Best Cat Food For Older Cats That Vomit – Top 10 Brands in 2024

If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably seen your kitty throw up a number of times. Vomiting in cats is something that may seem normal.

In most cases, your feline friends go back to their normal routine after puking, especially when caused by the pesky hairballs. 

But vomiting may be caused by something far more serious such as food poisoning or an underlying disease like diabetes. It can leave your poor kitty badly dehydrated.

So never underestimate cat vomiting, especially in older cats. Consult the vet right away if your cat vomits persistently or if she shows signs of an illness.

In this article, we will cover the basic stuff you need to know about cat vomiting, what to do when they do, and the best cat food for older cats that vomit.

What To Look For In The Best Cat Food For Older Cats That Vomit

If you’re a regular reader of our articles, you must already know that a healthy cat’s diet is the key to your pet’s happy and healthy life.

Whether your old or young cats are suffering from a health disorder or in excellent shape, the cat foods you give them will always have an impact on their overall wellness. 

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of a cat food formula that includes high-quality ingredients and proper nutrition. 

For older cats, the right cat food formula is critical as senior cats tend to develop multiple and more serious health issues.

Wet or dry food is fine for your cats for as long as it’s highly digestible cat food, made of high-quality ingredients, includes essential nutrients, and is highly palatable. 

However, many senior cats have dental issues like having few or no teeth, which makes it very hard for them to chew dry food. Here are some of the qualities to look for in the best cat food for older cats that vomit:

High-Quality Ingredients and Proper Nutrition

Yes, we may sound like a broken record but the number one quality to look for is unquestionably high-quality ingredients.

After all, food ingredients make the diet. Natural ingredients are the best. For cats, high-quality animal protein sources are preferred such as real chicken meat, beef, or fish, which should be the first on the ingredients list. 

Even the plant-based ingredients that supply the fiber and carb contents should be natural and of great quality, preferably organic.

And then, of course, the cat food should be enriched with essential nutrients that your cats, especially senior cats, need to be strong, active, and healthy. 

A balanced diet includes essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and even antioxidants that can help your pets prevent health problems.

Avoid cat foods with poor-quality and artificial ingredients like cheap fillers and artificial flavors and additives. These poor-quality food components are not just unhealthy but can also harm a cat’s body over time. 

This is why as pet parents, you should always inspect the ingredients list for any of these unwanted ingredients that may hurt your cat’s tummy, and even cause vomiting.

Easy To Eat and Digest

Older cats need to have cat foods that are easier to eat and digest. Single protein sources such as muscle meat and organs from, say, chicken, turkey, or fish, are more digestible than the more processed meat meals or by-products.

Easily digestible protein and ingredients are also lighter on the cat’s digestive system, safe for sensitive stomachs, and help prevent vomiting.

High In Protein, Low in Fat

Your older cats will need sufficient protein intake to keep their bodies strong and functional and help minimize the effects of aging.

High protein content can benefit your older cat greatly. Avoid giving diets that are high in fat as senior cats need to keep a healthy weight to lessen health issues. 

As their metabolism slows down in old age, older cats are prone to weight gain. Also, excessive fat can upset a sensitive stomach and cause vomiting.

Palatable

Palatability is particularly important in older cats, which tend to be very picky with food. They need to like their cat food in order to eat it. The best cat foods in the world won’t help them if they turn their noses up.  

Sufficient Fiber Content

Fiber helps in healthy digestion in cats. Cats with sensitive stomachs can benefit from ample fiber in cat foods, especially in firming up loose stool.

Whole foods like pumpkin provide the cat’s diet with dietary fiber that can aid in several health issues in cats such as diarrhea, constipation, high-fat levels in the blood, diabetes, and keeping a healthy weight in overweight cats. Fiber also helps flush out hairballs.

No Food Allergens

Food allergies and food sensitivities also cause cat vomiting, among other symptoms. This is why you need to identify which ingredients trigger the food allergies and choose cat foods that don’t have them. 

Sensitive stomachs are quickly induced by these food allergens resulting in cat vomiting or loose stools. Beef, fish, chicken, and dairy products are some known ingredients to cause food allergies in some sensitive cats.

Best Cat Food For Older Cats That Vomit

1. Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Intestinal Support Diet

First 5 Ingredients: Ground Rice, Anchovy Meal, Hydrolyzed Fish Protein, Fish Oil, Chicken Fat

Kicking off this list of the best cat food for older cats that vomit is our top choice in the dry food department – Forza10 Nutraceutic Active Intestinal Support Diet dry cat food.

This best cat food is specially made for cats with intestinal and digestive issues, including vomiting, and has all the elements in a cat food recipe needed by older cats that vomit. 

Made of highly digestible protein, ground rice, and anchovy fish meal are the first two ingredients in this food formula, along with hydrolyzed fish protein, to make a high-protein diet to support your aging cat’s lean muscle mass and keep a healthy weight.

The protein load in this cat food is a towering 29%, with moderate fat content of 10.5% minimum and an ample fiber mass of 6% that can aid in controlling hairballs. 

This kibble is rich in essential nutrients including vitamin E, taurine, and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, and the cat's digestive system health.

Several customers attested that this cat food helped reduce vomiting in their kitties. They also liked its digestibility. Only a few reviews were not friendly, most of which were about their finicky cats not liking the kibble too much.

Pros:

• Highly digestible hydrolyzed fish protein for very sensitive cats
• High in protein, moderate in fat, high in fiber contents
• Rich in omega fatty acids and other nutrients

Cons:

• Pricey
• Made  diarrhea worse for some cats with IBD

2. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Perfect Digestion

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat

One of the best cat foods that are formulated with your older cat in mind is Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Perfect Digestion Chicken dry cat food.

Real chicken is the first ingredient in this amazing food formula that also includes egg products and chicken liver for a high 27% minimum crude protein. 

The fat content is moderate at 13% minimum and the fiber load is good enough at 4%. Needless to say, the guaranteed analysis shows that this kibble is truly suitable for senior cats.

It also has awesome whole foods like cranberries and pumpkin for the valuable antioxidants that support your senior cat's immune system. And it has no artificial flavors or additives.

There have been some mentions by pet parents of constipation relief in their tabbies and also about healthier poops and reduced vomiting.

There were just 3 adverse comments that complained about more gas in their pet and also no change in hairball vomiting.

Pros:

• Formulated for senior cats
• With antioxidants
• High in protein, moderate fat and fiber contents
• With their exclusive ActivBiome+ Technology 

Cons:

• Contains corn and corn gluten meal
• Causes gas to some cats

3. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley

With the Blue Buffalo brand, you can be assured of premium-quality ingredients in your cat's food. For your sensitive stomach cat, this Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach food formula is a fantastic option.

Real chicken meat is the main ingredient followed by a wide array of select ingredients that include menhaden fish meal for nutrient-rich dry cat food. 

Your older cat can surely benefit from the lavish 32% minimum protein pack, with moderate 16% fat and 3.5% fiber contents.

It’s also fortified with prebiotic fiber and probiotics to enhance the cat’s digestive system and omega fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed for healthy skin and coat. 

Of course, Blue Buffalo is known for its antioxidant-filled cat food choices. And this food formula is free of cheap grains, gluten, or artificial flavors and preservatives.

Over 1000 customers have tried this Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach cat food and have given their comments on Chewy.com, showing a 93% approval rating. The constructive reviews mostly included a great improvement in their cat’s vomiting and regurgitation. 

Only 11% showed naysaying comments, mostly about picky cats not touching the food, and a few that claimed it caused loose stools in their sensitive stomach cats, which is could also be due to the sudden change of diet.

Pros:

• With antioxidants and probiotics
• High in protein, moderate in fat and fiber contents
• Contains wholesome grains, garden veggies and fruit
• Premium-quality ingredients, with real deboned chicken meat

Cons:

• Reports of loose stools
• Some find the kibbles a bit too small, which can cause some cats who do not chew well to vomit

4. Chicken Soup for the Soul Weight & Mature Care

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Peas

Here’s another dry cat food that’s known for its superior quality. And when it comes to high-quality animal protein sources that your kitties need to thrive, Chicken Soup for the Soul is as good as any brand. Its Weight & Mature Care food formula is highly suitable for your senior cat. 

Real chicken meat is the first ingredient, supplemented by other excellent animal protein sources like real turkey, duck, and salmon for an abundant 34% protein pack. Ideal for older cats and sensitive cats, this dry cat food offers low-fat and high fiber contents, both at 8%. 

Also, this food formula has outstanding fruits and veggies including chicory root, kelp, apples, carrots, spinach, and blueberries for a balanced diet.

It is also augmented with various nutrients including vitamin E, probiotics for digestive health, and omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. This kibble is also formulated to keep a healthy weight in senior cats as the caloric content is just 3118 kcal/kg.

This dry food accumulated great reviews from Chewy customers. Many cat parents said their feline friends’ vomiting was reduced greatly after shifting to this food formula.

Some also claimed improvement in their cat’s poop. The few naysayers mostly complained about plenty of dust in the bottom of the bag. Some also said the change in the formula wasn’t favorable.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Low-calorie recipe
• Zero wheat, corn or soy
• Real chicken as the first ingredient

Cons:

• Possible formula change
• Reports of having plenty of dust in the bottom of the bag

5. Nulo Freestyle Senior Alaska Pollock, Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Pollock, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Yellow Peas, Green Lentils

Certainly one of the best cat food choices for your older cat, this dry cat food features Alaskan Pollock as the first ingredient in this deck of prime-quality ingredients. 

It also has real deboned duck to go with chicken and turkey meals, and salmon meal for a lofty 38% minimum protein load to help your senior cat maintain lean muscles. It’s also high in fiber level, at 6%, to help in healthy digestion and moderate fat content of 14% minimum. 

To further boost digestive health, probiotics are added to this multi-protein formula. Salmon oil supplies the essential fatty acids in this recipe to enhance your cat’s skin and coat health. Caloric content is only 3454 kcal/kg.

This dry cat food received pleasant comments from 25 reviewers at Chewy.com. Many cat parents liked the small kibble as it makes it easier for older cats and toothless cats to chew. They also like the low-fat, low-carb, and low-caloric contents in this recipe, which is suitable for older cats. 

Some also said cat vomiting was greatly lessened since shifting to this diet. Only 4 out of the 25 reviewers were not pleased, mainly because their fussy cats preferred another food, and also because of the higher price tag.

Pros:

• Especially  formulated for senior cats
• High in protein and fiber, moderate to low fat and calories
• Small kibble designed for older cats and toothless cats

Cons:

• Pricey
• Kibbles may be too small for some cats

6. Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle 

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey By-product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice, Chicken By-product Meal

Our next product is specially formulated for a cat’s sensitive stomach and skin. Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach cat food recipe is another great option for cats that vomit, including older cats. 

Made with farm-raised real turkey meat and by-products, this adult dry cat food is wealthy in protein level at 34% minimum, which offers tons of health benefits especially for your older cat. Even better, it has a fairly low fat load of 11%, and a sufficient fiber supply of 5%. 

It’s also loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamins E, A, and K to name a few. And for your cat’s skin and coat health, omega fatty acids are blended with the mix.

Remarkably, this dry food had over 700 reviewers at Chewy.com giving it the thumbs up. The great majority of reviews were highly encouraging, with several of them happy about the reduction of their cat’s tummy issues, including vomiting.

Some also said that they saw better-looking skin and coats. Less than 6% of Chewy customers were unhappy,  most of them saying that their cats did not like it. A few noticed increased thirst in their cats.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Loaded with omega-6 fatty acids
• Responsibly sourced ingredients
• Has all 25 essential vitamins and minerals 

Cons:

• Contains corn, corn gluten meal
• Some pet parents observed increased thirst in their cats

7. BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner in Gravy

First 5 Ingredients: Tuna, Fish Broth, Pumpkin, Potato Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil

Our best-wet cat food choice for older cats that vomit is BFF Tuna & Pumpkin Valentine Dinner canned cat food.

A great canned food for cats with GI issues and senior cats, this single-source protein recipe features real tuna as its primary protein source, which is also highly delectable for picky aging kitties. 

For wet cat food, this food formula is high in protein mass at 12% minimum, but moderate in fat at 2% minimum, with a low fiber content of 0.2%.

It’s loaded with essential nutrients to keep your older cat in the pink of health. It’s also low in carbs and free of artificial flavors or additives.

This wet food garnered remarkable reviews from about 230 reviewers at Chewy.com. Most of the rave reviews stated that their pets loved the texture and taste of this pate, and they loved its affordable price. 

A few also mentioned how it helped their older cats achieve a healthy weight gain and address GI issues. The few negative reviews were mostly about their tabbies turning their nose up on this wet cat food as well as an apparent formula change. Some complained it had too many veggies. 

Pros:

• Budget friendly
• Free of grain, gluten and MSG 
• Has pumpkin for to support digestive health
• Single-source protein; nutritionally complete and balanced

Cons:

• Reports of a formula change
• May have more veggies for some pet owners' liking

8. Wellness CORE Digestive Health Chicken Pate

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Ground Flaxseed

Also among the best-wet cat food options is Wellness Core Digestive Health chicken canned cat food, which is specially formulated also for sensitive cats and older cats.

Chicken, chicken liver, and turkey are the main protein sources in this canned food for older cats that vomit, which has a minimum of 10% protein supply, and a moderate fiber load of 1%. But the fat level is pretty high at 7%. It also has salmon fish oil for the essential fatty acids vital for healthy skin and coat.

This wet food got rave reviews from 165 reviewers at Chewy.com, with an 89% acceptance rate. Most of the positive reviews said their older cats licked the bowls empty and that this gravy wet cat food had very admirable effects like ease on sensitive tummies and megacolon.

But some cats didn't like it too well according to a few kitty owners, while a few pet parents did not care for its smell.

Pros:

• Supports immunity & vitality
• Formulated for digestive issues
• Great for cats with food sensitivities
• Moderate fiber content + prebiotic fibers

Cons:

• Strong odor

9. Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Salmon & Pumpkin in Broth Senior

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon Broth, Salmon, Chicken, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil

Not to be outdone is the world-renowned feline food brand Tiki Cat with its Velvet Mousse Salmon & Pumpkin wet mousse.

Also a popular premium wet cat food, this food formula blends salmon, chicken, and pumpkin to make a highly palatable diet that’s fit for your older cat. It presents a 9% minimum protein load, with moderate fat and ample fiber levels of 4% and 2% respectively. 

Among the essential nutrients are vitamins E, D3, and various B’s, plus omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and antioxidant-rich superfoods like turmeric for immune system health.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which can help improve multiple aspects of cats’ health, such as skin, gut, and kidney health.

As expected, this wet food formula was heavily praised by reviewers for its fine ingredients, proper nutrition, and palatability.

Some cat owners even said it helped control their kitty’s vomiting. There were just a few unhappy customers, all of whom claimed their senior cat refused to eat the wet cat chow.

Pros:

• Non-GMO ingredients 
• High-quality protein source
• Formulated for older cats
• Complete and balanced diet
• Pumpkin for gut health; turmeric for antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties

Cons:

• Mousse has a slightly gritty texture

10. Purina Beyond Turkey, Sweet Potato & Spinach Recipe in Gravy

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey and Chicken Broth, Turkey, Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Liver

Completing our list is this stellar gravy wet cat food from the Purina Beyond line. Grain-free and without artificial additives, this food formula is a surefire hit among your four-legged pals – younger cats and older cats alike. 

It features a truly mouthwatering recipe that’s made with real turkey and chicken meats, plus fish, sweet potatoes, and spinach for a balanced diet.

The protein content is sufficient at 9% minimum, with 1.2% fiber load and just 2% fat content. It also has natural prebiotic fiber to help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

“Two paws up” is a phrase found more than twice in the reviews for this brand. Cat parents also love its affordability.

The few dissatisfied customers had varying complaints – too soupy, not too many bits of meat, and not tasty enough for their finicky cats. There were also a few that said they noticed a change in the recipe.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Contains no corn or soy
• Contains natural prebiotic fibers
• High in protein, moderate in fiber and fat contents

Cons:

• Contains carrageenan
• Complaints of recipe change, resulting in fewer bits of meat

Bonus: Cat Supplement For Hairball Control

Cat Lax Cat Supplement

Ingredients: Cod Liver Oil, Caramel, Lecithin, Malt Syrup, White Petrolatum, 0.1% Sodium Benzoate, (Preservative), 0.036 I.U./G Vitamin E (Dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate) (Antioxidant), Purified Water

To help control your cat’s hairballs, here’s a supplement worth trying – Cat Lax. This formula is designed not only to minimize hairballs but also to support the cat’s digestive system and reduce vomiting. It also has cod liver oil and vitamin E for healthy skin and coat. 

According to comments from buyers, Cat Lax works really well in helping their kitties with hairball issues. Many of them are able to pass the hairballs through their system and no longer have coughing spells.

About Vomiting In Cats

Vomiting In Cats

There’s nothing unusual in seeing a cat throwing up. Occasional vomiting is pretty common in cats, even beneficial if they need to release the hairballs that they ingest as a result of grooming. And there are several factors that can trigger cat vomiting.

Just like humans, a feline vomits by expelling stuff from its digestive system (stomach and upper intestine) through its mouth, accompanied by drooling and abdominal heaving. Cats sometimes cough before throwing up.

But chronic vomiting is not normal or healthy. If your cat vomits more than once a week or continues to vomit for some more weeks, there must be something very wrong with her system, which necessitates a visit to the vet.

The cat’s vomit varies in appearance depending on the cause and substance that the cat ingested. In hairballs, naturally, you’ll see hair with the vomit.

If it’s food-related, like with food allergies and food sensitivities, food matter would be part of the vomit. If the cat pukes with an empty stomach, bile may come out with the vomit, which should appear yellowish. 

If there’s irritation in the stomach lining, there may be some blood that comes with the vomit. If the vomit is clear or white, it may have been because the cat drank too much water.

When the small intestines are inflamed, the white foam may come out. And if parasites are the cause, you may see some worms in the vomit, typically roundworms. But don’t draw conclusions based on what you see. Let the vet tell you what it really is.

Why Do Cats Vomit?

Many factors can lead to a cat throwing up and not all of them are health issues. When cats overeat or eat too fast, or may have eaten a foreign object like a piece of string or some type of grass, they tend to vomit.

A sudden change of diet may also cause the cat’s stomach to react to the new food by vomiting. Or if your kitty has a sensitive stomach or has some food allergies, she may throw up as well. These are all reactions from the cat’s body that are pretty normal.

Hairballs are common triggers too, especially for long-haired cat breeds. As you know, cats clean themselves up by licking their body, which in turn causes them to ingest a good amount of hair. In this case, cat vomiting serves them well.

But cat vomiting may also be caused by more serious origins, such as various diseases and food poisoning, which must be addressed medically. Here are some of them:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Chronic small intestinal disease
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Kidney Disease
• Pancreatitis
• Liver Disease
• Neurologic Disease
• Cancer
• Ulceration
• Constipation
• Food poisoning
• Intestinal parasites
• Food allergies
• Foreign objects in the cat’s digestive tract
• Toxin Ingestion (chocolates, plants, chemicals, pesticides, etc.)

These are all life-threatening factors that must be taken very seriously. Early diagnosis and prognosis can help save your kitty.

Other Symptoms Associated With Cat Vomiting

Cat parents need to be extra observant with their cat’s behavior and energy level when accessing what’s wrong with her.

It will help a great deal in diagnosing the problem if cat owners are able to tell the vet other signs and symptoms other than vomiting that they may have noticed. Among these signs to look out for are the following:

• Depression
• Lethargy
• Loss or change of appetite or eating habits
• Weight Loss
• Abdominal pain
• Vomit has blood
• Frequent vomiting

Your vet will probably ask if you’ve changed the cats’ diet, if other pets are showing the same symptoms, and if they may have eaten something toxic or have access to wild plants.

Tips For Cat Owners

Pet owners can take extra precautions when caring for their kitties and help lessen the exposure to hazardous factors. Here are some tips to avoid cat vomiting:

1.    Keep them indoors. Toxic materials, toxic plants and grass, foreign objects, harmful chemicals and pesticides, garbage stuff, and spoiled food can easily be accessed by your cats outdoors. Keeping your cats indoors will avoid many such threats. Just make sure they have enough space to run, jump, and play.

2.    When indoors, keep them away from household stuff that may also be hazardous like chemicals, cleaners, insecticides, medicines, strings, chocolate, and other human food.

3.    To minimize hairballs, regularly groom your cats by brushing and cutting long hair. Or take them to a grooming center.

4.    Also on hairballs, a shift to a specially formulated diet for controlling hairballs can help. These cat foods are usually high in fiber, which may help in flushing out hairballs in the cat’s stomach.

5.    If overeating is the cause of cat vomiting, perhaps you can reduce the amount of food a little bit. Or better yet, give smaller portions but more frequently, like maybe 3-4 times a day instead of 1 or 2.

6.    Give your cats easy access to clean and fresh water. Make sure the water bowls are clean. Vomiting causes much dehydration. This is also important for kidney health.

7.    Clean your pets’ surroundings to avoid ingestion of or exposure to toxins, parasites, or foreign objects.

8.    If your cat vomits often or more than normal, call the vet immediately without hesitating.

When To Call The Vet

Don’t think twice about calling the veterinarian when:

• Your cat vomits more than three times in a row.
• Your cat is still vomiting after a few days.
• Your cat has not touched her food or drank water in over 12 hours, while still vomiting.
• Your cat is showing other symptoms like diarrhea or lethargy.
• Your cat has an established health disorder or illness in which vomiting is among the symptoms. Continuous vomiting may indicate that the illness is advancing.
• You see worms in your cat’s vomit. Deworming may be necessary, and immediately.

Conclusion

Occasional vomiting in cats is pretty normal. If you see your kitty throwing up, it may be due to a number of regular cat stuff like hairball, overeating, or chewing on a piece of string. Don’t panic. But if your furry kid keeps puking more than twice a day, you can panic a bit. But better yet, call the vet.

Cat foods can play a huge role in preventing or controlling cat vomiting. There are specially formulated cat foods that are more suitable for sensitive stomachs and help prevent vomiting. Your older cat certainly deserves the best cat foods you can afford, which can also help prolong her life.