Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

11 Best High Fiber Cat Foods in 2024 – Reviews and Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

cat food recipe tuna eating in grass When it comes to finding the right commercial cat food for your feline companion, all the options might seem overwhelming. You can choose foods geared towards high protein and fiber, grain-free, hairball control, and other choices. And let’s not forget the choice of wet food or dry food. We understand you want the best for your cat, and choosing the right food is an important decision.

Making sure your cat needs a high-fiber diet is essential before switching. Diarrhea and constipation may be factors, as well as if your cat is strictly indoors. Indoor cats are not as active and they may need more fiber.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top reviews for the best high-fiber cat food so you can make the most informed and comfortable decision for your furry friend.

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.

A Quick Comparison of Our 2024 Winners

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Smalls Smooth Fish Cat Food Smalls Smooth Fish Cat Food
  • High-fiber content from natural sources
  • Highly palatable
  • Gently cooked to maximize nutritional benefit
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Iams Proactive Health Chicken Dry Cat Food Iams Proactive Health Chicken Dry Cat Food
  • Great value
  • Pea-free
  • No artificial flavors
  • Third place
    Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Hairball Dry Cat Food Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Hairball Dry Cat Food
  • No artificial ingredients, colors, or preservatives
  • High fiber content (6.5%)
  • Blue Buffalo Chicken Canned Kitten Food Blue Buffalo Chicken Canned Kitten Food
  • Comes in a 24-pack of 3-ounce cans
  • High protein
  • No artificial flavors
  • Royal Canin Vet Diet Fiber Dry Cat Food Royal Canin Vet Diet Fiber Dry Cat Food
  • Pea-free
  • Helps with both long-term and short-term intestinal issues
  • The 11 Best High-Fiber Cat Foods

    1. Smalls Smooth Fish Cat Food – Best Overall

    two cats eating smalls cat food

    Type of Food: Fresh
    Main Ingredients: Fish
    Fiber content: 3%
    Calories: 3,706–4,310 kcal/kg

    Feeding our cats the best diet is important to us, and that’s what the cat lovers over at Smalls aim to do. Their human-grade fresh recipes pack fresh, sustainably sourced proteins into perfectly portioned meals for cats, delivered right to your door. The Smooth Fish recipe is the best overall choice for picky felines as it’s made with just the freshest fish (40.49% cod, 40.49% salmon) with nutritious oils and fiber-packed veggies like pumpkin and green beans.

    Smalls’ fresh line of cat food has different textures to suit all tastes, but the Fish Recipe only comes in a pâté consistency (for now). There are no artificial colors or flavors in any of the fresh formulas, and each is gently cooked to safely lock in all the beneficial nutrition your cat could ever need.

    They’re sure to love the taste of the high-quality meals Smalls produces, and each meal is formulated to provide maximum benefit, such as having balanced calcium and phosphorus levels for urinary tract health. The high quality, USDA-certified fish proteins and additional fiber from natural sources like pumpkin made it more than worth the high price tag.

    Pros
    • High-fiber content from natural sources
    • Highly palatable
    • Gently cooked to maximize nutritional benefits
    • High-quality proteins in large amounts

    Cons
    • Only smooth consistency available for the Fish Formula
    • Expensive


    2. Iams Proactive Health Original Dry Cat Food – Budget Buy

    Iams ProActive Health Healthy Adult Dry Cat Food

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Chicken
    Fiber content: 3%
    Calories: 399 kcal/cup

    Real chicken is the first ingredient in Iams Proactive Health Healthy Adult Original cat food, and the added antioxidants, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, make for a shiny, healthy coat. Its fiber blend and prebiotics, such as beet pulp, support a healthy digestive system. It’s full of vitamins and has a taste most cats love. This dry kibble provides energy for your feline, and it’s pea-free for allergic kitties. The formula does contain corn gluten meal, so avoid it if your kitty has allergies to corn.

    Suitable for both indoor and outdoor cats, this food won’t break your pocketbook, making it our best high-fiber cat food for the money.

    Pros
    • Great value
    • Pea-free
    • No artificial flavors

    Cons
    • Contains corn gluten meal
    • Contains chicken by-products


    3. Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control 

    Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Chicken
    Fiber content: 5%
    Calories: 327 kcal/cup

    This veterinarian-recommended cat food, Hill’s Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control, contains high-quality fiber with chicken as the main ingredient. It also contains magnesium which is beneficial in overall urinary health. The high-quality protein of 29.5% aids in strong and lean muscles, and the high fiber will help reduce hairballs.

    A downside is the food does contain grain wheat and gluten, so if your kitty is allergic, this food isn’t for you. Easy to digest, this food will provide your kitty with antioxidants and vitamins for overall health, and the low-calorie content will help with weight management.  This premium high-fiber cat food also contains taurine, which rounds out all the essential components needed for a healthy cat.

    Pros
    • No artificial ingredients, colors, or preservatives
    • High fiber content (6.5%)

    Cons
    • Not for kittens
    • Contains gluten and grain wheat

     


    4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Wet Kitten Food

    Type of Food: Wet
    Main Ingredients: Chicken
    Fiber content: 5%
    Calories: 118 kcal/cup

    This grain-free cat food from Blue Buffalo is formulated especially for kittens. It is also gluten-free and contains no by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial flavors. Real chicken is the first ingredient, and it also contains chicken liver, potatoes, and flaxseed to provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This food is beneficial for kittens because it contains DHA, a fatty acid found in the mother’s milk. DHA plays a role in cognitive development, as well as brain and eye support.

    Wet food contains more water than dry food, so your kitty will stay well hydrated. Some kittens don’t like the texture and consistency of this pate cat food, but if your kitten scarfs it down, you’ll know they’re getting an assortment of quality ingredients.

    Pros
    • Comes in a 24-pack of 3-ounce cans
    • High protein
    • No artificial flavors

    Cons
    • Some kittens don’t like the texture

     


    5. Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food

    Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Rice
    Fiber content: 7%
    Calories: 362 kcal/cup

    For cats with GI problems, such as constipation and sensitive stomachs, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response provides soluble and insoluble fibers that keep the digestive tract moving with easy-to-digest proteins and prebiotics. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA to enhance a healthy digestive system. It also features a S/O Index formula to prevent urinary problems, such as crystals and stones.

    The high fiber content also helps with keeping hairballs down to a minimum. This product does contain corn and wheat gluten, so it may not work for your kitty; however, your vet can determine if this food is suitable for your cat.

    Pros
    • Pea-free
    • Helps with both long-term and short-term intestinal issues

    Cons
    • Requires veterinary authorization
    • Expensive
    • Contains gluten


    6. Natural Balance Ultra Dry Cat Food

    Natural Balance Original Ultra Indoor cat food

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Chicken and salmon
    Fiber content: 8%
    Calories: 381 kcal/cup

    Natural Balance Original Ultra Indoor high-fiber cat food contains real chicken as the top ingredient. Complete and balanced, it’s chock-full of superfoods, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health. Its high fiber content and protein aid in keeping the digestive system working properly, as well as help with hairball control. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, biotin, kelp, and vitamin E will keep your kitty’s coat and skin healthy.

    It has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and it contains taurine for a healthy heart and eyes. When fed as directed, it helps your kitty stay at a healthy weight. It does have peas and oats, so it may not be suitable for cats with sensitivity to those foods.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • No artificial ingredients
    • No fillers

    Cons
    • Not for kittens
    • Some cats don’t like the size of the kibble
    • For indoor cats only


    7. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Dry Cat Food

    Purina ONE Indoor Advantage Senior 7+ Dry Cat Food

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Real turkey
    Fiber content: 2%
    Calories: 372 kcal/cup
    Pure ONE Indoor Advantage Adult cat food contains 37% protein for strong, lean muscles and a rich fiber to minimize hairballs. Real turkey is the first ingredient, and there are no artificial flavors or preservatives added. Veterinary recommended, this cat food includes all the essential ingredients for a healthy and happy kitty, such as omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy coat and calcium for strong teeth.

    This cat food also helps with weight management when fed as directed. With four bag sizes to choose from, you can find the right size to suit your specific needs. This cat food is for indoor cats only.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Available in four bag sizes
    • High fiber (5.2%)

    Cons
    • For indoor cats only
    • Contains chicken by-products


    8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Hairball & Weight Dry Cat Food

    Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Indoor Hairball and Weight Control (1)

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Deboned chicken
    Fiber content: 2%
    Calories: 410 kcal/cup
    This grain-free cat food from Blue Buffalo has a slew of healthy and balanced ingredients, including 36% protein, plenty of vitamins, minerals, and superfoods that include pea protein, flaxseed for omega-6 fatty acid content, sweet potatoes, and carrots. This food is formulated specifically for indoor cats to help with weight management and hairballs. The deboned chicken in this food is packed with protein but without the extra calories.

    It also includes taurine for a healthy heart and eyes. This product is suitable for cats with food allergies because it’s free of gluten, wheat, and by-products and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.

    Pros
    • Gluten-free
    • No corn, wheat, or soy
    • Made in the U.S.A.
    • No by-products

    Cons
    • For indoor cats only


    9. Halo Holistic Chicken & Liver Dry Cat Food

    Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe (1)

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver
    Fiber content: 5%
    Calories: 397 kcal/cup
    Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe is packed with protein (32%) derived from cage-free chickens and contains no meat meals or artificial ingredients for optimal digestion. Formulated for indoor cats, this food aids in weight management with reduced fat and calories without skipping vital nutrients. The unique recipe increases metabolism and includes non-GMO dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried carrots, and dried sweet potatoes. Complete and balanced, this food has no fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

    It’s made in the U.S.A. with only quality ingredients and real whole meat. The manufacturer sources their chicken from the Global Animal Partnership (G.P.A.) to produce the food in the most humane way. Keep in mind that this food is for indoor cats only.

    Pros
    • GMO-free
    • Grain-free
    • Highly digestible

    Cons
    • For indoor cats only
    • Some cats don’t like the kibble

     


    10. American Journey Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food

    American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Turkey, chicken
    Fiber content: 4%
    Calories: 395 kcal/cup
    This high-quality, grain-free, high-fiber cat food from American Journey is packed with protein (40%) and uses deboned turkey as the first ingredient. It also contains deboned chicken, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables to round out the necessary nutrients for your cat. It includes antioxidants for a strong immune system, taurine for a healthy heart and eyes, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It contains no by-products, artificial flavors, corn, soy, or wheat.

    It does contain pea fiber, so it may not be suitable for a kitty with a sensitive stomach. It’s manufactured in the U.S.A. from trusted sources.

    Pros
    • Made for all life stages
    • No by-products
    • Packed with protein
    • Available in two bag sizes
    • Affordable

    Cons
    • Some cats don’t like the flavor

     


    11. Wellness Core Grain Free Chicken & Liver Dry Cat Food

    Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula Dry Cat Food (1)

    Type of Food: Dry
    Main Ingredients: Deboned chicken, turkey
    Fiber content: 3%
    Calories: 445 kcal/cup
    This grain-free, high-fiber cat food from Wellness Core is loaded with protein and nutrients your cat needs to flourish. It contains flaxseed to provide omega-3 fatty acids for a smooth and healthy coat, along with probiotics and antioxidants, to round out optimal nutrition. It has no fillers, corn, wheat, or soy and is gluten-free. It contains 45% protein with real deboned chicken and is easily digestible. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint function.

    Peas are an ingredient in this recipe, so it may not suit your particular kitty if it has a pea allergy. This cat food is made in the U.S.A. with quality ingredients.

    Pros
    • Contains no fillers
    • Three bag sizes
    • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

    Cons
    • For indoor cats only
    • Expensive

    hepper cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best High-Fiber Cat Foods

    What to Look for In High-Fiber Cat Food

    Knowing what to look for in terms of ingredients is paramount when looking for quality food for your cat. You want to make sure that the first ingredient is healthy and of good quality. For example, if the first ingredient is real chicken and the second is peas, you’ll know that there’s more chicken than peas.  AAFCO requires manufacturers to list the ingredients from most to last, so you can be sure the information is accurate and true.

    As far as fiber, try to find a food with a fiber content of at least 3% and higher. And be sure your cat even needs a high-fiber diet before switching your cat’s food. If your cat has constipation or diarrhea, your vet can help determine the best route to take.

    cat eats from a plate with wet cat food
    Image By: correct pictures, Shutterstock

    How to Look for Cat Food for Hairball Control

    Every cat owner knows how gross hairballs can be; it’s just the price you pay for having a cat. But does it have to be frequent and often? The answer is no. Too much grooming on the cat’s part and not enough grooming from you can cause hairballs (we all know cats like to lick themselves). Make sure you brush your cat to help keep its fur from matting and get rid of excessive hair. Never force a grooming session—your cat may not be too thrilled at first, so it’s best to start slow.

    As we’ve discussed, high-fiber cat food also helps with hairball control to keep the digestive tract moving.

    What Is the Best Fiber Choice?

    Finding the proper diet for your cat can be confusing and aggravating. With so many choices on the market, it can make your head explode. Knowing what to look for in fiber can help ease the pain while shopping. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, such as peas, carrots, and oats, absorbs water and helps the food pass through smoothly in the digestive tract.

    Insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran, potatoes, and nuts, helps with hairball control.

    While providing our feline companions with high-quality food is paramount, selecting the right food and water bowl is equally important. The modern yet practical design of our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl combines cat-catered features, like whisker-friendly shallow dishes and slight elevation, with a contemporary style aimed at protecting your floors from messy eating and drinking. The NomNom is entirely dishwasher safe and was thoughtfully created with your cat’s health and well-being in mind. 

    Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
    • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
    • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Conclusion

    For the best overall high-fiber cat food, Smalls Fresh Smooth Fish Cat Food combines high fiber, high protein, and essential vitamins for ideal nutrition. For the best value, Iams Proactive Health Healthy Adult Original provides prebiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins for a complete and balanced high-fiber cat food. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Urinary Hairball Control combines fiber, protein, and all-natural ingredients for a great third choice.

    We hope you’ve enjoyed our reviews of the best high-fiber cat food, and it helps in making an informed decision for your feline friend.

    You might also be interested in: 


    Featured Image Credit: PxFuel

    Related Articles

    Further Reading

    Vet Articles

    Latest Vet Answers

    The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database