Cat food for sensitive stomachs is formulated to help cats with some chronic digestive issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and even hairballs. It usually includes high-quality ingredients to increase digestibility and minimize the amount of ingredients that could trigger these issues. You should also look for those that have fewer preservatives, additives, and other artificial ingredients.
Even with these stipulations, there are many cat foods for sensitive stomachs. So, here we have put together reviews of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs, along with a guide to help you choose the right one for your pet.
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 case.
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The 10 Best Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription — Best Overall
| Food Type: | Wet |
| Primary Ingredients: | Beef, beef liver, green beans |
| Protein: | 55% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
| Moisture: | 70% |
Our choice for the best overall cat food for sensitive stomachs is Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription, Ground Cow recipe. This human-grade cat food is made from lean ground beef, cow liver, and cow hearts, so it is high in protein and low in carbs.
There is nothing artificial in this cat food that can contribute to digestive issues such as unnatural fillers and questionable chemicals.This gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re providing your cat with completely natural food that is of high quality.
However, it’s important to know that Smalls is not cat food that you can find at a pet store. It is a subscription-only food you order online. Once you fill in basic info about your cat on the company website, you will be sent a subscription box filled with food that suits your pet according to the information you provided.
Smalls’ prices and subscription requirements may be off-putting for some owners. However, considering that this brand’s cat food is among the best that money can buy, it’s well worth signing up.
- All-natural ingredients
- Beefy flavor
- High in protein
- Low in carbs
- Expensive
- Requires subscription
2. I and Love and You Naked Essentials Digestive Support Dry Cat Food – Budget Buy
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| Protein: | 44% |
| Fiber: | 6% |
| Moisture: | 10% |
When you want the best cat food for sensitive stomachs for the money, our pick is I and Love and You Naked Essentials Digestive Support Dry Cat Food. Not only is this cat food extremely affordable, but it can also improve your kitty’s digestive health by providing a nice boost of fiber to ensure regularity. It has probiotics and prebiotics for a happy, healthy gut as well.
Tons of cat parents said that this food helped clear up vomiting issues, helped firm up loose stools, and even kept their pets from being gassy. However, if your cat is a picky eater, this may not be the food for them, as some finicky felines simply wouldn’t touch it.
- Contains fiber to improve digestion
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut
- May not be the best for picky eaters
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn |
| Protein: | 31% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
| Moisture: | 8% |
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food is specifically designed for digestive issues, whether long-term or temporary. Featuring highly digestible proteins, prebiotics, and a healthy dose of fiber, this is one cat food made to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) issues. This food contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, which ensures healthy transit throughout the GI tract and can improve the consistency of your feline’s stool.
This cat food seems particularly good for felines with megacolon and those experiencing chronic constipation. However, there are some downsides. For one, it is on the pricey side; for another, it requires a veterinary prescription.
- May work great for megacolon and chronic constipation
- Contains insoluble and soluble fiber
- Pricey
- Requires a prescription from your vet
4. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Pea Protein |
| Protein: | 33% |
| Fiber: | 6.5% |
| Moisture: | 9% |
Sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin can go hand in hand with felines, especially those with food sensitivities. This food is designed to address both of those issues. Since this food is a limited-ingredient, easily digestible recipe, it’s gentler on the stomach, which should help reduce GI problems.
Felines fed Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food had better-formed stools and reduced vomiting. Unfortunately, though, several cats simply did not like the taste and refused to eat it.
- Good for kitties with food sensitivities
- Limited ingredients, so easier on the stomach
- May clear up vomiting and diarrhea issues
- Some felines don’t like the taste of this recipe
5. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Turkey, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein |
| Protein: | 45% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
| Moisture: | 12% |
Purina Pro Plan LiveClear Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dry Cat Food may not have a lot of fiber, but it does have live probiotics that aid in improving digestion and relieving GI issues. It also contains prebiotic fiber designed to nourish good bacteria in the gut to keep your cat’s gut health in optimal condition.
Cat owners said that this food helped their pet’s poops be less smelly and decreased vomiting in cats that had a habit of throwing up. But for a few cats that didn’t normally throw up often, this food seemed to make them vomit. Pro Plan is also on the more expensive side, so you may need to look for something more affordable.
- Contains live probiotics
- Has prebiotic fiber
- May make poop less smelly and clear up vomiting issues
- Made some kitties vomit
- Pricey
6. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Protein: | 35% |
| Fiber: | 4% |
| Moisture: | 9% |
Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food lists deboned chicken and chicken meal as its two primary ingredients. These can both be good-quality ingredients to see at the top of the list and suggest that the food’s 35% protein is made up primarily of meat protein. Other beneficial ingredients include chicken fat, which might not sound appealing but is a good source of omega fatty acids which can help with inflammation.
Other sources of omegas found in the Blue Buffalo food include flaxseed, menhaden fish meal, and fish oil. The ingredients also include prebiotics and probiotics to help promote good gut health.
- The primary ingredients are deboned chicken and chicken meal
- Decent price
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Not a lot of fiber
7. Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Turkey, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn |
| Protein: | 37% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
| Moisture: | 10% |
Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin Dry Cat Food contains turkey as its primary ingredient, which is a good source of protein. Also included in this food are omega fatty acids to promote skin and coat health. Omega fatty acids can also help decrease inflammation. Prebiotic fiber is included as well to support gut health.
There are some filler ingredients that could be a trigger for some cats, but overall, most cats saw an improvement in digestive health with Iams Proactive.
- Omega fatty acids for skin and coat
- Prebiotic fiber for gut health
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- Contains some fillers
8. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food
| Food Type: | Wet |
| Primary Ingredients: | Water, Pork By-Products, Chicken |
| Protein: | 43% |
| Fiber: | 10% |
| Moisture: | 82.5% |
Most of the foods on this list are dry foods, but wet cat foods have their place in cats with sensitive stomachs, too. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food has a high moisture content, which can be important to cats that aren’t staying hydrated. It also gets the majority of its protein from highly digestible meat sources, and it helps promote a healthy weight.
This food is a little watery, even compared to other wet foods, which can be off-putting for some cats.
- Made up of meat proteins
- Wet food tends to be more appealing to cats
- Decent price for wet food
- Very watery
9. Halo Holistic Whitefish Recipe Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Whitefish, Brewer’s rice, Pork |
| Protein: | 35% |
| Fiber: | 5.5% |
| Moisture: | 10% |
Halo Holistic Whitefish Recipe Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food is a dry kibble that contains whitefish as the primary ingredient. It does not include chicken, which can be a trigger for some cats with food allergies. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics for overall gut health.
Halo Holistic food is expensive and a little higher in calories than some other foods, so you may have to watch your kitty’s weight carefully.
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Does not contain chicken
- Expensive
- High in calories
10. Solid Gold Winged Tiger Grain-Free Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food
| Food Type: | Dry |
| Primary Ingredients: | Whitefish, Brewer’s rice, Pork |
| Protein: | 33% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
| Moisture: | 10% |
Solid Gold Winged Tiger Grain-Free Sensitive Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food is a dry kibble with the primary ingredient of quail, which is a novel protein. Novel proteins can be important for some cats with food allergies.
The food also contains chelated minerals, which are more bioavailable than standard minerals, and it contains prebiotics and probiotics to promote good gut health. It uses pumpkin for fiber, which can help regulate digestion. Just be aware that some cats may not like it.
- Uses a novel protein
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Some cats may not like it
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Looking after our cat’s health is important, and one way that we do that is by providing a high-quality food. This is especially true if your cat suffers from a sensitive stomach. Sensitive stomachs can be caused by serious medical conditions, so you should consult a vet before changing your cat’s diet, though it could also simply be that your cat has a delicate digestive system.
Signs of a Sensitive Stomach in Cats
Some of the signs of a sensitive stomach are self-explanatory. If your cat vomits frequently or has regular bouts of diarrhea, their food should be your first port of call. Check for ingredients that might be causing the problem, and try a different protein source. Other signs may be less obvious but just as telling. Excessive gas, smelly stools, and more frequent visits to the litter tray are other possible signs.
Causes of a Sensitive Stomach in Cats
Sensitive stomachs can be caused by several factors. The ingredients in their food may be one of them, while stress or anxiety, medications, parasites, and even hairballs are some others. Sensitive stomachs may also be caused by an underlying and potentially serious medical condition, so it’s important to have your cat checked out by a vet if they’re experiencing frequent digestive issues.
Foods That Cats With Sensitive Stomachs Should Avoid
Food choice is one of the biggest causes of a sensitive stomach. Even making relatively simple changes to your cat’s daily diet could be enough to remedy the situation.
Don’t give them table scraps or human food, and absolutely avoid foods that are considered toxic to cats. Chocolate, grapes, garlic, and onions are just a few of the ingredients that might be causing your cat to be sick. You should also avoid feeding them raw meat as it could be contaminated with bacteria, and avoid dairy products since most adult cats are lactose intolerant.
Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Features
When buying cat food for sensitive stomachs, there are certain factors to consider and several choices you have to make.
Protein Source
Felines are obligate carnivores, and meat should be the primary source of protein in your cat’s diet. Avoid foods that have too high a concentration of plant-based proteins because they are not as beneficial to your cat, and feeding them too many plant proteins can cause stomach problems. Common animal proteins come from beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. If you believe any one of these might be causing an intolerance in your cat, try changing to a different meat source.
Food Type
You need to choose between dry and wet food or offer a combination of the two. Wet food tends to be more palatable and appealing to cats, and it has a high moisture content, which is important to help maintain hydration. But wet food does not keep as long, and it costs more.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Sensitive stomach cat food should contain probiotics and/or prebiotics to help maintain a healthy gut balance. Other helpful additions include omega fatty acids to help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy hair coat and skin.
Grain Free or Grain Inclusive
Another common choice you have to make when buying cat food is whether to buy grain free or grain inclusive. Grains are not considered species appropriate because cats would not eat grains in the wild, other than a potentially small amount present in the stomachs of their prey. Grain is a common allergen and is more likely to cause food sensitivities. If you took your cat to the vet and know that your cat cannot stomach grains, buy grain free. If you are unsure, you can still buy grain free, but you can try your cat on grain-inclusive food first.
Introducing Your Cat to a New Diet
Abruptly changing foods can cause digestive issues in cats. It’s best to change the food gradually, over the course of at least a week, starting with 75% old food and 25% new food. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old food until they are eating only the new diet. Be aware that even this seemingly slow rate can be too quick for some sensitive cats.
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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!
How We Determined This List of Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
All the cat foods reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which cat foods to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.
Why Trust PangoVet?
We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top cat foods on the market, so you can make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Here’s a round-up of our top three picks. We believe that Smalls Fresh Ground Cow Cat Food is the best cat food for sensitive stomachs because it contains only natural ingredients. If you’re looking for the best cat food for the money, check out I and Love and You Naked Essentials Digestive Support for its affordability and high fiber content. Finally, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food is a fantastic option for cats dealing with megacolon and chronic constipation.
We hope that these reviews and guide have helped you find the best cat food for sensitive stomachs.
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Featured Image Credit: sweetlouise, Pixabay
