Practice Scenario

Orange indoor domestic shorthair cat

Meet SOPHIE

A 5-year-old, spayed-female, mixed-breed cat

  • Sophie is in hospital today for a routine wellness examination. Her body condition score is 5/9, which is consistent with previous visits.
  • Although Sophie has always been healthy, her owner is concerned about Sophie’s risk for lower urinary tract disease.
  • Sophie is an indoor-only cat that eats mostly dry cat food, although she receives occasional treats of canned food.

Indoor Cats

Feeding Indoor Cats

Indoor cats are at an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese and also having lower urinary tract issues. Hairball management may be another consideration for owners of indoor cats. Indoor cats can benefit from nutrition tailored to their unique needs. 

Domestic shorthair eating from bowl indoors

Key Messages

  • Indoor cats are typically less active and thus require fewer calories. Feeding guidelines on pet food labels are for an "average" cat, but every cat is an individual. 
    • If a pet gains or loses weight, the amount of food should be adjusted. 
  • Treats should not exceed 10% of the daily caloric intake.  
    • The quantity of food should be reduced when feeding treats since they can contain a surprising amount of calories. 
small piece of cheese = 15% daily calories
  • To minimize the risk of indoor cats eating from boredom, environmental enrichment can help. 
    • Environmental enrichment, such as puzzle feeders, feather toys, scratching posts, and perches, offers mental stimulation and helps manage weight by encouraging activity. 
  • Feeding diets containing fibers such as cellulose and soybean hulls can help minimize hairballs. 
conversation starter background image

"Indoor cats are more likely than outdoor cats to be overweight since they are typically less active. Be sure to monitor your pet’s body condition and weight in case you need to adjust the quantity of food or the diet you’re feeding. Encouraging activity with toys and play sessions can help manage weight and keep your pet mentally stimulated."

Related Tools and Content:

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Health: The Role of Diet

Nutrition plays a role in the maintenance of feline lower urinary tract health.

View Brief 1 min to 5 min

The Purina Body Condition System

The Purina Body Condition System is an easy and practical tool for assessing a pet's body composition.​

View Brief 1 min to 5 min

How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment - Cat

Assess a cat's Body Condition Score in just 3 simple steps.​

View Video 1 min to 5 min

To Share With Pet Owner:

Benefits of Healthy Weight

Although there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy weight in pets, many owners do not understand what a healthy weight is or the benefits for pets.

View Hot Topic 6 min to 10 min

Evaluating Your Cat’s Body Condition

Assess your cat's Body Condition in just 3 simple steps.​

View Video 1 min to 5 min

Additional Resources

AAFCO. (2012). Reading labels. http://talkspetfood.aafco.org/readinglabels [Accessed 28 July 2020] 

FEDIAF. Understanding pet food labels. http://www.fediaf.org/39-prepared-pet-foods/80-understanding-labels.html [Accessed 28 July 2020] 

Laflamme, D. P. (2006). Understanding and managing obesity in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 36, 1283–1295.