This review aims to guide you to some of the best cat food for firm stool that can be found 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 firm stool,
- What to look for when buying best cat food for firm stool,
- 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, which is the best cat food for firm stool.
Let’s see our top picks.
Best Cat Food For Firm Stool
3 Best Cat Food For Firm Stool Reviewed
Find below foods that I find the best help for a cat with firm stool problems.
All formulas meet AAFCO Guidelines for pet food.
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 typically recommended to cats with firm stool problems, as it is easier to digest and has higher moisture content than dry food.
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 formulas.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Chicken Broth, Chicken, Pork Liver, Carrots, Rice Starch
Type of product:
Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion
Food form:
Wet food/ Stew
Best For:
- Formulated for Adult cats,
- Designed for cats with digestive issues, including stool firmness,
- Overall digestive system support.
Key Benefits:
- This prescription formula is designed to support the bacteria in your cat’s gut,
- A mixture of active fibers that may help improve regularity,
- Encourages the release of postbiotics to support the GI tract and help your cat’s body break down food,
- Works to promote regular, healthy stool and reduce the risk of future stool firmness,
- Formulated by nutritionists and veterinarians.
This product is also available in dry food formulas.
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food
First five ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Ocean Fish
Type of product:
Grain-Free, High-Protein
Food form:
Wet food/ Pate
Best For:
- Designed for Adult cats with digestive issues including stool firmness,
- Complete and balanced meal,
- Carrots are low in calories, keeps cats satiated for longer.
Key Benefits:
- Made with high-quality ingredients and natural prebiotic fiber,
- Real chicken raised without steroids or hormones is the first ingredient in this high-protein cat food
- No poultry by-product meal or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are added to this cat food recipe,
- No corn, wheat, or soy,
- Added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your cat’s overall health.
Note:
Wet food usually is recommended to cats with firm stool problems, as it is easier to digest and has higher moisture content than dry food.
Signs that your cat has firm stool issues:
If you notice recurring signs like:
- Straining when trying to eliminate,
- Small, dry, hard stools,
- Frequent trips to the litter box, but unproductive,
- Cat is not eating,
- Losing weight,
- Not as active as usual,
- Might not like it, if the tummy is touched.
Can mean that your cat is having constipation issues.
Note:
Rule out any severe medical conditions with your veterinarian before considering the best cat food for firm stool.
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 firm stool. It is crucial to address the issues right away.
What causes firm stool in cats?
Many things can cause a cat to become constipated:
- Not enough exercise,
- Not enough water,
- Arthritis,
- Intestinal blockage,
- Stress,
- Hairballs if the cat has: Underlying health issues, Longhair cats, Overgrooming due to stress.
Best cat food for firm stool can be considered in wet form.
What to do if my cat has firm stool?
Cats in nature get their water from pray, so they are shy water drinkers. Adding moisture to their daily meals can help cats hydrate better. Eliminate dry food; low moisture content can cause dehydration and firm stool.
It is adding inflammatory reducing agents to their diet. NaturVet Hemp Liquid Supplement for Cats oil is great as it gives a soothing effect.
Decrease stress.
Have a safe space for your cat to hideaway. Do not disturb your cats until they are ready to come out.
Tip.
Loud noise, such as fireworks, sirens, and parties can increase your cat’s stress levels. My cats love quiet Jazz music to tune out the noise.
Reduce hairballs recurrence:
Groom your cat by using a brush, grooming glove, or take your cat for professional grooming.
Anti hairball help:
Cat grass helps to prevent the build-up of hairballs in their stomach,
Laxatone and Anti Hairball treat is a gentle but effective lubricant for the prevention and elimination of hairballs in cats,
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 firm stool,
- Contains live microorganisms to help support feline digestive health,
- Specially formulated to promote normal intestinal microflora in cats suffering from constipation,
- 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.
In conclusion
We believe that every cat is different in its food preferences.
This is why we offer 3 of the best cat food for firm stool issues.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Pate Recipe Canned 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 and the right balance of vitamins and minerals through vegetables or whole grains.
Choose the best cat food for firm stool here.
