Making sure your cat is happy and healthy is the biggest priority for any cat owner. You spend money on toys and treats and the latest gadgets that’ll occupy your cat’s mind and maybe strengthen its body. But sometimes it’s easy to take their eating habits for granted.
I’ve had cats my entire life, and I tend to get into the habit of always buying the same food and the same treats, week after week. And I haven’t always realized that when a cat is vomiting, maybe it’s the type of food they’re eating that’s the problem, and it’s not just normal cat behavior. It wasn’t until I had my cat for a few years that I realized she might have a sensitive stomach and need a different type of meal.
Making that change hasn’t been easy. As I’ve been trying to find food that’s nutritious and delicious, I’ve gone through so many brands, styles, and flavors to find that sweet spot. If you’re a cat owner, you know that cats are probably the pickiest pets you can have, so let me do the research for you and take a look at the best-rated cat food for sensitive stomachs.
Top Sensitive Stomach Cat Foods - Comparison Table
Reviews of the Best-Rated Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
1. Iams Proactive Health Original Adult Dry Cat Food
For the adult cat in your life, you can’t get much better than Iams for name recognition and reliability. For years, they’ve made quality pet food that is affordable and healthy for your cat or dog. That orange bag has become so familiar that you can spot a bag of Iams a few aisles away!
But just because a brand is common and popular doesn’t mean it’s overrated or ineffective. Iams makes cat food that they enjoy and that keeps them healthy. The Proactive Health line of Iams cat food is excellent for cats with sensitive stomachs and can help with nausea control and loose stool. And chicken is the number one ingredient in this bag, so there’s a great chance your cat will be into it.
A common cause of vomiting in cats is simply some level of difficulty during the digestion process. Iams Proactive Health uses a carefully blended selection of fibrous foods to help make that process smoother and less painful for your little guy. It’s also packed full of nutrients to promote good heart health and a shiny, healthy coat.
This is a dry sensitive stomach cat food that’s full of probiotics and delicious chicken that cat and owner alike will be happy with.
2. Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food
Speaking of well-known brands, Purina has been putting out quality cat food for years. And with a new Sensitive Systems line of products, they’ve waded into the specialty food game, to pretty great results. This is a great cat food that’ll keep your cat coming back for seconds.
Purina uses real turkey in the process instead of some gross substitute, so you don’t have to wonder exactly what kind of turkey-substitute was used instead. And like some other dry cat foods, they’ve included pieces with various shapes and feels, to help vary the texture to appeal to picky cats.
This dry food also packs a whopping 36 grams of protein into every serving, so it’s strengthening muscles, while not upsetting stomachs.
For years my cat only ate wet food, but this Purina ONE for sensitive stomachs was actually a big hit in my house. To be fair, turkey is everything to my cat, but she hasn’t taken to other turkey-flavored dry foods nearly as much as with this Purina ONE. Great food for a great price.
3. Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Digging a little deeper and more specific for Purina is the Pro Plan FOCUS line of dry cat foods for sensitive tummies. It’s a bit more expensive than the Purina ONE, but it’s worth the expense if you want a little extra care for your kitty. Purina offers several variations under the Pro Plan umbrella, but the FOCUS is recommended for cats with sensitive stomachs.
The FOCUS line for the Pro Plan cat foods is designed to improve the cognitive capacity of your cat with a high protein and otherwise balanced cat's diet. While I can’t say for sure if increased intelligence is assured when using this food, I can say it definitely promotes more comfortable digestion and less vomiting.
And the FOCUS isn’t only great for improving digestive health, this is also a great cat food for cats with sensitive skin or other skin conditions. It’s nice to find a cat food that can treat multiple issues at once.
Purina is a well-respected, US brand recommended consistently by vets and other pet owners. Between the Pro Plan line and the ONE line, they’ve really hit the general and much more specific ways to approach stomach and digestion issues for your cat.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Food is another combo of stomach and skin health, but is a slight step up from the Purina Pro above. If you have a little more room in your budget and want to add a bit more depth to what you’re feeding your cat, then this might be a better option.
Hill’s has spent time in the lab perfecting a blend of rice and egg that’s easy on the stomach and tastes great. It packs in a lot of protein, as well as vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids that ensure a shiny and vibrant coat. There’s also a healthy dose of vitamins C + E that bolsters that immune system, especially in cats that might have some deeper health issues.
Hill brands are often heavily endorsed by vets, and this line is no exception. It’s a smart and thought-out blend of nutrients and vitamins that isn’t harsh and doesn’t taste like medicine. My cat is a picky eater, so I’m always on the lookout for things she’ll reliably eat, and that isn’t tuna fish or deli meat. So knowing that she’s eating a lot and that it’s all good for her is a big deal. This is a wonderful food for finicky cats!
5. Blue Buffalo for Cats Natural Adult Dry Cat Food Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Brown Rice
Having multiple cats can make it tricky when it comes to purchasing food and not completely emptying your wallet. It’s frustrating when certain food choices might be best for one cat, but aren’t great for an older or younger cat - especially when you also have to think about digestion issues! So Blue Buffalo’s newest foray into digestion-focused dry food is this Natural Adult Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs.
This food contains whole grains, real, deboned chicken, and fruits and vegetables. Chicken is not uncommon as the primary protein source, but they guarantee they only use real chicken meat (not extra parts) and they’ll never use corn or soy in their foods, which provides sweet peace of mind.
While all this is great, the biggest selling point for Blue is the “Life Source Bits.” According to Blue, the Life Source Bits are a “precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists that support immune system health.”
It’s just nice to know that a lot of thought went into creating this recipe, and they aren’t just slapping a label on it and claiming it works.
I don’t always sound the rallying cry around using only organic cat food. But this is an inexpensive dry food that happens to be organic, which feels like a bonus when you’re already getting the vitamins and nutrients that your cat needs. It’s easy on the stomach and good for the body.
6. Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
For the first grain-free entry on the list, we turn to the Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food. This is a fantastic natural, grain-free product that’s perfect for cats that have some type of food sensitivity. Solid Gold proves that thinking about superfoods isn’t relegated to humans as they pack in 20 qualifying ingredients including like pumpkin, carrots, and blueberries.
Solid Gold has been around for over 40 years, which shows when they put together such a thoughtful collection of natural ingredients for sensitive cats. This particular dry food uses egg and quail for the protein sources, with quail being especially celebrated for its leanness that won’t upset the stomach of your cat. And the fiber-rich pumpkin is gentle and easy on cats' digestive systems.
I think this might be the first time I’ve seen pumpkin as a major ingredient in cat food, and it’s such a good idea that I’m surprised I don’t see it more often. It might seem a little ridiculous at first, but pumpkin is such a strong source of fiber that it works!
I know what you're thinking - a dry food made from quail and pumpkin, containing more nutrients and vitamins than you can count, must cost a fortune. Nope! The Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food is priced nicely. Grain-free cat food doesn’t have to be overpriced or disgusting - Solid Gold proves that with this product.
7. Halo Holistic Natural Dry Cat Food for Adult Cats with Sensitive Stomachs
While not my favorite on the list, the Halo Holistic Natural Dry Cat Food is an excellent choice for adult cats with sensitive stomachs. This is the first fish-based dry food on the list, and typically fish isn’t used for easy digestion.
However, Halo does use the best parts of the fish, and they never used rendered meat like many dry foods do. They also only focus on ingredients that are sustainable and well-sourced, meaning this is a guilt-free product for socially conscious cat owners.
I do like that I’m giving my kitty fish that’s free of hormones and is caught fresh, but I wish Halo added some more alternative nutrients to help round out the product. Choosing this food as your primary option means you might have to add a few other nutrient-rich treats or vitamins to the mix, which isn’t easy when your cat hates pills and doesn’t eat treats.
While not my first choice, I do appreciate the cost and the quality of the fish they include. And knowing that I don’t have to worry about weird hormones or chemicals getting into my cat’s stomach is also pretty awesome. If your cat digs this food more than others on the list, you can still rest easy knowing their digestion will be smooth, and they won’t be eating junk.
8. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Digest Sensitive
For the longest time, my cat wouldn’t eat dry food. No matter how hungry she got or how many options I tried, she just wouldn’t get down with the dry stuff. And with her stomach being pretty dicey at times, finding a wet food that she could eat without feeling sick was pretty tricky. Luckily Royal Canin makes a wet food specially created to aid digestion and not upset stomachs.
Royal Canin uses a real meat blend in gravy that is super high in proteins and is designed to make it easier for your cat to pass stool that’s softer and smells less. This wet food is also great for maintaining weight due to the caloric content - cats won’t get too fat or skinny chowing down on this gravy-covered protein. The nutrients are specifically balanced for adult cats, so consider your cat’s age when purchasing.
Overall, this is great wet food for your sensitive cat. It’s lacking a bit in some vitamin profiles, Royal Canin makes up for it with other nutrients and a lot of protein. It’s a little pricier than the dry food options at a little over a dollar a can, but it’s not the most expensive wet food on the market. Definitely not a bad choice if your cat enjoys wet food more than dry.
9. Royal Canin Sensitive Digestion Feline Health Nutrition
Not to be pigeon-holed as just a wet food producer, Royal Canin also makes a dry cat food for sensitive stomachs. Packed with fiber that helps with stool production and passing, the Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition dry food is a reliable option for folks that want to focus on the gut health of your cat but still provide an enjoyable dining experience.
Royal Canin uses what’s essentially probiotic fibers to aid in digestion, promote good bacteria in the stomach, and prevents stool that’s too soft. And the food is high in animal protein as well, which will be great for digestive and skin health. I also like that it has three different shapes, which adds a bit of variety for your cat and some texture variation.
It might not be as strong as some other dry foods on the list, but it’s a reliable product for a reasonable price. The pros to this food are pretty great, though, and I like the probiotics included since I’m a big proponent of comprehensive stomach health. After years of living with a cat that vomits a lot, having the option to feed her something that focuses specifically on that is a relief.
10. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain Free Classic Arctic Char Entree Adult Wet Cat Food
And finally, one more grain-free wet food option from our old friend, Purina. This Purina Pro Plan Focus wet food features real fish and a specially balanced recipe to ensure pain-free digestion and contains linoleic acid which promotes a healthy coat. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives, and just like every Purina product, they use only high-quality ingredients.
There’s something to be said for adding some variety to your cat’s dining options, so alternating a Purina dry food and wet food might be a great choice, especially for picky cats. Having two great digestion-friendly options from the same brand can keep your cat interested in the food, and never skip a beat when it comes to eating healthy. Purina also paid close attention to texture and focused on providing balanced nutrition while not sacrificing quality or taste.
Aggressive brand loyalty isn’t always a great thing, but Purina is consistent and thoughtful with their releases, and this is no different. Coming up with a tasty, sufficient wet food for cats with mild or intense stomach sensitivity isn’t necessarily an easy task, but Purina has proven they can handle it over and over again.
Final Thoughts About Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
Cats can be a tricky pet to take care of and keep happy. They’re finicky, moody, and can sometimes experience some complicated and, at times, frustrating health issues. Between food allergies, food indifference, or unhealthy food begging, it can feel like an impossible task to keep your pet happy all the time.
Many cats experience stomach issues and having your pet throw up on your rugs over and over again isn’t appealing to longtime, or new cat owners. I remember leaving the house for just a couple of hours once and coming home to four different piles of fresh vomit. That was when I finally realized I had to be aware of the food I was feeding her and take special notice of how each new option affected her.
Hopefully, this list of the best-rated cat foods for sensitive stomachs contains something that will help you choose not just what to feed your cat, but also how you handle his nutritional intake. Keeping your cat healthy in every way possible is crucial to ensuring a long life and happy times. Choosing the right food might seem overwhelming, but with a little time and thought, you should have no problem finding the right choice for you and your cat.
Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API