Best Wet & Dry Cat Food for Diarrhea is a common issue of cat owners. As an owner, you would not want your feline friend in distress. Your cat might be having gastrointestinal issues due to a mild reason such as a food allergy or something serious such as pancreatic disease. No matter what the reason is, your initial response should be to bring some changes to your pet’s diet. Vets suggest using regular dry food for cats while they have diarrhea, as this is too rich. If your cat has a runny stool or additional symptoms such as weight loss and poor appetite, these are signs that you need to head over to the vet.
While you are doing that, it is also important to have the best dry cat food for diarrhea in your kitchen so that your pet does not go hungry. If your cat’s diarrhea is due to stress or seasonal changes, then you can feed them specific cat food for cats with diarrhea. However, if the cat has a long-term illness, you should get in touch with your vet for medical attention. This will not only mitigate the risk but will also inform you beforehand of any medical issue that you need to be kept in mind. Along with that, feed your cat one of the cat foods mentioned below:
Putting your cat on a diarrhea diet
These are the 7 best cat foods for diarrhea from our side. Before selecting the best cat food for your cat, keep a few tips in mind. First of all, you should always keep your vet in the loop. According to most vets, you should not give any food to your cat for about 12 hours when they are suffering from digestive issues. Ask your vet if the same is the case with your cat.
When you start giving your cat new food, start with small portions. A sudden change to their diet might make diarrhea even more severe. You wouldn’t want that, right?
The biggest risk during diarrhea is dehydration. Make sure that you have a bowl full of water for your cat at all times. If you are feeding them dry food, serve it with water to add moisture to it. Always be gradual in any change that you bring into their diet. When the stool becomes firmer, you can switch back to the cat’s original diet but do it slowly. Start with small portions before serving the meal size all at once.
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Buyer’s Guide
Even when you have a few good choices in front of you, it can be hard to choose the best dry cat food for diarrhea. When it comes to choosing the right option from the best options, you have to look at certain features.
It is important to remember that the first cat food you try might not suit your cat. Eventually, you would have to try other cat foods. Even when you are choosing the alternate options, you need to look for the following things:
Nutrition
Whenever you are buying cat food for cats with diarrhea, you need to make sure that it is rich in nutrients. Your cat is already losing a lot of moisture. The poor creature is unable to eat its regular food since its body is not able to digest anything. So, weight loss is inevitable. To counter this, you need to feed your cat a highly-nutritious diet. It is best if the diet is rich in protein and moisture. While the moisture tackles dehydration, the protein helps in building muscle mass.
It is better to go for cat foods that are low in carbs since your kitty would not be able to digest high carbs easily. If your cat is an indoor feline, it would not be able to digest carbs anyway. Also, carbohydrates can raise your cat’s sugar levels so it is best to steer clear of them.
If you do want to feed cat food with carbohydrates, look for carbs such as sweet potatoes and chickpeas. These are comparatively easier to digest for feline stomachs.
Ingredients
There are a few ingredients that you should specifically look for when you are buying food for your sick cat.
- Proteins: Make sure that the proteins are naturally-sources. Most of the time, the proteins come from chicken, lamb, beef, salmon, sardines, duck, or muscles. If you can find a cat food that has additional proteins in the form of liver bits, you are in luck.
- Greens: Your cat needs the greens just as much as you do. Most owners fail to provide micronutrients to their cats thinking that cats, being carnivores, do not require fruits and vegetables. This is not true. You should feed cat food to your cats that are rich in cranberries, apples, carrots, sweet potatoes, and berries.
- Fats: Not all fats are fat. Learn this now and learn it for good. The best cat food for sensitive stomach diarrhea is the one that contains omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA or omega 6 fatty acids. Along with being nutritious for the body, these fatty acids also fight against inflammation.
- Herbs: Even though this is not a must, it is good to have basil, kelp, rosemary, or other herbs in the cat food.
No Additives
If your cat is already sick, chances are that it would get even sicker if the cat food contains additives. When you are buying cat food, you should do your research well. Do not buy from companies that source their ingredients from Asian countries, especially China.
Do not feed your cat any food that contains:
- Artificial flavors
- Preservatives
- Hormones
- Antibiotics
- Rendered fat
- Un-natural meat
A rule of thumb is to only buy those cat foods that have lesser ingredients. The best companies know that they only need to include a few ingredients in the cat food for it to be the perfect nutrition for a feline. However, when you look at the products of shady companies, you will immediately see ingredients that you do not recognize or pronounce for that matter. Artificial ingredients or preservatives are detrimental to your cat’s health. Also, they can trigger health conditions in your cat and may even make diarrhea worse. If you see rendered fat in the ingredient list, run the other way.
Dry or Wet?
This is a choice that you would eventually have to make when buying cat food. If you ask different owners, they would have different opinions about what kind of food is the best. You must know your cat’s needs and buy the food accordingly. Some cats do quite well with dry food but others need wet food, especially if they are losing water due to a gastrointestinal problem.
Dry food is good for older cats as they are much experienced with eating on their own. This kind of food gives you the liberty to just lay out the dish and let your cat finish it up. Moreover, dry food lasts for a longer time and is cheaper as compared to wet cat food. According to some experts, dry food is also better for a cat’s dental health. Wet food can lead to plaque buildup which is something that you do not have to worry about if you feed your cat dry food.
Wet food is an ideal choice for your feline friend during diarrhea. Since the cat is passing a watery stool, there is a shortage of water inside the body. Wet cat food can make up for this shortage ensuring that your cat is not dehydrated.
Similarly, if your cat has kidney disease, you should go for wet food as it is the better choice. However, wet food does not have a long shelf life. Once you open up the can, it is hard to store the leftovers. Also, wet cat food is more expensive. It is up to you to choose the best for your wet. During an episode of diarrhea, most vets would suggest you feed wet cat food to your cat. If your cat does not like wet food, you can opt for dry food. But you must serve this food with water so that the moisture levels can be maintained in your cat’s body.
Age
Some parents make the mistake of feeding their feline kids a certain food without checking if it is age-appropriate or not. Yes, this is an issue and you need to be aware of it. Kitties need more protein in their diet so that they can grow and have more lean muscle mass. On the other hand, oldies need a low-calorie diet.
This will prevent them from getting obese or falling prey to diseases that come with old age. If you are a bit confused about this part, you can always call your vet and get advice on this.
Vitamin-Rich Foods
When nursing a cat suffering from diarrhea, it is imperative to feed them cat food that is rich in vitamins. Cats need vitamins for strengthening the immune system. If your cat’s immune system is stronger, it would not fall sick so often. Opt for cat foods that have Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E.
Flavor
Since your cat cannot talk to you, you would have to experiment with a few cat food options before you find the most palatable choice for your pet. Cats are carnivorous by nature so it is understandable that they would be inclined towards chicken, duck, or fish.
You have to find out, through trial and error, whether your cat likes to eat fish or chicken. Once you have figured that out, you will be able to choose the best food for your friend.
Allergies
You would not be very happy to know that most cat foods are not as hypoallergenic as you would like them to be. Your cat, especially when sick, needs foods that are free of allergens. If you accidentally feed your cat a hyper-allergenic diet, it would flare up diarrhea. If you have had your cat for a few months or a year, you would know about their allergies. If you are tending for a sick kitty and you are not aware of any allergies, there are a few allergens that you should try to avoid:
- Soy
- Dairy products
- Grain
- Gluten
- Corn
Better be safe than sorry, right? Keep in mind that allergens would only make diarrhea worse. This is why it is best to do your research well before time than regret it later on. In short, you are the best judge of what to feed your cat. Do not simply buy something because it is what your neighbor’s cat eats or it has higher reviews. The cat food you choose for your pet should be the best for your particular cat. Therefore, you would have to do your research and spend some time learning your cat’s body and taste to find the best cat food.
Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinner Morsels
Stella-and-Chewy’s-Freeze
Stella and Chewy’s only contains the best stuff that your cat needs. Often, cats’ stomachs are unable to digest processed food and they end up falling sick. The best solution for this is feeding them food that they would naturally eat in the wild. This dry cat food for diarrhea contains chicken, wild-caught fish, bone, and organs. All of these things boost the cat’s immunity and provide energy. Most importantly, these dinner morsels contain probiotics that are necessary for your cat’s health.
Just like your gut microbiome keeps you healthy, cats also need to have a well-nourished microbiome in their gut. The probiotics in this cat food compensate for any lack in your cat’s gut flora. Along with providing your cat quality nutrition, this cat food also is rich in protein so it gives energy to your pet. This is a 100% naturally-sourced cat food that is suitable for cats of all ages. It does not contain any fillers, hormones, or antibiotics at all.
While it would improve your cat’s digestion, it would also make sure that your cat has healthier teeth and a better-functioning immune system.
Royal CANIN Feline Gastrointestinal Canned Cat Food
If you want to give the best cat food for sensitive stomach diarrhea to your furry friend, you can opt for this option with your eyes closed. This can clearly indicate that this is a veterinarian diet and is especially for gastrointestinal enhancement. This cat food contains easy-to-digest proteins, which will not require a lot of work from your kitty’s digestive system. If your cat is weak or has lost weight due to the disease, you would find this cat food to be extremely helpful with weight gain.
When cats are going through gastrointestinal trouble, they tend to lose weight as they are not able to meet their daily intake calorie requirements. In such situations, it is best to supplement their diet with cat foods that are easy on the intestine. After feeding your cat this food for some days, you would notice a significant improvement in the stool and a lower frequency of pooping. Since this is wet food, it would not put a lot of pressure on the digestive system.
Despite being wet and easily digestible, this cat food is rich in protein content. One of the issues that most owners have is that their cats are fussy eaters. Are you going through a moody phase with your pet too? Worry not as this cat food would make up for all the other food that your cat is not eating. Along with meeting the dietary requirements, this cat food also helps in making your cat’s immune stronger. Often, when you give your cat antibiotics, the medication can also kill off the good gut bacteria. That bacteria has to be compensated for and this cat food does so.
Just keep in mind that you should not give it to cats that suffer from pancreatitis as it can lead to flaring up owing to its excessive fat content.
Primal Freeze Dried Cat Food
Primal-Freeze
As this cat food is made for cats at any life stage, you would be able to use it for your little kittens or fully-grown cats. There are no antibiotics or hormones in this cat food so use it without any worry. Most importantly, this is an organic formula. Thus, it would provide immense energy to your cat and help them in fulfilling the dietary requirements for the day.
You can choose the meat option depending on what your cat likes to eat. The available options are pork, beef, turkey, and chicken. The ingredients are freeze-dried and this makes them effective in treating bowel issues like inflammatory bowel disease. Even if your cat is allergic to gluten, soy, or wheat, you can give this Primal cat food to them as it is free of these allergens. Furthermore, it is highly digestible so your cat can eat it easily even with an upset stomach.
When a cat has diarrhea, your prime concern should be to make sure that no extra pressure is put on the stomach and the intestines. They are already not working well and over-working them would only make the problem worse. In such situations, it is best to feed your cat the right food. 96% of the protein content in this cat food is directly sourced from animals and not plants. The carb content comes from potatoes but they do not provide much nutrition. Thus, proteins are the chief energy source for your feline friend.
HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET Digestive Care with Chicken
You know it has to be the best-wet cat food for sensitive stomach diarrhea when most vets recommend it to their patients. This cat food is so popular because most cats accept it without much fuss. Whether your cat is going through temporary diarrhea due to stress is or is suffering from a long-term gastric condition, this cat food is ideal to use.
The most notable feature of this cat food is the high palatability. Due to this, almost every cat eats it with no tantrums, even when they are sick. Making its use even more convenient is the fact that it has a chicken meat base which is loved by most cats. When you are feeding your cat this food, make sure that you break down the meals into smaller portions. Do not feed the cat in one go as it would be too much for the digestive system to handle.
The food contains antioxidants that are helpful in detoxifying the body and making the immune system stronger. Different reactions take place in a cat’s body on a daily basis. Toxins and free radicals are produced as by-products of these reactions and they need to be removed from the body. The antioxidants make this happen. Moreover, this cat food is also rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These are anti-inflammatory so they help in reducing inflammation in your cat’s stomach. Bonus points for the beautiful gloss that these fatty acids bring to your cat’s skin.
When cats are suffering from diarrhea, they lose a lot of water in their feces. Since they are not eating or drinking much, this water loss is hard to compensate for. However, this cat food makes up for most of the lost water as it is rich in moisture. On top of that, you have to feed your cat this food with water for the best results.
Hill’s Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food
If wet food is not your cat’s cup of tea, this dry option is good cat food for diarrhea. It is not only popular among vets but also cats who are sick. Hill’s has been a trusted brand for years and it continues to top the lists due to the effectiveness of its products. This cat food is even recommended by clinicians because it is extremely easy to digest. When cats are in the hospital and they are unable to digest even the softest foods, they are given this cat food.
When you mix this cat food with water, it can be a really good option for a kitty that is having trouble digesting any kind of food. The issue with dry food is that it is not palatable for some cats especially ones that have dental disease. Similarly, if your cat has lost water during the diarrhea period or is still losing water, do not use this cat food. Instead of it, go for a wet food option.
However, it is important to give your cat dry food so that they do not have to deal with plaque buildup on their teeth. This particular cat food is rich in fibers so it really helps in smoothening out the digestive processes. In addition to that, it also contains prebiotics so it will nourish the beneficial bacteria in your cat’s body. With the use of this cat food over a certain period, you would notice the stool getting firmer. As a parent, you should keep in mind that this food contains allergens. Only feed it to your cat if they are not allergic. The allergens contained in this fat food are corn, chicken, barley, and gluten.
If your cat does not have any allergies, you can use this food without any worry. Want to know the best part? This food is good for your younger feline babies and the oldies too.
Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Cat Food
Blue Buffalo has many options for cat food for sick cats. One of their turkey canned food used to be a favorite among pet owners and vets but it had grain in it. Some cats are allergic to the grain so this option was not suitable for every animal. However, this grain-free option from the company is quite effective in cats that suffer from diarrhea. This cat food for diarrhea contains indoor turkey and other proteins that are not normally present in cat food.
This cat food has everything that your sick feline friend needs from minerals and vitamins to minerals. Possibly the most important nutrients present in this diet are the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These are responsible for dealing with any kind of sensitivity issues that your cat might have. Also, they improve the coat health and make your cat look healthy inside out.
You should try out this option for your cat if they do not like the normal chicken flavor. The potatoes mixed with turkey may not seem ideal at first, but if your cat likes them, there is no harm in keeping this diet in place. It can be very hard to find a cat food that does not contain grain and dairy. This cat food, however, does not have any dairy ingredients or soy.
Being the owner, you should keep track of what your cat likes or dislikes. If your pet is not okay with the turkey flavor, you can opt for fish, which is often a delight for cats, or duck which is an unusual but tasty option. Lastly, this cat food also maintains hydration for your cat’s body as diarrhea is often accompanies by dehydration. By using this food for a few days, you would be able to notice the solidification of your cat’s stool.
ORIJEN High-Protein Dry Cat Food
A sick cat can become hard to handle especially when it is not being fed properly. This cat food from ORIJEN is one of the best products of the company. It has a 40% protein content so it helps in keeping your cat well-fed through an episode of diarrhea. The company has used wild-caught fish in their cat food so you can use it without worry. Your cat will be able to devour the flavors of hake, mackerel, and many other fishes. If your cat tends to be choosy, you should try this option as it is a clear winner with most felines.
While the fishes and liver bits bring taste to the cat food, the butternut squash makes the food fiber-rich. Due to the presence of vitamins and fibers in this food, your cat will be able to pass solid stool easily. Your cat does not only need macronutrients but also micronutrients and this cat food provide all of them. It contains veggies such as spinach, carrot, and fruits such as apples to naturally rejuvenate your cat’s energy levels.
Most importantly, this cat food contains Enterococcus faecium which is an essential probiotic in the body. Research has shown that this probiotic improves gut health in cats and helps treat diarrhea.
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FAQs
Which is the best cat food for diarrhea?
There are different foods that you can feed your cat if they are suffering from diarrhea. To choose the best food, you would have to keep the cat’s age, the severity of illness, allergies, and taste into consideration.
How do I know if the cat food has expired?
There are a few rules for this. First of all, both dry and wet food rot or go stale. Read the expiration date on the can and use the food accordingly.
If you store wet food in the fridge, it can last for up to a week. However, if it has been left out after being opened, you need to throw it away after over 4 hours.
For dry foods, check if the kibble has become moist. If it has, replaces the food with a fresh portion.
How often should I feed my cat with diarrhea?
When your cat is sick, you would notice a reduced appetite. In this scenario, there is no use in forcing your cat to eat because this would not work at all.
Do not feed your kitty in one go. Instead of giving them a full meal, divide it into portions and feed after every few hours. Gradual feeding would allow your cat’s stomach to digest the food easily, without being overworked.
Are cat foods with grain bad for my cat?
Not necessarily. Grains are a rich source of nutrition for your pet as they are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. However, some cats are allergic to grains. If your cat is allergic, do not buy any cat food with grain in it. Instead of this, you should opt for cat foods with other ingredients with the same benefits, such as potatoes.
Are all fats bad for my cat during diarrhea?
Fats are not always bad, especially when your cat is sick. Fats such as omega 3 and omega 6 boost the cat’s immunity and improve coat appearance. So, your cat gets double the benefits.
However, you need to watch the fat content if you do not want your get to get overweight. This is something that is most worrisome in older cats. They tend to put on weight if given a high-fat diet. Make sure that the cat food you choose has a balanced proportion of fats and other nutrients.
How is wet cat food different from dry cat food?
The debate on which cat food is better would never end. Some owners prefer wet food because that is what works for their furry friend while others swear by dry food. The difference between these two foods is their moisture content and storage.
Dry foods only have up to 10% water content which the water content of wet foods can be as high as 85%. Secondly, it is easier to store dry foods as they can be put in an airtight container. On the other hand, wet foods need to be stored in the refrigerator once they have been opened.
When can I start giving my kitten adult cat food?
As a rule of thumb, you can go from kitten to adult cat food after a year. This can differ for different breeds. Some cats might take as long as two years to be fully adult. You can talk to your vet about this and get expert insight.
When you finally make this transition from kitty food to adult food, do not rush into it. Go slowly so that your cat’s body has the time to adjust to this change. If you make an abrupt transition, your cat might have to face adverse effects.
Is it okay if the cat food contains carbohydrates?
Yes, studies have indicated that cats can digest carbs and use them as a source of energy. Thus, you can feed your cat any cat food that contains carbs.
How can I prevent my cat from getting digestive issues?
Do not feed your cat cow’s milk as cats cannot digest lactose which is present in milk. This will lead to diarrhea or any other digestive problem.
Other than that, if your cat is allergic to any ingredient, do not give them cat food with those ingredients. Despite these precautions, if your cat is still having stomach problems, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible.
What does ‘natural’ mean in a cat food’s description?
According to the American Association of Feed Control Officials, companies can only use the word ‘natural’ in their product’s description if it does not contain any additives.
The word ‘natural’ indicates that the cat food does not have any artificially manufactured ingredients nor does it have any additives. It further means that all ingredients present in that cat food have been sourced from plants or animals and have not been processed chemically.
How do I make the transition from my cat’s normal food to diarrhea food?
It is best to do this slowly. Start by mixing the new cat food with the regular cat food that your pet is eating. Every day, increase the quantity until it is only the new cat food that they are eating.
However, if your cat is suffering from an acute condition, you would have to make a quick transition. In this case, you can get your vet’s assistance to make sure that your cat adjusts to this difference smoothly.
Conclusion
Seeing your cat in distress is one of the saddest things to experience as an owner. It is your responsibility to ensure that your cat gets the best. When your cat is unwell, you can select one of the foods from our list to feed them. All of these cat foods are rich in flavor and nutrition. Not only will they make your cat reach the daily nutritional value but will also strengthen their immune system.
We assure you that your feline friends would be thanking you for the change in their diet. It can be hard to find the best cat food for diarrhea but with some luck and trials, you would be able to find the right food. Lastly, do not make any drastic changes without consulting with your vet. Administer your cat’s medication on time and keep good care of their diet until they are well again. Happy parenting!