Indoor cats may seem like they live the safest lives — no traffic, no fights, no fleas from the neighbourhood tom. But that safety can be a little deceiving. Many Kiwi cat owners don’t realise that indoor cats need just as much proactive care as their outdoor cousins.
Whether your cat lives in an apartment, a cozy suburban home, or a rural cottage, here are 3 essential health habits indoor cat owners often overlook in New Zealand — and how to fix them.
1. Indoor Cats Still Need Regular Flea & Worm Treatment
Myth: “She’s indoors — she can’t get fleas or worms.”
Truth: Fleas and intestinal worms don’t respect closed doors.
Fleas are remarkably resourceful — they can hitch a ride inside on your clothing, shoes, visitors, or even the family dog. Once inside, fleas reproduce quickly and can cause serious discomfort, allergic reactions, and skin infections. Even if you never see a flea, a single bite can trigger intense scratching and dermatitis.
Worms are just as sneaky. Many cats contract them through ingesting flea eggs, but they can also pick them up by licking contaminated surfaces or through raw meat in the diet. Hookworms and roundworms are common in New Zealand and can lead to vomiting, weight loss, and a weakened immune system.
In NZ, vets recommend year-round parasite protection for all cats — even those that never go outside.
Top picks:
- Bravecto for Cats: 3-month protection against fleas and ticks with a simple spot-on dose.
- Advocate for Cats: Broad-spectrum treatment that covers fleas, ear mites, and several intestinal worms — great for all-around coverage.
- Nexgard Spectra for Cats: provides fast and effective protection against fleas, ticks, and harmful worms, all in a simple, easy-to-use topical application.
Helpful Tip: Align treatment with the seasons. Spring and summer bring flea population booms, so don’t lapse in prevention during these months. Set calendar reminders or subscribe for automatic delivery to stay on track.
2. They Get Bored – and Stressed – Easily
Many owners assume cats are self-sufficient and content with napping, but this misconception can lead to behavioural issues and emotional strain. Indoor cats often lack stimulation, territory control, and opportunities to express natural behaviours like climbing, stalking, and hiding.
Boredom and stress in cats often show up as:
- Overgrooming, leading to bald patches or skin irritation
- Aggression toward humans or other pets
- Avoidance, hiding, or decreased playfulness
- Litter box changes — including urinating outside the box
These aren't signs of a "bad cat" — they’re stress responses. Indoor cats need just as much environmental enrichment and emotional security as outdoor ones. Creating a “catified” environment gives your cat places to climb, scratch, and observe, all of which reduce anxiety.
Tools for stress relief:
- Window perches or cat trees by sunny windows give cats a view of the outdoors (aka "cat TV").
- Food puzzles and rotating toys simulate hunting behaviour and mental engagement.
- Feliway Friends Diffuser: Uses synthetic feline pheromones to help cats feel safe, especially in multi-cat homes, during renovations, or when introducing new pets.
Did You Know? In a New Zealand study on feline behaviour, over 60% of indoor cats showed at least one sign of stress — but only 20% of owners recognised it. Prevention is better than treatment.
3. Nutritional Needs Often Get Overlooked
It’s easy to think "cat food is cat food" — but indoor cats have different needs than their outdoor counterparts. With fewer opportunities to burn calories, they’re more prone to weight gain, constipation, and hairballs.
Without proper diet adjustments, you may start to notice:
- Excessive shedding or dull coat
- Hairballs or vomiting
- Weight creeping up over time
- Reduced activity or playfulness
The fix? Choose high-quality food tailored for indoor cats. These formulas typically offer:
- Lower calories to prevent weight gain
- Higher fibre for digestion and hairball reduction
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health
Recommended foods available in NZ:
- Royal Canin Indoor Cat Dry Food: Tailored kibble size, hairball control, and odour reduction.
- Hills Hairball Control Adult: Helps manage shedding and improve digestion.
- Pro Plan LiveClear: Clinically shown to reduce allergens in cat hair and dander — a bonus for families with sensitivities.
Bonus Tip: Combine nutrition upgrades with interactive feeders or timed dispensing to add mental stimulation to mealtimes.
Final Thought: Treat Indoor Like Outdoor
Your cat’s world may stop at your front door, but their needs don’t. Parasite prevention, stress management, and targeted nutrition are just as important indoors — if not more so.
By staying proactive in these three areas, you’ll be giving your indoor cat the care they need to stay truly healthy, inside and out.