The 10 Best Dry Foods for Indoor Cats

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What We Look For

Best Dry Foods for Indoor Cats

FAQs

How we created this dry food list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best dry foods for indoor cat.

We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best dry foods for indoor cats.

Key dry food considerations

Dental Health

Digestive Health

Hairball Control

Nutritional Content

Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Digestive Formula Dry Cat Food, 16-lb bag

Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend with Real Chicken Digestive Formula Dry Cat Food, 16-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

6,341

$33.48Chewy Price

($2.10/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Digestive Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Hairball Control

4.5/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Beef Fat Naturally Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols

Special Diet

Indoor, Natural, With Grain

Food Flavor

Turkey, Chicken, Poultry

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Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Adult Dry Cat Food, 22-lb bag

Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Adult Dry Cat Food, 22-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

7,364

$39.98Chewy Price

($1.82/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Digestive Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Hairball Control

4.5/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn

Special Diet

Weight Control, Pea-Free, High Fiber, With Grain...

Food Flavor

Chicken, Poultry

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natures Evolutionary Diet Chicken High-Protein Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food, 11-lb bag

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natures Evolutionary Diet Chicken High-Protein Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food, 11-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

3,306

$46.98Chewy Price

($4.28/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Digestive Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Hairball Control

4.5/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Peas, Tapioca Starch

Special Diet

High-Protein, Indoor, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural...

Food Flavor

Chicken, Poultry

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Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food, 15-lb bag

Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food, 15-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

2,084

$67.99Chewy Price

($4.54/lb)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.5/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.6/5

Excellent

Hairball Control

4.6/5

Excellent

Nutritional Content

4.6/5

Excellent

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Corn, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat

Special Diet

With Grain, Indoor

Food Flavor

Chicken, Poultry

View Item Details

Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food, 15.5-lb bag

Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food, 15.5-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

3,066

$60.99Chewy Price

($3.94/lb)

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.4/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.3/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.4/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Protein Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Fat

Special Diet

With Grain, Indoor

Food Flavor

Chicken, Poultry

View Item Details

Purina Pro Plan Adult Indoor Hairball Management Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food, 7-lb bag

Purina Pro Plan Adult Indoor Hairball Management Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food, 7-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

1,244

$28.08Chewy Price

($4.02/lb)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.4/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.5/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

New: Salmon, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Wheat Flour

Special Diet

High-Protein, Weight Control, High Fiber, With Grain...

Food Flavor

Salmon, Seafood & Fish

View Item Details

Sheba Perfect Portions Kitten Variety Pack Chicken Pate & Pate Salmon Wet Cat Food, 2.65-oz tray, 12 count

Sheba Perfect Portions Kitten Variety Pack Chicken Pate & Pate Salmon Wet Cat Food, 2.65-oz tray, 12 count

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

1,329

$13.98Chewy Price

($0.44/oz)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.5/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.5/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.4/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Breed Size

All Breeds

Lifestage

Kitten

Top Ingredients

Chicken: Chicken, Water, Poultry By-Product, Pork Broth, Dried Egg Product

Special Diet

Flax-Free, Grain-Free, Indoor, No Corn No Wheat No Soy...

View Item Details

Purina Beyond Simply Indoor Wild-Caught Salmon, Egg & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, 11-lb bag

Purina Beyond Simply Indoor Wild-Caught Salmon, Egg & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, 11-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

1,929

$34.28Chewy Price

($3.12/lb)

Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.4/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.4/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Salmon, Chicken Meal, Cassava Root Flour, Pea Protein, Canola Meal

Special Diet

High-Protein, Weight Control, Natural, High Fiber...

Food Flavor

Salmon, Seafood & Fish

View Item Details

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Indoor Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food, 14-lb bag

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Indoor Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food, 14-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

1,042

$44.98Chewy Price

($3.22/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.5/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.3/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.5/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Pea Protein, Whole Grain Brown Rice

Special Diet

No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural, Weight Control, With Grain...

Food Flavor

Chicken, Poultry

View Item Details

Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Indoor Health Chicken & Turkey Meal Dry Cat Food, 12-lb bag

Tiki Cat Born Carnivore Indoor Health Chicken & Turkey Meal Dry Cat Food, 12-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

511

$37.09Chewy Price

($3.10/lb)

Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code HAVEFUN

Our ratings

Dental Health

4.4/5

Great

Digestive Health

4.4/5

Great

Hairball Control

4.4/5

Great

Nutritional Content

4.4/5

Great

Is this dry food right for my pet?

Lifestage

All Lifestages, Adult

Top Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas

Special Diet

High-Protein, Indoor

Food Flavor

Chicken

View Item Details

Shop All Indoor Cat Food

Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Foods for Indoor Cats

What should I feed my indoor cat?

You should feed your indoor cat a high-quality wet or dry cat food that meets her nutritional needs and taste preferences. Most vets recommend a cat food that contains high levels of quality animal protein and low carbohydrates for optimal nutrition. Luckily, you can find both wet and dry indoor cat food formulas made specifically for the needs of indoor cats. These formulas are usually formulated with lower calories to help less active cats maintain a healthy weight. Many also contain added fiber to help prevent hairballs in indoor cats.

How are dry foods for indoor cats different?

Dry foods for indoor cats are different from regular dry food formulas in that they usually contain fewer calories. Many also contain extra fiber to help prevent hairballs. However, cat food formulas vary widely, and many regular dry cat foods can be a good choice for indoor cats, too. Talk to your vet about the best diet for your indoor cat and ask whether an indoor dry formula might be a good choice.

Can an indoor dry cat food help my cat lose weight?

An indoor dry cat food may help your cat lose weight if it is lower in calories and high in protein to provide adequate nutrition and a feeling of satiety. Lower carbohydrates and healthy fiber in the formula can be helpful for weight loss, as well. However, indoor dry cat food alone may not be enough to help your cat lose weight. You also need to consider portion size, feeding frequency and the activity level of your cat. Consult your veterinarian to determine good strategies for weight loss and come up with a tailored plan.