Best* Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Finding food that your cat enjoys can be tricky—choosing some of the best cat food for cats with sensitive stomachs that tastes great and has adequate nutrition can be a real challenge.
What to look for in cat food for sensitive stomach
Choose cat food that addresses the specific cause of your pet’s digestive issues, which won’t worsen any preexisting conditions.
Easily digestible ingredients
Some of the best cat food for a sensitive stomach is easy to digest and isn’t harsh on their systems. High-quality meat and gentle ingredients can help ease your feline’s digestive issues and promote good gut bacteria.
Nutrition
If your cat has digestive issues, they may not be getting the nutrition they need. Protein, probiotics, vitamins and minerals help support your cat’s digestive health and can be vital in some of the best cat food for sensitive stomachs, diarrhea and vomiting.
Quality and Value
The best cat food for a sensitive stomach should have gentle ingredients, nutritional density and come at a price you feel comfortable paying.
Pet parent faves
These are some of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs trusted by Petco’s pet parents—from high digestibility to high nutrient density.
WholeHearted
Healthy Digestion Chicken and Egg Product Recipe Dry Cat Food
When you think of the best cat food for sensitive stomachs, do you immediately think of wet food? You may be surprised to learn that some of the best cat food for digestive problems comes in dry kibble form. What’s more, it’s grain-free. The balance of fiber, probiotics and protein combined in a highly digestible formula makes this one of the best dry cat foods for sensitive stomachs.
- Available in 2.5- or 5-lbs. bags
- Grain-free formula
- Multiple fiber sources
- Easily digestible protein ingredients
WholeHearted
Easy Digestion Chicken Recipe Adult Wet Cat Food
The best wet cat food for a sensitive stomach is normally easy to digest and packed with tummy-soothing ingredients. That’s why this selection from WholeHearted is a pet parent favorite. It’s wholesome, full of digestion-supporting ingredients and as easy for you to serve as it is for your cat to eat.
- Available in single 3- or 5.5-oz. cans or packs of 24
- Easily digestible proteins
- Grain-free formula
- Multiple fiber sources
- Antioxidants for enhanced nutrition
Tiki Cat
Tummy Topper Pumpkin and Wheatgrass Cat Treat
Sometimes, the best cat food for cats with sensitive stomachs is an uncomplicated formula that sticks to the basics. With only three ingredients, there’s nowhere for harsh fillers to hide in this stomach-soothing cat treat. Full of pumpkin and ginger, these treats can be given alone or used as a food topper.
- Available in single 1.5-oz. packets or cases of 12
- Grain-free formula
- No harsh fillers
- Made with only three ingredients
- Crafted to be soothing for sensitive stomachs
Instinct
Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers Grain-free Digestive Health Recipe Cat Food Topper
If your cat’s sensitive stomach has been making it hard for them to hold down food, they may seem to lose their appetite—even if they’re more in need of good nutrition than ever. Some of the best cat food for sensitive stomachs with vomiting might be a digestion-supporting food topper. It’s an easy way to add nutritious ingredients that can soothe your cat’s stomach without changing your cat’s entire diet. Raw, freeze-dried protein, fruits and vegetables pack a nutrient-dense punch, while flavorful cage-free chicken helps increase your kitty’s appetite.
- Available in .75- or 5.5-oz. bags
- Raw, whole-food ingredients
- Gluten, grain and soy-free
- Probiotics to support digestion
- Made with cage-free chicken
Hill’s
Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin Chicken and Rice
Cats whose sensitive stomachs make it difficult for them to keep a meal down may not have a chance to absorb all the nutrients they need to keep them in good condition. That’s why a dry food that goes beyond stomach-soothing and includes additional nutrients for your cat’s overall wellbeing—like this selection from Hill’s—may be one of the best dry cat foods for a sensitive stomach. Along with prebiotic fiber and highly digestible ingredients, it contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to support your cat’s skin and coat health.
- Available in 3.5-, 7- or 15.5-lbs. bags
- Natural ingredients
- Prebiotic fiber
- Highly-digestible formula
- Vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids added
Royal Canin
Digestive Care Dry Cat Food
What makes this dry food formula one of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs and diarrhea isn’t just the added vitamins, prebiotics and dietary fiber—it’s also the shape of the kibbles themselves. Ring-shaped kibbles encourage your cat to eat more slowly, which can aid digestion and thereby relieve some of the symptoms of a sensitive stomach.
- Available in 3-lbs. or 6-lbs. bags
- Prebiotics and dietary fiber
- Improved stool quality after ten days
- Ring-shaped kibbles to encourage slower eating
- Sensitive stomach formula
Purina
Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin and Stomach Lamb and Rice Formula Adult Dry Cat Food
Not all the best dry cat food for sensitive stomachs is grain-free. Ingredients such as rice and oatmeal can be easily digestible and non-irritating to some cats’ stomachs—especially when they’re used to support a protein-rich formula that’s fortified with nutrients. Prebiotic and probiotic ingredients work together to restore an optimal gut biome. Additional skin-nourishing ingredients like vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids go beyond gut support to enhance your cat’s general wellbeing.
- Available in 3.5-, 7- and 16-lbs. bags
- High protein formula
- Prebiotics and probiotics to support digestion
- Antioxidants to reinforce the immune system
- Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids added
Hill’s
Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken, Barley and Whole Oats Recipe Dry Cat Food
Your cat’s microbiome is the focus of this dry food—which might be why so many pet parents have chosen it as one of the best cat foods for a sensitive stomach. The ActivBiome+ Technology blend of prebiotic ingredients works to support your cat’s optimal digestion, while stomach-soothing ingredients like high-quality chicken and pumpkin help your sensitive cat process their food more efficiently.
- Available in 3.5-, 6- and 13-lbs. bags
- Easily digestible ingredients
- High-quality chicken, whole grain and pumpkin
- Vitamins and antioxidants to support the immune system
- Prebiotics for improved stool quality
Purina
ONE Natural Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula Dry Cat Food
Some of the best cat food for digestive problems can address so much more than just your cat’s sensitive stomach. You don’t need to choose between your cat’s gut health and overall wellbeing when selecting this dry food from Purina. Its high-protein, easily digestible formula can be good for your cat’s digestive system. Additional omega-6 fatty acids help nourish their skin and coat, and antioxidants support their immune system. Plus, the crunchy kibbles help reduce plaque for healthier teeth and gums.
- Available in 7-lbs. or 16-lbs. bags
- High-protein formula
- Easily digestible
- Antioxidants for immune support
- Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat quality
Iams
ProActive Health Sensitive Digestion and Skin Turkey Adult Dry Cat Food
Cats with sensitive stomachs sometimes need extra help when it comes to nutrient absorption. This Iams dry food delivers high-quality protein and a fiber blend with beet pulp to support nutrient absorption. It’s suitable for adult cats of all ages and sizes—meaning it might be one of the best cat foods for older cats with sensitive stomachs. Added supplements help to enhance the condition of your cat’s skin and coat.
- Available in 6-lbs. or 13-lbs. bags
- Fiber blend with prebiotics and beet pulp for optimal nutrient absorption
- Made with real turkey as the first ingredient
- Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
- Antioxidants for immune support
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Learn More About Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
Various factors can contribute to a cat’s sensitive stomach, and it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of your cat’s tummy issues. However, you probably won’t need your vet to tell you something may be bothering your cat’s stomach in the first place. Signs that your cat has a sensitive stomach and is experiencing digestive issues can include the following.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Degraded skin and coat health
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
If you notice your cat exhibiting any of these symptoms, it may be time to book a veterinary appointment. Your vet can point you toward the best cat food for a sensitive stomach, diarrhea or vomiting—and check for any potentially severe underlying issues.
Under the supervision of your veterinarian, you can make changes to your cat’s diet that might help soothe your kitty’s sensitive stomach. For instance, your vet may recommend introducing a cat food free of common irritants—such as eggs, wheat, milk products and meat byproducts. Additionally, foods containing prebiotics, probiotics and highly digestible ingredients are some of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs.
Your veterinarian should always be involved in the dietary and nutrition decisions you make for your cat. Your vet can recommend the best cat food for a sensitive stomach, vomiting or diarrhea—usually a highly digestible formula that is low in fillers and high in stomach-soothing ingredients. Sometimes, veterinarians recommend additional supplements or medications to help support digestion. Your vet might also recommend further testing to determine whether an underlying condition—not just a dietary sensitivity—is causing your cat’s upset stomach.
While different cats have different dietary needs, there are some general diet guidelines for cats with sensitive stomachs. If your cat seems to have trouble processing dry food, it might be time to look for the best wet cat food for their sensitive stomach, as moist food is sometimes easier to digest. Single source protein—rather than meat byproducts—and ingredients such as pumpkin and high-quality carbohydrates are also more likely to be digested easily by your cat.
*Based on petco.com sales data.
