It's more common than you think for cat food to be the cause of tummy problems in your kitty, so that's why we've put together a guide to the best cat food for sensitive stomachs. After all, we all want what's best for our cats and you'll want to make sure you opt for a food that is nutritionally balanced and tasty, while also taking into account the dietary requirements for your kitty, ensuring it's free from ingredients that may upset their belly.
We all know that most of the time all it takes is a shake of a biscuit packet or wet cat food pouch and your cat comes running right to their food bowl. Sometimes, though, the aftermath in litter boxes might not be so... friendly. Intolerances, allergies and general digestive sensitivity are all possibilities for sensitive stomachs, which can make it hard to know what is the best food for your kitty to eat that isn't going to cause them tummy trouble.
Best cat food for sensitive stomachs at a glance:
Has your kitty suddenly started having sickness, diarrhoea or flatulence? Are they not eating as much as usual? Are they napping a lot more? Are they experiencing hair loss or scratching themselves constantly? We'll go into this in more detail in our FAQs section, but all of these are signs that your cat could have an allergy or intolerance to their food. The most common ingredients that your cat can have an intolerance or allergy to are chicken, beef, fish, dairy and eggs so you may have to put your cat on an elimination diet until you figure out the trigger. We would recommend checking in with your vet before you do this, though.
Whether you're looking for dry cat food or wet food, we've pulled together all of the best cat foods for those kitties with sensitive stomachs to get them back to full health again. Just make sure you take a look at the ingredients to make sure it's suitable for your cat's allergies and intolerances.
Best cat food for sensitive stomachs
Best overall
IAMSIAMS For Vitality Dry Cat Food With Chicken is supplemented with vitamins and minerals, which is underpinned by over 70 years of research, development and innovation.
The main ingredients are dried chicken and turkey – which are a natural source of taurine – essential for maintaining healthy eyesight in cats. It's formulated to reduce urinary pH and contains prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion. It's also high in Omega 3 and 6 to give their coat a nice sheen and to keep their skin lovely and healthy.
A popular choice on Amazon, it has over 11,000 reviews with 81 per cent of those being five-star reviews and 13 per cent being four-star ones. Customers have noticed an improvement in their kitty's coat since switching to this food, with many reviews mentioning how shiny their cat's fur is now. There are a handful of negative comments about the food being a bit smelly but the strong smell will be what lures your moggy to their bowl.
Pros
- Contains prebiotics and beet pulp to make it gentle on digestion
- The main ingredients are dried chicken, turkey which is a natural source of taurine that aids in keeping the eyes healthy
- Omega 3 & 6 to support healthy skin and a shiny coat
Cons
- Customer reviews mention the food is a bit smelly
| Quantity: | 3kg |
| Flavours: | Chicken (available in Lamb, Salmon and Seafood, too) |
| Feeding guide: | 4kg cat: 55g-75g per day |
- Composition: Dried Chicken and Turkey (40%, A Natural Source of Taurine), Maize, Wheat, Animal Fat, Dried Beet Pulp (1.7%), Hydrolysed Animal Proteins, Fructooligosaccharides (0.68%), Potassium Chloride, Dried Whole Egg, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Fish Oil, Calcium Carbonate
Best cat food for gentle digestion
Scrumbles/AmazonMade right here in the UK, this Scrumbles Dry Cat Food is perfect for any pet that needs cat food to aid gentle digestion as the added probiotics will help with improving your cat's tummy problems.
Wheat-free with 75 per cent chicken, this is cat food with one of the highest meat contents on the market making it high-quality and tasty while also providing essential protein to keep their muscles strong. Made without derivatives, preservatives or fillers, this food is naturally hypoallergenic and it'll also help to keep fur glossy and improve urinary tract health.
Customers are impressed with the quality of the ingredients and the overall nutritional value of this food, with the fact it has a high protein content being one of the main reasons customers bought the food in the first place. Opinions are mixed about the overall size of the kibble, with some customers saying it was just the right size for their moggy's mouth but others saying it was smaller than they expected, but as no cat is the same, this may just come down to their size overall.
Pros
- Contains 75 per cent chicken as a high quality source of protein
- Has added probiotics to aid gentle digestion
Cons
- Options are mixed on the kibble size, with some customers saying they thought it was small
| Quantity: | 750g |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
| Feeding guide: | 4kg cat: 48g-71g per day |
- Composition: 75% Chicken (38% Dehydrated Chicken, 26% Freshly Prepared Chicken, 8% Chicken Fat, 3% Chicken Stock), 18.5% Rice, 2.5% Dried Alfalfa, 1.5% Salmon Oil, Vitamins & Minerals, 0.4% Dried Cranberry, 0.07% Dried Carrot, 0.015% Yucca, Dried Spearmint.
Best hypoallergenic cat food for sensitive stomachs
PurinaThis Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food has hydrolysed protein broken down into components too small to cause an allergic reaction, which is what makes this food great for an allergy and intolerance elimination diet.
The blend of nutrients and ingredients has been specifically chosen to avoid any allergic reactions for cats of all ages, including kittens, so you can try and figure out the cause of your moggy tummy troubles. It also includes a palatability booster that will make this food as tasty as possible to your feline friend.
This specialised food has offered relief to cat owners who have been worried about their cat's sensitive stomach as they've found it's helped settle their stomach as they work out the cause of the tummy troubles. Something to bear in mind is this food isn't designed to be fed to your cat long-term because it's designed to be used as part of an elimination diet so you should speak to your vet if your cat still has got issues with their stomach.
Pros
- Specifically chosen ingredients to avoid any allergic reactions for cats of all ages
- Includes a palatability booster to make it more tasty to your moggy
Cons
- This food isn't really designed to be used long-term so do seek the guidance of a vet for your pet's health issues
| Quantity: | 1.3kg |
| Flavour: | Pork and fish |
| Feeding guide: | 4kg cat: 70g per day |
- Composition: Rice starch, hydrolysed soya protein, soybean oil, minerals, cellulose, hydrolysed digest, pork fat, fish oil, carbohydrate source, protein sources
Best cat food for sensitive stomach and skin
Hill'swww.petsathome.com
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Cat Food is a double whammy, supporting cats with both sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin. It has easy-to-digest ingredients and fibres to support healthy digestion and to help firm up stools for easier pick-up.
The ingredients are suggested by vets and nutritionists, using easy-to-digest proteins and prebiotics, which also support skin problems. This food is also enriched with Vitamin E and Omega 6 for skin and fur nourishment.
Customers online have stated this food has helped improve their cat's stomach and skin and has stopped them from being sick. They also think this food is good value for how much it's helped their moggy. As rice is one of the main ingredients, this may not be the best option for cats with a grain allergy or intolerance.
Pros
- Easy-to-digest ingredients and fibres for healthy digestion and easier stool pick-up
- Enriched with Vitamin E and Omega 6 for skin and fur nourishment
Cons
- Rice is one of the main ingredients so this food may not be ideal for cats with a grain allergy
| Quantity: | 1.5kg |
| Flavour: | Chicken |
| Feeding guide: | 60g per day for a 4kg cat |
- Composition: Brewers' rice, chicken and turkey meal, maize gluten meal, maize, animal fat, dried whole egg, dried beet pulp, minerals, digest, vegetable oil, flaxseed.
Best wet cat food for sensitive stomachs
Bink
There isn't a cat food that is closer to home than this Blink! Chicken Selection Variety Pack Wet Cat Food. It's made right here in the UK and all ingredients are sourced from British farms. With natural ingredients and no cheap fillers, this is great for any sensitive cat who likes to be spoiled. It's cereal, grain and sugar-free, too.
There are four different recipes included so your moggy shouldn't get bored of what's in their bowl. The meat and fish fillets in each one are of premium quality so you know you're giving your kitty the best with every bite.
Online cat owners rate this product highly for the quality of its ingredients and like that it offers their kitty a complete and balanced meal for a good price. While there are a variety of recipes included, each one contains chicken so it may not be suitable if your cat has a chicken allergy or intolerance.
Pros
- Quality meat and ingredients while being cereal, grain and sugar-free
- Four different recipes included to give your moggy variety
Cons
- Although there are four different flavours, each one contains chicken so may not be suitable if your cat has a chicken allergy or intolerance
| Quantity: | 8 x 85g pouch |
| Flavours: | Chicken x2, Chicken and Duck x2, Chicken and Turkey x2, Salmon and Chicken x2 |
| Feeding guide: | 2.5 pouches per day for a 4.5kg cat |
- Composition: Chicken and Duck Fillets: British Chicken Fillets 52%, Tender British Duck 8%, Chicken Broth 39%, Vitamins and Minerals 1%
- Chicken and Turkey Fillets: British Chicken Fillets 46.5%, British Turkey Fillets 13.5%, Chicken Broth 39%, Vitamins and Minerals 1%
- Chicken Fillets: British Chicken Fillets 65%, Chicken Broth 34%, Vitamins and Minerals 1%
- Salmon and Chicken Fillets: Flaked Salmon Fillets 30%, British Chicken Fillets 30%, Broth 39%, Vitamins and Minerals 1%.
Best cat food for sensitive stomachs approved by vets
AVAwww.petsathome.com
AVA Veterinary Approved Optimum Health 1+ Sensitive Wet Adult Cat Food, for sensitive stomachs and skin, is one of our top choices for its hypoallergenic recipe with easily digested proteins. AVA is approved by vets so you know that this is a trusted brand.
It is made using an easy-to-digest fish recipe that includes Imutiva+, a unique combination of prebiotics, botanicals, vitamins and minerals, to support good health and immunity. As you'd expect from a fishy recipe, it's packed with Omega 3 with added zinc and biotin which will help to improve your cat's skin and coat condition. It's also completely free of wheat, wheat gluten, soya, pork and dairy, which are all common pet allergens.
It's full of immune-boosting ingredients, such as prebiotics, that will aid with maintaining a healthy gut flora and is a source of easily digestible proteins to help with your cat's stomach issues. As it is a fishy recipe, this will have a strong smell. You may not like it but your moggy will LOVE it.
Pros
- Full of immune-boosting ingredients to maintain a healthy gut flora
- Hypoallergenic Completely free of wheat, wheat gluten, soya, pork and dairy
Cons
- As it's a fishy recipe, it will have a strong smell
| Quantity: | 12 x 85g pouch |
| Flavour: | Fish |
| Feeding guide: | 2-3kg - 1 1/2-2 pouches; 3-5kg - 2-3 pouches; 5-8kg - 3-4 pouches; 8-12kg - 4-5 1/2 pouches. |
- Composition: Tuna (26%), Chicken, Sunflower Oil, Yeast Extract, Fish Oil (1%), Minerals (1%), Cellulose Fibre (1%), Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Yeast (as a source of Prebiotic Mannan-oligosaccharides & Beta-glucans) (0.045%), Chicory Root Extract (as a source of Prebiotic Fructo-oligosaccharides) (0.03%), Yucca Extract (0.005%), Glucosamine (0.005%), Dried Blueberry (0.003%), Cranberry Extract (0.003%), Pomegranate Extract (0.003%), Chondroitin (0.0017%).
Best grain-free cat food for sensitive stomachs
James Wellbeloved www.viovet.co.uk
If your cat has a sensitive stomach, your vet may have recommended a grain-free diet to see how your cat reacts to cereals. This James Wellbeloved No Cereals Dry Adult Cat Food is made in the UK and offers a grain-free recipe with a mix of dietary fibres and omega fatty acids.
It's easy to digest and excludes common allergens such as beef, pork, soya, eggs, dairy and wheat. It has natural prebiotics included that promote healthy digestion and it has added Vitamin E and other minerals that will support the immune system, making it a great option for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Customers found this grain-free food to be gentle on their cat's stomach and thought it was a good quality food for the price. This food is suitable for cats aged one to seven years so bear in mind that you'll want a different food for young kittens and senior felines.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic so it's gentle on sensitive stomachs
- Single source animal protein
- Contains Omega 6 fatty acids and zinc to promote healthy skin and coat
Cons
- Not suitable for cats under 12 months old or over seven years
| Quantity: | 1.5kg |
| Flavour: | Turkey |
| Feeding guide: | 4kg cat: 42-51g per day |
- Composition: Turkey meal (33%), potato flakes, turkey fat (14.2%), pea starch, potato protein, turkey gravy (3.9%), tomato pomace, pea protein, whole linseed, dried meatfree stock, potassium chloride, fish oil, chicory extract (0.25%), calcium carbonate, carrot, sodium chloride, cranberry extract (0.05%), yucca extract (0.02%), rosemary extract (0.006%), green tea extract (0.003%), pomegranate extract (0.001%).
Take A Break Pets' verdict: Best cat food for sensitive tummies
If we had to pick one, we'd choose IAMS for Vitality It's a mid-price product and yet packs all the essential ingredients and scientific rigour as its more expensive competitors. This is a 'complete' food, with vitamins and minerals that IAMS claims support the seven signs of vitality. That is healthy brain development, growth, eyes, skin and coat, digestion, teeth, and a strong immune system. In particular, there's a high percentage of meat in the main ingredients, notably chicken. Taurine, which is found in chicken, is essential for maintaining healthy vision in cats.
How we chose the best cat food for sensitive stomachs
All of these cat foods for sensitive stomachs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered the ingredients, quality and flavour variety in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching the right cat food to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
FAQs
Does my cat have a sensitive stomach?
There are lots of symptoms in allergies, sensitive stomachs or intolerances - some of which you may be able to spot immediately.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea and flatulence: The main three you may notice as a symptom if your cat suddenly starts heaving, has more watery stools or starts popping off more than usual.
• Loss of appetite: Not eating as much as usual? This could be a sign that something’s not right in their tummy. This also comes with the frequent licking of lips, which suggests nausea in cats.
• Lethargy and sleeping: If you notice your cat is sleeping in their beds or napping a lot more than usual, this can be a sign of an upset stomach.
• Skin irritation: Scratching or hair loss can be a sign of a food allergy or intolerance.
If you notice any of these signs in your cat, especially if it is a senior cat, and you believe it could be food sensitivity, allergies or intolerance then take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to be fully checked out.
Why does my cat have an upset stomach?
There can be a variety of reasons why your kitty isn't feeling so well. Staying informed on these possible causes can help you be more aware of what could be causing this sensitivity.
Medication
If you've put your cat onto medication recently, this could be what is making them feel a bit unwell. Consider whether it could be this and if so, contact your vet to see if they have alternative medicine.
Eating too fast
Sometimes it really is as simple as this. Cats can be very greedy, especially if they're biscuit lovers, as many cats are. If you notice your cat is inhaling their food without slowing down or often has their head stuck in the food bag, this could be why they have an upset stomach. Nowadays, you can buy slow feeder dispensers and elevated cat bowls to stop your pet from scoffing.
Allergies and intolerances
If your cat is not getting on with the cat food you're buying, there's a big chance your cat could have an intolerance or allergy to a certain ingredient. Some of the most common allergies in cats are ingredients that you find in many common cat foods, such as chicken, beef, fish, dairy and eggs.
As cat owners, we never want our pets to be in pain. So, check in with your vet to be sure of any allergies or intolerances, before you change your cat's diet.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Take A Break Pets. When not out and about, you can catch her reading books at home with her two cats.