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For helping cats with digestive issues like diarrhea, I recommend Blue Buffalo Blissful Belly Digestive Care Wet Cat Food as the best cat food.
- For digestive health with prebiotic fiber
- High quality, digestible protein
- No wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
- 13.6% Fiber by Dry Matter Basis
- Commercially available
As cat parents, we know our cats very well, including their diet and litter box habits. So if your cat begins to experience diarrhea, their food is a good place to start.
After helping my cat through many digestive problems including diarrhea, I’ve learned a lot about the best cat food for this issue. Blue Buffalo Blissful Belly has been the best food for my cat’s sensitive stomach.
However, the best food for my cat may not be the best for yours. So I have selected other great picks for a variety of categories. You will also find a complete buying guide at the end to make an informed decision about your cat’s food.
These are the products we review in this article (not all shown):
Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Wet Cat Food
- Easily digestible protein
- High moisture, high fiber
- Reduces stool odor
- Easy to eat
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Just 1 protein and 1 vegetable, extremely clean
- No grains, chicken, poultry in the Duck or Venison
- No eggs, or dairy
- No artificial flavors or fillers
- Made of 92% animal protein and organ meats
- Premium, organic ingredients
- No filler, grains, carbs, by-products
- Contains omega fatty acids for coat and skin health
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Wet Cat Food
- Quality, real protein as top ingredients
- Contains prebiotic fiber.
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free, no artificial colors or preservatives
Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Dry Food
- Recognizable, real ingredients with high protein
- Patented BC30 probiotic
- Small shape for easy eating
- No grains, by-products, anything artificial
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Prime Plus Wet Cat Food
- Animal protein & liver as top ingredients
- Natural prebiotic fiber
- Vitamins and minerals formulated for senior cats
- Variety pack
- Overall Best Cat Food for Diarrhea in Cats
- Best Wet Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Best Dry Cat Food for Loose Stool
- Premium Pick
- Best Cat Food for Diarrhea and Vomiting
- Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach Diarrhea
- Best Senior Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Best Kitten Food for Diarrhea
- Great Canned Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Great Hydrolyzed Option
- How to Choose a Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Types of Cat Food Good for Diarrhea
- Symptoms of Diarrhea in Cats
- Causes of Diarrhea in Cats
- Is Your Cat Suffering From Acute Diarrhea?
- Or Are They Suffering From Chronic Diarrhea?
All cat foods included on this list meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines for cats. Always consult with your veterinarian before making changes to your cat’s diet.
Overall Best Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Real chicken
- High fiber with prebiotics
- No wheat, corn, or soy
- No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, chicken brother, potatoes, chicken liver, whitefish
- Guaranteed Analysis: 8.5% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Calories: N/A
- Life Stage: Adult
My overall best cat food for diarrhea is this high fiber wet food pick – Blue Buffalo Blissful Belly Digestive Care Wet Cat Food.
I like that this wet cat food for diarrhea uses only high-quality ingredients, including real chicken protein. No wheat or other grain products go into this high-fiber wet food as filler.
Blue Buffalo puts science into every formula of their cat food to ensure the right combination of ingredients for sensitive stomachs.
I know that cats with diarrhea will be able to digest this natural wet food easily. This high fiber cat food for diarrhea will have a positive effect with its natural prebiotic fiber content.
My analysis found that this food helped with digestive issues and more for cats of all age groups, even seniors. Other pet parents like the natural ingredients that are not too fussy or unusual. Cats seem to enjoy the taste and get the same nutritional benefits as they would with regular adult cat food.
What We Like:
- Real chicken
- High fiber with prebiotics
- No wheat, corn, or soy
- No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
Best Wet Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Easily digestible protein
- High moisture, high fiber
- Reduces stool odor
- Easy to eat
- First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, chicken by-products, pork by-products, pork liver, salmon
- Guaranteed Analysis: 7.5% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.7% Crude Fiber, 82.5% Moisture
- Calories: 66 kcal/per can
- Life Stage: Adult
As my best wet cat food for diarrhea, Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Wet Cat Food provides a soothing, balanced formula for cats with more sensitive stomachs. The protein used in this cat food are more easily digested. The result is a much less smelly stool and more regular use of the litter box.
My analysis found that cats begin gaining weight and eating more regularly with Royal Canin. The ingredients, including high-quality protein, support a healthy weight.
With this food, we found that cats who are underweight will be able to absorb more nutrients, but overweight cats will have an easier time maintaining a moderate weight.
This food from Royal Canin is one of the best cat foods for loose stools. I definitely believe you will see an improvement in how their cats go to the litter box and digest their food.
What We Like:
- Easily digestible protein
- High moisture, high fiber
- Reduces stool odor
- Easy to eat
What We Didn’t Like:
Best Dry Cat Food for Cats with Diarrhea
- Just 1 protein and 1 vegetable, extremely clean
- No grains, chicken, poultry in the Duck or Venison
- No eggs, or dairy
- No artificial flavors or fillers
- First 5 Ingredients: Green peas, duck, duck meal, pea protein, canola oil
- Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Calories: 375 kcal/per cup
- Life Stage: Adult
Did you know you can feed your cats dry cat food to help diarrhea in cats, too? Natural Balance Limited Ingredient, the best dry cat food for diarrhea, uses a novel protein (duck) to avoid popular proteins that frequently cause stomach upset in cats (like in cat foods without chicken).
One reviewer shared how this dry food for diarrhea helped alleviate their cat’s allergies to reactive foods.
I’m a huge fan of the fact that the entire ingredient list of this Natural Balance cat food is limited. A limited ingredient cat food, which avoids grain, soy, gluten, and artificial colors, can be essential to diarrhea problems. My analysis indicates that after trying this food, cats have a less stinky stool and more regular litter box habits.
Remember, fiber is hugely important in grain-free cat food that helps with diarrhea. A high-fiber diet can really alleviate a lot of digestive issues in both humans and cats.
So I’m really happy to recommend this wet food for cats with diarrhea, because it utilizes green peas to provide the fiber content in their dry kibble!
What We Like:
- Just 1 protein and 1 vegetable, extremely clean
- No grains, chicken, poultry in the Duck or Venison
- No eggs, or dairy
- No artificial flavors or fillers
What We Didn’t Like:
Premium Pick Food for Cats with Diarrhea
- Made of 92% animal protein and organ meats
- Premium, organic ingredients
- No filler, grains, carbs, by-products
- Contains omega fatty acids for coat and skin health
- First 5 Ingredients: Venison, water sufficient for processing, venison tripe, venison liver, chickpeas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 4% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Calories: 222 kcal/per can
- Life Stage: Adult
For premium, high-quality cat food for diarrhea, I can’t hype ZIWI Peak Canned Wet Cat Food enough! This food contains organic, grass-fed meats, cage-free poultry, and wild-caught seafood.
In my opinion, this option is one of the best foods for cats with diarrhea on the market due to its high-protein, limited-ingredient formula. Fillers are not present, which can often be the culprit when your cat has unexplained diarrhea.
My analysis found that cats enjoy the added superfoods, which provide a natural nutritional boost. For example, cold-washed green tripe has enzymes and probiotics that help with digestion. These probiotics and enzymes occur naturally, which is a plus for a conscientious cat owner.
I’m glad the “superfoods” here are actually beneficial, as opposed to stuff like goji berries, blueberries. Those have no real value to cats, who are obligate carnivores.
A unique quality of this limited-ingredient cat food by ZIWI is how it mimics the natural diet of a cat. The ratio of ingredients is similar to eating whole prey, exactly what your cat wants!
(See other top organic cat foods here!)
What We Like:
- Made of 92% animal protein and organ meats
- Premium, organic ingredients
- No filler, grains, carbs, by-products
- Contains omega fatty acids for coat and skin health
What We Didn’t Like:
Best Cat Food for Diarrhea and Vomiting
- Better ingredient quality vs other Purina lines
- Has prebiotic fiber
- Omega fatty acids
- Wide flavor variety and commercially available
- First 5 Ingredients: Duck, liver, meat by-products, water, ocean whitefish
- Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Calories: 87 kcal/per can
- Life Stage: Adult
I recommend Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Wet Cat Food because it has a high protein content combined with plenty of moisture for cats dealing with diarrhea issues.
Every ingredient is sourced in the U.S. and manufactured at U.S. factories owned by Purina, which gives me peace of mind as, a caring cat parent.
And I like that the easy-to-eat and highly-digestible pate options of this wet cat food are formulated for all sensitive stomachs, not just diarrhea.
Like other allergy and GI type of foods, a novel protein (duck) is used instead of a more popular option like chicken or tuna, to ensure fewer negative reactions.
Cats sometimes have trouble digesting the most common proteins used in cat foods or develop allergies. Duck is a safer option for cats with diarrhea troubles. With my cat, I switch between different proteins to avoid over-exposure to 1 thing.
Purina Pro Plan wet food features a balanced list of ingredients plus 25 vitamins and minerals to support growth, development, and overall health.
The best food for diarrhea and vomiting should also contain prebiotics or probiotics. Purina utilizes prebiotic fiber here to help from the inside out and improve digestion by supporting beneficial intestinal bacteria.
My analysis indicates that cats are much less sensitive after trying this wet food, one of the best foods for cats with diarrhea. They have fewer incidents of diarrhea and do not throw up food as much, too. Their overall health is improved because they are taking in the complete, optimum nutrition and not becoming dehydrated.
What We Like:
- Better ingredient quality vs other Purina lines
- Has prebiotic fiber
- Omega fatty acids
- Wide flavor variety and commercially available
What We Didn’t Like:
- A meat by-product as the second ingredient
Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach and Diarrhea
- Quality, real protein as top ingredients
- Contains prebiotic fiber.
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free, no artificial colors or preservatives
- First 5 Ingredients: varies by recipe
- Guaranteed Analysis: varies by recipe
- Calories: N/A
- Life Stage: Adult
I believe cats with severe sensitivity to many foods will benefit from Wellness CORE Digestive Health Wet Cat Food. This cat food is formulated to be one of the most highly digestible cat foods to help diarrhea.
I like how Wellness CORE accomplishes a lot with a few simple additions to its wet food. You will see prebiotic fiber listed in the ingredients, which increases the benefits of natural gut bacteria for digestion. It also has many other vitamins and minerals to support a healthy life.
My analysis finds that cats love the smooth pate option for this wet food. Some cats are finicky with textures or have trouble chewing or eating chunks, which makes finding a good wet food tricky. The smooth texture here is inviting and easy to digest.
As one of the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs and diarrhea, it does not contain grain, soy, corn, wheat gluten, or unnecessary artificial colors.
In my opinion, this cat food has mainly real food ingredients and eliminates a lot of the things that make other foods irritating, or that might upset their stomach as fillers or binders.
What We Like:
- Quality, real protein as top ingredients
- Contains prebiotic fiber
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free, no artificial colors or preservatives
What We Didn’t Like:
Best Senior Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Animal protein & liver as top ingredients
- Natural prebiotic fiber
- Vitamins and minerals formulated for senior cats
- Variety pack
- First 5 Ingredients: varies by recipe
- Guaranteed Analysis: varies by recipe
- Calories: N/A
- Life Stage: Senior
It can be troubling when an older cat starts to have diarrhea or other digestive complications. Senior cats require a consistent amount of nutrition to maintain their health and wellness as they age. My cat is 7 and in the early stages of her later years!
I feel like Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Prime Plus Wet Cat Food is one of the best cat food for diarrhea in senior cats because it understands what older cats need to thrive.
For cats over the age of 7, Purina Pro Plan has created a great blend of ingredients that will not upset their stomach and provide the same high-quality nutrition and flavor you want for them.
My analysis indicates great results of switching to this senior cat food. Cats no longer vomit after eating and appear more lively and vibrant.
Even picky older cats enjoy the taste and texture of this Purina Pro Plan wet food. With this food, my older cat stopped losing weight and actually gained needed weight.
As Purina’s premium line, no grains or unnecessary fillers are included in this cat food. What are added are excellent essential vitamins and minerals, such as taurine, to provide full nutrition.
What We Like:
- Animal protein & liver as top ingredients
- Natural prebiotic fiber
- Vitamins and minerals formulated for senior cats
- Variety pack
What We Didn’t Like:
Best Kitten Food for Diarrhea
- Recognizable, real ingredients with high protein
- Patented BC30 probiotic
- Small shape for easy eating
- No grains, by-products, anything artificial
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, deboned cod, whole peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 40% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Calories: 463 kcal/per cup
- Life Stage: Kitten
Kittens can be very vulnerable when they are young and more sensitive because their stomachs are still developing. On top of that, they require kitten formula, and not adult cat food.
Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Dry Food, my best kitten food for diarrhea, is designed to provide a solution for kittens. Diarrhea in kittens can be very harmful because they can lose weight too quickly or become dehydrated.
Nulo Freestyle uses BC30 probiotics and an animal-based protein for the best results. This dry kitten food uses a formula that mimics a cat’s natural diet. I’ve also found that the small kibble pieces are easier to eat for smaller kitten or even a senior cat that has trouble eating dry food anymore
A high-protein diet is beneficial for cats experiencing diarrhea because it is the most natural for them to digest. Few carbs, which are harder to digest, are used in this best cat food for loose stools in kittens.
My analysis found stories of nourishing underweight kittens with this high-protein, low carb cat food with plenty of antioxidants. They also like that it is grain-free, which is harder to find in kitten food.
Other research indicated that kittens showing signs of food intolerance or sensitive stomach issues enjoy this food. They love the taste, but also benefit from the carefully-formulated ingredient list.
Overall, this dry kitten food for diarrhea stands stands out for me because it uses a particular probiotic strain that aids digestion and supports gastrointestinal health.
What We Like:
- Recognizable, real ingredients with high protein
- Patented BC30 probiotic
- Small shape for easy eating
- No grains, by-products, anything artificial
What We Didn’t Like:
Great Canned Food for Cats with Diarrhea
- Single protein formula
- Pumpkin for fiber
- No fillers
- No grain, soy, gluten, artificial anything
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, pumpkin, canola oil, guar gum
- Guaranteed Analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 83% Moisture
- Calories: 67 kcal/per tray
- Life Stage: Adult
In my opinion, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient incorporates uniquely great ingredients to ensure easy digestion and less diarrhea in cats.
This canned food has a very limited ingredient list that combines chicken and high-fiber pumpkin to firm up stool. A limited-ingredient food is less likely to cause digestive trouble for a sensitive cat.I
Other pet parents and I like that this canned food uses one single protein instead of several. We know that our cats can more easily digest food when it is not too interesting.
Natural Balance also does not use grains, soy, gluten, artificial colors or flavors, or anything else that might cause diarrhea for a sensitive stomach.
In my experience, transparency has to be a high priority if you feed your cat a limited-ingredient diet for health reasons. So I’m happy to highlight that this canned food comes with a seal of approval for safety with ingredients sourced from quality locations.
My research found that this canned food works great for cats with food allergies and diarrhea problems due to those allergies. The food has real tuna and real pumpkin that we can see when they feed our cat.
What We Like:
- Single protein formula
- Pumpkin for fiber
- No fillers
- No grain, soy, gluten, artificial anything
What We Didn’t Like:
Great Hydrolyzed Cat Food for Diarrhea
- Hydrolyzed protein
- Contains natural fiber
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- High levels of vitamin E & omega fatty acids
- First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Meat By-Products, Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 80% Moisture
- Calories: N/A
- Life Stage: Adult
When commercially available food does not help your cat, hydrolyzed cat food is the choice for a cat with many food sensitivities or other special circumstances.
I really like how Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Dry Cat Food uses hydrolyzed protein that is broken down into more easily digestible bits for the cat. Cats with a lot of food intolerance can get great nutrition with minimal stress on their stomach.
My analysis finds that Hill’s Prescription Diet food helps improve their cat’s runny stool without irritating them. The highly hydrolyzed protein and single carb source prevent too much irritation that can impact stool quality.
Cats with IBD also can see improvements. My research also indicated vomiting, diarrhea, and related troubles are alleviated with Hills balanced formula that includes antioxidants for immune support.
Other cat parents said that they saw an improvement in their cats with fur and skin problems due to food allergies. Overall, I’m a fan of Hill’s Prescription Diet when a prescription formula is the way. It’s backed by science with a great formula that does not use unnecessary ingredients.
What We Like:
- Hydrolyzed protein
- Contains natural fiber
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- High levels of vitamin E & omega fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
How to Choose the Best Cat Food for Diarrhea
I know feeding your cat can be overwhelming with so many choices. You might feel even more unsure if your cat is dealing with diarrhea. Understanding what causes diarrhea and how to manage it can be important when you are picking the best cat food for diarrhea.
High Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they primarily eat meat, unlike some other domesticated animals such as dogs. Obligate carnivores require a high-protein diet without too much fat or carbs. A protein-rich diet provides the nutrients cats need to thrive.
Free of Filler or Artificial Ingredients
When picking a cat food for cats that are struggling with diarrhea, think about what could be causing a cat’s diarrhea. Avoid things like fillers and artificial ingredients. Fillers and artificial flavors are common irritants for cats. More and more pet owners are choosing to buy cat food with wholesome ingredients instead, stopping diarrhea before it begins.
Ingredients to Avoid
Avoid giving your cat certain types of human food, especially dairy products, and raw meats. Domesticated cats are often lactose intolerant after being weaned and cannot process raw meat without becoming seriously ill.
Types of Cat Food Good for Diarrhea
High Fiber
There are a few other great options to check out, like a high fiber cat food for diarrhea. High fiber, especially prebiotic fiber, can help firm up loose stools. Food with probiotics will also aid the production of good gut bacteria and better digestion.
Limited Ingredient, Novel Protein or Grain Free
Consider having your cats go grain-free or try a limited-ingredient cat food. Limiting the ingredients means fewer potential irritants or allergens. Sometimes a cat is reacting to a popular protein used in their food. Trying a cat food with a novel protein, such as duck meat, might get their stomach back on track.
Sensitive Stomach Cat Food
Some brands of cat food formulate food specifically for cats with sensitive stomachs. These foods take into account all these factors – such as high fiber, probiotics, and more – to arrive at an ingredient list that will be the least irritating to a cat with diarrhea issues.
Hydrolyzed
You might try hydrolyzed foods if your cat still has problems with sensitive stomach formulas or limited ingredient diets. Hydrolyzed cat food breaks down the proteins into smaller parts. A cat’s body will no longer recognize the food as a threat and will digest it normally.
Is wet or dry food better for cats with diarrhea?
When you are not sure which to pick between wet and dry food for a cat experiencing diarrhea, go with wet food. Wet cat food contains a higher moisture content compared to dry food. Because cats who have diarrhea often become dehydrated, it is best to help them take in as many fluids as possible.
Symptoms of Diarrhea in Cats
The first and most obvious sign of diarrhea in cats is runny, loose stools. You don’t need me to tell you what to look for when that happens! But other symptoms that are related to diarrhea in cats may be side effects.
For example, diarrhea can cause stomach upset that leads to vomiting. If a cat loses too many nutrients and moisture from loose stools and vomiting, she could develop dehydration.
Prolonged cases of diarrhea may lead to lethargy or a decreased interest in eating or playing. See my list of great cat foods for vomiting to help!
When it comes to any of these symptoms in a cat, you should always monitor them closely. If a period of time passes without any relief, you may need to contact your vet for further guidance.
Causes of Diarrhea in Cats
Diarrhea can be caused by a long list of factors in cats. Some causes are related more to stomach and food problems, while other causes may be part of a larger issue. My cat has a has a sensitive stomach and simply things like eating too much of a particular high fat wet food can cause passing diarrhea.
Understanding the cause of your cat’s diarrhea is vital to determining the best course of action. Their health can be easily compromised if they experience prolonged or chronic diarrhea and its related symptoms.
Factors like dietary changes, dietary indiscretions, food intolerances, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are examples of issues that can often be easily rectified with a change in food or food habits.
However, problems related to bacterial infections (Salmonella), viral infections (panleukopenia), and intestinal parasites (roundworms, Giardia, Coccidia), can require other treatments and considerations to alleviate the diarrhea symptoms.
Although this list is not exhaustive, it shows just how complicated it can be when your cat starts to have diarrhea.
Is Your Cat Suffering From Acute Diarrhea?
Acute diarrhea means it is a brief episode, usually stemming from a specific source. Your cat may show signs of diarrhea suddenly, but then those symptoms will pass quickly. Diarrhea might even be something strange working itself out of your cat’s system.
Treatment for acute diarrhea is usually the same recommendation for every case. First, try putting your cat on a limited fast. Do not give them food for a few hours to get anything out of their system. After her fast is over, you can introduce a bland diet. Typically, acute diarrhea gets better with time.
Or Are They Suffering From Chronic Diarrhea?
If your cat is suffering from a case of chronic diarrhea, however, determining the cause and treatment can be a little bit trickier.
Chronic diarrhea, when any other disease or parasite is ruled out, is often caused by food sensitivity or a sensitive stomach. Your cat may have trouble digesting certain types of food or they might have a specific allergy to a food, even a specific protein like chicken.
The first option I like try for a cat with chronic diarrhea is specialty cat food. See one of the above options, formulated to help cats with sensitive stomachs. Sensitive stomach cat food will create the least amount of stress possible for a cat’s digestive system.
If you are still dealing with issues after switching to specialty cat food, you should consider other treatment options. Start a food journal for your furry friend and record everything that you give them and their reaction to it.
An elimination diet may be necessary. You will eliminate common allergens from their diet until their diarrhea is resolved. At the same time, you should contact your vet to rule out medical issues.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
