FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed Indoor Cats
Indoor cats live longer, safer lives — but four walls change the math. With no hunting, no roaming and no climbing trees, an indoor cat burns far fewer calories than nature designed them to, while keeping the exact same obligate-carnivore appetite for meat.
That mismatch is where indoor weight gain begins. The answer isn't less food — it's better food. A meat-first, moisture-rich, low-carb diet keeps an indoor cat lean and satisfied on portions their quieter lifestyle can actually afford.
What Indoor Cats actually needs
Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.
Lower daily energy burn
Needs: Calorie-controlled, protein-dense meals
Freeze-dried raw is pure animal nutrition with no plant filler, so an indoor cat feels full and holds muscle on a leaner, lifestyle-appropriate portion.
Obligate carnivore
Needs: High animal protein from meat & organ
Raw muscle meat, organ and bone deliver the diet a cat's body actually runs on — the protein density that prevents indoor calorie creep without leaving them hungry.
Low thirst drive, no fresh water sources
Needs: Moisture in the meal, not just the bowl
Rehydrated freeze-dried raw is a high-moisture meal that supports urinary and kidney health — the hydration an indoor cat won't get from kibble.
Boredom and idle grazing
Needs: Satisfying, low-carb meals over constant kibble
A meat-first raw diet keeps carbs minimal and satiety high, so an under-stimulated indoor cat is less driven to eat out of boredom.
More time grooming indoors
Needs: Highly digestible, omega-rich nutrition
Real animal protein and omega-rich fish recipes support smooth digestion and a glossy coat — helping ease the hairballs that come with extra indoor grooming.
How much to feed Indoor Cats
Quick answer: portion freeze-dried raw by your cat's ideal weight — about 0.13 oz per pound per day, split across two or more small meals. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.
| Ideal adult weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | 0.8 oz | 0.4 oz |
| 8 lb | 1 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 10 lb | 1.3 oz | 0.7 oz |
| 12 lb | 1.6 oz | 0.8 oz |
| 15 lb | 2 oz | 1 oz |
| 18 lb | 2.3 oz | 1.2 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
What to feed Indoor Cats
Build an indoor cat's bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw: muscle meat, organ and bone, with no plant filler to pad the calories. Protein density is the secret weapon indoors — it keeps a cat feeling full and holding muscle on fewer total calories, so a lean weight never means a hungry, yowling cat. Rotate proteins to keep mealtime interesting for a cat whose whole world is the living room.
Land Animal's cat recipes are formulated for exactly this: high in animal protein and taurine, very low in carbohydrate, and gently freeze-dried to lock in nutrition. Rehydrate with a little warm water to add the moisture an indoor cat rarely drinks enough of on their own.
Feeding by life stage
- Kitten: Indoor kittens are busy and growing — feed nutrient-dense raw across 3 to 4 meals a day and don't over-restrict; growth needs roughly double the calories per pound.
- Adult: This is where indoor weight gain shows up: hold a lean weight on two-plus measured meals and adjust to body condition, never to appetite.
- Senior: Indoor seniors move even less but still need highly digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle and kidneys; smaller, more frequent meals help.
Common concerns — and the diet connection
- Indoor weight gainIndoor cats burn fewer calories, so a measured, protein-dense raw portion supports a lean body and steady weight without leaving them hungry.
- Urinary & kidney healthThe moisture in rehydrated raw helps dilute urine and support healthy hydration — the single biggest dietary lever for an indoor cat that rarely drinks enough.
- HairballsMore indoor grooming means more swallowed hair; a highly digestible, meat-first diet plus added moisture supports smooth digestion and can ease hairball frequency.
- Boredom and overeatingSatisfying, low-carb meals help an under-stimulated indoor cat feel full, supporting better portion control than free-fed kibble.
- Coat & skinReal animal protein and omega-rich fish support a glossy coat and healthy skin for a cat spending its days indoors.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding Indoor Cats: what to know
Feed your indoor cat to their ideal body weight, not their appetite. Because indoor cats expend less energy, measured meals matter more here than almost anywhere else — eyeballing the scoop is how a 9 lb cat quietly becomes a 14 lb cat. Two or more small, weighed meals a day suit a cat's natural grazing rhythm and curb the boredom-eating that idle indoor cats are prone to.
Transition to freeze-dried raw gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing in a little more each day. Always keep fresh water available, and re-check the portion against body condition every few weeks — you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat.
Cat feeding questions
How much should I feed an indoor cat?
Why do indoor cats gain weight so easily?
How many times a day should an indoor cat eat?
Is raw food good for indoor cats?
How do I keep my indoor cat hydrated?
How do I switch my indoor cat to raw?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your cat won't eat it, it's on us
Try your cat's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Obligate-carnivore formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- Pathogen-tested every batch
“My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she’s drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it.”
— Dana & Miso“Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He’s more playful and his coat looks incredible.”
— Theo & Pepper
Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.