Cats have adapted well to living inside our houses. Some may even say too well as they observe their cat sprawled out on the sofa, paws in the air, positioned just right so there’s not enough room for a single human. But while living inside ensures protection from harsh weather, disease-carrying animals and speeding cars, it also creates its own set of complexities regarding feline health and nutrition.

Thanks to modern conveniences, cats who live exclusively indoors do not experience natural temperature changes or changes in daylight – two major regulators of coat growth and shedding. Because of this, an indoor cat’s coat sheds almost constantly. That hair loss is compounded by the fact an indoor cat also grooms itself three to four hours a day with no access to natural purgatives like grass. What does this all mean? An increased risk of hairballs.

Hairballs aren’t only an inconvenience to you, they can be life threatening to your cat. When too much hair accumulates in the digestive tract, it can cause intestinal blockage that requires immediate surgery for survival. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help prevent hairballs from escalating into a major problem.

1. Brush your cat weekly, or more often if she has a long coat. This will help remove dead hair so your cat consumes less.
2. Feed a diet with a hairball system like Royal Canin Intense Hairball 34 to help swallowed hair move through the digestive tract easier.

Indoor living can also mean a more sedentary lifestyle. Rather than hunting mice and prowling her territory, the indoor cat spends the majority of her time eating and sleeping. You can compensate for this lack of exercise with regular play sessions that engage both the cat’s mind and body. Chasing fake “mice” at the end of a stick is a great way to let your cat use her natural instincts. Some cats will even retrieve “mice” made from crumpled pieces of foil or paper. Experiment to find the game your cat enjoys the best.

Even with regular play, your cat may put on some extra weight. This is especially true if your cat is spayed or neutered. In that case, you should look for a diet that encourages weight loss without reducing muscle tone. Visit our Product Selector to find several formulas that can meet the needs of the indoor cat.

A shiny coat, healthy teeth and gums, and litterbox odor control are all concerns if you live with an indoor cat. Most, if not all, of these issues can be addressed through proper nutrition found in Royal Canin products such as Beauty & Fit 37, Oral Sensativity 30 and Indoor 27.

Cats are very independent creatures who tend to take care of themselves, so it may seem reasonable to feed a lesser-quality diet because the cat doesn’t “need” anything more. But once you upgrade to high-quality, premium nutrition, you’ll see that your cat not only becomes more beautiful in coat and condition, but also more pleasant to live with because so many issues will be addressed.