Sensitive stomach cat food & Skin Better Digestion 2025

sensitive stomach cat food & Skin Better Digestion 2025

Does your cat have a sensitive stomach? Do they consistently vomit or cough up hairballs? Believe it or not, hairballs aren’t normal for cats; their bodies are made to pass the hair that they ingest from grooming. So these could be signs that your cat is sensitive to something in their food.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances are commonly caused by poorly digestible foods, food allergies or food additives/flavorings/preservatives.

Many times, a diet that’s formulated to address your cat’s sensitive stomach can ease and even resolve the problem. But it’s important to not immediately jump to changing your cat’s diet without getting your vet’s input. Here’s what you should do if your cat has a sensitive stomach and how you can help them find the right diet.

If you have a cat with a sensitive stomach, selecting the right food is essential for their health and comfort. Here are some options and tips for choosing cat food that supports better digestion and skin health:

Key Features of Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Easily Digestible Ingredients: Look for food with high-quality protein sources (like chicken, turkey, or fish) and easily digestible carbohydrates (like rice or sweet potatoes).
Limited Ingredients: Foods with fewer ingredients can help you identify and avoid allergens or irritants that may upset your cat’s stomach.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: These ingredients promote gut health and aid digestion by supporting beneficial gut bacteria.
Omega Fatty Acids: Formulas rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can help maintain healthy skin and coat, reducing issues like dryness and irritation.
Grain-Free Options: Some cats may be sensitive to grains, so grain-free options can be beneficial.

Recommended Brands

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin: Specifically formulated for cats with sensitivities, this food is easily digestible and enriched with prebiotics.
Royal Canin Digestive Care: Tailored for cats with sensitive digestion, it includes specific nutrients to promote digestive health.
Blue Buffalo Basics: A limited-ingredient formula that focuses on natural ingredients, making it great for sensitive stomachs.
Purina Pro Plan Savor: Contains probiotics for digestive health and is formulated with real meat as the first ingredient.
Wellness Simple: A grain-free, limited-ingredient diet that supports skin and digestive health.

Tips for Transitioning Foods

Gradual Transition: When switching to a new food, gradually mix it with the current food over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset.
Monitor for Reactions: Keep an eye on your cat’s stool and overall behavior during the transition. If you notice any adverse reactions, consult your veterinarian.

Consulting a Veterinarian

If your cat has persistent digestive issues or skin problems, it’s important to consult a veterinarian. They can recommend specific diets or conduct tests to identify any underlying health issues.

Choosing the right food for your cat can significantly improve their digestive health and overall well-being!

What is the best food for a cat with sensitive stomach?

5 Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach Issues

JustCats by JustFoodForDogs – Overall Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs.
Smalls – Best Raw Food for Cats.
Blue Buffalo – Best Dry Cat Food.
Purina – Best Wet Cat Food.
Hill’s Science Diet – Best Prebiotic Cat Food.

What cat food is easiest on the stomach?

Read on for our top picks for the best cat food for a sensitive stomach.

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe. …
Ziwi Peak Mackerel and Lamb Recipe (Canned) …
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe. …
Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food. …
Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe.

How do I know if my cat has a sensitive stomach?

If you notice recurring signs like vomiting, gas, or diarrhea, (and have already ruled out any serious medical conditions with your veterinarian), your cat may just have a sensitive stomach.

What is the best wet cat food for cats who throw up?

If you’re looking for the best cat food money can buy for kitties with vomiting issues, Halo Sensitive Stomach may be the best choice. Made with full whole meat, this food is excellent for ensuring your cat gets the nutrition and high-quality protein they need.

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe

Formulated specifically for cats with sensitive stomachs, this dry food features highly digestible ingredients including fresh chicken, whole-grain carbohydrates, and probiotic supplements.Shop on Chewy

Ziwi Peak Mackerel and Lamb Recipe (Canned)

wet food, this protein-rich recipe features mackerel and New Zealand grass-fed, free-range lamb. It’s packed with plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat plus essential vitamins and minerals. Shop on Chewy

How does sensitive stomach cat food work?

Food allergies occur when your cat has a sensitivity to a particular protein found in their diet. Once the offending agent is identified, it can be removed from your pet’s diet.

What food is good for cats with sensitive stomachs?

That will depend on your pet’s specific allergies or intolerances. At Petco we carry cat food formulated for digestion, sensitive stomach, and skin sensitivities. You should discuss your cat’s symptoms with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet.

Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe

This formula is made with a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk of an upset stomach and features real chicken and grain-free carbohydrates (chickpeas, peas, and alfalfa meal) for balanced nutrition. Shop on Chewy

Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food

Made with a single source of less-common animal protein (one that your cat has probably not encountered before) one vegetable, and a limited number of other ingredients, this rabbit recipe is highly digestible and loaded with healthy nutrients. Shop on Chewy

Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe

This holistic, natural recipe features whole meat ingredients, non-GMO vegetables, and a variety of other wholesome ingredients to provide complete and balanced, highly digestible nutrition. Shop on Chewy

First Mate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal

Featuring 95% protein from Pacific Ocean fish meal along with antioxidant-rich blueberries, this high-protein, limited-ingredient diet is a great option for cats with sensitive stomachs. Shop on Chewy

Talk With Your Veterinarian to Rule Out Other Medical Issues sensitive stomach cat food

Vomiting can be a sign of many different illnesses, not just a sensitivity to food. And coughing up a hairball can look very similar to general coughing and sneezing in a cat—which could actually be signs of feline asthma. If your cat is vomiting food or hairballs once a month or more or is also losing weight, a veterinary visit is recommended.

You should also try to get a video of your cat when they are exhibiting these behaviors so that your veterinarian can see what you see at home. At the vet’s office, your veterinarian will check for clues as to what is causing the stomach upset. They may recommend diagnostic tests like blood work, X-rays or an ultrasound to find the cause of the GI upset.

By ruling out other medical issues, you can make sure they get right medical treatments for any underlying issues.

How to Find the Best Food for Your Cat’s Sensitive Stomach

Once you’ve dealt with any other health issues, you can work with your vet to figure out the best food for your cat’s sensitive stomach.

Your vet will be able to guide you towards foods that fit your cat’s nutritional requirements, while you can narrow it down by your cat’s food preferences to find the perfect match.

Here are some options your vet might suggest for finding a food for your cat’s sensitive stomach.

Start With a Diet Trial -sensitive stomach cat food

Once your cat gets a clean bill of health from the veterinarian, a diet trial is the logical next step. Diet trials are a way to narrow down your cat’s food options until you find a food that suits their sensitive stomach.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” diet for every cat. Your cat will have an individual response to each diet. So, work with your veterinarian to find the most suitable food for your cat’s needs.

It can take up to three or four months for your cat to clear the old diet from their system so that you can completely evaluate the new diet.

What to Look For in the New Diet

The best foods for a cat with a sensitive stomach will be highly digestible and contain no irritating ingredients. Highly digestible diets have moderate to low fat, moderate protein and moderate carbohydrates.

Many of these diets have additives that improve intestinal health, like soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and increased levels of antioxidant vitamins, and they contain no gluten, lactose, food coloring or preservatives.

Try a Hypoallergenic Diet – sensitive stomach cat food

Cats can experience food allergies that cause gastrointestinal upset. Of all the components of the diet, the protein source is the most likely to cause food allergies.

Your cat can be allergic to any protein that they have been exposed to. For example, rabbit and chicken may both cause a food allergy. But, if your cat has never eaten rabbit before, their immune system hasn’t been sensitized to it, and they are unlikely to be allergic to it.

Some studies show that beef, chicken, and fish are the most likely to cause allergies. The best cat food for helping cats dealing with food sensitivities for certain protein allergies is hypoallergenic diets.

BLUE
Purina
Royal Canin
IAMS
Hill’s
Halo

The Best Cat Food for a Sensitive Stomach

Aside from balanced nutrition, digestibility is the most important quality in cat food for sensitive stomachs. Look for recipes that include beneficial supplements like prebiotic fibers and probiotics to ensure healthy and regular digestion.

What food is best for cats with sensitive stomachs? Read on for our top picks for the best cat food for a sensitive stomach.

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe. …
Ziwi Peak Mackerel and Lamb Recipe (Canned) …
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe. …
Instinct Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Cat Food. …
Halo Holistic Chicken and Chicken Liver Recipe.

What is the best cat food for a cat that throws up? sensitive stomach cat food

If your cat has an acute case of vomiting, this may involve a temporary change to an easily digestible diet, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy cat food, Hill’s ID cat food, or a bland human food such as meat-flavored baby food (with no onion or garlic powder added) or boiled chicken.

How can I tell if my cat has a sensitive stomach?

Cats can get upset stomachs from for a variety of sources, ranging from trying a new medication to eating their food too fast. If you notice recurring signs like vomiting, gas, or diarrhea, (and have already ruled out any serious medical conditions with your veterinarian), your cat may just have a sensitive stomach.

What is the easiest food for cats to digest?

Sensitive Stomach Canned Cat Food

Wet foods are generally recommended for cats with sensitive stomachs. This is because of the higher moisture content, so they’re easier to digest. Also, recipes with novel proteins (like Turkey, Duck, Lamb, etc.) may be easier on your sensitive cat’s belly.

How can I help my cat with digestive problems? Nutritional Changes sensitive stomach cat food

#1 Diet. Because gut bacteria help your kitty digest food, the types of food your pet eats will influence which bacteria thrive in the gut. …
#2 Prebiotics. …
#3 Probiotics. …
#4 Fecal Microbiota Transplant. …
#5 Antibiotics. …
#6 Dental Hygiene. …
#7 Exercise. …
#8 Mental Stimulation.

What will settle the cat’s stomach?

It can be wise to feed a cat a combination of canned and dry food to provide additional moisture to meals. For more serious conditions, your vet may prescribe a highly digestible therapeutic food, such as Hill’s^® Prescription Diet^® cat food to help soothe and heal the gut.

Here are some of the best cat food options available in the UK for cats with sensitive stomachs:

1. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Key Features: Easily digestible ingredients, prebiotic fiber for gut health, and added omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Types: Available in both dry and wet formulations.

2. Royal Canin Digestive Care

Key Features: Tailored to support digestive health, with a blend of prebiotics and fibers to promote optimal digestion.
Types: Available in both dry and wet food options.

3. James Wellbeloved Turkey & Rice

Key Features: A limited ingredient diet with turkey as the primary protein source, hypoallergenic, and contains added prebiotics.
Types: Available in dry kibble and wet pouches.

4. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach

Key Features: Formulated with salmon as the first ingredient, this food includes prebiotics and is designed for optimal digestive health.
Types: Available in both dry and wet food options.

5. Wellness Simple Grain-Free

Key Features: Limited ingredient diet focusing on a single source of protein and carbohydrates, ideal for sensitive stomachs.
Types: Available in dry and wet formulations.

6. Fish4Cats Grain-Free Salmon

Key Features: High in omega fatty acids for skin health and made with natural ingredients, this is suitable for cats with sensitivities.
Types: Wet food options in pouches.

Tips for Choosing Cat Food

Gradual Transition: When switching foods, gradually introduce the new diet over a week to prevent digestive upset.
Consult a Vet: If your cat continues to experience issues, consult your veterinarian for tailored advice.

These options are widely available in pet stores and online retailers in the UK. Always check the labels for specific dietary needs!