It’s a typical morning at your household: you’ve fed your cat a bowl of kibble or canned food for a healthy breakfast. As you prepare to relax or get to work, you suddenly find vomit all over your couch or stinky, watery poop outside her litter box. Many cat parents may recognize this all-too-familiar scenario, but what’s the reason behind it?
The answer is simple: your cat may have a sensitive stomach. In fact, she may become sensitive to the ingredients in the same food she’s been eating for years. Cats can also develop food allergies to certain ingredients, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or fur loss.
Now the simplest way to resolve this is by switching up her diet and giving her food specifically made for sensitive stomachs. To help you in your quest for the right product, we’ve taken on the task of doing research and handpicking the top 5 best cat food for sensitive stomachs based on recommendations by fellow cat parents and pet health experts.
1. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Cat Food: Best Food Overall for Cats with Sensitive Stomachs
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has a long-standing reputation for providing nutritious, specially formulated pet food for different needs, and their cat food for sensitive stomachs does not disappoint. The Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Cat Food is designed to promote optimal digestive health in cats with natural, easily-digestible ingredients.
Its grain-free formula is packed with wholesome protein sources and natural fibers, facilitating easy and healthy digestion in cats and promoting firm, solid stool. Chicken broth is the first ingredient in its recipe—not only does it replenish lost hydration in cats with recurring diarrhea or vomiting, but it also boosts digestive, immune, bone, and joint health.
This canned wet food is also fortified with essential nutrients for complete and balanced nutrition. It’s rich in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids which help improve skin health and coat shine, as well as antioxidants that strengthen immunity against diseases. Cats also find the savory blend of chicken and carrots quite appealing!
Pros:
- Promotes healthy digestion with easily-digestible ingredients
- Helps firm up stool with natural fibers and protein-rich formula
- Provides relief for sensitive stomach symptoms like vomiting & diarrhea
- Replenishes hydration in cats with sensitive stomachs
- Promotes nutrient absorption and comes packed with essential nutrients
- Improves skin and coat health
- Strengthens immune system
- Entices cats to eat with its meaty, savory taste
- Recommended by veterinarians for sensitive stomachs
Cons:
- Some cats may not like the taste and texture
2. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Canned Cat Food: Provides Digestive Support & Symptom Relief for Sensitive Stomachs
Providing digestive support for cats with sensitive stomachs, the Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Canned Cat Food is made with select highly digestible proteins that aid in improving digestion and nutrient absorption. It also helps restore balance in the intestinal tract, providing relief for upset stomachs.
Its moisture-rich formulation also ensures proper hydration, which is especially important for cats with sensitive stomachs who often experience diarrhea and vomiting. Plus, it helps improve stool quality and reduce odor—helping your cat pass firm and healthy stools while making clean-up less of a challenge for you.
With a precise blend of vitamins and minerals, this wet cat food also helps cats achieve and maintain a healthy weight and ensures they get the nutrition they need for optimal wellness. The meat by-products in its ingredient list may be concerning to some, but pet parents claim it’s extremely effective in addressing stomach sensitivities despite this.
Pros:
- Aids in healthy digestion and provides relief for stomach irritation
- Optimizes nutrient absorption
- Reduces vomiting and diarrhea effectively
- Improves stool odor and consistency
- Features highly-digestible proteins
- Promotes digestive and urinary tract health
- Veterinarian-recommended formulation
- Can be paired with Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Dry Food to achieve optimal results
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains meat by-products
3. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Adult Dry Cat Food: Budget-Friendly Option for Optimal Digestive Health
Cat food for sensitive stomachs can sometimes come with a hefty price tag. Luckily, one of the best dry food options for this digestive issue is also one of the least expensive ones!
The Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food is formulated with high-quality, easy-to-digest ingredients that can ease and resolve sensitive stomach symptoms—without costing a fortune.
Real turkey features as its first ingredient, serving as a rich and nutritious source of protein. Not only is turkey highly digestible and suitable for cats with fish allergies, but it also helps build strong muscles and promotes cardiac health.
Its formula also contains prebiotic fiber that aids in healthy digestion and fuels the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
For balanced nutrition, every cup of this dry food also contains antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids, and added vitamins and minerals. These nutrients boost immunity and improve skin and coat health in cats with sensitive skin.
Take note that this dry food contains corn, corn gluten meal, and meat by-products, which may be unsuitable for kitties with grain allergies or pet parents who prefer limited-ingredient diets.
Pros:
- Easily digestible formula with high-quality ingredients
- Real turkey serves as its first ingredient and primary source of protein
- Prebiotic fiber promotes the growth of good gut bacteria
- Full of nutrients that boost immunity as well as skin and coat health
- Complete and balanced nutrition formulated for digestive issues
- Great for cats with sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin
- Fairly inexpensive price
Cons:
- Contains whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, and meat by-products
4. Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Cat Food: Specially Formulated for Food Allergy Relief
Another product from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Cat Food is specifically formulated to eliminate adverse reactions to food, resulting in digestive issues and skin irritation.
Its primary ingredient is highly hydrolyzed chicken liver, which has been broken down into incredibly small parts to avoid triggering an immune response and causing an allergic reaction. It also contains Brewer’s rice, serving as a singular source of healthy carbohydrates that are gentle on the stomach.
This prescription diet cat food also features natural fibers that help improve digestion and create firm, healthy stool. Antioxidants along with essential vitamins and minerals are also included in its balanced recipe for whole-body health. As a bonus, it also helps stop the formation of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals which cause urolithiasis or kidney stones.
Pros:
- Eliminates and provides relief for food sensitivities
- Prevents food-related skin irritation and digestive issues
- Promotes healthy digestion and improves stool quality and consistency
- Contains highly hydrolyzed protein
- Features healthy carbohydrates from a single source
- Comes packed with natural fibers, antioxidants, and vitamins & minerals
- Free of additives that can trigger allergies
Cons:
- Requires veterinary prescription
5. Instinct Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food: Perfect for Cats with Allergies to Common Protein Sources
Many cats suffer from sensitive stomachs due to food allergies. Surprisingly, the foods that trigger these reactions are also those commonly found in most cat food products: beef, fish, and chicken. While it’s not specifically targeted toward cats with sensitive stomachs, Instinct Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food offers the perfect alternative meat option for cats with allergies to these proteins.
Farm-raised rabbit is this dry food’s only source of easily digestible protein. Its formula also includes peas that are packed with fiber and healthy carbohydrates, along with essential vitamins and minerals. This way, you can be sure your kitty gets all the nutrients she needs without potential allergens or stomach irritants like beef, chicken, eggs, fish, corn, potatoes, soy, or dairy.
Each piece of kibble is also covered with freeze-dried raw rabbit to add delicious taste and nutritional value. The high-quality, wholesome ingredients in this food are minimally processed and never cooked to make sure they remain nutrient-dense, appeal to picky eaters aid in weight management, and provide relief from food sensitivities.
Pros:
- Provides an alternative protein source for cats with allergies to beef, fish, and chicken
- Helps relieve sensitive stomachs caused by food allergies
- Features farm-raised rabbit that provides highly digestible protein
- Offers a nutrient-dense recipe with a balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates
- Provides freeze-dried raw coating on kibble pieces for better taste
- Raw ingredients retain nutrients typically lost or diminished when cooked
- Free of common allergens
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains canola oil which may be a lower-quality ingredient compared to the rest of the items on its ingredient list
FAQs about Sensitive Stomachs in Cats
What are the signs that my cat has a sensitive stomach?
Signs of gastrointestinal distress include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Lethargy
- Loose stools
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden pickiness with food
- Licking lips frequently
- Excessive vocalizations
Why does my cat have a sensitive stomach?
There are many possible reasons why your cat may have a sensitive stomach. This is why it’s important to have your veterinarian assess your kitty as soon as you spot the signs of gastrointestinal distress so they can find the exact source of the problem and address it accordingly.
That said, here are a few of the most common causes of stomach sensitivity:
Food Allergies
Food allergies in cats can take months or years to develop, and there is no known reason why they do so in the first place. It can also be tricky to determine whether your cat has a true food allergy, as some studies assert that food allergies are quite rare.
However, most veterinarians assert that it’s still best to rule out food allergies when your cat has a sensitive stomach. The most reliable way to do this is by performing an elimination diet trial, which usually takes around 8 weeks.
During this trial, your cat will eat nothing but the food recommended by your veterinarian. If your kitty’s digestive symptoms improve during the 8-week period, it’s likely that she has an allergy to the ingredient/s in her regular food.
Take note that food allergies are also often accompanied by dermatological symptoms, including itching, hair loss, and skin lesions or inflammation.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerances differ from food allergies in that they usually don’t affect the skin. For instance, most cats are lactose intolerant—not allergic to lactose. As such, they usually don’t itch or lose their fur when they drink milk or consume any dairy product, but they do vomit and experience loose stools.
Chronic vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of food intolerance. As with food allergies, food intolerances are diagnosed via elimination diet trials.
Stress
Just like humans, cats also experience digestive upset when they’re under extreme stress. Factors that can contribute to a cat’s stress levels include significant changes to their daily routine or environment, the introduction of a new pet, and loud, disruptive noises (particularly those that are prolonged, such as home construction or renovation).
The solution for this is usually addressing the cause of her stress and providing love and comfort. For instance, if your cat’s distress is caused by a change in residence, it’s a good idea to give her a private space with a bed and plenty of toys to make her feel more at home.
What should I look for in cat food for sensitive stomachs?
If your veterinarian determines that your cat has no food allergies or intolerances and may simply have a sensitive stomach, your next step would be to give her food specifically formulated for her condition.
Here are a few qualities you should look for in cat food for sensitive stomachs:
Highly Digestible Ingredients
Highly digestible cat food usually contains a high-quality protein source along with wholesome ingredients like real vegetables. Make sure to avoid products with plenty of fillers and additives, as these can further irritate your kitty’s stomach.
Complete & Balanced Nutrition
Cat food for sensitive stomachs still has to meet all your kitty’s nutritional requirements. It’s best to go for protein-rich, low-carb options to ensure healthy digestion and proper weight management. It’s also important to choose food that’s high in fiber to help alleviate loose, watery stools characteristic of sensitive stomachs.
Wet Food Option
Cats develop sensitivities to dry food more frequently because kibble tends to have more ingredients than wet food. Wet food also provides more moisture that provides proper hydration, which is extremely beneficial for cats who experience vomiting or diarrhea.
If you’re buying dry cat food for sensitive stomachs, make sure the brand also has a wet food option so you can mix the two together. For instance, Hill’s and Royal Canin have both wet and dry food for their sensitive digestion formulas.
In Closing
Trying to feed a cat with a sensitive stomach can prove to be a challenge, especially when she vomits up her meals or refuses to eat. Besides taking her to the veterinarian right away, you can provide relief for your kitty’s upset tummy by giving her food specially formulated for sensitive stomachs. If you’re not sure which product to buy for her, go ahead and choose one from the options we’ve listed in this article!
Each one of the wet food and dry food options above will help address your kitty’s stomach issues, aid in healthy digestion, and help alleviate her symptoms. With this food, your kitty can eat to her heart’s content without wreaking havoc on her sensitive tummy!