Does your kitty need help, “moving things along”? Have you noticed they haven’t passed feces for a few days or have small dry poops? If so you may be wondering what are the best foods for constipation in cats. As with many things in pet care it is best to take the recommendation from your veterinary surgeon if your cat is suffering from constipation. This is because there is more than one cause of constipation, resulting in different approaches being appropriate and things can change over time needing a re-think of the treatment plan.

Recommendations range from adding a teaspoon or two of psyllium husk to their current food, to specialized veterinary prescription diets. Here we look at commonly used and readily available diets for relieving constipation in cats. They are divided into high fiber and low residue options.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Cat Foods for Constipation

High Fiber Options

1. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula Wet Cat Food- Best Overall

The 3% crude fiber that Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula Wet Cat Food is quite high for canned food. Being in a wet formula means your kitty will benefit from the moisture. We think this diet is quality because of the natural ingredients and real meat being the first ingredient. The fiber comes from fruits and veggies and acts as a prebiotic to support gut health. If your cat is sensitive to wheat in the diet, this food is completely wheat-free. Some reviewers did note a liquid-like consistency to this food which may not appeal to some. While it’s not perfect, it is reasonably priced for all the benefits it provides.

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2. Purina Pro Plan Indoor Hairball Management Shredded Blend Turkey & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food- Best Value

Purina Pro Plan Indoor Hairball Management Shredded Blend Turkey & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food provides a quality product at a decent price, but part of the price benefit is due to this being a dry food. While canned products are more pricey, they also provide much-needed moisture in the diet of your constipated kitty, so if you choose this food please encourage your cat to drink more.

That being said, with 7% fiber, high protein, and probiotics to support gut health, this is a healthy diet for adult cats living indoors that are maybe constipated due to hairballs. It contains supplements for a shiny, nourished coat. Most cats love the shredded pieces of meat in this diet.

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3. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome with Chicken Dry Cat Food- Premium Choice

Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome with Chicken Dry Cat Food incorporates Hill’s patented prebiotic ingredient, known as ActivBiome+, which activates healthy gut bacteria for improved gut health. Psyllium husk is listed in the ingredients of this food. You can purchase this diet in wet and dry forms, which means your feline can enjoy the best of both worlds. The added omega-3 fatty acids and natural preservatives enhance the appeal of this food. The crude fiber in the diet is technically low, but it has been proven to help with constipation in as little as 24 hours.

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4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food

Royal canin provides a high concentration of psyllium husk and prebiotics in this diet designed to improve overall digestive health. It also contains insoluble fiber to bulk up the feces. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food has highly digestible proteins with omega-3 fatty acids. It also provides a level of protection against urinary crystals. On the downside, like other prescription diets it is pricey and needs a vet’s approval before you can purchase it.

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5. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food provides additional ingredients for a healthy coat and immune system. With no artificial ingredients, this is a premium-quality diet that doesn’t need vet authorization. The price is not exorbitant either. Being on the low-calorie end of diets on this list it’s not a bad option for felines that struggle with their weight. The 6.6% fiber in this diet is above average but could be higher. We think this is a decent choice if hairballs are the cause of your cat’s constipation.

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6. Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digestive Care Dry Cat Food

Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digestive Care Dry Cat Food contains fiber to support healthy gut bacteria and provide roughage for fecal bulk. It contains 3.7% crude fiber, which is not a deal breaker but is on the lower end of this list. It’s specifically designed for cats that eat too fast and regurgitate, so if this sounds familiar, this could be the diet for you.

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7. Wellness CORE+ Hairball Chicken Pate Natural Wet Cat Food, 2.8-oz can, case of 12

A canned food with 2.5% fiber, Wellness CORE+ Hairball Chicken Pate Natural Wet Cat Food could help with your cat’s constipation, especially if it’s related to hairballs. It’s a wet food so boosts your cat’s hydration. Biotin and Omega-3 fatty acids work to keep your cat’s immune system and skin healthy.

Miscanthus grass is included in the ingredients list as a fiber source. This diet is grain-free which may be necessary for pets with grain intolerances. However, there is a known link between grain-free diets and heart disease, the exact cause of which is unknown. So we urge owners to use these diets cautiously and not at all for pets with heart problems or who are prone to heart problems.

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8. Purina ONE Indoor Advantage 7+ Chicken & Ocean Fish Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food, 3-oz can

A senior diet, wet food, with 3% fiber could be appropriate for older cats that struggle with dehydration and constipation. Made with high protein and no fillers, Purina ONE Indoor Advantage 7+ Chicken & Ocean Fish Recipe Pate Wet Cat Food also comes in a dry formula. This is another grain-free formula, so owners must exercise caution if this is the only food their kitty eats.

Low Residue Options

9. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Wet Cat Food

Hill’s provides a good low-residue option for cats unable to cope with bulky feces. Nutritious and gentle ingredients make this diet gentle on the digestive system. Added antioxidants will also help keep your cat healthy. This prescription diet will need your vet’s approval and is on the more expensive side.

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10. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food

Highly digestible ingredients and probiotics help keep a cat’s digestive system healthy. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food also contains omega-3 fatty acids which provide health benefits for the gut and other systems. It provides a level of protection against urinary stones. It’s high in calories which could be a good or bad thing depending on your cat’s weight. Like other veterinary diets, this needs vet approval before you buy it. It’s also expensive.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food for Constipation

Wet vs Dry Food

When comparing wet foods to dry foods there are some important factors to consider. Most of the time wet food will be more expensive than dry food, regardless of the brand. It’s also unfair to compare nutrient profiles based on the percentages alone. You will need to convert the wet food percentage into a percentage on a dry matter basis (DM). This is complicated but you can use this calculator to do this if you’re interested in comparing protein, fat, or other nutrients.

Whether you choose a wet or dry food will depend on a few factors:

If you’re unsure, talk to your vet. You don’t have to choose one or the other either, you can do both! Just remember to change diets gradually to avoid an upset stomach.

Crude Fiber

While crude fiber gives you some indication of the fiber in the diet, it is not the be-all and end-all. It doesn’t tell you the type or quality of the fiber which is why some higher fiber diets are less effective than lower fiber diets for constipated cats. It doesn’t take into account soluble and insoluble fiber either.

Individual Factors

Your cat may have individual dietary needs like wheat intolerance, or needing a diet that prevents urinary crystals. Their weight and calorie requirements will also influence your choice of food. If your cat sits on the heavier side, weight control is an important part of their treatment plan, and you should opt for low-calorie options.

A diet is never based on one factor alone, so you need to take into account your cat as a whole. This is why a vet is a great resource for nutritional advice tailored to your cat.

Conclusion

There are two main strategies for feeding constipated cats, high fiber or low residue diets depending on the cause of the constipation. Giving too much dietary fiber to a cat that is unable to cope with bulky feces will lead to worse constipation. That is one of the reasons why you should run any of these diets past your vet before using them. Having said that, if a high-fiber diet is the goal Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula Wet Cat Food offers great ingredients at a lower price. Purina Pro Plan Indoor Hairball Management Shredded Blend Turkey & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food provides great value for money, being the least expensive product on the list on a per-pound of food basis. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome with Chicken Dry Cat Food has proven benefits with an exciting new prebiotic technology for gut health.

At the end of the day, you need to choose a product that is right for you and your cat. We encourage you to decide which features are important for you and look carefully at all the options.

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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock