This review aims to guide you to some of the best cat food for diarrhea that owners can find on cat food shelves.
As a feline Nutritionist and pet owner, I have bought various foods for my cats. My main concern always was; how to provide the best nutrition for my pet.
I believe that our pets deserve the best possible food that we can provide.
In this article, I aim to show:
- Top 3 best cat foods for diarrhea,
- What to look for when buying cat food for diarrhea,
- Difference between diets and what they aim to treat,
- Signs and treatments.
So you can make an informed choice if particular cat food is best for your pet.
With so many options available on cat food shelves, it is easy to be overwhelmed with which is the best cat food for diarrhea.
Let’s see our top picks.
Best Cat Food For Diarrhea
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food
- Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Intestinal Support Icelandic Fish Recipe Wet Cat Food
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food
3 Best Cat Food For Diarrhea Reviewed
Find below foods that I find the best help for a cat with diarrhea problems.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken Liver, Pork By-Products, Chicken By-Products, Pork Liver
Type of product:
Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion
Food form:
Wet food/ Chunks in Gravy
Best For:
- Veterinary-exclusive wet cat food for cats with long- or short-term digestive sensitivities that are prone to weight gain,
- Prebiotics to maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut,
- Dietary fibers support healthy digestion for optimal stool quality,
- Urinary health by creating an environment unfavorable to crystal formation in the bladder.
Wet food is generally recommended to cats with diarrhea problems, as it is easier to digest.
One of the first ingredients is Chicken liver, a quality protein that provides cats with high-energy food. The liver is also high in Vitamin B, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, and Phosphorus. It also contains CoQ10 enzymes, which support your cat’s kidney function.
Smaller portions (3oz) will mean better absorption and still get all the cat’s nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, from fish oil help nourish and soothe the GI tract.
Key Benefits:
- Promotes digestive health and optimal stool quality with highly digestible proteins and prebiotics,
- Moderate fat content supports healthy weight control for spayed/neutered cats or those with a tendency to become overweight,
- Enriched with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers for GI health,
- Supports urinary health with the exclusive S/O Index, which creates an environment unfavorable to crystal formation in the bladder.
This product is also available in dry food formula
Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Intestinal Support Icelandic Fish Recipe Wet Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Water Sufficient For Processing, Salmon, Chicken Liver, Rice, Minerals
Type of product:
Gluten-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Sensitive Digestion, Non-GMO, GMO-Free, Limited Ingredient Diet, Natural
Food form:
Wet food/ Pate
Best For:
- Special formula developed for cats with gastrointestinal disorders including upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and gastritis.
- A good choice for cats with food intolerances and allergies that can cause GI symptoms.
Wet food is recommended for cats with diarrhea and digestive issues as it is easier to digest.
Key Benefits:
- Has lactic acid bacteria to encourage intestinal flora, psyllium for intestinal transit, oregano for antioxidants, and rose hips for vitamin C.
- Targets the root problem.
- Contains lactic acid bacteria and psyllium seed husk to promote intestinal flora and encourage motility.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal
Type of product:
Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion
Food form:
Dry Food
Best For:
- High fiber cat food that is specially formulated with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to aid with the intestinal movement for your cat’s GI upsets.
- Adult and Senior cats with digestive issues.
Key Benefits:
- A veterinary-exclusive dry cat food,
- Promotes digestive health and optimal stool quality with highly digestible proteins and prebiotics,
- Formulated to help manage GI health and common gastrointestinal sensitivities,
- Enriched with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers for healthy transit through the GI tract,
- Supports urinary health with the exclusive S/O Index, which creates an environment unfavorable to crystal formation in the bladder.
Wet food is recommended for cats with diarrheas. It is digested easier. You can add water or broth (suitable for cats) to make dry kibble softer.
Best Buy Guide
Signs that your cat has digestive issues:
If you notice recurring signs like:
- Vomiting,
- Gas,
- Diarrhea,
- Licking lips (which often accompanies nausea),
- Weight loss,
- Refusing food.
It can mean that your cat is having digestive issues.
Note:
Rule out any severe medical conditions with your veterinarian.
A bit of on cat anatomy:
The stomach is part of the feline digestive system.
The digestion process begins when your pet picks up food with its mouth and starts chewing. Enzymes found in saliva start breaking down the food chemically. The process continues with swallowing, additional breakdown of food in the stomach, absorption of nutrients in the intestines, and waste elimination. (1)
Digestion should provide the cat with all essential nutrients and maintain a balance of fluids and electrolytes (salts) for the whole body.
Unfortunately, there are instances where cats can develop sensitive stomachs very early on. It is essential to address the issues right away.
Note:
With vomiting and diarrhea, cats can get dehydrated quickly, and this can cause several other health issues.
What to do if my cat has diarrhea?
The good news: most cases of cat diarrhea are mild and self-limiting.
It is crucial to establish if this is a short-term or long-term issue.
Short term digestive diarrhea issue:
- Do not give the cat any food for 12 hours
(This gives the intestinal lining time to heal)
- Have water available
- After 12 hours give a small portion of food your cat normally would eat
- Do not give any dry food
- Short term diarrhea issues should pass after 24 hours
If the cat has diarrhea after 24 hours, you need to take it to the veterinarian.
Prolonged diarrhea is dangerous to cats and might mean a more severe issue.
Your veterinarian might recommend the Royal Canin range.
As a rule of thumb, the food has to be:
- Low carb,
- 100% animal protein food,
- Preferably canned/ wet food.
Some Probiotics can be great to get the GI tract back to normal.
You can try Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder Digestive Supplement for Cats.
Benefits:
- Promotes normal intestinal microflora in cats suffering from diarrhea,
- Contains live microorganisms to help support feline digestive health,
- Specially formulated to promote normal intestinal microflora in cats suffering from diarrhea,
- Designed for all breeds of cats in any stage of life.
How do I know that my cat is dehydrated?
Assess your cat:
- Is the cat alert, walking, and acting as normal,
- Does the cat drink water and eat,
- Are your cat’s eyes shiny and moist,
- Fur test- take your cats fur at its neck and twist it a bit, does it goes back quickly,
- Gums- are they pink and moist.
If all the signs are normal, your cat is probably not dehydrated.
Reasons for diarrhea issues in cats.
- Cat has eaten something he is not supposed to.
Some human foods are toxic and poisonous to cats, like chocolate and garlic.
Note:
Essential oils and plans (indoor and outdoor) can be bad for cats.
- Sudden food change
Make sure to change your cat’s food slowly by mixing old and new food brands first.
- Stress
Cats are prone to get stressed out for various reasons like loud noises, change of environment, diet change.
Help your cat adjust by providing a quiet place to hide away and not be disturbed until they are ready to come out.
- Allergies or food intolerances
Can develop over time from giving them the same foods and ingredients.
- Food too rich for cats who are prone to vomiting after eating
Protein and fats are essential ingredients for a cat’s overall health. However, a mix of meats in one meal can upset a cat’s stomach. Try a simpler or Limited Ingredient diet instead.
- Large portion size
Some cats can finish their meal fast and have an adverse reaction to a full stomach. Try to give cats smaller, more frequent meals and see if this helps better digestion.
In conclusion.
We believe that every cat is different in its food preferences.
This is why we offer 3 of the best options available for cat food for diarrhea.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food
Forza10 Nutraceutic Actiwet Intestinal Support Icelandic Fish Recipe Wet Cat Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food
Each of these foods is designed to make your cat feel better.
It’s essential to feed them high-quality ingredients made from whole meats or novel proteins and the right balance of vitamins and minerals through vegetables or whole grains.
Choose the best cat food for diarrhea HERE.
