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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.

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    A healthy Indoor Cats cat
    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    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 (a 10 lb cat ≈ 1.3 oz), split across two or more small meals. Kittens need more; seniors and indoor cats a little less. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.

    Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
    6 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
    8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
    10 lb 1.3 oz 0.7 oz
    12 lb 1.6 oz 0.8 oz
    15 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
    18 lb 2.3 oz 1.2 oz

    Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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    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.

    Recipes for cats

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    Daily support

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    Treats cats love

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    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?
    About 0.13 oz of freeze-dried raw per pound of ideal weight per day — roughly 1.3 oz for a 10 lb cat — split across two or more small meals. Because indoor cats burn fewer calories, feed to their ideal weight and adjust to body condition.
    Why do indoor cats gain weight so easily?
    With no hunting, roaming or climbing, indoor cats expend far less energy while keeping the same carnivore appetite. The fix is protein-dense, low-carb meals in measured portions, not free-fed kibble.
    How many times a day should an indoor cat eat?
    Two or more small, measured meals suit a cat's natural grazing rhythm better than one large bowl, and help curb the boredom-eating idle indoor cats are prone to.
    Is raw food good for indoor cats?
    Yes — complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw is high in animal protein and taurine and very low in carbohydrate, which keeps an indoor cat lean and satisfied. The added moisture also supports urinary and kidney health.
    How do I keep my indoor cat hydrated?
    Indoor cats have a low thirst drive. Rehydrating freeze-dried raw with a little warm water makes the meal itself a major moisture source, supporting healthy hydration beyond the water bowl.
    How do I switch my indoor cat to raw?
    Transition slowly over 7 to 10 days, mixing a bit more raw into the current food each day. Cats are neophobic, so patience and warming the food to release its aroma help.

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    • 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
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    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.