The most common advice given to cat owners when choosing a food is to choose one that is high in protein. What’s not heard as often is to feed one high in fiber. While we often don’t think about feeding our cats large volumes of fruit and vegetables, it is important, too. There are many good reasons to feed your cat high-fiber cat food, including regulating their bowel habits, helping with weight loss, and preventing hairballs. It can also help cats with illnesses like diabetes or anal gland disease and help prevent colon cancer.
To help you find the best high-fiber cat food, we have reviews of some of the best brands available.
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A Glance at Our Top Picks (2025 Update)
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Best Overall
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Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription |
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Budget Buy
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Purina Beyond Chicken Canned Cat Food |
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Wellness CORE Chicken Wet Cat Food |
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Natural Balance Original Cat Food |
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Primal Chicken & Salmon Formula Nuggets |
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The 11 Best High-Fiber Cat Foods
1. Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, All natural |
Smalls is the best overall high-fiber cat food. It is an independent brand that claims its ingredients are so good that people could technically eat it. We don’t recommend eating it because it’s cat food, but Smalls contains high-quality ingredients like grocery-store-quality chicken and plenty of fruits and vegetables. It has several high-protein fresh formulas to replace your cat’s regular food.
Customers claim this cat food improved their cat’s coats. They also report less litter box odor and fresher breath. Because Smalls is made from quality ingredients, it’s a bit pricier than grocery store brands. You also can’t find it in the grocery store or pet store.
- Made from high-quality ingredients
- Improves breath and litter box scent
- Highly rated by veterinarians
- Improves skin and coat
- Stores well in the freezer and has a long shelf life
- Pricier than other cat food brands
2. Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken Wet Food – Budget Buy
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Grain-free, high-protein |
Purina Beyond Indoor Grain-Free Chicken Recipe is more affordable than many other high-fiber cat foods, and we think it’s the best high-fiber formula for the money. It is an excellent source of protein in a mixture designed for indoor cats.
The sources of fiber found in Purina Beyond are carrots, cellulose, and guar gum, adding up to a total of 11% fiber. This makes it one of the highest-fiber foods on our list. It still has 16.8% carbohydrates, so it might not be a good choice for the long-term feeding of cats prone to obesity.
- Affordable price
- Very high fiber content
- High carbohydrate levels
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Chicken Cat Food
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Grain-free, gluten-free |
The majority of cat foods marketed for indoor cats are manufactured on the assumption that indoor cats are prone to obesity, hairballs, and constipation. This assumption means that most indoor cat foods are high in fiber.
The Wellness CORE recipe provides multiple protein sources while remaining low in carbohydrates. To increase its fiber content, it contains pea fiber, flaxseed, and a variety of gums. While these foods are not the most appetizing, they do a great job of improving digestion as they are rich in soluble fiber.
Prebiotic fibers are added in the form of chicory root extract. This helps support your cat’s healthy gut bacteria and digestive health. Wellness CORE contains 9% fiber overall.
The downside is that the formula is expensive compared to other high-fiber foods.
- Variety of fiber sources
- Low in fat to help prevent weight gain
- Not the best fiber sources
- Expensive
4. Natural Balance Original Dry Cat Food
| Food type: | Dry |
| Lifestage: | All life stages |
| Special Diet: | N/A |
Natural Balance Original balances high-protein chicken with various fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The fiber content is listed at 3%, but it is provided through multiple sources to help your cat. Since Natural Balance provides adequate nutrition for all life stages, you can also feed it to your kitten.
The formula contains no artificial colors or flavors and has carefully balanced calcium and phosphorous levels to help grow and maintain strong bones and teeth.
- The layering of multiple fiber sources
- Suitable for all life stages
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Only 3% fiber content
5. Primal Chicken & Salmon Formula Nuggets
| Food type: | Freeze-dried |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Gluten-free, grain-free, all-natural |
Made from freeze-dried chicken and salmon, Primal Chicken & Salmon Formula provides your kitty with all the benefits of feeding raw food without the mess and preparation. Unlike many other freeze-dried recipes, Primal promotes healthy digestion.
Fibrous ingredients include organic squash, carrots, broccoli, and pumpkin seeds. You’re unlikely to find another cat food formula with as many organic fruits and vegetables. The total fiber content is about 4%. If you’re looking for more natural fiber sources to feed your cat, this is a good choice, and the overall fiber content is average for high-fiber foods.
As an added bonus, Primal contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote skin and coat health and relieve inflammation that can lead to digestive issues.
- All-natural fiber sources
- Chicken and salmon are primary protein sources
- Added Omega-3 fatty acids
- Must add water and mix before feeding
6. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Canned Cat Food
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, All natural |
Another great high-fiber cat food is Weruva Cats in the Kitchen. It’s rich in animal protein, low in carbohydrates, and made from high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
The extra fiber comes from the pumpkin, sweet potato, xanthan gum, and carrots. While it contains a lot of plant matter, it still has 72% protein, making it appropriate for cats. The high-protein and high fiber content is a rare quality in cat food, making it perfect for cats with constipation or digestive issues.
- High protein and high fiber
- High-quality ingredients
- More plant matter than is usual for cat food
7. Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Canned Cat Food
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Veterinary diet, Sensitive digestion |
Royal Canin foods are prescription foods, and you need a prescription from your veterinarian to buy them. For cats with serious digestion issues, it may be worth it.
This recipe has 34% fewer calories than Royal Canin’s high-energy version, making it an ideal choice for cats who need to achieve weight loss. The proteins are easily digested, and the formula also contains prebiotic fiber to promote healthy gut bacteria and digestive function. Omega-3 fatty acids are also included to reduce inflammation.
Dog owners mentioned the significant improvement in allergies, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. The downside is that Royal Canin contains a significant amount of corn starch and corn flour, making it high in carbohydrates. This fact alone makes it a short-term solution and not a food you’d want to feed your cat long-term.
- Great for digestive issues
- Added prebiotics and omega-3 fatty acids
- Low-calorie
- High in carbohydrates
- It contains corn starch and cornflour
8. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Dry Cat Food
| Food type: | Dry |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Grain-free, Gluten-free, high-protein |
This kibble from Wellness CORE has 38% protein and 5% fiber. It contains natural sources of fiber and is designed for indoor cats with less active lifestyles. The protein sources are high-quality deboned chicken and turkey.
What’s great about this formula is that it contains no fillers, grains, byproducts, or artificial additives. It contains 20% less fat than standard commercial cat food, which is great for cats with weight issues.
- High-protein
- Natural fiber sources
- Low-calorie
- Only 5% fiber
- Designed for indoor cats only
9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Hairball Control Chicken Cat Food
| Food type: | Dry |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Weight control, high-protein, grain-free |
This dry cat food from Blue Buffalo is based on a wild Lynx diet. The fiber content is 7.4%, and it’s 100% grain-free. Deboned chicken, chicken, and fish meals are the primary protein sources, with carbohydrates from peas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
This formula was developed by veterinarians to combat weight gain and hairball formation. Added cellulose and psyllium seeds accomplish this task well, along with plenty of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
- Weight control food
- All-natural fiber and carbohydrate sources
- Also combats hairballs
- For indoor cats only
10. Merrick LID Grain-Free Duck Recipe Canned Cat Food
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Limited ingredient, grain-free, gluten-free |
Merrick Limited Ingredient food is available in duck, chicken, and salmon flavors. Its ingredients are very limited, making it easy to control exactly what your cat is eating. This is a great feature if you’re dealing with sensitive stomach or gastrointestinal issues.
Merrick’s wet food is easy to digest and has a good amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health.
- Limited ingredient food
- Suitable for cats with food sensitivities
- Expensive
11. Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Rabbit Canned Cat Food
| Food type: | Wet |
| Lifestage: | Adult |
| Special Diet: | Sensitive digestion, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Limited Ingredient |
Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Rabbit Formula is made with high-quality ingredients and a single source of animal protein. It contains rabbits as its protein source. This is a novel protein source for cats, which makes this food great. If you are dealing with food allergies, sensitivities, or complex digestive issues, a novel source of protein may be precisely what you need.
Nature’s Variety contains about 45% protein and 14% fiber, which is a high level of fiber compared to most cat foods. The only real downside to this food is the flavor. Since it’s primarily composed of rabbit protein, some cats may not like it.
- High-protein
- High-fiber
- Limited ingredient food
- Novel protein source
- Some cats may not like it
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best High-Fiber Cat Food
How Fiber Helps Your Cat
Fiber is an essential carbohydrate in a cat’s diet. In the wild, cats get fiber from their prey, but domestic cats who don’t hunt for food have to get it in their cat food. Fiber is broken down differently than fats and proteins. Cats don’t store fiber, but it passes through their digestive tract.
Fiber is essential because it keeps other food moving through your cat’s intestines at a reasonable rate. It helps form stool that’s not too hard and not too soft, making bathroom trips more comfortable for your kitty. By doing this, fiber prevents constipation and diarrhea, which is why high-fiber foods are used to fix these problems.
Weight management issues often arise in domestic cats because they are less active than their outdoor and wild counterparts. They sleep longer, groom themselves more, and don’t have to expend energy finding their food. So, while outdoor cats probably don’t need extra fiber in their diet, your indoor cats are likely to benefit from it.
Want to know how various cat foods stack up against one another? Read the Best Cat Foods (Updated)
Reasons to Feed a High-Fiber Food
Many options for cat food are formulated specifically for the needs of indoor cats. Here is a list of specific conditions high-fiber food can help with:
Hairball control
Domestic cats groom themselves a lot because they have more time on their hands to do so. As they lick their fur, they inevitably ingest some of the hair. Most of it gets passed through the intestines in the same way as food, but sometimes, it can clump up in the stomach like a hairball.
Hairballs are more common in older cats and cats with long hair. If your cat can vomit up the hairball, all will be well. In some cases, however, hairballs can become lodged and cause issues. High-fiber diets can help prevent these problems by reducing the number of hairballs your cat forms. Special hairball formula foods cut down on shedding and allow the hair they ingest to move efficiently through the intestines.
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!
Obesity
Indoor cats are prone to weight issues and obesity simply because they take in more calories than they burn. In the wild, cats can go for several days without a meal, and they travel several miles during that time. Our house cats get multiple meals daily and spend more time lying around or sleeping. These factors lead to weight gain.
A high-fiber diet can aid in weight loss and weight management because it helps your cat to feel fuller for longer. They eat less food and need to eat less often. Because fiber passes through your cat’s digestive tract unabsorbed, it doesn’t increase their overall caloric intake.
Constipation and diarrhea
Both of these conditions are uncomfortable for your kitty. With the first, the stool is too dry and moves too slowly to be comfortable to pass. With the latter, it moves too fast and comes out runny. Both are signs that your cat’s digestive tract isn’t running smoothly.
Fiber plays a significant role in forming a healthy stool. It draws water into the intestines to soften hard stool and slows down the passage of runny stool by taking water out of it. Beet pulp and pumpkin are two excellent fiber sources that do a good job of fixing stool problems in cats.
Different Types of Fiber
Fiber can come from an animal-based source or a plant-based source. Cats can digest both, but they work differently.
- Soluble fiber – These fibers are listed on the ingredient list as pectin or gums. Soluble fiber is excellent at relieving constipation as it draws water into the intestine.
- Insoluble fiber – Cellulose and peanut hulls are examples of insoluble fibers. They make the stools bulkier as they travel through the intestine and are great at relieving diarrhea.
- Moderately fermentable fiber – Some fiber sources have soluble and insoluble properties. They are often the best choice for digestive issues since they create balance in your cat’s digestive system. Typical examples of moderately fermentable fibers are pumpkin, beet pulp, and bran pulp.
Drawbacks of high-fiber Food
High-fiber diets for a cat aren’t without their downsides. For this reason, you should always consult a vet before switching your cat’s food. Sometimes, excess fiber can get stored as fat, making it more difficult to manage your cat’s weight. It’s also important to pay attention to the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates that your cat is eating. Without enough protein, cats will lose muscle mass vital for their overall health.
- High protein – Fiber in cat food should never be increased at the expense of protein content. Cats are carnivores who require a lot of meat in their diet. Replacing this with excess carbohydrates will never be beneficial for feline health.
- Allergens – Cats can have intestinal problems due to allergies or food sensitivities. Grains and artificial additives are common food sensitivities.
- Type of fiber – Cats need soluble and non-soluble fiber.
- Moderately fermentable fiber – This type of fiber is most beneficial for cats because it does the job of both other types.
- Protein to carbohydrate ratio – For weight management, you should look for food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
- Nutrients for skin and coat health – Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids will keep your cat’s coat and skin in the best condition. They also reduce shedding and keep hairballs at bay.
How We Determined This List of High Fiber Cat Foods
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
Choosing a high-fiber cat food doesn’t have to be complicated. We recommend Smalls Fresh Cat Food as the best overall high-fiber cat food. For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Purina Beyond. With a good variety of wet and dry food options, these reviews are sure to help you find the best high-fiber food for your cat. The features in our buyer’s guide will help you know what to look for when you shop so you can get your kitty back to feeling their best.
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Featured Image Credit: aleg baranau, Shutterstock
