories per pound of body weight, again depending on activity level. So it follows that their food needs to be more caloric in order to keep them from being underweight.
Protein and Fat for Strength
Also, outdoor cats need more fat in their diet due to the fact that it is a highly concentrated source of energy. It’s also what helps them hold body heat, which is useful in the winter. Protein is still necessary to build those muscles and aid their hunting ways. Many active outdoor cats will fare best on a 35–40% protein and 15–20% fat diet.
Strong Immune System Support
Cats who venture outdoors are at greater risk of health problems, including injury, parasites, and disease. They need an immune system-supportive diet. Foods high in such nutrients as vitamins A, C, and E, and also minerals like zinc and selenium, are crucial for keeping them resistant to illness. Taurine, an amino acid that cats are unable to manufacture themselves, is also essential for heart and eye health.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3s and omega-6s are important in a diet for outdoor cats. They support skin and coat health, minimize inflammation, and promote faster wound healing. Because outdoor cats are more prone to scratches and other small injuries, these nutrients can be crucial.
Hunting vs. Commercial Food
Some outdoor cats hunt to supplement their diet. The addition of fresh protein from hunting is not enough for a source of nutrients. For instance, a mouse is not a well-balanced source of vitamins and minerals that cats require throughout their lifetime. Which is why high-quality commercial food is still supplemental to balance nutrition.
Feeding Frequency
If outdoors, cats should be fed throughout a day, as they are very active. Free-feeding is a better option for outdoor cats, who use energy during the day and need the fuel to be replenished.
Diet With An Indoor Cat Vs. Outdoor Cat
The greatest difference between indoor and outdoor cat foods is the number of calories. Indoor kitties require fewer calories and some added fiber, while outdoor cats require some extra calories and fat. They also both need protein as a base for their diet, but ratios change according to their mode of life. Indoor cats require portion-controlled diets with moderate fat, while outdoor cats need high-energy diets with immune-boosting nutrients.
Another difference is feeding style. Indoor cats are best off on a feeding schedule instead of free-feeding to prevent overeating, but outdoor cats can withstand free-feeding due to their high energy use.
In their diets, both of these types of cats benefit from being fed wet food, which will help to keep them more hydrated and protect against urinary issues. Cats aren’t natural water drinkers, says Schenck, so a combo of wet food and dry kibble often makes the best option.
Conclusion
Feeding your pet correctly is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner. Indoor or out, your cat's diet should match their lifestyle. Indoor cats do well on moderated low-calorie diets that are high in protein and fiber-balanced food, and outdoor cats need high-energy diets that have more vitamins and minerals than fat to keep them active and frisky.
Just by picking out the right diet, you’re not only keeping your cat healthy in a physical sense, but you’re also changing the way that they live for the better. A happy cat is an active cat, a cat kept at a healthy weight, and one with an appropriate energy level for their age and lifestyle, whether they're taking a cat nap on the couch or playing in the great outdoors.