What Is The Best Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Various studies have revealed that your feline friend is prone to gastrointestinal upset when they are offered such protein-rich diets the primary protein source of which is from beef, pork, or fish. For that scenario offer a wet cat food in which the primary protein source is lamb or turkey like ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food and Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food.
What To Look For In Cat Food For A Sensitive Stomach
If youre going to switch your cats diet and move over to easy-to-digest cat food for sensitive stomachs, its important to keep the following in mind.The new food should be made from whole meats, novel proteins, contain the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
FillersAvoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Firstly, they often trigger food sensitivities, secondly, they are unnecessary if the other ingredients are real and high quality. The easier the label, the better.
Your cat is likely to have chicken, fish, or beef intolerance. If so, look for cat foods for sensitive stomachs with turkey, lamb, or duck as the main protein. They are much easier on the stomach.
The textureSome cats might have trouble with chunks or even gravy. In this case, look for pate texture itll settle more easily than dry food or wet cat food like gravy.
GrainsGrains are a controversial point since they are a problem only for some cats. But generally talking, yes, some grains can cause a sensitive stomach, so youd better check the label to see what grains are included or just opt for grain free sensitive stomach cat food.
Other issuesIf you have excluded everything listed above, but the problem still occurs, try low fiber cat food and lower fat cat food options.
The Ingredient In This Formula
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Whole Ground Barley, Peas, Dried Egg, Potatoes, Chicken Fat , Menhaden Fish Meal , Natural Chicken Flavor, Fish Oil , Oat Bran, Fructooligosaccharides, Flaxseed , Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Apples, Blackberries, Pomegranate, Spinach, Pumpkin, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Turmeric, Dried Chicory Root, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate , Riboflavin , Niacin , d-Calcium Pantothenate , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride , Biotin , Folic Acid , Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate , Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Salt, Caramel, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Yeast , Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.
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What To Look For In Cat Food For Those With A Sensitive Stomach
What to feed those with sensitive digestion and gastrointestinal diseases depends on the reason for their upset stomach. For example, it is desirable to minimize the amount of fiber when the colon is inflamed. On the contrary, for constipation, it is recommended to keep fiber on the menu to stimulate fecal production. However, there are general recommendations, and every patient will need a vet exam initially, so the vet can determine the most suitable for them.
In case of gastrointestinal tract upset, it is advisable to purchase ready-made diets that have the following properties:
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food is our pick as the best wet food for sensitive stomachs. It features chicken liver as its first ingredient, and it also contains pork liver and chicken. Prebiotics will help boost good gut bacteria, and fish oil will provide important omega fats. It also contains soluble and insoluble fiber to help balance the digestive system and reduce constipation and diarrhea.
Royal Canin is good food that many of our cats liked, but it contains plenty of corn that can lead to weight gain and often left our cats hungry again shortly after feeding.
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Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain
Ingredients: Rabbit, Pork, Pork Liver, Pork Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Tricalcium Phosphate, Peas, Carrots
Find on: , Chewy
Cat foods for sensitive stomachs usually have a pretty simple ingredient recipe so does the Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food, despite the fact it represents the limited ingredient diet. Owners of cats with food sensitivities sometimes cant help the vomiting and diarrhea of their kitty even using the best cat food for digestive problems. Thats where the limited ingredient diet comes in handy.
Easily digestible high quality ingredients dont tolerate any grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial colors or preservatives.
Farm-raised rabbit is the one animal protein present safe and allergen-free. This canned cat food for sensitive stomachs is a definite must-try if youre almost desperate to find good cat foods for your sensitive kitty.
PROS
- Farm-raised rabbit is a healthy easily digestible animal protein
- Perfect for cats with food allergies: no grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, artificial colors, or preservatives
- Great taste
- Limited Ingredient Diet for cats with sensitive stomachs is rather pricey
- Can be in short supply
What Ingredients Are Important For Sensitive Digestion
There are a few ingredients that are particularly helpful for kittens with sensitive digestion. Not all of these have solid scientific data behind them, and many common digestive-supporting ingredients dont have any data at all.
Here, we included a list of the most promising digestion-friendly ingredients.
Probiotics
Probiotics are essential for kittens with sensitive digestion.
Just like people, cats have a microbiome in their bodies that helps them digest their food. Without a proper microbiome, they may be unable to digest certain foods, upsetting their digestion. Harmful bacteria can also set up in their gut if there arent enough good bacteria hanging around.
There is a great deal of evidence to support the usefulness of probiotics. Not only do they help with digestive issues, but they can also be used to treat certain respiratory infections.
Not all cats will benefit from probiotics, though. It depends on their current microbiome. If their gut is already in tip-top condition, probiotics probably wont do much!
Pumpkin and Other Prebiotics
Pumpkin and similar fibers have been shown to promote proper metabolism in the gut. It isnt precisely that the pumpkin improves digestion. Instead, it just happens to be a healthy prebiotic that can support the digestive system.
However, pumpkins helpfulness for pets is the most well-known, so it is the most commonly included prebiotic in digestive health foods.
- Corn
- Dried citrus pulp
- Cranberry
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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.
What Causes A Sensitive Stomach For A Cat
So, the symptoms are identified. Now, lets see what kind of things might cause sensitive stomachs.Firstly, some breeds of cats are initially at a higher risk for having sensitive stomachs check the information about your kitty breed and opt for foods for sensitive stomach only if necessary.
Another common problem is that some cat foods may be too rich for cats, who are prone to vomiting after eating here, again, switch your cats usual snack to cat foods for sensitive stomachs.
Other causes of a sensitive stomach for a cat are:
- switching cat food too frequently
- intestinal parasites
- overeating
- infections, illnesses, and diseases.
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Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Loaf Food
Another Royal Canin wet cat food! This loaf in sauce variant of the chicken recipe featured above is fantastic for cats who are frequently sick due to rushed eating.
The different texture that the loaf provides stops cats guzzling their food and causing digestion issues. It also makes for a great bit of variation in food type to make things a little more exciting for your cat.
Its relatively low calorie count is also fantastic for cats to maintain a healthy weight, something which can also have a positive impact on their eating habits.
You get the exact same level of nutrition and highly digestible proteins that are perfect for cats with sensitive bellies!
This high quality wet cat food could be the solution to your worries. Wed recommend you introduce it gradually alongside a food theyre familiar with. The change in texture can sometimes throw cats a little if you straight swap from one type of food to another.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Gi Gastrointestinal Support Cat Food
If your cat suffers from frequent digestive issues and you cant seem to find a diet that works, it may be time to try a veterinary diet like this Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Cat Food. This recipe features all-natural ingredients including highly digestible proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide balanced nutrition that wont upset your cats stomach. It also contains prebiotic fibers and probiotic supplements for healthy gut flora and essential vitamins and antioxidants for immune support. Overall, it provides 36% protein, 14% fat, and 5% fiber.
- Pros: Designed specifically to support healthy digestion, all-natural ingredients, prebiotic and probiotic supplements, rich in quality protein, supplemental fibers, chelated minerals
- Cons: Only available with a prescription, expensive to feed as a staple diet
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Why We Love It
- REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo dry cat food always features real meat as the first ingredient. High-quality protein from real chicken helps your cat maintain strong muscles. Plus, it contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit.
- FOR A SENSITIVE STOMACH: Our sensitive stomach cat food is formulated with FOS prebiotics to help support your cat’s digestive health and promote nutrient absorption. Plus, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.
- WITH LIFESOURCE BITS: This formula contains BLUEs exclusive LifeSource Bits® a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.
- NATURAL CAT FOOD: BLUE dry cat food is formulated for the health and well-being of your cat and features the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals. It never contains chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
Best Raw Cat Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Though not specifically formulated for cats with digestion issues, this raw option is a great pick for cats who might be sensitive to other protein sources like chicken or beef. Duck is a novel protein that may be easier to digest for some felines. And we love that Smalls removed the mess of serving raw food by freeze drying high-protein morsels. This is a great raw option for cats transitioning from a dry kibble.
Highlights
- All the benefits of a high-protein, raw diet without the mess
- Has no added antibiotics, steroids or artificial hormones
- Duck is a novel protein and may benefit cats with food allergies
- Also available in Chicken and Turkey
Things to Consider
- Its a higher price point than other cat foods on this list.
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What Is Sensitive Stomach Cat Food
Sensitive stomach cat foods refer to those cat foods that are formulated for those cats who suffer from vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea and that dont include such ingredients that stir up the sensitivities. Simply put, sensitive stomach cat foods dont contain any ingredients that result in vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea after the four-legged friend consumes the food. Sensitive stomach foods are a rich source of protein and moderate to low-fat content, vitamins, minerals. They also dont include artificial color or preservatives, or grains, making the wet cat food easily digestible and promote a healthy metabolism.
Foods To Avoid For Sensitive Stomachs
While Im focusing on the best cat food for sensitive stomachs, I also want to cover some foods to avoid if your cat is presenting symptoms of a sensitive tummy.
Keep in mind that every cat is different. Thats why I never make rules about choosing wet over dry food, grain over grain-free food or any other choices.
Heres a look at the ingredients to generally avoid when buying cat food for sensitive stomachs:
- Dairy.
- Meals and by-products.
- Irritating by-products, dyes, preservatives and chemicals.
You also have to be realistic about what you can get your cat to eat. The most tolerable and gentle, sensitive stomach cat food does not do much if your cat wont eat it.
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Does Your Cat Need Sensitive Stomach Cat Food
While its common for cats to cough up hairballs, if your fur baby is vomiting after meals or suffers from diarrhea consistently, you may want to try switching up her cat food to see if things improve. Your cat may have a sensitive digestion system and require a special diet.
Signs that your cat may need a sensitive stomach diet, for the most part, may begin to manifest as inappetence , regurgitation, vomit, diarrhea, constipation or hair balls, says Dr. Brian Bourquin, founder and chief medical officer of Boston Veterinary Clinic.
Bourquin also notes that cats that have consistent hairball issues usually have underlying gastrointestinal issues or food allergies.
Any repeatable issues can be concerning, and you should seek your veterinarians opinion immediately, he says. They can then best assess and help you decide a remedy for your cat such as a different over-the-counter food, or a restricted diet, or if your feline needs further testing.
Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food
When you are looking for the best US-made cat food that not only satisfies your feline friends hunger but also contains the worlds finest ingredients that your four-legged friend requires to thrive, then you should feed IAMS Sensitive Stomach without any delay.
The cats are carnivores, so from inception meat is a must-have item they require in their diet. If your cat experiences a food allergy to beef or pork, this food is deemed fit since its equipped with turkey. A boneless and well-cooked turkey has protein, vitamins, minerals, and taurine. Turkey is a natural source of protein and taurine. It builds lean muscle, assists in teeth formation, strengthens vision, keeps the immune system up and running, and gives the required energy to thrive.
To tackle heart and skeletal muscle problems, this cat food is equipped with L-Carnitine which is a vitamin-like molecule that not only assists to regulate the heart and skeletal muscles but also breaks down fats in the body.
An added bonus, turkey is a source of Omega-3 fatty acid, Omega-6 fatty acid that results in healthy skin and polished coat. Plus, as the turkey is rich in antioxidants and prebiotics that allow the good gut bacteria to thrive and crush harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. As a consequence, your cat doesnt experience any digestive issues including diarrhea, constipation, etc.
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What Is The Best Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach
Well, theres no fit-to-be-eaten recipe especially when a cat has a sensitive stomach since there is a higher percentage of cats who experience vomiting or constipation when they are offered such canned food that has chicken or pork-by products or isnt grain-free.
If you are in a witch hunt for the best soft cat food for sensitive stomach make sure that the canned food is free from not only any added color, preservatives but also grains. For example, if you are hunting high and low for the best wet food for sensitive stomach cats and are ready to break the bank then you may bring Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, or Instinct Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Pate to your home and let your feline friend enjoy a grain-free wet cat food without any added artificial color, or preservatives.
Signs Your Cat May Have A Sensitive Stomach
With the regular occurrence of digestive disorders, veterinarians often diagnose a cat as having a sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract. Formally, this is not considered a disease in itself. It can have many causes, and it is essential to determine the underlying trigger in each case. The condition is usually localized but can occur secondary to e.g. endocrine disorders or organ disease. For example, sometimes, we see gastrointestinal symptoms secondary to kidney failure.
Sensitive digestion can be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- nausea and vomiting
- malabsorption syndrome
- bacterial overgrowth
The following scenarios can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but the cat is not sensitive. So, once the underlying issue has been treated, they should not have any G.I. issues in the future. These include:
- eating something, they shouldnt have such as inappropriate food, trash, or something toxic
- feeding an improper diet long-term
- infection with parasites such as worms
- coronavirus enteritis and other viral infections
- intestinal obstruction
- intestinal ulceration
- poisoning
In some cases, sensitive digestion is recognized as idiopathic, i.e. we do not know why it has happened.
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