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The 12 Best Cat Foods For Sensitive Stomachs

Many cats have sensitive stomachs and are prone to gas, mushy, stinky poops, and diarrhea; if this describes your cat, changing the kind of food you feed is one of the best strategies to keep your cat regular.

However, with so many brands to choose from, it can be tough to keep track of them all. We've chosen ten different brands of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs to review for you so you can see how they differ.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) will tell you about the benefits and drawbacks of each brand, as well as whether or not our cats loved them.

Continue reading as we examine the ingredients and other variables that make food ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs so that you can make an informed selection.

Reviews

Best Value Halo Seafood Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
 

Our selection for the finest cat food for sensitive stomachs is Halo Holistic Seafood Medley Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food.

It has whitefish as the first ingredient and salmon as the second, so it’s high in omega fats, which can assist your cat’s skin and coat as well as minimize swelling, which can help with arthritis and other health issues.

It contains no dangerous chemicals or artificial colors and uses high-quality non-GMO vegetables to help balance your pet’s delicate stomach.

The primary issue we encountered with Halo Holistic Seafood Medley was that some of our cats didn’t like it and refused to eat it no matter how cautiously we introduced it to them.

Pros

  • Whitefish is the first ingredient.
  • GMO-free vegetables
  • There are no chemicals or preservatives.

Cons

  • Some cats dislike it.

 

Science Diet by Hill’s Dry Cat Food for the Stomach and Skin
 

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Cat Food is an excellent choice of sensitive stomach cat food. 

Its initial ingredient is chicken, and it also contains high-quality ingredients such as eggs, taurine, and oats.

It has no toxic chemicals or artificial colors, and it contains prebiotics, which aid in the growth of beneficial bacteria in your cat’s digestive system. Antioxidants can also aid to enhance the immune system.

The only disadvantage of using Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach was that it is somewhat more in calories, so it may not be the ideal choice for overweight cats, and some of our cats took some time to adjust to it.

Pros

  • The first ingredient is chicken.
  • Prebiotics are present.
  • There are no artificial chemicals or preservatives.
  • Antioxidants are present.

Cons

  • A lot of calories
  • Some cats dislike it.

 

Blue Buffalo Basics LID Kitten Pate Wet Cat Food – Kittens Only
 

Our selection for the best kitten food is Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free Natural Kitten Pate Wet Cat Food.

It has only a few ingredients, making it easier to narrow down any issues your cat may be experiencing. The first ingredient is turkey, which is an excellent choice for a cat who is allergic to chicken.

It also contains omega-3 lipids, which are necessary for kitten development. There are no artificial colours or dangerous chemical preservatives.

Pros

  • Turkey is the first ingredient.
  • Ingredients are few.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

  • Some cats dislike it.

 

Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food by Blue Buffalo
 

Our second pick for the finest cat food for sensitive stomachs is Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food.

It features chicken as the first component, and it also has blueberries, brown rice, eggs, cranberries, and other high-quality ingredients.

It also contains omega fats, which will improve your cat’s coat and help minimize swelling. It also includes LifeSource Bits with prebiotics and other nutrients to help balance your cat’s sensitive digestive tract.

There are no chemical preservatives or artificial colors, and the box comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate one or several cats.

The only disadvantage of using Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach was that it took some time for some of our cats to acclimate to it, so we had to introduce it gradually.

Pros

  • The first ingredient is chicken.
  • There are no chemical preservatives or artificial colours in this product.
  • Prebiotics are present.
  • Omega fats are present.
  • Bits from LifeSource

Cons

  • The cat needs time to acclimate.

 

Dry Cat Food Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach
 

Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food is the best dry cat food for a sensitive stomach in our opinion. Its first ingredient is turkey, and it also contains various B vitamins for extra vitality.

Eggs, carrots, peas, and taurine are also nutritious components. It’s a grain-free product with no artificial colors or preservatives.

The majority of our cats liked Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food, and our only complaint is that it has a lot of maize components, which are simple to digest but primarily empty calories, which can lead to weight gain.

We didn’t care for the little kibble, either, however it didn’t appear to hurt our kitties.

Pros

  • Turkey is the first ingredient.
  • There are no chemical preservatives or artificial colors in this product.
  • Grain-free

Cons

  • Corn is present.
  • Miniature kibble

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose The Best Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Symptoms of a Sensitive Stomach in Your Cat

While our cats cannot tell us when they are sick, there are some indicators you may look for that will alert you to a problem your cat is experiencing.

Cats with sensitive stomachs frequently have chronic diarrhea. While diarrhea and mushy stools are normal when a cat first tries a new meal, they should go away in a day or two.

If it lasts for several days or weeks, it could be an indication that your cat has a sensitive stomach.

While diarrhea is the most prevalent symptom of a sensitive stomach in a cat, other symptoms include frequent vomiting, particularly after eating, and constipation.

Cats with sensitive stomachs drink more as well. If you observe your cat going to the water fountain more frequently, it could be suffering from a sensitive stomach.

Changes in appetite are also typical in cats with sensitive stomachs. Your cat may come looking for food but then act full after a few bites, only to return an hour later looking for food.

Stomach Sensitivities and Their Causes

Allergies

Food allergies frequently cause vomiting and diarrhea in your cat. Food dyes and chemical compounds are typical allergens in cats, but eggs, milk, and even chicken can pose issues for some animals.

What can I do to help?

If you’ve just begun giving your cat a new food or treat, we recommend doing it gradually. Begin with only 10% mixed in with 90% of their regular food.

Increase the proportion every few days until the old food is gone. We also recommend avoiding foods that are known to cause difficulties in cats, such as beef, milk, and eggs.

If you wish to feed these foods to your cat, start with a modest amount without any extra ingredients to observe how it reacts. Always avoid eating raw food.

Food that has expired

It is simpler than many people believe to feed your cat expired food. It can often sit for longer than we would want, and even if the date on the bag says it’s still OK, exposing it to air reduces its shelf life.

Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects of expired food.

What can I do to help?

We usually recommend checking the expiration date on food before serving it, especially wet food, which can preserve for a long period. Tightly sealing your dry food between meals will help keep humidity out and keep it from going stale.

Parasites

If you haven’t altered anything in your cat’s food and it suddenly starts having diarrhea or vomiting, your cat may have picked up a parasite, especially if it lives outside.

What can I do to help?

If you see inexplicable vomiting and diarrhea in your cat and suspect a parasite is to blame, none of the meals on this list are likely to help, and we recommend getting your cat to the doctor to be evaluated.

Materials from Other Countries

We all know that cats can acquire hairballs, but many people are unaware that they are more common during the spring and fall shedding seasons.

Cats are also known to consume hair ties, cables, and other objects that can accumulate in the stomach and cause vomiting.

What can I do to help?

We advise inspecting the vomit to see if there is any sign of what caused it. Keep hair ties and other similar things out of your cat’s reach.

If it’s spring or fall, your cat may vomit more than normal to get rid of hairballs. To help reduce the amount of hair your cat consumes, groom it with a de-shedding comb.

Hairball medicine is also available to assist hairballs pass more readily. If your cat continues to vomit but nothing comes up, we recommend that you take him to the vet.

What Kind of Food Should I Feed A Sensitive Stomach Cat?

  • Foods with fewer ingredients make it easier to determine what is bothering your cat’s tummy.
  • Many cats are lactose intolerant, so avoid dairy products.
  • Cats are strict carnivores, therefore avoid diets high in grain.
  • Wet cat food is frequently more rich than dry food, resulting in mushy stools and diarrhea. Dry food will also aid in the cleaning of your cat’s teeth.
  • Look for prebiotics and probiotics in your supplements. These nutrients can help promote the healthy bacteria in your cat’s gut, providing it with the skills it needs to digest food more effectively and balance the digestive system. Stronger gut bacteria can also aid in immune system enhancement.
  • If you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your cat, see if any of his food contains artificial colors, eggs, or poultry. Although it is uncommon, some components can trigger adverse reactions in certain cats.
  • Avoid foods that contain the chemical preservatives BHA and BHT.
  • Choose dishes with actual meat as the first ingredient, such as turkey, chicken, or fish.

Conclusion

When it comes to the best cat food for sensitive stomachs, we offer our top option. Smalls Fresh Raw Ground Cow Food is high in protein and contains beef as the first ingredient.

It is made with human-grade ingredients and does not contain any artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. Another wise decision is our recommendation for the best value.

Holistic Seafood Halo Medley Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food is cheap and contains whitefish as the first component. It also contains non-GMO fruits and veggies developed for easy digestion to help offer a balanced diet for your cat.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes you enjoyed reading these reviews and discovered a few products you’d want to try.

If our guide to the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs has helped you and your cat’s digestive difficulties, please share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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