If you are in a hurry and want to know right away:
I chose Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice as the best cat food for sensitive stomachs.
Anyway, you might want to read the full article because I’ve put together some helpful tips on the subject.
It is perfectly understandable if we are worried if there is something wrong with our pet. We love them, and we care about them. One of these problems can be if our cat has a very sensitive stomach. As with many other health problems, I suggest that you consult your veterinarian. However, in most cases, introducing new food will solve the problems. In this article, I’ve rated some products that I think are the best cat foods for sensitive stomach. I also included some guides to help you make a wise choice.
Let’s start!
- Product table for the best sensitive stomach cat foods
- How do I know my cat has a sensitive stomach?
- What can cause your cat to have a sensitive stomach?
- How Can A Sensitive Stomach Food Help?
- Change in Diet
- What Foods to Avoid When you have a Sensitive Stomach Cat
- What else can you do for a cat with a sensitive stomach?
- My top five choices for the best cat food for sensitive stomach
- Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice
- Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Natural Dry Cat Food
- BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food
- Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food
- Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Natural Wet Cat Food & Toppers
- My choice
Product table for the best sensitive stomach cat foods
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How do I know my cat has a sensitive stomach?
The sensitive stomach is a rather broad term. The word “sensitivity” can be introduced when there is abnormal functioning of the digestive system. The digestive system is quite complicated and I would not like to elaborate.
However, you should know that if your cat’s eating habits change, it probably has a sensitive stomach. Here are some signs that, if you notice, you may reasonably suspect the above issue:
- Changes in appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting or regurgitation
- Increased or decreased thirst
- Refusal to eat or disinterest in food
- Fatigue and listlessness
What can cause your cat to have a sensitive stomach?
There are many reasons. These usually start from the stomach. But the symptoms can occur elsewhere, as seen with vomiting. Even so, here are the most common reasons:
- Food allergies
Some cats have a malfunctioning immune system. This causes allergic reactions in its body. This is how the body reacts especially to high protein foods. If this is the case, there may be other problems besides stomach problems. It is worth paying attention to.
- Food intolerances
Do not confuse this with food allergies. Food allergies are caused by immune system activity against proteins. Intolerance is quite different. Here, the food does not digest properly and is not absorbed. As a result, the food leaves the rectum almost unchanged.
- Parasites
Some species of parasites can block the absorption of nutrients in the intestine.
- Organic disease
Malfunctioning of some internal organs (liver, pancreas, gallbladder) may also cause nutrients to be improperly absorbed. This can also lead to stomach problems.
- Hairball
Everyone knows the cat’s “self-care” habits. If the cat sheds a lot of hair, it can easily become a hairball during grooming. This hairball can adversely affect digestion and is often vomited by the cat. You can groom your cat to reduce these hairballs.
- Eating too much
Some cats tend to eat too much. In short, everything put in front of it. It can also lead to a sensitive stomach. Fortunately, you can easily counteract this by not putting too much food in front of your cat.
- Diet
Often the problem is that the cat’s diet changes suddenly. Many cats simply cannot adapt their stomachs to this change so abruptly. This is especially true for kittens.
How Can A Sensitive Stomach Food Help?
We have discussed the symptoms and possible causes. But the smartest thing to do is take your cat to the vet. He will help you determine the exact cause of the problem. And he will also help you determine which cat food is ideal for the situation.
But why are these sensitive-stomach foods are effective? They do not contain anything that would make digestion difficult. They are free from artificial coloring, flavors, preservatives, and ingredients which tend to cause allergic reactions, including dairy, grains, corn, and soy. Also, many cat foods of these types contain single sources of protein. Also, no by-product meat is used in these foods.
Fortunately, you can easily counteract this by not putting too much food in front of your cat. These ingredients often cause irritation. If you suspect this, you are probably better off with wet cat food.
And last but not least, these cat foods contain everything the cat needs for its health and strength.
Change in Diet
As I mentioned above, drastic changes in diet can often make digestive problems worse. This can be a problem even if you give your pet the best sensitive stomach cat food. Here are some tips to help you make the transition:
- Progress gradually. First, mix small amounts of the new food with the old food. Then, keep changing the ratios until you get more new and less old. This process can take up to 8-10 days before you can completely leave the old food. However, it is worth being patient, you should not rush things.
- Try to feed your cat at the same time every day. Consistency greatly helps regulate digestion. These tricks combined with an easy to digest cat food would be awesome!
- If your cat’s symptoms do not improve even days after the transition, consult your vet. You may need to look for new cat food or have new tests for your cat’s disease.
What Foods to Avoid When you have a Sensitive Stomach Cat
If you have come this far in reading, then you have some idea of what it is not advisable to give your cat with a sensitive stomach. Here are some examples of foods you should never give your feline.
Dairy products
Unfortunately, the dairy products we consume are not suitable for cats. They cannot properly digest the lactose it contains. Kittens need milk, but they should get it from their mother, if possible. This is because it contains the right amount and quality of lactose. There are milk replacement products specifically developed for this purpose.
Beef
It is observed that some cats cause beef problems with their digestion. The exact reason for this is not yet known, but it is worth paying attention to.
Fatty parts
It takes a lot of bile to absorb a lot of fat. If not enough bile is available, the undigested fat causes either diarrhea or vomiting.
Grains
I have already mentioned this in this article. The digestive system of cats was invented for eating meat. They find it harder to digest grains. I’m not saying that grains should be completely avoided. But if you suspect your cat has a sensitive stomach, you may want to choose a product that doesn’t have any of that.
Too many additives
Anyway, lots of additives in foods should be avoided. But if your cat has a sensitive stomach, you should pay close attention to this. Most of these additives are probably synthetic and will not do any good to the kitten’s belly.
What else can you do for a cat with a sensitive stomach?
You may have bought the best food for your cat, but it still has symptoms. Although my advice cannot be replaced by that of a veterinarian, here are some tips that can help.
Hydration
Proper hydration is essential for proper digestion. Make sure your cat always has fresh water nearby. If it eats a lot of dry foods, this is especially important.
Cats that eat mostly wet food don’t really need extra water. But you can’t lose much if you put some water next to them.
Less treats
Try to give the cat less treats. The chances are that it is precisely these delicacies that cause the problems. On the one hand, they have less of an ideal nutrient. On the other hand, the less variation in the food, the better the chances of improving digestion. If no more than 10 percent of all food comes from these delicacies, then nothing can go wrong.
Try to reduce stress
Reducing stress is also a good idea. Feed your cat in a place where it is quiet, comfortable and relaxed. This will have a very good effect on your little friend’s appetite.
My top five choices for the best cat food for sensitive stomach
There is a wide selection of cat foods for sensitive stomachs. However, I tried to pick the five that I thought were best.
Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice
Blue buffalo is a prominent brand in the pet food industry.
They always use quality and well-sourced ingredients.
This product is a great choice if you are thinking about dry food. Blue Buffalo dry cat food contains for the first ingredient real meat. This provides a high-quality protein source for your cat.
It also contains a specific blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These are intended to support a healthy immune system.
The manufacturer also put in this food pre and probiotics, which have been shown to have a good effect on digestion.
Cats love the taste, so it’s not just the effect of the product that is good.
Although the quality of this product is impeccable, it is a little expensive. But you definitely get what you pay for.
Pros
- It contains no by-product meat
- It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals
- Free of additives and preservatives
- It contains pre- and probiotics
Cons
- Little bit pricey
- It contains grains too which can be a problem if you have a grain-sensitive cat.
>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Natural Dry Cat Food
The best thing about this cat food is that it contains only one source of protein.
It is also positive that it is free of any ingredients that irritate the sensitive stomach (egg, soy, grains, dairy)
The product is available in three flavors: rabbit, salmon and turkey. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. For example, the turkey flavored version is available in 5 and 11 lb. while the rabbit flavored version is available in 4.5 and 10 lb. bags. Pay attention to this when choosing.
The ingredients are minimally processed. Every piece of kibble is coated in freeze-dried raw, this gives the product a great taste.
Unfortunately, it does not contain any added vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants. But for those who want simplicity, with limited ingredients, this could be a wise choice.
It should also be mentioned, that most customers complain that their pet’s poop has become extremely smelly after this cat food.
Pros
- Only one source of protein
- Only one source of vegetables
- No wheat, soy, corn, potatoes, dairy nor eggs
- Great quality, good taste
Cons
- Could be cheaper
- Stinky poop
>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<
BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food
It’s also a Blue Buffalo product, but it’s a wet option. This cat food also relies on simplicity.
Many cats are sensitive to sources of protein such as beef, chicken, or eggs. In contrast, this food is available in three versions.
The three versions contain duck, fish, or turkey meat as a source of protein.
Along with quality, attention was also paid to the taste. It is not very common to complain that cats do not like it.
This food is made with the finest natural ingredients and enhanced with vitamins and minerals. I continue to say that this is a great benefit of this brand.
Pros
- Gluten-free, soy-free, and corn-free
- Limited and high-quality ingredients
- Cats like the taste
Cons
- Contains fish oil and potatoes which can cause some irritation problems
>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food
This one is a great choice if you are looking for wet food for sensitive stomachs.
The product comes in a variety pack with three sources of protein: chicken, turkey, and duck.
Some cats are sensitive to chicken, so pay attention to this when choosing.
The can is easy-to-open, and contains excellent wet food with high-quality ingredients. It’s completely free of grains, corn, and soy. So if your cat is sensitive to them, feel free to buy this cat food.
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Gluten-free, soy-free, and corn-free
Cons
- Some cats may not tolerate chicken
- Comes with different variations and different protein sources
- Its taste is not so outstanding
>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Natural Wet Cat Food & Toppers
As with the dry version of this brand, the content of this wet food also does not have many items.
The main ingredients are turkey and a single vegetable source. These nutrients can fully maximize digestion.
The product is also available in other flavors: duck, rabbit, and salmon.
The product is free from grains, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, and artificial colors and preservatives.
Just like the dry version, this also contains well-balanced omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. This can help to make our cats have nice hair and skin.
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Limited protein sources
Cons
- Less moisture than other wet foods
- Containing more items on the label than other “limited ingredient” brands
>>Check the latest price on Amazon<<
My choice
My choice is Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice. Besides its excellent taste, it is made from carefully selected, high-quality ingredients.
Click here to check get one for your kitty.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is gluten. If your cat is sensitive to grains, you should choose one from the above that does not contain grains. The same applies if you want to supply your beloved feline with a wet version instead of a dry one.
