Does My Cat Have A Sensitive Stomach
There are lots of symptoms in allergies, sensitive stomachs or intolerances – some of which you may be able to spot immediately.
Vomiting, diarrhoea and flatulence: The main three you may notice as a symptom if your cat suddenly starts heaving, has more watery stools or starts popping off more than usual.
Loss of appetite: Not eating as much as usual? This could be a sign that somethings not right in their tummy. This also comes with the frequent licking of lips, which suggests nausea in cats.
Lethargy and sleeping: If you notice your cat is sleeping in their beds or napping a lot more than usual, this can be a sign of an upset stomach.
Skin irritation:Scratching or hair loss can be a sign of a food allergy or intolerance.
If you notice any of these signs in your cat, especially if it is a senior cat, and you believe it could be food sensitivity, allergies or intolerance then take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to be fully checked out.
What Are The Signs Of Sensitive Stomach In Cats
Just because hairballs are unpleasant doesnt mean theyre not normal. Your cat spends a great deal of time grooming himself, so it shouldnt come as a surprise that he ends up ingesting a lot of his own hair. If you dont take the time to brush your cat, hairballs may be more of a frequent issue.
But what are the signs of sensitive stomach and other digestive issues in cats?
Here are some of the symptoms of digestive problems in cats:
- Poor coat condition
Digestive issues in cats can be either acute or chronic.
Acute simply means that the problem either comes on suddenly or it is very short-lived. An example of an acute digestive issue might be if your cat accidentally consumes something dangerous and experiences vomiting or regurgitation, but the symptoms only last a day or two.
Chronic digestive issues in cats typically come on more slowly and may last for weeks or even months at a time. Different digestive issues can cause both acute and chronic symptoms, so youll need to pay close attention to your cat to identify them.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes for sensitive stomach, diarrhea, and other digestive issues in cats.
Categories Of Feline Vomiting
- Feline Vomitingnormal behavior that happens roughly once per month. It doesnt happen with all cats, but it is a frequent phenomenon in some.
- Acute Vomitingthe sudden, extreme onset of vomiting. There is usually an underlying problem like eating something they shouldnt have .
- Chronic Vomitingoccurs often over a long period. Its the main way to pinpoint that its likely diet, but you would have to explore all health areas to determine that its officially the cause.
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It Meets Aafco Standards
The Association of American Feed Control Officials is an organization that sets nutrition standards for pet food.
For your cats food to be considered complete and balanced, these standards need to be met. So when youre looking for dry cat food, keep your eyes peeled for a disclaimer on the label that says the food meets AAFCO standards.
What Are Owners Saying
With a rating of 4.2 by over 132 reviewers, many owners of picky cats found that this formula stood out as being far more palatable than most. Its also been used by several customers as a way to continue feeding their cats chicken without encountering digestive issues. However, as can be the case with formulas targeted at cats with sensitive stomachs, a significant number of cats simply refused to eat Merricks grain-free food.
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Do All Kittens Have Sensitive Digestion
No, not all kittens have sensitive digestion. Many kittens can eat just about anything without a problem.
However, some kittens do have significant sensitivities, though. These digestive issues may be due to a lack of a healthy gut biome. When kittens are born, they have to start from scratch when it comes to their gut microbiome.
Some kittens may not get the bacteria that they need, leading to digestive issues. If they dont develop the proper gut biome, they will continue to have issues into adulthood.
Luckily, probiotics are ideal for improving a felines microbiome. You can purchase probiotics separately as supplements to add to their food, or you can purchase a general sensitive digestion food that includes probiotics. This latter option is usually the cheapest. Probiotics by themselves can be expensive, but foods containing them usually arent.
Promote Healthy Gut Flora By Providing Probiotics
Supporting a healthy gut microbiome is a cornerstone of ensuring that your cats digestive system stays in top shape.
Dysbiosis, or imbalanced bacteria population, is associated with poor digestive health and IBD. Particularly if your cat has undergone antibiotic therapy which kills both good and bad bacteria its likely that dysbiosis plays a role in your cats tummy troubles.
Theres a growing body of evidence suggesting a connection between antibiotic treatment and subsequent IBD in humans.
One of the simplest ways to promote healthy gut flora is to add a probiotic supplement to your cats meals. You can also consider the inclusion of prebiotics, which promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by All About Cats without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that youre only putting the best in your cats bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the view lab report link in the product review.
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How Do I Stop My Cat Vomiting After Eating
Along with a sensitive tummy, rushed eating can also lead to undesired side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea.
To combat this, youll want to keep a close eye on your cats eating habits. As you transition to a cat food for sensitive stomachs, you may also want to make a shift to smaller portion sizes.
If youre guilty of not monitoring portion sizes then you should read up on recommended portions on the manufacturers website. Armed with that knowledge, you can even invest in an automatic cat feeder that will handle portion sizes for you.
Smaller portion sizes coupled with a transition to a cat foods for sensitive stomachs should at the very least give you some indication of the cause, if not solve it completely.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, then a sensitive stomach may not be the cause of vomiting after all.
You can groom your cat to reduce the chances of hairballs, and even look for foods that specialize in reducing them.
Remember to try different things gradually. Never swap out a cats diet entirely without a transition phase. Most experts recommend a transition phase of around a week at minimum.
In food terms, you could transition onto the new food by mixing 20% of the new food in with 80% of the old. Gradually make your move until you reach 100% of the new stuff.
Natures Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Rabbit Recipe
Easily some of the best cat food for cats with digestive problems, this limited ingredient recipe features a novel source of protein and digestible grain-free carbohydrates. Natures Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Rabbit Recipe is a great option for any cat, particularly cats with sensitive stomach and diarrhea. It is loaded with premium animal protein and healthy fats, plus digestible grain-free carbohydrates. It Is supplemented with chelated minerals and vitamins to ensure complete and balanced nutrition and is completely free from artificial additives. Overall, it provides a whopping 35% protein with 19% fat and a 5.5% fiber.
- Pros: Limited number of ingredients, real rabbit as a novel protein source, digestible grain-free carbohydrates, rich in protein and healthy fats, chelated minerals, freeze-dried rabbit coating
- Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based , no probiotic supplements, expensive to feed.
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Do Siamese Cats Do Have Sensitive Stomachs
Siamese cats are a little unique in that the way they eat and their jaw shape is unlike other breeds. However, when given the right high-quality food, sensitive stomachs are not more pervasive with Siamese cats than different kinds. Yes, there are anecdotal discussions of this, but there’s no scientific proof.
Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
If you want a specialized diet that works wonders, consider Hills Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin. This recipe uses gentle ingredients like rice, oatmeal, and eggs for easy digestion rather than having harsh fillers.
This recipe is packed with immunity-boosting antioxidants and powerful vitamins and minerals. Its specifically formalities to combat stomach issues and skin allergies so your cat wont break out, itch, vomit, or exhibit other adverse effects.
This cat food has 29% crude protein, 17% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. There are 524 calories per cup. If you have an overweight cat, this may not be the best food for them since its higher in caloric content.
Hills Science Diet crafts every one of their recipes in the United States with trusted ingredients. While this kibble helps most kitties with a sensitive stomach, it contains corn, wheat, and soy. So, its not best for gluten intolerant cats.
- Not for gluten intolerant cats
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American Journey Minced Turkey Recipe In Gravy
Most Affordable Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach: Good cat food isnt cheap and cheap cat food isnt good. While there are certain exceptions to the rule, price is typically equated with quality in the pet food industry. If youre looking for an affordable cat food that wont require you to compromise on quality, consider this American Journey Minced Turkey Recipe in Gravy. It features real turkey as the main ingredient and doesnt contain common allergens that might upset your cats stomach like chicken or grains. It is loaded with natural poultry flavor from turkey, turkey broth, and turkey liver, plus it contains dried egg white as a supplemental source of protein. Measured as dry matter basis, this recipe contains 50% protein and 22% fat.
- Pros: Affordable price, rich in animal protein, blend of omega fatty acids, supplemented with chelated minerals, fresh fruits and vegetables, naturally grain-free, highly digestible
- Cons: Main source of fat is plant-based
Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach
Ingredients:Find on: Chewy
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Multiple size bag options
- Small, easy to chew kibbles
- Improves catâs immune system, digestive system, skin, coat, and overall well-being
- A perfect balance of vitamins and minerals
- Can lead to weight gain
- Contains grains – doesnât work for cats with grain food allergies
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The Downside To Dry Cat Food
The main issue with dry cat food is that it doesn’t have much moisture compared to wet cat food.
A lot of vets think that food with a lot of moisture can help your cat stay hydrated, which can prevent issues like urinary tract infections. That high moisture content is good for cats with other conditions, too.
Wet food is higher in water content, a plus for cats with kidney disease or diabetes, Dr. Bonk said.
Theres A Variety Of Flavors
If your cats a picky eater, its also good to go with a dry food that has a variety of recipes to keep him interested.
You may also want to choose a brand that offers different flavors and formulations if you have a picky eater in order to keep them interested without having to completely change up their diet, Dr. Bonk said.
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Purina One Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food
Another well known brand, another excellent cat food for sensitive digestive systems. Purina always produce a very high standard of cat food and were pleased to see theyve made one especially for sensitive stomachs.
The clues in the name for this one. Purinas specially formulated Sensitive Systems cat food provides a wide range of minerals and vitamins that boost digestion and your cats immune system.
Because its from a well known brand, you get high quality nutrition and a food thats significantly cheaper than any prescription alternatives. Its a wonderfully balanced option for those who prefer to feed a dry food, and the number one ingredient is real turkey.
Weve heard plenty of stories of owners finally seeing success in preventing vomiting by transitioning to this adult cat food, each of which now deem it the best cat food for stopping vomiting ever.
Overall Best: Smalls Fresh Kills Fresh Minced Chicken Cat Food
- Made In: NYC, United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 21% min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.00 to $3.50
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Chicken Breast, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas
If your cat is sensitive to everything but chicken, this recipe from Smalls could be your chicken-based solution.
Featuring chicken thigh, breast, and liver as the top three ingredients, this fresh food is packed with premium animal protein. Green beans, peas, and kale are the only carbohydrate ingredients. They are naturally grain-free, rich in nutrients, and promote healthy digestion.
In addition to being high in protein and low in carbohydrates, this formula is rich in moisture that helps support digestion and healthy skin and coat. Overall, this minced chicken recipe is a high-quality source of balanced nutrition for cats in all life stages.
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Hills Science Diet Care Kitties Dry Food
Hills Science Diet Care kitties Dry Food is a good option for cats with sensitive stomachs. This is because it has less sodium than other types of cat food. It also has prebiotics and probiotics and is hypoallergenic, which is beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs.
It is important to rotate this type of food with another one every so often, as cats can get bored eating the same food daily. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you might want to try feeding them Hills Science Diet Care kitties Dry Food.
This is because it has less sodium than other types of cat food. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics, which are helpful for lactose-intolerant cats.
Types Of Hypoallergenic Diets For Cats
There are three main types of hypoallergenic diets:
-
Limited ingredient
-
Veterinary prescription food with a novel protein
-
Hydrolyzed protein
Limited ingredient diets typically contain only one protein source and one carbohydrate source, and they can be purchased without a prescription, like Natural Balance L.I.D. Chicken & Green Pea Formula grain-free canned cat food. However, these diets are not regulated to ensure that they dont have cross-contamination.
For more highly allergic cats, veterinary prescription diets with novel animal proteins contain a single-source protein and are produced in a facility that prevents cross-contamination.
Hydrolyzed protein diets, which also require a veterinary prescription, break down the protein to a size thats less likely to be recognized by the immune system, like Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP dry cat food.
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Choose Foods Featuring Highly Digestible Ingredients
Plant protein, for example, tends to be less digestible than animal protein. Animal by-products, similarly, may have lower digestibility scores than properly proportioned muscle meat, organs, and bones.
Fat follows the same carnivorous logic. Animal fat is more digestible than plant fat.
The guaranteed analysis on the label lists only crude fat and crude protein, so youll need to probe deeper to find the digestibility values of these macronutrients digestibility values indicate how digestible a particular ingredient is. You can guess by looking at the ingredient list or you can contact the company for exact digestibility values.
What To Look For In The Best Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Image by Leonid Yastremskiy / Canva
If you are trying to eliminate certain ingredients from your cats diet due to your vets recommendation, its best to find a natural cat food free from fillers or dyes.
Ideally, a high-fiber diet is the most beneficial when it comes to improving your kittys gut health and reducing vomiting and loose stools. Just make sure to pay attention to the amounts of crude protein, fat, and fiber in the foods you choose.
Also, stick with the portion sizes on the product label. Overfeeding your cat can lead to health problems like diabetes, joint issues, and even kidney and liver failure. If your cat starts to gain weight, cut back on their food and reduce the amount of treats given . Overweight cats are not happy cats felines are happier when they are lean and nimble.
As for other considerations, take into account your kittys age, activity level, health concerns , and flavor preferences when deciding on the new food. Mixing wet and dry is an option if your feline prefers one over the other, but youd like to give them more variety.
As mentioned above, it is vital that you gradually transition your cat to the new food, whether its wet or dry. Cats with sensitive stomachs will require a longer transition of two weeks to ensure that they dont have an adverse reaction to their new kibble or wet food.
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