Keep in mind that nobody can diagnose the reason for your cat’s diarrhea but a veterinarian. These product reviews are intended to provide general information and not replace having your cat see a veterinarian. Talk to your cat’s vet before changing your cat’s diet. Also, work to find the cause of your cat’s diarrhea because changing your cat’s food without understanding the underlying problem can make the problem worse.
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.
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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2025
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Best Overall
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Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription |
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Budget Buy
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Purina One Sensitive Stomach Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Purina Pro Plan Vet Diet Cat Food |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Royal Canin Vet Diet Kitten Food |
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Royal Canin Vet Fiber Cat Food |
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The 11 Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Prescription required: | No |
| Primary protein: | Chicken, turkey, beef |
| Fiber content: | 0.5% |
| Food type: | Fresh, wet |
Cat food that uses high-quality, natural ingredients like Smalls is a good way to tackle many of the health issues that can affect cats. Smalls provides nutrient-rich meals that are easy to digest without using artificial ingredients to add flavor or color. The easily digestible formula makes it gentle on sensitive stomachs prone to diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.
Smalls also caters to picky felines by offering recipes that are made with beef, chicken, or turkey. While the human-grade ingredients don’t mean that humans should eat cat food, it does mean the meals are made to the same standard as ours.
The subscription enables you to try the service at a risk-free discounted price to help your cat transition safely and ensure they enjoy their new food. If your cat doesn’t benefit from the subscription or you dislike the service, Smalls also offers a money-back guarantee.
As a subscription-based company, Smalls Cat Food is only available through its website. You have to sign up for a subscription to benefit from the customizable meal plans and delivery to your door. However, we think it’s the best overall cat food for diarrhea.
- Risk-free trial
- High-quality, natural ingredients for a more nutritional diet
- Chicken, beef, and turkey recipes
- Customizable meal plans and shipments
- Not available in stores
2. Purina One Sensitive Skin & Stomach Food – Budget Buy
| Prescription required: | No |
| Primary protein: | Turkey |
| Fiber content: | 4% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
The best cat food for diarrhea for the money is the Purina One Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food. It has turkey as its first ingredient and contains 4% fiber. This dry kibble is a good source of antioxidants and omega fatty acids. It’s made with no fillers and is highly palatable and easy to digest.
It contains prebiotic fiber to support digestive health. Every cup of Purina One contains 36 grams of protein, making it an excellent protein source. It is a great starting option if you’re on a tight budget, but it isn’t as successful at clearing up some causes of diarrhea as many other foods we reviewed.
- Best value
- Non-prescription
- Turkey is first ingredient
- High in antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and prebiotics
- No fillers
- Highly palatable
- Good source of protein
- Not the best option to clear up diarrhea
3. Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets EN Gastroenteric Dry Cat Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 3% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Naturals Dry Cat Food is a great option for higher budgets. It is a prescription food that uses chicken as the first ingredient. It contains no corn, wheat, or artificial colors and flavors.
Pro Plan is highly digestible to promote maximum nutrient absorption. It’s also energy-dense, providing more nutrition in smaller amounts than most other foods. It’s a great option for cats with various diagnoses, including IBD, pancreatitis, and gastritis. However, it is less palatable than other special diet foods for gastrointestinal issues.
- Chicken is the first ingredient
- Contains no corn, wheat, or artificial colors or flavors
- Highly digestible
- Nutrient-dense
- Good option for multiple diagnoses
- Premium price
- Not as palatable as some other prescription options
4. Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Mousse in Sauce
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 3% |
| Food type: | Mousse |
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Kitten Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce is a prescription food made specifically for kittens with gastrointestinal problems. It is an ultra-soft mousse formula, making it easy for kittens to eat. It contains a blend of prebiotics and dietary fibers to support firm stools.
Royal Canin is a good option for tiny kittens having a tough time transitioning from milk to solid food. It contains levels of protein and calcium appropriate for the needs of a kitten and is nutrient-dense enough to support your kitten, even in small quantities. .
- Made specifically for kittens
- Ultra-soft mousse formula is easy for kittens to eat
- Blend of prebiotics and fiber supports healthy stools
- Ideal for kittens struggling to transition to solid food
- Nutrient-dense to support kittens in small quantities
- Premium price
5. Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 7% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food is a prescription kibble that uses chicken as its primary protein source. It contains 4.7% fiber and uses soluble and insoluble fiber to support healthy stools. Prebiotics and omega fatty acids support the digestive tract and immune system.
This formula has the S/O Index, meaning it supports urinary health and helps prevent crystal formation in the bladder. It’s highly palatable, ensuring your kitty eats it, and can help with more than diarrhea. Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet can also help relieve constipation, hairballs, and vomiting. It’s only available in one size and has a premium price.
- 7% fiber content
- Soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and prebiotics support healthy stools
- Good source of omega fatty acids
- S/O Index means it helps prevent urinary crystal formation
- Highly palatable
- Helps with multiple digestive issues
- Only one bag size
- Expensive
6. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
| Prescription required: | No |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 5% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
Blue Buffalo’s Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food is another great cat food for diarrhea. This non-prescription food uses chicken as its primary protein and has 3.5% fiber. It’s a dry cat food packed with antioxidants, prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids. It contains no corn, wheat, or soy.
Natural sources of fiber, like fruits, grains, and vegetables, support healthy stools. Sensitive Stomach is available in multiple sizes, including 2 pounds, allowing you to determine if your cat will eat the food before you invest in a large bag. It’s made to be palatable, but some people find that their cats don’t seem to adjust to the taste of it very quickly.
- Non-prescription
- Deboned chicken is first ingredient
- High in antioxidants, fatty acids, and prebiotics
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Natural fiber sources support digestive health
- Available in bags as small as 2 pounds
- Some cats don’t find this food palatable
7. Hill’s Prescription Digestive Chicken & Vegetable Wet Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 2% |
| Food type: | Stew |
The Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew is a good wet food option for adult cats with digestive problems. It can support digestive health in cats having diarrhea from food sensitivities, pancreatic dysfunction, and surgery or illnesses.
Mixed fiber sources support healthy stools, while highly digestible sources of protein and fat support tissue repair and nutrient absorption. It’s a good source of antioxidants while also increasing your cat’s water intake and supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the GI tract. Digestive Care has a premium price and is not as palatable as some other wet food options.
- Supports digestive health in cats with a variety of causes of diarrhea
- Mixed fiber sources and prebiotics support firm stools
- Highly digestible protein and fat
- Good source of antioxidants
- Increases water intake
- Supports the colonization of beneficial bacteria
- Premium price
- Not as palatable as some other wet foods
8. Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets EN Gastroenteric Wet Cat Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken, salmon |
| Fiber content: | 2% |
| Food type: | Chunks in gravy |
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Feline Formula Savory Selects in Sauce Variety Pack is a prescription food pack that includes chicken and salmon flavored chunks in gravy. Both flavors are highly digestible, maximize nutrient absorption, and are nutrient-dense, packing more nutrients into smaller quantities. It’s a good source of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, supporting energy, immunity, and digestion.
Pro Plan supports urinary health and helps prevent the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate urinary crystals. Like most prescription diets, it’s expensive. Also, both flavors contain meat by-products and wheat gluten as the first two ingredients.
- Two flavors per pack
- Highly digestible to maximize nutrient absorption
- Nutrient-dense
- Good source of B vitamins and omega fatty acids
- St/Ox defense supports urinary health
- Premium price
- Meat by-products and wheat gluten are the first two ingredients
9. Royal Canin Vet Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Cat Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Soy |
| Fiber content: | 7% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Cat Food is a good option for cats with diarrhea related to food allergies. The primary protein is a hydrolyzed soy protein, reducing the risk of diarrhea. This formula is a good source of B vitamins, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids.
The fiber blend supports healthy stools and helps reduce diarrhea, and the recipe is higher in fiber than most other digestive foods. However, it is pricey and not as palatable as formulas with non-hydrolyzed proteins.
- Hydrolyzed soy protein reduces the risk of an immune response
- Good source of B vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids
- Fiber blend supports healthy stools
- Higher in fiber than most other digestive health foods
- Not as palatable as many other digestive health foods
- A bit expensive
10. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Dry Cat Food
| Prescription required: | Yes |
| Primary protein: | Chicken |
| Fiber content: | 7% |
| Food type: | Kibble |
The Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care Dry Cat Food is a prescription kibble that contains 7% fiber, making it the highest fiber content of the dry foods reviewed. Prebiotics support healthy stools and ActiveBiome+ technology supports beneficial bacteria growth in the digestive tract, ensuring the digestive biome stays healthy and intact.
This formula is available in a smaller bag than many of the other prescription diets, making it more affordable than most options. However, it’s not as palatable as other high-end formulas.
- 7% fiber content
- Prebiotics and ActiveBiome+ technology support healthy stools and beneficial bacteria
- More affordable than most prescription foods due to small bag size option
- Not as palatable as many other options
11. Stella & Chewy’s Rabbit Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
| Prescription required: | No |
| Primary protein: | Rabbit |
| Fiber content: | 5% |
| Food type: | Freeze-dried |
The Stella & Chewy’s Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food is not a digestive health food, but it contains rabbit, which is a novel protein to most cats. This can make it a good option for diarrhea caused by food allergies. It is a non-prescription food and contains 5% fiber. It’s minimally processed and has added taurine for heart, skin, and coat health.
Stella & Chewy’s sells for a premium price close to prescription food, so it’s not a budget-friendly option. The texture is different than kibble or wet food, so some cats may not be accepting of the abnormal texture. Some customers thought the smell of the food to be noticeable and unpleasant.
- Non-prescription
- Novel protein
- 5% fiber content
- Minimally processed
- Has added taurine
- Not specifically made for digestive health
- Premium price
- Some cats may not take to the texture
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea
Choosing the Best Food for Your Cat With Diarrhea
Choosing the right food for your cat with a sensitive digestive tract can be complicated and overwhelming. The key to choosing the right formula is to identify the cause of the diarrhea. Rapid changes in diet or rich treats can cause diarrhea, which will typically clear up on its own with a return to the routine diet. However, multiple medical conditions can cause diarrhea. Knowing what condition your cat has and understanding the type of diet your cat needs and why will help you find the right food.
If your cat is having diarrhea, you need to take them to your veterinarian for a checkup. This will help you determine what’s wrong, giving you a starting point. Finding the right food may take trial and error to find a taste, texture, or formula your cat enjoys. Trying different foods can be expensive, especially if you try several prescription diets. You can talk to a vet about your cat’s preferences, and they’ll help you find the right food.
High-quality cat food is an important part of fostering a long and healthy life for your cat but the right cat food and water dish will promote good posture, offer whisker relief, and aid in good digestion. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite bowl since it offers all of the above and is beautifully crafted to meet modern home stylings. The wide tray design catches any food and water spills and the entire setup is dishwasher safe. Learn more about the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl here. At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Our Cat Foods for Diarrhea Selection Process
The cat foods we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVet’s writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pet’s care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best cat foods and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.
Why Trust PangoVet?
PangoVet’s licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of pets—furry, scaly, and feathered—and want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every cat foods featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.
Conclusion
For cats with diarrhea, the best overall non-prescription pick is Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food, which is convenient and effective. For tighter budgets and a non-prescription diet, the best pick is the Purina One Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food, which many cats find highly palatable. These reviews have hit the high points of foods to help relieve your cat’s diarrhea. Make sure to talk to your vet before making any changes to your cat’s current diet.
You may also be interested in:
- Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea in Canada – Reviews & Top Picks
- Best Cat Foods for Hairballs – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
