10 Best Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
Best Sensitive Stomach Cat Food 2020 Can Offer
Hill’s Science offers a highly nutritious formula based on chicken and chicken meal. It has 29% of protein and a lot of calories, which makes it suitable for outdoor cats, pregnant cats, and kittens. The formula has a wide range of vitamins and minerals, folic acid for better reproductive health, and taurine for healthy skin and fur. Omega fatty acids contribute to muscle development and skin health. Vitamins C and E, together with antioxidants, improve overall well-being and the intestinal system. At the same time, the formula contains brewers rice, corn gluten meal, and grain corn, as well as egg products, so it is not recommended to allergic cats. The manufacturer used no artificial additives – only natural flavor. Veterinarians highly recommend this dry cat food for sensitive stomachs. Pros:
- Contains all essential vitamins and minerals;
- No artificial components;
- Small kibbles are easy to eat.
Cons:
- Not suitable for cats with an allergy to grain;
- Contains a lot of carbs;
- The formula is a little bit fatty, though it’s good for the cat’s fur and skin.
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Chicken & Rice, Salmon & Yellow pea
- Protein: 29%
- Calories: 513kcal ME/cup
This cat food for the sensitive stomach contains a lot of prebiotics and beet pulp that serves as the major source of fiber. The formula is based on turkey and chicken by-product meal: together with dried eggs, they provide enough protein for proper muscle development. The recipe includes a wide range of vitamins (A, B, E), and minerals. L-carnitine adds a boost of energy, while folic acid improves reproductive health. Also, there are Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids which contribute to the health of skin and fur. Like the previous recipe, this one is not recommended to cats with an allergy to grains because it contains whole grain corn, brewers rice, and corn gluten meal. Generally, the recipe is safe, but there is caramel color added, which is also a questionable component. The food is recommended to cats of all ages and breeds – you only need to figure out an optimal portion because the formula is pretty fatty. Pros:
- Has natural fiber sourced from beet pulp;
- The optimal size of kibbles;
- Great price/quality ratio;
- Contains antioxidants for a better immune system.
Cons:
- Not suitable for cats with an allergy to grains;
- Has a lot of dust;
- Pretty high fat content (14%).
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Chicken & Turkey
- Protein: 33%
One of the essential things for a cat’s well-being, proper hydration can be achieved by serving wet food. Royal Canin offers one of the best wet cat foods for the sensitive stomach. The chicken-based formula helps to maintain normal weight thanks to an optimal amount of calories (66 kCal per 3 oz can). Thanks to 82% of moisture, this recipe makes up for proper digestion. It contains all essential vitamins and minerals, as well as folic acid. However, the recipe features a few questionable ingredients, such as pork by-products, corn starch, wheat gluten, and cellulose. They are not highly allergic but are still far from being called healthy. The overall rating is pretty good: consumers claim that the product is worth its price because it eliminates the symptoms of stomach problems, improves well-being, and even helps to deal with gastroenteritis.
Related guides:
- Best cat food for weight loss: essential guide
- Best wet cat food for weight loss: only wet recipes featured.
Pros:
- The optimal amount of protein and moisture;
- Suitable for cats starting from 12 months;
- Ideal as a primary option for nutrition, and can be easily combined with dry food.
Cons:
- Expensive;
- The pieces of meat are pretty large.
- Type of food: Wet (slices in gravy)
- Flavors available: Chicken
- Protein: 7.5%
- Calories: 66 kCal per 3 oz can
This holistic formula is based on deboned chicken and chicken meal, so the option should be okay for finicky cats. With an average amount of protein (32%), it is suitable for cats of any age, especially with moderate physical activity. The formula contains the entire spectrum of vitamins (B, A, C, E, etc.) and minerals. Amino acids and L-carnitine boost metabolism, while Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids improve the state of skin and fur. With the help of this best cat food for sensitive stomach, vomiting and diarrhea can be eliminated forever. Besides, it contains a lot of fiber-rich superfoods, such as peas, potatoes, blackberries, pomegranate, pumpkin, barley grass, and yucca extract – all that improves digestion. To top it off, the manufacturer added fermentation products and prebiotics, which is a great advantage for a cat’s intestinal health.
Pros:
- Contains all essential vitamins and minerals;
- Prebiotics and fiber improve digestion;
- Affordable price;
- Versatile flavor.
Cons:
- Contains grains which might cause allergy in cats;
- The amount of calories is higher than the average;
- Contains salt and caramel.
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Chicken
- Protein: 32%
- Calories: 422 Kcals/cup
This dry cat food is based on turkey and contains a lot of protein, so it’s suitable for adult cats and kittens. Yet, the amount of calories is a bit higher than average – keep your cat active if you switch to this food. Surprisingly, the label states the kibbles have 12% of moisture, which is a pretty high level for dry foods. What makes this cat food for cats with sensitive stomachs so popular? First, there’s the whole gamut of vitamins and minerals used. Omega fatty acids ensure fur and skin health, taurine is essential for heart and overall well-being, while 4% of fiber improves digestion. The latest is obtained from dried carrots and peas. It goes without mentioning folic acid for better reproductive health, taurine for proper development, and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Pros:
- Great price/quality ratio;
- Recommended by veterinarians;
- Optimal content of protein;
- No artificial preservatives and colors.
Cons:
- The food is very stinky;
- Some cats experience stomach upset after switching to this food;
- Causes allergy in some cats.
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Turkey
- Protein: 34%
- Calories: 430 kcal/cup
The recipe from ZIWI Peak is based on organic lamb and mackerel, as well as lamb tripe, heart, kidney, bone, and liver. Together with chickpeas and New Zealand green mussel, they provide a higher-than-average amount of protein. It goes without mentioning a wide array of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and taurine. Combined with dry foods, it’s more than enough for daily nutrition. Among wet formulas, this is the best food for cats with sensitive stomachs simply because it’s palatable and safe. The total absence of artificial colors and preservatives is one more strong side of this product. According to the manufacturer, this food is made of ethically grown and sourced meat, and no chemical components, hormones or antibiotics are added.
Pros:
- 100% safe organic formula;
- Wide range of flavors available;
- High protein content.
Cons:
- Expensive;
- It should be combined with dry food to provide all essential vitamins and minerals.
- Type of food: Wet
- Flavors available: Chicken, beef, venison, lamb, rabbit & lamb, Hoki, mackerel & lamb
- Protein: 10.5%
- Calories: 222 kCal per 6 oz can
What makes this chicken formula suitable for cats with a sensitive stomach? It has everything pets need and nothing they don’t. The manufacturer excluded the ingredients which cause digestion problems or allergic reactions. For instance, there are no grains, no artificial components (flavors, preservatives, colors) or gluten. Thanks to deboned chicken, peas, and chickpeas, the food as a moderate amount of high-quality protein. This best dry cat food for sensitive stomach is formulated to meet the AAFCO profiles for all cat life stages. Another great thing about the formula is that it contains the whole gamut of vitamins and minerals, folic acid, and Omega fatty acids. Fermentation products and fiber superfoods (peas, alfalfa) improve digestion. It’s a perfect option for daily nutrition with maximum safety.
Pros:
- No artificial components are used;
- Contains the whole range of vitamins and minerals;
- Optimal calorie and protein content;
- Decent choice of flavors.
Cons:
- Too much dust in the package;
- Some cats don’t like the flavor of this food.
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Chicken, Salmon, Tuna, Seafood
- Protein: 30%
- Calories: 354 kCal per cup
No matter what you need – cat food for older cats with sensitive stomachs or a solution for kittens – this is a versatile recipe that addresses nutritional needs and health issues. The formula is based on salmon, ground peas, and menhaden fish meal – they serve as the primary source of protein (36%). Thanks to the optimal amount of calories and protein, you can serve this food to felines of any age without being afraid of them becoming overweight. The all-natural formulation contains all essential vitamins and minerals, biotin, folic acid, and Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. There’s the whole gamut of superfoods for the improvement of digestion: sweet potatoes, pea starch, chicory root, and sunflower oil. It goes without mentioning many fermentation products that contribute to better digestion and health of the intestine. The product contains salt – give cautiously to cats with weak kidneys and bladder.
Pros:
- All-natural, safe recipe;
- The optimal amount of calories;
- The high content of fiber;
- Contains microorganisms.
Cons:
- No choice of flavors;
- Contains salt;
- Finicky cats don’t like it.
- Type of food: Dry
- Flavors available: Salmon + Sweet potato
- Protein: 36%
- Calories: 362 kcal/cup
The best sensitive stomach cat food from AvoDerm, the seafood recipe, is a real find for picky cats. The tuna & chicken formula is based on tuna meat, chicken, tapioca starch, and avocado oil. It’s formulated to provide enough protein and energy: with 118 kCal per one can, such food is suitable for daily nutrition of kittens and adult cats. It features the whole gamut of vitamins and minerals, Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids for healthier skin and fur, taurine for heart health, and folic acid. The manufacturer did not use artificial preservatives and colors, so the formula is 100% natural. Besides, there are no soy, grains, or gluten – this formula is ideal for cats with sensitive stomach and digestion disorders. Thanks to a high amount of moisture, this wet food is also recommended to cats that don’t drink enough water.
Pros:
- The recipe is formulated to meet AAFCO standards;
- No artificial components;
- No grains and soy.
Cons:
- Some consumers claim there’s too much water;
- Expensive;
- Very smelly.
- Type of food: Wet
- Flavors available: Seafood, Tuna & Chicken
- Protein: 10%
- Calories: 118 kCal per can
This wet food is highly recommended to overweight cats because it’s nutritious but, at the same time, has a low amount of carbs. The formula from Blue Buffalo boasts the whole gamut of vitamins and minerals, as well as Omega fatty acids, folic acid, and taurine. This spectrum of components makes it perfect for daily nutrition, especially if you combine it with dry food. Besides, this is an easy to digest cat food since it features the whole gamut of fiber-rich products: cranberries, blueberries, pumpkin, and flaxseed. No artificial components (preservatives, colors) were added. Besides, there’s no grain and soy. If your cat is okay with eating potatoes and peas, this limited-ingredient formula will be just right.
Pros:
- Low calorie content;
- 100% natural formula without artificial components;
- Decent variety of flavors;
- Contains fiber-rich products.
Cons:
- Low protein content;
- Contains potato.
- Type of food: Wet
- Flavors available: Turkey, Fish, Duck
- Protein: 7.5%
- Calories: 99 kCal per can
What to look for in cat food for sensitive stomach?
When in search of quality cat food for sensitive stomach, you should pay primary attention to components instead of price or flavors.
The following ingredients should be included:
- Enzymes and prebiotics are essential for intestine health. These components are highly recommended for pets suffering from diarrhea, constipation, and smelly poop. These bacteria restore the normal intestinal microflora, which also brings benefits for the immune system.
- A high content of moisture. Lack of moisture is a serious problem for many cats because they don’t drink enough water. Make sure that wet food contains about 80% of moisture, and dry food – 5-10% of moisture.
- Vitamins and minerals are essential for any cat food formula. Make sure there’s a sufficient amount of nutrients – they will sustain the overall cat’s health.
- Fiber-rich products, be those veggies, fruits, berries, or seeds, will contribute to better digestion. But please, be cautious: high amount of fiber can also lead to bloating and diarrhea – low-fiber products should be used in this scenario.
At the same time, you should keep in mind that some ingredients should be avoided at all costs. For example, grains are not good for cat’s digestion, as well as soy and other gluten products. All in all, cats are carnivores, and their intestinal system lacks enzymes to digest plant-based components.
Potato and peas are not equally safe for all cats, so you should define what your pet’s individual reaction to these ingredients is.
Extra tip: sometimes it’s impossible to find a commercial recipe with a perfect list of ingredients; I recommend you to check out this article with homemade recipes – this food will contain only the high quality ingredients and nothing else.
Types of cat food for sensitive stomachs
Best dry cat food for sensitive stomachs
When in search of the best cat food for sensitive stomach, keep in mind that kibbles should be made of natural meat or meal products. The most optimal amount of protein is 30-38% – a higher level of protein is harder to digest. Look for the sources of fiber (veggies, fruits, berries, seeds). Do not forget about vitamins and minerals – it’s a must for daily nutrition. Ideally, dry cat food should also contain prebiotics or enzymes because they will improve digestion and make switching to the new food easier.
Consider the following dry food formulas:
- Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Dry Cat Food;
- I and love and you Dry Cat Food – Grain Free Limited Ingredient;
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipes
Best wet cat food for sensitive stomachs
When it comes to wet food, it’s important to look at the moisture content: it should range from 75% to 82% for efficient digestion. Small and medium-size pieces of meat are preferable, as well as pate-style and semi-moist food since they are more palatable. Also, you should avoid grains, soy, and some artificial colors, preservatives, or thickeners.
If you have a diabetic or overweight cat, low-calorie recipes with seafood flavors are a perfect pick – they will provide enough nutrients without extra carbs and fat. Do not buy recipes with artificial flavors or caramel and avoid fatty options with over 120 kCal per 3 oz can. Also please, make sure to read our guide on helping your pet lose weight.
Try these wet food recipes:
- AvoDerm Natural Grain-Free Tuna & Chicken Entrée with Vegetables;
- Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food;
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food.
How to choose the best sensitive stomach cat food?
Before you read this algorithm, please, mind that cat’s individual diet should be prescribed by a veterinarian! If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you should define what exactly causes such a reaction.
You can define an optimal variant for your pet by asking yourself several questions:
- Does my cat drink enough water? If yes, you can easily go with dry food only. If you cannot make it drink enough, choose a diet that combines wet and dry foods. It will improve digestion visibly.
- Is my cat overweight? Is it active enough? These questions will help you define the optimal calorie intake. Veterinarians recommend a single-ingredient diet for obese cats. If you have kittens/pregnant cats/outdoor cats, you can select more nutritious formulas with potato and peas. Don’t buy dry food with over 450 kCal per cup to reduce the risk of obesity.
- Does my cat have any related health issues or digestive disorders? To improve the cat’s digestion, you can serve the food with prebiotics and fermentation products. There’s a large variety of dry cat foods with prebiotics, finding one won’t be a problem.
- Is my cat prone to allergy? If yes, you should prefer all-natural formulas without artificial preservatives and colors. Avoid food with potentially allergic elements, such as dried egg products, tomato pomace, soy, and grains.
- What’s the life stage of my pet? Kittens and pregnant cats need a highly nutritious food with the whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals, so it’s better to choose medium-class or premium foods. Senior cats need the food with a lower amount of calories, but require some certain elements, such as taurine, amino acids, and Vitamin B. You should also consider the consistency of products: old and small cats with weak teeth prefer pate-style food and small, softer kibbles.
- What’s the price/quality ratio? This is the last question which is answered in my guide: it describes the worthiest options at the market.
Features to consider when choosing the best cat food for sensitive stomachs
As I’ve mentioned, there are several crucial aspects that should be taken into consideration.
The primary attention is always paid to the ingredients and their quality. The fewer components, the better. Make sure the food contains fish, meat or poultry of a particular origin (chicken, turkey, beef, tuna, and so on). Avoid vague formulations like ‘meat’ or ‘meat by-products’ – pretty often, they can be found on the labels of economy-class food.
Secondly, consider the content of fiber: it should be at least 3-4%. The more, the better. As a rule, vegetables, fruits, berries, and seeds serve as the main source of fiber. Make sure a cat formula contains some.
Thirdly, check the protein content. Dry foods for sensitive stomach usually have 30-38% of protein – it’s more than enough for pets with digestion problems. In wet food, the amount of protein should vary from 7% to 12%.
Read consumer reviews to find out what’s the food consistency. Special sensitive stomach dry cat food has a bit different structure: kibbles are easily broken into tiny crumbles, which facilitates digestion. For the same purpose, pellets are made smaller. Wet cat food is typically produced in the form of pate or stew in gravy (small and soft pieces of meat). Learn more about pro’s and con’s of dry and wet cat food here.
How to transition to the sensitive stomach cat food?
It’s possible to switch a cat to a new diet in seven days. Serve the food in the following pattern:
- Day 1 – Serve 75% old food mixed with 25% new;
- Day 2 – Serve 70% old food mixed with 30% new;
- Day 3 – Leave 60% of the old food, add 40% new;
- Day 4 – Serve equal portions of old and new food;
- Day 5 – Serve 60% new food, leave 40% old;
- Day 6 – Serve 75% new food with 25% old;
- Day 7 – Try new food only and check the changes in the cat’s digestion and well-being.
How can I help my cat with a sensitive stomach?
Switching to a healthy diet is not the only thing you can do to improve the intestinal health of your four-legged pal. Sometimes, poor digestion, vomiting that leads to your cat being always hungry and problems with stool are caused by other factors and continue regardless of the products served.
Here’s what you can try to help your pet:
- Place bowls with food and a litter box in the calm and private corners of your house. Digestion disorders might be triggered by the stress experienced by a cat. Make sure such amenities are located in far-off places without noise. Once you find such spots, don’t change the location of bowls and a litter box. Having a multi-cat household you’re advised to use automatic cat flaps to help your pet with privacy.
- Keep your cat active. Poor digestion is often conditioned by slow metabolism. You can boost it by making your pet move more. Play with it, install a cat house or some other similar facilities, buy chew toys, benefit from YouTube cat games and train it. The results are well worth the effort.
- Stick to the regime. Each cat has certain habits and daily routines. Try not to interfere with it – let your pet feel comfy and peaceful.
- Attention to other cats. You run a multiple cat household? Make sure all furry residents are in friendly or at least neutral relationships. If one cat stresses because of others, it might experience various health problems, including stomach upset. If you plan to take another cat, consult with a veterinarian or behavior specialist.
- Buy or pot green grass. Special grass for cats can be found in any pet store. Let your pet chew it from time to time – that stimulates digestion and helps to cleanse the colon from intestinal parasites.
- Serve more water. A lot of cats don’t drink enough. Stimulate your cat by keeping water in the bowl fresh and leaving various containers with clean (!) water around the house.
- Store your cat’s food properly. Feeding your cat a spoiled food leads to unwanted intestinal irritation.
Read these tips on storing your cat’s dry food the right way.
FAQ
What brand of cat food is best for a sensitive stomach and most nutritious?
If you’re in search of affordable and quality foods, choose the products from Hill’s Science prescription lineup, or Royal Canin. More expensive and nutritious options include Blue Buffalo, and Iams. The perfect formula should be chosen together with a veterinarian.
What is the best wet cat food for picky sensitive stomach cats?
The options with the best price/quality ratio include:
- Z/D Skin and Food Sensitivities;
- Blue Buffalo Fish and Shrimp Wet Cat Food
- Avoderm Wet Cat Food in Pouches
- Sheba Perfect Portions Wet Cat Food
- Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food
How to make dry cat food easier to digest?
You can either mix kibbles with water and serve them slightly wet, or make your cat drink more water. Also, you can improve digestibility by serving some vegetables and fruits which your cat likes, or consider giving it prebiotics (some can be added right to the food).
In a word
If you notice any signs of digestion disorders in your cat, do not rush to change the food – you should figure out the reason first. Sometimes, these problems are caused by stress and change of regime. In other cases, it’s food poisoning (which is common when cats eat stale wet food). In order to define the exact reasons, visit a veterinarian. Also, some cats can be sensitive to poultry, for this exact reason we have created a list of poultry-free cat food you should try.
If your cat is found to have a sensitive stomach, switch to the new products gradually, as described in the guide. Watch your cat’s well-being while performing the switch, avoid certain components like soy, grains, white potato, and rice. Any product with gluten may trigger digestion problems and allergy. Starch is also a questionable ingredient.
Hopefully, with the help of these ten cat foods for sensitive stomachs reviews, you will figure out an ideal option for your furry friend. Stay healthy!