Today, we will help you find the best cat food for sensitive stomach. Cat food for sensitive stomachs is usually carefully crafted to help cats with digestive issues.
Seeing that nutritional value should be achieved always, these foods are made with the elimination of some ingredients without taking away nutrition.
The best cat food for sensitive stomachs comes in either wet or dry form and there are various options for you to choose depends on the cat’s individual needs.
How to tell your cat has sensitive digestion could prove a challenge, here is a list of things to look out for to help you narrow down on the issue.
Signs of A Sensitive Stomach
- Frequently vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation that is recurrent
- Flatulence
- Anal gland problems such as scooting where your cat drags their bottom on the floor as a result of itchiness around that area
- Acid reflux common in cats that have experienced chronic vomiting
- A tum that is easily upset by a simple change in diet
- Poor growth in kittens
- Refusal to eat. They may not be choosy only that they are afraid of going through a stomach upset experience like they just did when they previously ate
What Causes Digestive Problems in A Cat?
Tummy troubles in cats can be a result of many causes and vary from acute to chronic digestive disorders. Here are some common causes of digestive problems in cats:
Incorrect Diet
This happens when your feline consumes food that does not sit well with their stomach especially those cats with food allergies. Regurgitation, flatulence, or vomiting are some of the main symptoms your cat will show once they are on an incorrect diet.
Access to table leftovers or some human foods is also another cause of tummy trouble in your cat as their bodies are not able to process the compounds found in those foods.
Parasites, Viruses and Bacteria
Poor sanitation or improper handling of food can cause digestive upsets in a cat. Feeding contaminated food can cause the ingestion of harmful bacteria. Some cats may catch and feed on infected prey causing transmission of parasites to their body.
This consumption can be life-threatening which is why pet parents should always handle food and water carefully to avoid contamination.
Also maintaining a clean environment goes a long way, especially for multiple pet homes where pets may have to share litter trays where they might pick up parasites or bacteria from the infected stool.
Different virus strains cause digestive upsets in cats for example gastroenteritis that is known to cause diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Regular pet visits will usually help you catch these conditions and control them in good time.
Hair Balls
Consumption of furballs is a common occurrence in cats because of their grooming habits. Most of the time, the digestive system allows these hairs to pass out in the feces but sometimes they accumulate and become very big causing problems in the gut. This might end up requiring the intervention of a veterinarian.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption is the poor absorption of nutrients due to the insufficiency of certain enzymes. This is a result of diseases that cause damage to the small intestines such as intestinal tumors.
Signs and symptoms include diarrhea, loss of weight, loss of appetite, or excessive eating. Through proper examination, this condition can be rectified through diet and management of any underlying diseases.
Bowel Diseases
Liver disease, intestinal tumors, gastrointestinal ulcers and cancers of the digestive system are among the many contributors to stomach upsets in your cat. The symptoms from these conditions usually result in weight loss and severe cases, death.
Some of these conditions cause blockage in the digestive tract making it difficult for passage of fluids or foods which is why your cat may be experiencing dehydration.
Others cause damage to the stomach lining causing abdominal discomfort, especially after a meal. However, these diseases are manageable if caught in good time.
5 Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs
With this information, you are better placed to make an informed decision when it comes to cat food for your friend’s sensitive stomach. Here are some of our top picks:
#1) Purina ONE Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Cat Food
Purina ONE Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Cat Food are focused on nourishing your cat from the inside out. It starts with turkey as the key protein source. Should your fur friend be sensitive to other meats you could try this food. As a lean meat, turkey helps with the formation of healthy muscles and promotes maintenance of ideal weight due to its lower calorie content.
Ingredients used in the food are easy to digest ensuring maximum nutrition. Carefully combined, these ingredients have been selected to soothe irritation in cats that have both sensitive skin and stomach together with a crunchy feel for a cleaner mouth.
For better cardiovascular function this cat food has taurine featuring on the ingredient list. Added minerals, vitamins work with antioxidants to boost immunity keeping your pal’s health at its best.
Features
- Contains turkey as the first ingredient for lean muscle mass and retention of ideal body weight
- Crunchy textured kibble made with easily digestible ingredients
- Provides well-rounded nutrition for stomach and skin sensitivity
- Has added minerals, vitamins and antioxidants for a strong immune system
- Comes packed with taurine for healthy heart function
#2) Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Canned Cat Food
Get your bosom buddy purring and meowing in perfect health with this wet cat food from Royal Canin. The food is custom-made for sensitive bellies and strikes a good balance between nutrients from the various ingredients used for optimal health. the protein in this food is highly digestible and helps the cat maintain an ideal weight.
This cat food is specially formulated to decrease stool odor and dipped in a delicious gravy that is hard to resist. It acts as a great topper for dry food making it appeal to picky eaters. Mixing wet and dry food can be of great benefit to your cat.
Salmon is used to providing a tasty treat rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin. Natural flavors and preservatives are used in the manufacture of this food making it a safe option for your cat.
Features
- Wet food that contains well-balanced nutrition for cats with a sensitive gut
- Contains easily digestible protein for optimal absorption of nutrients and maintenance of ideal weight as well
- Formulated to decrease stool odor
- Rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B1, B6, calcium and potassium complemented by taurine for a healthy body
- Manufactured using natural flavors and preservatives
#3) Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken and Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food
The Hill’s Science brand is a preferred choice by many pet parents because of the quality foods they manufacture. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken and Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food are no different in terms of quality and nutrition delivered.
Starting with chicken as the first ingredient, this food teems with omega fatty acids for well-nourished skin and coat. Rice is considered a fairly digestible carbohydrate that supplements the energy supply from the chicken to keep up with your cat’s activity.
Oat fiber is combined with fiber from healthy whole grains like ground corn for a great digestive system. Featuring in the meal is an egg product that contains protein alongside an immune boost, antioxidant properties and is easily digestible. T
he chicken liver flavor is used in place of artificial flavors keeping away allergy triggers. Lactic acid as an ingredient helps control microbial growth. This food has an impressive blend of minerals and vitamins such as beta-carotene for optimal health. This all-rounded approach towards nutrition is why this recipe features as one of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs.
Features
- Starts with real chicken as the first ingredient
- Dry cat food rich with omega fatty acids for well-nourished skin
- Uses whole grains that are easy to digest
- Made with natural flavors such as chicken liver flavor and is preserved naturally using mixed tocopherols
- Rich with prebiotic fiber for a healthy gut
#4) Royal Canin Digestive Sensitive Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
Royal Canin Digestive Sensitive Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food is next on our review. This high-protein cat food is exclusively made for adult cats that suffer from a sensitive tum.
Protein is derived from pork byproducts, chicken by-products and salmon. Highly digestible carbohydrate from corn flour is incorporated in this food to add on to the energy supply.
Corn flour is a great source of fatty acids for healthy skin, it is a natural antioxidant source and is also a source of protein.Calcium for healthy bones is one of the select minerals in the meal for strong body organs. A rich blend of vitamins is carefully balanced to help the immune system fight off infections.
The delectable nature of this cat food makes it go well with Royal Canin Dry Foods, especially for finicky eaters. Royal Canin wet foods are formulated to reduce stool odor. Treat your feline to this best cat food for nose-to-tail nourishment.
Features
- Formulated for adult cats that experience stomach sensitivity
- High protein wet cat food made with whole ground grains giving the body a healthy protein-carb balance for lean muscle form and sufficient energy to stay fueled throughout the day
- Made with abundant fatty acids for lustrous skin and fur
- Features select mineral and vitamin supplements for healthy body organs
- Offers a healthy, tasty addition to dry cat foods
#5) Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food
Some fur parents believe grains to be one of the contributors to allergy reactions in pets while others believe they are important additions for healthy nutrition. If you are a believer in the latter then Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food is your desired product.
It comes packed with wholesome grains and derives its lion’s share of protein from deboned chicken for strong kitty muscles. An exquisite blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables keep away diseases for a long happy life.
The food is well fortified with prebiotics for healthy bacteria in the gut to assist digestion for cats that experience difficulty in this. L-carnitine is also added to boost metabolism and the efficient absorption of nutrients into the body. Omega-3 and omega-6 feature prominently in this cat food to promote healthy skin.
Carbohydrates from wholesome sources such as sweet potatoes keep your furry friend sufficiently energized throughout his activities. Treat your feline to this all-natural kibble that has 100% nutrition free of by-products, corn, wheat, or soy.
Features
- Made with chicken for strong lean muscle form
- Contains wholesome grains rich in fiber for smooth digestion
- Comes packed with LifeSource Bits, an exquisite blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, for boosted immunity and overall good health
- Fortified with prebiotics that is supplemented by L-carnitine for a healthy gut and efficient metabolism
- All-natural dry cat food rich with omega fatty acid for healthy skin
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Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs Buying Guide & FAQs
Things to Consider Before Choosing Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Once you notice the symptoms of stomach senstivity, it is important to be methodical in your approach to a solution. To find the right diet for your cat’s sensitive stomach, here are some things you need to consider first:
Consult
Talking with a veterinarian or nutritionist will help rule out any other medical issues. Sometimes the irritation can be due to a procedure or medication that caused damage to the digestive system. During the vet visit, some tests may be done to find the cause of the gastrointestinal upset.
This way you are sure you have the right diagnosis or treatment for the correct issue. Avoiding guesswork and going direct to a vet saves a lot of time and exposes your pet less to harm from these experiments.
Quality Food
As a parent of a cat with a sensitive belly, you must always go for quality ingredients. The food should be made with the correct balance of nutrients from proteins to minerals. Artificial fillers or preservatives should not be included in the meal as they are some major triggers to stomach allergies. Highly digestible ingredients are good for sensitive digestive systems as well as moderate to low fat and carbohydrate content.
You can choose food with limited ingredients as well. Going for quality food may be the solution you have been looking for to assist your cat get nutrition without the accompaniment of any form of discomfort.
Diet Trial
After ruling out underlying health conditions you can run a diet trial on your cat to narrow down on the ingredient causing problems and eliminate it from their diet.
You can try a whole different cat food with a different ingredient profile or you can eliminate one ingredient at a time. For example, if the previous protein was from chicken, this time you can try turkey.
If the symptoms don’t recur, then probably you have found the irritant and a solution. However, they need to be on the diet long enough to ensure the symptoms do not reappear and that no new ones occur. Working with a vet during the diet trial would be a plus for your cat.
Try Doing Things Differently
If your feline friend has been on a wet formula you could try feeding dry food. This simple change of food may help improve this sensitivity. Spreading out meals throughout the day instead of feeding one large meal can help reduce the frequency of upsets.
Dividing the meals into smaller portions then feeding frequently helps reduce gas retention while helping increase the number of nutrients absorbed into the body. Try natural feeding styles like hiding food for the cat to fetch this way even the anxiety or stress that comes with tummy irritation will reduce and food uptake encouraged.
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What is the Best Food for Cats with Diarrhea?
Diarrhea in cats may be a one-time occurrence which is no cause for alarm while at other times it may turn out to be regular forcing you to assist them to get their bowel movement back to normal. This is why checking your cat’s litter regularly is important. The best cat food for diarrhea helps to reduce irritation on their gastrointestinal wall.
Cat foods with high protein, fiber, and probiotic content are good for the remedy of diarrhea. The high protein amount ensures the feline has energy enough even as they go through this experience.
Fiber-rich food helps in the production of firmer stool through the absorption of excess fluids. Food enriched with probiotics promotes the existence of healthy bacteria in the gut which keeps off the occurrence of such health issues.
Foods made with artificial fillers may be the reason why your cat is experiencing diarrhea. Switching to a different food that is made with all-natural ingredients may help your cat regain good bowel movement. Also, limited ingredient cat food may help with this because the more the ingredients the higher the chances of allergy triggers.
Digestibility of ingredients is important so always look for food with easy-to-digest elements to soothe the gut until it goes back to proper function. Foods with ingredients carrying anti-inflammatory properties are also recommended.
Asking your vet for a recommendation or conducting your research before a purchase may help you land on a good brand that produces cat food designed to precisely deal with diarrhea and other digestive issues.
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What to Avoid Feeding a Feline with a Sensitive Stomach?
Cat food made with corn, soy, or wheat is not advocated for felines with sensitive stomachs. If wheat is added to food at unchecked levels, it releases high amounts of gluten that can damage the small intestines. Also, it has little nutritional value therefore is an unnecessary addition to a cat’s diet.
Corn can produce excessive sugars in the body causes stress on organs and is known to cause stomach upsets. Soy on the other hand has negative effects on thyroid function.
Food with milk or other dairy products is not recommended for cats that have food intolerances. Vomiting and diarrhea are some of the health complications that come with lactose intolerance. No yeast should be present in cat foods as it can cause unnecessary gas in the digestive system.
Avoid feeding your fur friend scraps from the table or human food leftovers since their bodies may not be able to handle the complex compounds in the food.
Some cat parents may try and feed raw foods once in a while to their pets but this is dangerous. Some raw meats for instance have bacterial contamination like the presence of salmonella that causes diarrhea and vomiting. If you suspect your pet has consumed a toxic substance, seek immediate medical assistance.
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Tips to Help A Cat with a Sensitive Stomach
- Feeding Method. Knowing what feeding method works well with your pet’s sensitive belly and using it to their utmost advantage is one of the ways you can use it to assist them to beat digestive upsets. Meal feeding is often preferred over free feeding for cats with this condition. Meal feeding spread throughout the day will help you control food consumption which helps reduce indigestion. This way you also keep track of portions so you can have your pet eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
- Recent Change in Diet. Sometimes switching to a different brand of cat food may not agree with your buddy’s tummy leading to digestive issues. This may force you to go back to the old food. Alternatively, probably the food is good only that you swapped it too fast causing a shock to the digestive system. Gradually transition to new food and spread it over some time so you can know whether to go for a further switch in food or stick to that given brand.
- Do Not Feed Table Scraps. Consumption of table scraps is one of the triggers of sensitivity in cats. Cats cannot process some human foods. Unless you are sure the food is safe for their consumption refrain from feeding table scraps to your feline friend even when they come begging you for some do not give in to their whims. This way they can stay healthier and happier.
- Grooming. If your cat keeps vomiting probably it is as a result of hairballs and not a sensitive stomach. As a special gesture of love, you can groom your cat to keep chances of hairballs occurring on the low. In the market, there are foods designed to reduce them too.
- Hydration. Having unlimited water access for your companion is always a plus especially those on dry cat foods. Felines generally have low thirst drive so they do not experience the need to take water regularly. Through the application of interesting methods such as erecting a cat water fountain will always encourage water uptake. Sometimes it is not only the sensitive stomach but dehydration that is causing lethargy and lack of appetite in your cat.
- Reducing Stress. The recurring stomach upsets may take a toll on your bud. This combined with various environmental factors may cause stress in your cat. After getting the food that is right for them, encourage eating by placing the meals in areas that feel safe for the cat. For instance, an area that has little or no disturbance for them to enjoy their meal. For parents to several cats always make each one of them feel comfortable without having to fight for what they deem their territory.
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FAQs Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Q: What Else Should I Avoid Feeding a Cat With a Sensitive Stomach?
Apart from the identified allergy-causing foods, any other food that is not needed by your cat should be eliminated from their diet. This helps reduce the chances of irritation to the stomach.
If you are a parent to many cats try and separate meal times or meal points so that the one with the sensitive belly does come into contact with and ends up consuming food that does not agree with his sensitivities.
Q: How Can I Help My Cat With a Sensitive Stomach?
As covered in this review, changing diet is the most appropriate solution but should be done after proper diagnosis. Keeping your four-legged friend active throughout the day can help speed up metabolism.
It also helps reduce stress or anxiety to promote intake of the new food. Keeping the cat hydrated helps as well especially for cats that are on dry food formulas. Always have the water points constantly supplied and within easy reach by the pet.
Q: Why Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs?
These foods are formulated with the sole purpose of reducing the adverse reactions of your pet’s stomach to some ingredients. By going for this specific food, you are saved the inconvenience of switching foods every time your pet reacts to them.
It also saves your pet’s body the anguish that comes from the resultant discomfort every time they react to food. With a wide range of foods on sale for sensitive stomached pets, you will always find the one that fits your cat perfectly.
Conclusion
Cats are a lovely addition to our lives therefore we should be good stewards and always care for them in the best ways possible. If you have one that suffers from sensitivities, providing them a meal that is formulated to manage this condition is the best form of care you can offer them. Hopefully, our review on the best cat foods for a sensitive stomach will help you settle on an ideal choice for your furry friend.