As lucky as we are to parent our fluffy family members, it isn’t a job that comes without some pretty gross cleanups, smells, and, of course, worry. If your cat has a sensitive stomach 1, they may suffer from diarrhea among other symptoms when they eat certain foods.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your cat to have frequent diarrhea, we suggest talking things through with your vet, who will also be able to recommend suitable cat food for their needs. Just because a product has great reviews and works for most cats doesn’t necessarily mean it will sit well with yours.
Meanwhile, these reviews share our top picks of best cat foods for diarrhea in Canada, which may help clear up your cat’s upset stomach.
Salmon, brown rice, corn gluten meal, wholegrain oats
Protein content:
29% min
Fat content:
14% min
Calories:
469 kcal/8 oz cup
The overall best cat food for diarrhea in Canada is Hill’s Science Diet’s Perfect Digestion formula. The first ingredient is real salmon—a great source of protein and omega fatty acids. This formula is designed to help with digestion, so it contains ActivBiome+, which is a special blend made up of prebiotics, whole grain, and pumpkin to support gut health.
This recipe also targets stool quality and regularity, so it’s definitely worth considering if your cat has issues in the poop department. The majority of reviews are positive, with improvements in digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea noted by many reviewers. Some users feel it’s too expensive, though, and some cats didn’t enjoy it, but this is pretty normal.
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal
Protein content:
32% min
Fat content:
16% min
Calories:
3,773 kcal/kg, 422 kcal/cup
This Sensitive Stomach Formula by Blue Buffalo is the best cat food for diarrhea for the money. Blue Buffalo is far from the cheapest brand, but it’s not as expensive as some others and uses high-quality ingredients like real deboned chicken, which is why we consider this a good value pick.
As well as deboned chicken, this recipe contains a variety of fruits and vegetables like blueberries and sweet potatoes for an antioxidant boost. It also contains prebiotics and oatmeal, which is gentle on the digestive system.
Many users have been impressed by this Blue Buffalo recipe, with several citing reduced vomiting and diarrhea as a major benefit. It didn’t suit every cat, though, and some users consider the kibble size to be too small.
Our premium cat food for diarrhea pick is the Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin & Stomach recipe. With real chicken as the first ingredient and added FOS—a prebiotic fiber—this recipe was specially formulated to go easy on sensitive cats’ stomachs and skin.
In addition, it contains vitamin E, which is an essential nutrient for cats, and omega-6 to nourish your cat’s coat and skin. The benefits of this recipe mentioned by users include reduced coat licking, better stool quality, and better coat condition. Some users mention a possible formula change that they’re not keen on, though, and it didn’t sit well with or work at all for some cats.
Pros
Contains added prebiotic fiber for gut health
Easy to digest
May help with sensitive skin issues
Made with real chicken
Cons
Expensive
Possible formula change
4. Blue Buffalo Grain-Free Kitten Food – Best for Kittens
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, tapioca starch
Protein content:
40% min
Fat content:
20% min
Calories:
3,954 kcal/kg, 457kcal/cup
As kittens are still developing, their tummies can be a bit sensitive to certain foods, which is why it’s important to go with a high-quality brand. For kittens, we recommend this Blue Buffalo Wilderness chicken recipe. It’s made with real chicken and is high in protein at 40% to support your kitten’s developing muscles. It also targets overall health and development, including the immune system, eyes, brain, skin, and coat.
Some users also recommend this recipe for kitties prone to diarrhea, and many have been impressed with the quality of the ingredients. However, a few users mentioned that they didn’t like the kibble’s smell, and some found the pieces too large for kittens.
This Perfect Digestion formula is for senior cats aged 7 and up. It’s not unusual for senior cats to suffer from digestive issues as their systems start to slow down somewhat, so it might be a good idea to pick a food like this one, made especially for older cats, to help keep their digestive system and stools in good shape.
According to some user reviews, this recipe is helpful for cats with diarrhea, constipation, and other poop-related issues. A few users expressed disappointment that it didn’t work out for their cat, and some found it too expensive for the bag size.
Pros
Supports healthy digestion in senior cats
Contains ActivBiome+ blend
Made with real chicken
Largely positive reviews
Cons
Not suitable for cats under 7
Pricey
6. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Adult Cat Food
If your cat isn’t keen on chicken as the main ingredient, you could give this lamb recipe a go—just bear in mind that it contains chicken meal, so it’s not suitable for cats with poultry allergies. It also contains oatmeal and live probiotics to help keep the digestive system working as it should.
In addition to digestive benefits, it may be helpful for cats with sensitive skin and that suffer from itchiness and dryness. It seems that a large number of users have had a great experience with this recipe, citing reduced diarrhea and improved skin and coat health. It didn’t go down well with every cat, though, but as always, there’s going to be some trial and error involved when trying out new foods.
This high-protein formula by Blue Buffalo was designed based on what our cat’s ancestors ate in the wild. It’s grain-free, high in protein, and is made with real salmon and named (a good indicator of quality) meat meals, including chicken meal and fish meal. It’s also antioxidant-rich, with a variety of fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, sweet potatoes, and cranberries.
When checking out what users had to say, we found plenty of glowing reviews. Some users found that this recipe has reduced vomiting and resulted in less stinky poops, better coat condition, and was a good choice for picky eaters. On the downside, some consider the kibble too small, which was a dealbreaker for them.
This Purina One recipe is designed to be easy to digest for cats with sensitive stomachs while simultaneously supporting healthy skin and coats. The first ingredient is real turkey, and the recipe is high in protein at 34%, which helps keep cats active as protein is key for developing lean muscles and keeping energy levels up.
A very popular cat food, this formula is not short on positive reviews. Several users feel that it has been beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs and issues like fur loss, and some say that they have been feeding this recipe for years. As with any new food, it didn’t work for some cats, and some were unhappy with a possible recent formula change.
Pros
High in protein
Supports healthy digestion, skin, and coat
Made with real turkey
Cons
Recent formula change
9. Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin
If your cat prefers turkey over chicken, Iams Sensitive Digestion & Skin formula contains real turkey as the first ingredient. This recipe contains beet pulp and prebiotics, which help with nutrient absorption and keep the digestive tract running smoothly. At the same time, omega fatty acids help keep the skin and coat healthy. We also like that this recipe isn’t too pricey.
This product’s reasonable price tag means that there is an abundance of buyers, most of whom have reviewed it positively. From what we’ve read, many consider this recipe a great choice at a fair price for cats with digestive problems and skin issues.
On the other hand, some felt disappointed that Iams switched the main ingredient from chicken to turkey, but this depends on your cat’s preferences.
Pros
Affordable
Supports healthy digestion and skin
Contains prebiotics and beet pulp for easy digestion
High in protein
Made with real turkey
Cons
Original chicken recipe discontinued
10. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Loaf in Sauce Cat Food
Water sufficient for processing, pork-by products, chicken, chicken liver
Protein content:
7.5% min
Fat content:
2.0% min
Calories:
774 kcal/kg, 112 kcal/5.1 oz can
If your sensitive kitty isn’t a big fan of dry food, you might want to try going the wet food route. This saucy loaf by Royal Canin is formulated to help reduce stool odor and aid digestion. Its proteins come from a variety of meat sources—pork by-products, chicken, and chicken liver.
We’re a bit disappointed that real meat isn’t the main ingredient in this case, but according to user reviews, this loaf has been a great help for some cats with sensitive tummies. On the other hand, some found the loaf to be too watery in consistency.
Pros
An alternative to dry food
Has been helpful for some cats with digestive issues
Contains more moisture to support hydration
May reduce stool odor
Cons
Real meat isn’t the first ingredient
May be watery
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Cat Food for Diarrhea
First and foremost, if your cat is experiencing diarrhea more often than the occasional episode, it’s a situation that requires veterinary intervention. In some cases, diarrhea is caused by a certain type of food just not suiting your cat’s system, but in others, an underlying health issue may be the culprit. If this is what’s going on with your cat, ask your vet for food recommendations.
If you’re all ready to go with picking out cat food for your sensitive cat but are finding it a tough call, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you choose from a bunch of products.
Does my cat have any health issues or allergies that rule out certain meats/ingredients?
Is my cat on a special kind of diet i.e., grain-free, weight control, etc.?
We chose these cat foods based on their suitability for sensitive cats, their high-quality ingredients, and—for the most part—excellent reviews. There’s no perfect recipe, though, so we urge you to check out the ingredients list, nutritional information, and user reviews carefully before making your decision. We hope you’ve found these reviews helpful!
Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented various furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with animals, Kit can be found doodling in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.
