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Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
Maybe you already know the right food can help cats with diarrhea but with thousands to choose from, where do you start?
I’m a veterinarian and also a cat caretaker. I know the frustration of dealing with cat diarrhea and I understand how hard it is to choose cat food to resolve it. I’m going to give you clear guidance on selecting the best cat food for diarrhea management.
From understanding the impact of dietary fiber to choosing appropriate low-residue foods on diarrhea, you’ll get practical advice to help you understand your options.
Top Cat Food Recommendations
Finding the right food for a cat with diarrhea can be challenging, as no single diet suits every situation. Below is a list of potential cat foods to consider, each addressing different dietary needs and preferences.
Discussing these options with your vet before making any changes to your cat’s diet is important.
6 Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea
- HIGH-FIBER: BLUE Wilderness™ Adult Cat Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- LOW RESIDUE: Purina ONE® +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food
- GRAIN-FREE: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck & Green Pea Recipe Dry Cat Food
- NOVEL PROTEIN: Royal Canin Feline Selected Protein PD Loaf in Sauce Wet Cat Food
- HYDROLYZED PROTEIN: Royal Canin Ultamino Adult Dry Cat Food
- KITTEN FOOD: Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Grain Free* Wet Cat Food Paté, Chicken Recipe
Evaluation Criteria & Trustworthy Promise
My cat food evaluations are based on several criteria: complete and balanced nutrition from trusted manufacturers, flavor, convenience, cost and effectiveness in firming stools. I also include various types such as dry and wet, high and low fiber, and novel or hydrolyzed protein options.
This guide reflects a blend of veterinary nutritionist recommendations and my own professional experience. I only list cat food I trust and recommend to my clients. Product links are provided for your convenience but kick-backs do not drive my recommendations!
Understanding Diarrhea in Cats
First, it’s important to recognize the difference between acute and chronic diarrhea in cats.
Acute diarrhea comes on suddenly and can be caused by factors like dietary indiscretions, stress, or infections. This version of loose stools usually goes away within a day or two with no treatment whatsoever.
In contrast, chronic diarrhea, lasting weeks or more, may signal underlying health conditions. This type of diarrhea often requires thorough veterinary examination and specific dietary management.
Diarrhea in cats can arise from various causes:
- Intestinal parasites
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Dietary indiscretions
- Stress
- Pancreatitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Assessing these factors, alongside the cat’s overall health, age, and lifestyle, is important. Your vet may recommend testing such as a fecal exam, bloodwork and X-rays or ultrasound imaging. Proper diagnosis is essential for choosing an effective dietary approach to manage cat diarrhea.
1. High-Fiber Food
BLUE Wilderness™ Adult Cat Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
High-fiber diets are a good starting point in managing diarrhea in cats. They are helpful for many but not all cats with loose stools.
These diets include both soluble and insoluble fibers, with insoluble fibers firming up stools and soluble fibers feeding the gut microbiome. (1)
BLUE Wilderness™ Adult Cat Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is one such option, lower in carbs and higher in fiber, suitable for cats sensitive to grains. It’s important to evaluate your cat’s current diet and consult your vet before switching to a high-fiber diet to see if it improves your cat’s condition.
Pros:
- Low in carbs for dry cat food.
- High in fiber.
- Beneficial soluble fiber sources: peas and flaxseed.
- Grain-free.
- Economical and easily accessible at pet and grocery stores.
Cons:
- The lower cost might reflect differences in ingredient quality compared to higher-priced options.
- High in calories–make sure you feed the right amount.
- High-fiber cat food can make diarrhea worse for some cats.
- Not suitable for mother cats or kittens.
2. Low Residue Food
Purina ONE® +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food
Low residue means the food is highly digestible. Most low-residue foods have a low fiber content which results in smaller poops from your cat.
Purina ONE® +Plus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food is a low-residue cat food with high-quality protein from turkey and chicken
Pros:
- Affordable and convenient as a dry food.
- Low to average fiber content (2% crude fiber).
- Moderate fat level.
- No prescription is needed and widely available.
- Cats like it.
Cons:
- Highly processed.
- Not good if you’re avoiding grains.
- Higher in carbohydrates.
- High in calories–make sure you feed the right amount.
- Not suitable for mother cats or kittens.
More from NPHQ Veterinarian
3. Grain-Free Food
Natural Balance® Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck & Green Pea Recipe Dry Cat Food
Although we don’t have scientific evidence to support the use of grain-free pet food, it seems to help some cats with digestive trouble. Natural Balance® Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Duck & Green Pea Recipe Dry Cat Food is a good option.
Pros:
- Grain-free, few ingredients, a novel protein source (duck).
- Widely available in pet food stores and more affordable than prescription diets.
Cons:
- High in carbohydrates.
- Not suitable for mother cats or kittens.
4. Novel Protein Food
Royal Canin® Feline Selected Protein PD Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food
This food uses a novel protein source from duck. Novel protein diets use unusual protein sources most cats haven’t been exposed to. A sensitive cat’s immune system is less likely to react to these unfamiliar proteins.
No products found.
Pros:
- Good quality control to avoid extra ingredients.
- Less processed than hydrolyzed protein diets.
- Low in carbohydrates.
- Available in both wet and dry forms.
- Cats like it.
Cons:
- The first ingredient is peas (rather than meat).
- Pricier, requiring a prescription.
5. Hydrolyzed Protein Food
Royal Canin® Ultamino Adult Dry Cat Food
Hydrolyzed protein diets are highly specialized for the most sensitive cats. They work because the protein, such as chicken, is broken down into smaller pieces that minimize immune reactions. (2) Royal Canin Ultamino Adult Dry Cat Food is a good example of this type of diet.
Pros:
- Regarded by many veterinarians as a top choice for food allergy trials.
- Effective for managing food allergies in cats.
- The high fiber content helps many cats with diarrhea.
- Expensive compared to non-prescription food.
Cons:
- One of the more expensive hydrolyzed dry diets.
- Available by prescription only and only in a dry form.
- Highly processed.
- Some cats may not find it tasty.
6. Kitten Food
Iams® Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Grain Free Wet Cat Food Paté, Chicken Recipe
Diarrhea is a common problem in kittens, especially when they have a rough start in life. Finding a food that meets the needs for proper growth while helping with diarrhea is very important.
I’ve cared for many foster kittens with diarrhea. My favorite non-prescription kitten food is Iams® Perfect Portions Healthy Kitten Grain Free* Wet Cat Food Paté, Chicken Recipe.
Pros:
- Most kittens love it.
- Simple ingredients.
- High-quality protein, low fiber.
- Available in pet food stores without a prescription.
Cons:
- More expensive than other kitten foods.
- May be too rich for some kittens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Summary
There is not one perfect cat food for diarrhea. Consult your vet and plan a systematic approach to finding food that works best for your unique cat. Experts recommend experimenting with
- High-fiber vs. low-fiber food
- Grain-free and limited-ingredient food
- Novel and hydrolyzed protein food
Remember to change from the old food to the new food gradually over 7-10 days. Your veterinarian can help you interpret the results of the food change.
What Does Your Cat Eat?
Sharing your experience can help other cat caretakers find the best cat food faster. Please comment below and share what you’ve tried and what has worked best for your cats
Last update on 2025-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
