Indoor formula cat food? Gimmick or useful?

Vincent is almost 1 year old. I found him outside dying of hypothermia in January (he was estimated 5 months old then) and is now happy living with me and my boyfriend inside my apartment. I've had him on Blue Buffalo kitten food (can and dry) and I just decided to start him on big boy food so I got him indoor Blue Buffalo. I thought about it for a while, he is pretty active and playful. He likes to chase us around the apartment and is good at playing by himself while we are busy. However, he is a semi-cobby body style (short legs, sturdy core, blunt tail) and with thick thick fur and I don't want him to become obese in his old age. He looks chubbier than he is already but I can't stand the thought of letting him get overweight. 

I have never had an indoor-only cat. When I lived with my mom in California, our cats would be indoor/outdoor and do a lot of roaming free in the meadow behind the house. I now live in the Adirondacks in a small city so there is no way a cat belongs outside here. The sub zero temperatures are dangerous for even the most resilient animals and there's a lot of sickos that shoot cats that come into their yards. Is it a good idea to keep him on Indoor food? I don't want to deprive him of energy or essentials. I might add that he has no problems with hairballs or smelly poop.

I'd ask you why you think an "indoor formula" necessary? If you ask others who has had cats that were overweight and tried any "indoor formula", I think you'll find the vast majority noticed zero weight loss from it.

If you are concerned about obesity, you're right to reconsider his food. The best way to prevent obesity would be start scheduled feedings and put him on wet food diet only. This link is always an invaluable resource for those looking for guidance on feline nutritionist, written by a famous feline advocate and veterinarian: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity

Good job on discerning possible future ailments that may impact your cat. Becoming proactive is always a great thing to witness here! 

I don't use it. The ones I've looked at seemed too high in carbs and fiber. The idea seems to be that indoor cats are more likely to get fat and/or have frequent hairballs, but IMO these foods go about "solving" these hypothetical problems the wrong way.

 I have always used regular adult foods for my indoor cats, and none of them have been overweight except one of my first cats, who was eating Purina. Since switching to better quality brands, weight has never been a problem here. High protein from quality ingredients is the key, not low fat. As for hairballs, the most helpful thing seems to be brushing them often. I've never seen hairball "treatments" do much.

momto3cats said:

 
I don't use it. The ones I've looked at seemed too high in carbs and fiber. The idea seems to be that indoor cats are more likely to get fat and/or have frequent hairballs, but IMO these foods go about "solving" these hypothetical problems the wrong way.

 I have always used regular adult foods for my indoor cats, and none of them have been overweight except one of my first cats, who was eating Purina. Since switching to better quality brands, weight has never been a problem here. High protein from quality ingredients is the key, not low fat. As for hairballs, the most helpful thing seems to be brushing them often. I've never seen hairball "treatments" do much.

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I believe it is minimal carbs, as you mentioned earlier. It is the carbs and the dehydrated kibble that is the main problem. Cats need high protein and moderate amounts of fat as well as adequate moisture. Unlike us, who are omnivores, cats are obligate carnivores and do not have the proper digestive enzymes needed for plant material to be utilized, so ingredients like carrots, peas, potatoes, etc will end up in the litter box. Corn, wheat, soy, and rice are also fillers which cheaper foods mainly consists of. Thus, you'll see cats on raw meat diets have smaller and minimal excreted solid waste and yet maintain high energy levels, a good coat, and a trim, muscular body.

I call gimmick. My boyfriend used to buy into it, and it does make logical sense that if your cat is indoors, it's going to be less active than one that's prowling territory and playing with and hunting things outside and thus require fewer calories; however, fewer calories and lower fat can be achieved with good meal portioning that is specific to your cat's build and weight. I would sooner find a higher quality food and feed less of it while encouraging exercise and play than letting highly commercialized branding make my decisions for me.

I second reading Dr. Pierson's Feline Obesity page - very handy even if you're not seeking immediate weight loss, but just good maintenance.

I only feed "indoor" formulas if they fit my overall requirements for high protein, moderate fat and low carbs....and it's on sale & I have a high value coupon. I call it gimmick but I also feel the same way towards life stage foods. Most everything I buy is "adult" or for all life stages. Kitten formulas are more expensive yet comparable in ingredients and nutritional analysis. Why pay more?? "Senior" foods tend to reduce fat and protein and increase carbs which isn't good for aging felines. When it comes down to it, they're all carnivores and if you feed them as such then age and indoor/outdoor lifestyle has no real value in choosing a food. Obesity prevention comes with a species appropriate diet and feeding an appropriate amount of calories. Weight loss formulas and "indoor" formulas will do nothing for your pet if you feed too much of it, but the same can be said for ANY brand, formula or type of food you feed. So pick the closest to a carnivorous diet that works for your lifestyle and budget and measure out the correct portions. (And beware that the amounts on the bag/cans are often too much food. Good place to start but adjust accordingly!)