5 Best Cat Foods for a Sensitive Stomach (2024 Reviews)

Having a cat with a sensitive stomach can be very concerning to a pet owner. It may cause your pet to vomit or have diarrhea. Not only is this uncomfortable for your cat, but as a cat parent, it is also worrisome to you. The best cat food for a sensitive stomach can help.

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If your cat is having consistent problems with vomiting or diarrhea, it would be a good idea to have them checked by your veterinarian. It is good to have peace of mind that these issues are not resulting from anything serious.

Once you know that your cat has a sensitive stomach and not something more serious, you can begin to find a food that can help your cat have fewer stomach issues during meal time.

Below are some of the best cat foods for a sensitive stomach. If you have a cat with a sensitive stomach, changing to a food blended with the high-quality ingredients your cat needs can put an end to your cat’s digestive issues.

5 Best Cat Foods for a Sensitive Stomach

Cat Attitudes Picks

1. Royal Canin Digestive Sensitive Cat Food

Royal Canin is a well-known brand for specialty pet foods. If you have a pet with a sensitive stomach, Royal Canin has a variety of flavors of cat food that can surely give your cat’s sensitive stomach some relief.

Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy is a wet cat food that comes in 3-ounce cans that can be purchased by the can or in cases of 6 or 24. This food is formulated for cats that are more than 12 months old.

This sensitive stomach cat food consists of highly digestible proteins to promote digestive health and a balanced intestinal tract. Your cat will start enjoying their meals again.

And if you have a cat that has put on a few pounds over the years, this cat food can promote the maintenance of a healthy weight. Royal Canin gastrointestinal cat food can be what it takes for your cat to enjoy a more pleasant “dinner time.”

What We Like

• Formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs
• Highly digestible proteins for better nutrient absorption
• Maintains a healthy weight for your cat
• Contains a balanced blend of vitamins and minerals
• 100% satisfaction guaranteed warranty
• High customer reviews

What We Don’t Like

• More expensive than other cat food

Summary

If your cat has a sensitive stomach, it is worth giving this food a shot. Many previous buyers have reported their cats liking Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Digest Sensitive Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food and having fewer digestive issues.

2. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food

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Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach, Sensitive Skin, Natural Dry Cat Food, +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach...

• Real turkey is the first ingredient in our high protein cat food to help support strong muscles, including a healthy heart in...
• Made for cats with sensitive systems, this Purina ONE sensitive stomach cat food features an easily digestible formula with...
• Crunchy cat food with calcium supports strong teeth and healthy gums, and four antioxidant sources help support a healthy...
• With deliciously crunchy bites, this turkey cat food delivers a great taste and is made with no artificial flavors or...
• Purina sensitive skin and stomach cat food is crafted in Purina-owned, U.S. facilities

$56.73 −$11.35 $45.38

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• One (1) 22 lb. Bag – Purina ONE Natural Dry Cat Food, Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula
• Real turkey is the #1 ingredient in this digestive health cat food with 34% protein
• Easily digestible formula for cats with sensitive systems
• Omega-6 fatty acids in our dry cat food for skin and coat care help nourish sensitive skin
• Purina ONE is veterinarian-recommended

Purina Gentle Cat Food prides itself in offering cat food that has real meat, poultry, or fish as the #1 ingredient. And they have stayed on top of their game for many years.

To keep your pet healthy, Purina One has created Smartblend formulas with the right mix of quality ingredients for tailored nutrition at every stage.

Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food is one of these special foods. It is crafted especially for cats with a sensitive stomach. This recipe promotes easy digestion, but it doesn’t stop there.

The crunchiness of the food promotes good dental health in your cat by removing plaque and tartar from their gums and teeth. With no added fillers and real meat, poultry and fish your best buddy can live a life free from stomach upset.

With ingredients like omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A and E your cat will strut his stuff with bright eyes, a shiny coat, and healthy skin.

What We Like

• Formulated with real meat, fish, and poultry
• Easily digestible formula for cats with sensitive stomachs
• Maintains a healthy weight for your cat
• Available in 4 bag sizes
• Wheat free, gluten free
• Money back guarantee

What We Don’t Like

• It does not work for all cats

Summary

Many buyers have had success with Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food. It is less expensive than most of the foods for sensitive stomachs.

3. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Cat Food is another choice you have for managing your cat’s sensitive stomach.

This food is made in the USA so you can be sure every ingredient meets strict requirements for purity and nutrient content which exceed industry standards.

Hill’s Science Diet sensitive stomach cat food is formulated with the nutritional needs of the sensitive adult stomach in mind. Their recipes are gentle on the stomach for easy digestion and a cleaner litter box.

The Hill’s Science formula has an exclusive blend of omega-6 fatty acids and other nutrients formulated to nourish your cat’s skin and coat.

Meat is the first ingredient on the label of this pet food. It is made in the USA and #1 veterinarian-recommended product. This food has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

What We Like

• Meat is the first ingredient
• Easily digestible formula for cats with sensitive stomachs
• All natural ingredients
• Available in 3 bag sizes
• No artificial flavors or colors
• 100% Money back guarantee

What We Don’t Like

• It does not work for all cats

Summary

Hill’s Science Diet has been making cat food for over 70 years. They support the local shelters and make a #1 recommended vet product.

4. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food

Blue Buffalo sensitive stomach cat food starts with real deboned chicken. Who’s cat wouldn’t want chicken? Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids help develop a shiny coat and healthy skin.

High-quality protein and natural sources of fiber help promote nutrient absorption and digestive health.

A cat with a sensitive stomach needs high-quality food with limited additives. That is what Blue Buffalo offers your cat or dog. Many pet owners like this brand for all of its natural ingredients.

This food contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.

What We Like

• Real deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• Contains wholesome whole grains, veggies, and fruits
• Contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals veterinarians and animal nutritionists
• Available in 2 bag sizes
• No wheat, no soy
• Formulated for heart and stomach health
• Ingredients selected by holistic veterinarians

What We Don’t Like

• It does not work for all cats

Summary

If you are looking for a cat food that has lots of natural ingredients, Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food can be the one for you. It is available in several different formulas.

5. Halo Holistic Seafood Medley Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Like many of the other sensitive stomach cat foods, the first ingredient is a real food…whole fish and salmon. Halo also adds non-GMO garden vegetables and nourishing oils to keep your cat healthy.

Additionally, Halo uses an exclusive product called DreamCoat that is added to their food to keep your cat’s skin smooth and their coat shiny. Along with the highly digestible proteins, the DreamCoat makes this an excellent food for your cat’s sensitive stomach.

Halo has been in business more than 30 years and prides itself in marketing a holistic food for your cat. They also donate to the shelters supporting pets looking for forever homes.

What We Like

• Made with whole real, white fish and salmon
• Contains wholesome whole grains, veggies and fruits
• No artificial colors, preservatives or flavors
• Available in 2 bag sizes
• No corn, wheat, wheat gluten and rice
• Formulated with proteins and refined grains for easy digestion
• Made in the USA

What We Don’t Like

• It does not work for all cats

Summary

This is a quality product made with whole and real foods. These are the easiest foods to digest. Halo Holistic Seafood Medley gets a lot of high reviews from pet parents.

What is the Best Food for Cats With Allergies?

Allergies can also be a reason that our cats suffer from vomiting or diarrhea. They  can also cause itching of the skin and ears making your cat quite uncomfortable.

Food allergies occur when an animal’s immune system misidentifies a protein from a food as an invader rather than a food item and mounts an immune response.

Food allergies are not always easy to diagnose. Most foods created for cats with allergies have limited ingredients. A single protein source, a vegetable and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are the common ingredients in a hypoallergenic food.

There are several brands that have worked well for cats that suffer from protein allergies. Here are a few of the brands that Cat Attitudes recommends.

Cat Attitudes Picks for Cats With Allergies

A Guide to Managing Your Cat’s Sensitive Stomach

Just like a person, a cat can be sensitive to certain ingredients in food. They can even be allergic to food. But that does not mean that they should just tough it out. There are things you can do to lessen the symptoms of allergies and sensitivities.

The first thing you need to know is when something is not normal for your cat. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, you will see signs that your kitty has tummy issues.

How Do I Know if My Cat Has a Sensitive Stomach?

Cats can get upset stomachs from for a variety of sources, ranging from being on a new medication to eating their food too fast. Generally, these events will be limited and temporary.

There can be several symptoms that can signify that your cat has more than isolated stomach discomfort. Here are some ways you may know that your cat suffers from a sensitive stomach.

Vomiting and diarrhea– the most common symptoms of an upset stomach in a cat are very similar to those that you would experience….vomiting and diarrhea. And moreover, it would be multiple incidences in a month. Occasional incidents of vomiting generally occur for other reasons, such as; hairballs or eating something they shouldn’t have.

Weight Loss – If your cat has a sensitive stomach, he may not be getting enough nutrition to maintain a healthy weight.

Loss of appetite or refusing food – If your cat does not feel well he may choose to eat very little of not at all due to his discomfort.

Lethargy and discomfort – if your cat is feeling pain, he may just want to lie in the corner and not eat causing him to have little or no energy for doing the things that he loves. If he feels discomfort he me whine or meow in pain.

These are some of the symptoms that can be present when your cat has a sensitive stomach, but these symptoms could be present for other reasons(s). When your cat does not feel well or has prolonged behavior that is out of character, you may want to start with a visit to the vet.

What Causes a Sensitive Stomach in Your Cat?

It is possible that your cat just has a sensitive stomach and will benefit by a vet recommended cat food for a sensitive stomach. These are some of our recommended choices.

But it is possible that their may be another reason your cat is having problems with his stomach. Here are some other reasons your cat may be having stomach problems.

Sensitivity to ingredients in some cat foods – Gastrointestinal(GI) disturbances are commonly caused by poorly digestible foods, food allergies or food additives/flavorings/preservatives. The remedy to this can be as simple as changing to a higher quality cat food for your fur baby.

Intestinal parasites – parasites are worm-like organisms. Parasite infections can have a wide variety of symptoms, such as; dull hair-coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucoid or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, or a pot-bellied appearance.

Your vet can diagnose and prescribe an effective treatment for intestinal parasites.

Inflammatory bowl disease (IBD) – IBD results in the inflammation of the intestines. It is accompanies by diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. This is also another condition that you should consult your cat’s veterinarian about. This condition can be chronic, but can be controlled. It will take professional treatment.

Tips for Stopping Cat Vomiting?

Having a cat that vomits is no fun for the cat or the owner. We have identified several reasons why a cat my vomit. If it is a regular occurrence, your vet should be your first stop.

There are some simple things you can do to help your cat stop vomiting and living a comfortable life.

Reduce Stress – Stress can cause your cat to have stomach issues just as it can cause the same in humans. Anything you can do to reduce the stress in your cat’s environment, will go along way in making him comfortable and reducing an upset stomach.

Hydration – Fresh water is something that we all need to be healthy. Your cat is no different. Fresh water should always be available to your cat especially if he is a dry food eater.

Monthly Deworming – A monthly deworming will keep your pet from having to deal with intestinal parasites. These parasites can cause stomach discomfort. Deworming should be a regular part of your cat’s comprehensive medical care.

Treats – Treats can be rich and have different ingredients than their normal food. Even though your cat may think they taste great, they could upset their stomach. Treats should be given occasionally and not regularly.

Regular visits to the vet – Visiting the vet regularly with your cat is the best thing you can do for the health. These visits can help you avoid preventable health issues.

High quality cat food – One of the best things you can do for your cat’s sensitive stomach is to feed him a good high quality food specially formulated for a cat with a sensitive stomach.

These foods usually have real meat, poultry and fish as the first ingredient. The food should contain natural ingredients and limit artificial ingredients and additives.

Worst Foods for Cats with Sensitive Stomachs?

If you have a cat that has been diagnosed with a sensitive stomach or has problems with vomiting, the last thing you want to do is feed them a food that aggravates the problem. But how do you know what you should or should not feed your cat?

Your cat’s veterinarian is going to be your best source for feeding your cat the best food for their health. Here are a few tips to follow for avoiding foods that can make your cat’s condition worse.

Beef – While some cats love beef, a cat with a sensitive stomach will most likely do better with a food that has fish or poultry.

Fat Trimmings – Stomach sensitivity can be aggravated by excess fat in a cat’s diet. If there is a shortage of bile needed to digest fat, it can lead to diarrhea or vomiting.

Dairy Products – As in people, cats can also be lactose intolerant. Cow’s milk, cream and cheese can cause digestive problems in cats and lead to diarrhea.

Grains – cats are carnivores at heart. A cat food high in grains can be problematic for their digestive system. It is not designed to absorb grain.

Cat Foods with Too Many Additives – Additives can be hard to digest. Furthermore, it can be difficult to identify what exactly is causing your cat to have digestive problems. Fewer fillers and more real, whole ingredients in a cat food is the best food for an upset stomach in your cat.

Does Wet Food Cause Diarrhea in Cats?

In most cases of cat diarrhea, the cause is not traced back to wet food. Wet food is most similar to what a cat would eat in the wild. As stated above, a cat often experiences diarrhea due to sensitivities to the ingredients in their food.

In a young cat, the cause of diarrhea can be parasites. A vet can diagnose them and a regular deworming is often part of cats veterinarian maintenance plan.

Another cause of diarrhea, is a sudden change in food. I have experienced this with my own cats. They normally eat dry food, but when they have dental work the vet will suggest soft food.

Going from their normal food to canned food did cause diarrhea. Now when they require soft food after dental work, I moisten their normal food.

It provides them with soft food for a painful mouth and does not cause stomach upset because they are used to it. Here is more information about diarrhea in cats.

More Cat Care Guides

How to Mix Wet and Dry Food

Obesity in Cats: How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight

Best Foods for Feeding a Cat With a Sensitive Stomach

Best Cat Dewormers for a Healthy Cat

Best Cat Foods for Weight Loss

How to Transition Your Cat to a New Food

If your pet has a sensitive stomach and you have decided to transition your cat to a food for cats with a sensitive stomach, here are a few suggestions for changing your cats food.

You should make a transition gradually by adding more of the new food and reducing the old food over the period of 1 to 2 weeks. Start out by making 25% of your cat’s meal, the new food. Three days later, increase the new food portion to 50%.

After a week, go to a 75% portion of the new food. Ten to fourteen days after you start the new food, your cat should be fully transitioned and hopefully feeling much better.

Final Thoughts

Regular vomiting and diarrhea are not normal. A cat that has these issues can have a sensitive stomach. A vet can be a big help when it comes to diagnosing problems with your cat’s health.

A simple solution can be to slowly transition your cat to a diet that is specifically formulated for a cat with a sensitive stomach.

Cat food for cats with a sensitive stomach have more whole real ingredients than traditional cat food. And we only want the best for our cats!