Best Dry Cat Food for Diarrhea 2024: A Healthy Diet For Good Digestion

For many cat parents, the perfect home has a cute and cuddly cat gently snuggling with them while relaxing on the couch watching TV.

However, this lovely scene can instantly turn into a sulky stage with a grumpy cat strewing watery poop all over your favorite carpet.

Like in humans, diarrhea is a common ailment in cats, with several possible causes. A cat’s diet is one of the most common triggers for diarrhea and soft stools.

As in humans too, diarrhea is a horribly unpleasant experience for cats, bringing a great deal of discomfort from the messy cat’s stool. Cats, after all, are normally very tidy beings.

In this article, best dry cat food for diarrhea, we aim to give pet owners a better understanding of cat diarrhea, its symptoms and causes, and tips on how to treat and prevent it.

We will give emphasis on the role of cat food in a cat’s digestive health. We will also discuss the best cat foods for runny stools, including the top dry cat food products that we recommend to lighten and prevent cat diarrhea and firm up the cat’s stool.

As a regular cat food for sensitive stomachs, dry food is preferred over wet food, although wet cat food is not necessarily detrimental to a cat's stomach.

Best Dry Cat Food For Diarrhea

1. Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Weight Control
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control
3. Natural Balance L.I.D. Indoor Formula
4. Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe
5. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care
6. Stella & Chewy's Yummy Lickin' Salmon & Chicken Dinner Morsels
7. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe
8. I and Love and You Lovingly Simple LID Salmon & Sweet Potato
9. Purina Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle
10. FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal with Blueberries Formula
11. Nulo Freestyle Senior Alaska Pollock, Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe
12. Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula

1. Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Weight Control

First 5 Ingredients: Pollock, Turkey Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Chickpeas

Guaranteed Analysis:

Our top pick for the best dry cat food for diarrhea is Solid Gold’s Fit as a Fiddle grain-free recipe for its outstanding ingredients and features.

This remarkable kibble has all the important requisites in the ideal dry cat food for sensitive stomachs. First, the main ingredient is a novel animal protein in fresh-caught Alaskan Pollock, which should be safe for cats with food allergies.

This fish is famous for its rich omega fatty acids that are highly valuable to a cat’s skin and fur as well as the immune system and heart health.

This cat dry food boasts 31% minimum protein and only 12% maximum fat, which is a good protein-fat ratio for cat diarrhea treatment. 

Peas, tapioca, and chickpeas lead a list of whole foods, including pumpkin, which is a fiber-rich fruit that aids digestion and helps firm up cat poop.

Speaking about fiber, this cat food surely has an ample supply of fiber with 9%, which is again excellent for a feline’s sensitive stomach.

If that’s not enough, this recipe is also enriched with probiotics that are very helpful in keeping healthy and regular digestion and nutrient absorption. 

Also Read: Solid Gold Cat Food Review

2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Indoor Hairball & Weight Control

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Peas

Guaranteed Analysis:

What would the best dry cat food list be without Blue Buffalo cat food? This renowned pet food company is a constant fixture in any top pet food list because of its top-of-the-line ingredients.

Its Indoor Hairball & Weight Control formula is, without a doubt, among the best cat foods to address a cat’s sensitive stomach.

Real chicken is the first ingredient, which is a high-quality animal protein, where most of the high 36% minimum proteins in this diet come from.

Known for having balanced nutrition, this cat food also contains a stellar list of natural and human-grade plant-based ingredients for its carbohydrates and fibers requirement such as peas, potatoes, dried chicory root, and sweet potatoes, plus more nutrient-wealthy components like carrots, cranberries, blueberries, barley grass, and parsley.

For the cat’s digestive health, this cat food is also fortified with probiotics that can aid in easing chronic diarrhea. And yes, it is also high in digestible fiber, with 7.2%.

Also Read: Blue Buffalo Cat Food Review

3. Natural Balance L.I.D. Indoor Salmon & Chickpea Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Chickpeas, Peas, Salmon Meal, Pea Protein

Guaranteed Analysis:

Another pet food maker that’s no stranger to premium cat food is Natural Balance, an expert in limited ingredients diet recipes. Just like the top 2 brands, this dry cat food is made of high-quality animal protein in real salmon.

As advertised, this dry food formula has only a few select ingredients to cater to kitties with food allergies and sensitive stomachs. 

It is surely one of the safest cat foods in the market today for food-sensitive felines. As for addressing cat diarrhea, this cat food is high in protein (30% min.) and low in fat (10% max.), with a high 8% fiber.

The salmon and salmon meal also provide the essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. 

This dry cat food for sensitive stomachs is augmented with essential vitamins and minerals for total feline health nutrition, and yes, probiotics for good measure.

Also Read: Natural Balance Cat Food Review

4. Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe 

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Wheat Gluten, Powdered Cellulose

Guaranteed Analysis:

Known for its complete and balanced nutrition, Hill’s Science Diet’s Perfect Weight dry cat food is another great option for cat diarrhea. This cat food is abounding with all the essential nutrients needed by your tubby for a healthy life.

Chicken is the first ingredient and main source of this protein-galore of a cat’s food, which has an astounding 36% minimum crude protein fit for a cat with sensitive stomach diarrhea.

By the way, this is a low-fat diet of only 8.5%, which is again suited for cats with sensitive stomachs.

As for the high fiber requirement for the cat’s diarrhea and also to densify cat’s stool, brewers rice, and dried beet pulp account for most of the 10% fiber load, which is among the highest in any dry cat food.

Rich in antioxidants too, this cat dry food includes excellent whole foods like apples, broccoli, cranberries, and green peas. Without any artificial flavors and cheap ingredients, this cat food is 100% made in the USA.

Also Read: Hill's Science Diet Cat Food Review

5. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Grits, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn

Guaranteed Analysis:

Quality cat foods for diarrhea need not be expensive. Iams Weight and Hairball Care dry cat food presents an affordable option for cat parents.

This cat’s diet is not wanting in fine ingredients, with real chicken as high-quality animal protein, plus turkey, to obtain a bountiful 30% minimum crude protein, and only 11% fat. 

This cat food is packed with a high 8.3% fiber, along with a heavy supply of essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system.

Also Read: Iams Cat Food Review

6. Stella & Chewy's Yummy Lickin' Salmon & Chicken Dinner Morsels

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon With Ground Bone, Chicken With Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed

Guaranteed Analysis:

For optimal feline health nutrition and digestive health, you can’t go wrong with Stella & Chewy’s salmon and chicken dinner morsels, which are premium-quality and absolutely delicious freeze-dried raw nuggets.

Loaded with an astonishing 45% minimum protein and only 15% fat, this cat food is perfect for adult cats with acute or chronic diarrhea, and equally conformable as kitten food too.

Made with real wild-caught salmon and chicken, this high-protein raw chow is simply amazing in every way. Pumpkin seed and probiotics are added to the mix for healthy digestion.

Proudly made in the USA, this cat food may be on the high price side but it sure is one of the best cat foods you can ever give your kitties.

7. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal

Guaranteed Analysis:

Instinct’s Healthy Weight formula is another primo cat food for your feline friend and unquestionably one of the best cat foods there is.

Made with top-quality and cage-free chicken, plus freeze-dried chicken liver and heart, this grain-free kibble is crammed with a high 37.5% proteins and just 12% fat for a high-protein, low-fat recipe for lean muscle and added cat energy. 

It’s also reinforced with pumpkin seeds and probiotics for the extra boost to the cat’s digestive system, salmon oil for omega fatty acids vital for healthy skin and fur, and vitamin E and L-carnitine for immune system boost and healthy metabolism.

Many cat owners are impressed with Instinct cat foods.

Also Read: Instinct Cat Food Review

8. I and Love and You Lovingly Simple LID Salmon & Sweet Potato 

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Ground Peas, Salmon Meal, Sunflower Oil 

Guaranteed Analysis:

You’re a certified cat lover if you serve your cat with I and Love and You’s limited ingredient diet salmon and sweet potato formula.

Real salmon is the first ingredient and high-quality animal protein in this dry cat food for a marvelous 36% protein load.

Ground peas, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas supply the needed carbs and fibers for this recipe, which also contains a host of essential nutrients for a balanced diet. 

Of course, to tackle cat diarrhea head-on and aid digestion, probiotics are included in the formula, along with vitamin E and B12 supplements.

Also Read: I and Love and You Cat Food Review

9. Purina Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle

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

Guaranteed Analysis:

Now here’s a truly remarkable cat chow that’s loved by many cat owners and adored by kitties.

Purina presents this dry cat food that is appropriate for cats with an upset stomach and digestive issues. This kibble has a wealthy 34% protein content and just about 11% fat, which is perfect for a healthy cat’s stomach.

Mind you, this cat food boasts 25 essential nutrients plus omega fatty acids for various health benefits that include digestive health and lean muscle development.

This dry food has no artificial flavors or preservatives that can cause cat diarrhea. It is also the most economical option in this best dry cat food for diarrhea list.

10. FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal with Blueberries Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Pacific Ocean Fish Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries, Minerals

Guaranteed Analysis:

First Mate’s formula is certainly a welcome addition to this list of best dry cat food for diarrhea.

Known for its first-class pet food formulas, this cat food from First Mate is made with wild-caught herring, anchovies, and sardines from the ice-cold Canadian waters to make a tasty and protein-rich Pacific Ocean fish meal recipe for a lush 42% protein load.

This high-protein and limited ingredient diet dry food is a formidable cat’s diet for cat diarrhea and sensitive stomachs, lean muscle building, immune system, and digestive health for adult cats and kittens alike.

Potato and whole blueberries are the only plant-based ingredients in this dry food. The blueberries provide powerful antioxidants for immune health, as well as strong boosters to the cat’s digestive tract. 

For Senior & Kittens:

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

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

Guaranteed Analysis:

For older cats, we found Nulo’s Senior Alaska Pollock, Duck & Sweet Potato recipe as best food for senior cats.

This best dry cat food is made of high-quality animal protein sources namely Alaskan Pollock, duck, and turkey meal, with sweet potatoes, yellow peas, and green lentils as the main origins of carbs and fibers.

Suitable for more matured kitties with sensitive stomachs, this canned cat food formula is rich in proteins and fibers with 38% and 6% respectively, and low in fat with just 14%.

Probiotics are also included in the recipe to aid digestion and help alleviate the cat's digestive issues and sensitive stomach. It’s also abundant in vitamin E and omega fatty acids from salmon oil.

12. Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Beef Fat

Guaranteed Analysis:

For our adorable kittens and younger cats, Purina’s Pro Plan kitten food is a great way to start their nutritious diet and encourage healthy growth, lean muscle development, and enhanced cat energy.

Real chicken is the primary protein source for the generous 42% protein content in this best dry cat food for diarrhea in younger cats.

For balanced nutrition, this dry food is enriched with essential nutrients including vitamin E, various B vitamins, and fatty acids from fish oil for healthy skin and coat.

And yes, probiotics are combined with the components to boost the cat’s digestive system and ease her sensitive stomach. 

Best Canned, Topper & Treat For Diarrhea

1. Wellness CORE Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Meal

For the best canned cat food for diarrhea, we chose this chicken recipe from Wellness CORE.

Real chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth are the first three ingredients in this wet cat food, with peas, cranberries, and flaxseeds as part of the plant-based components for balanced nutrition.

This amazing canned cat food boasts 11% protein and 4% fat, with 2% fiber per 5.5- ounce can.

It is 100% grain-free and made in the USA, this wet food for cats also features remarkable essential nutrients, including taurine, and fatty acids for a healthy immune system.  

2. Grandma Lucy's Pumpkin Pouch Digestive

Ingredients: Pumpkin Flakes, Beets, Kale, Apple, Ginger

If your cat suffers from diarrhea or has a soft cat’s stool, Grandma Lucy’s Pumpkin Pouch is a top-notch topper to add to healthy cat food.

Made with outstanding natural fruits and veggies, this amazing food supplement is not only a big boost to a cat’s digestive health but also highly nutritious and delicious.

It’s packed with a high 6.5% soluble fiber from pumpkin flakes, which are notable for helping to ease a sensitive stomach and various digestive issues, plus beets, kale, apple, and ginger for added nutrients.

This freeze-dried topper is created specifically for dogs and cats with sensitive stomachs and aid in soothing acute or chronic diarrhea. But it’s also a great food enhancer for enticing picky cats.

3. Feline Natural Booster Lamb Green Tripe

Only Ingredient: New Zealand Grass-fed Lamb Green Tripe

Feline Natural Booster Lamb Green Tripe Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper is a delectable and healthy topper that also doubles as a treat for cats.

Made with only New Zealand grass-fed lamb green tripe, this irresistible treat has natural prebiotics and probiotics that aid digestion, skin, coat, and immune function. The enzymes present in green tripe act as a digestive aid.

This pure and natural cat treat is freeze-dried to retain all the natural goodness. It is a low-carb, single-ingredient treat that cats of all ages can enjoy, and is especially beneficial if your pet has a sensitive stomach.

Buying Guide & All You Need to Know

Cat diarrhea is loose bowel movement in the cat’s digestive system due to faster movement of fecal matter through the digestive tract.

This also normally causes lesser absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes in the body. When a cat suffers from diarrhea, she produces loose or watery stools.

Most cats, like humans, experience diarrhea once in a while. It has several possible causes. It may come and go quickly, or sometimes lasts longer than usual. In more serious cases, it may last for weeks or even months. 

If your kitty suffers from diarrhea for a day or two, there’s no need to press the panic button, unless she’s a senior or a kitten.

But if the diarrhea lingers for over 48 hours, your cat can get dehydrated, which can pose serious health risks. A quick call to the kitty doctor is imperative.

Watch out also for blackish or bloody cat’s stool, which could be a more serious case of feline diarrhea. Other symptoms of more severe cases are vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Diarrhea may be either acute or chronic. If it lasts for more than 14 days, the diarrhea is considered chronic or persistent. Chronic diarrhea requires veterinarian advice. 

There’s really a lot you can learn about your cat’s health by regularly checking the cat’s litter box. The ideal cat’s stool should be brownish, firm, and moist.

Too soft and watery poop indicates diarrhea or other digestive issues, while too hard and dry stools could mean the cat is constipated.

Cats are usually very tidy beings that prefer to do their business in the cat’s litter box. But if they all of a sudden defecate around the house with loose poop then they probably have diarrhea.

Sometimes they may have diarrhea and still use the litter box and cover their stool, which makes it hard for you to recognize the condition.

For longhaired cat breeds, staining of the fur around their back end may be caused by diarrhea.

Diarrhea per se is not an illness but a condition triggered by other health issues, especially those involving the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?

Here are some of the most common causes of diarrhea in cats:

Parasites

Parasites can most definitely irritate cat intestines, resulting in all kinds of diarrhea involving small and/or large bowels. This is especially more prominent in very young kittens.

Bacterial or Viral Infections

Infections caused by viruses and bacteria can also lead to diarrhea. Kittens are most vulnerable to these infections.

Diet

Diarrhea in cats is most commonly an aftereffect of a sudden change in diet or the introduction of new food. Cats also love to hunt small animals and insects and sometimes consume little bits of those animals.

For outdoor cats, they may eat certain plants or grass, spoiled meat, garbage, or other inedible matter that can cause an upset stomach.

Diarrhea is induced as the intestine adapts to the unfamiliar food. Again, this is more prevalent in kittens. Oftentimes, cat owners are to blame when they feed the young cats with food not suited for cats, or when they overfeed them.

Avoid dairy products, as many cats cannot digest them well. If you change your cat’s diet, gradually introduce the new cat food over several days by mixing with the old diet and slowly increasing the proportion of the new. 

Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Some cats may have developed sensitivities to some food ingredients, or get allergic reactions, which may also trigger diarrhea.

This is quite challenging to determine and may require diet elimination tests. It’s best to consult a vet before making any conclusions.

Stress

Cats can also get easily stressed by a number of motives such as an adversary or even just noise. Anxiety and excitement are also common emotions in cats for various reasons. All these can lead to an upset stomach.

Primary Inflammatory Disorders

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other inflammatory disorders can also cause diarrhea.

Metabolic diseases

Other diseases, such as disorders in the liver, pancreas, or kidney, can also upset the GI tract and result in diarrhea.

Medications and Toxins

Some medications are so strong that they upset the GI tract too, like most antibiotics. Certain toxins can also be agents of a cat's diarrhea.

How to Treat Cat Diarrhea

The treatment of your cat’s diarrhea will depend on what triggers it. Mild cases usually normalize within 24 hours without any treatment, although encouraging the cat to drink clean water can help in preventing dehydration.

Always keep the cat’s litter box clean and easily accessible. Cats need their usual dwelling places to be clean and free of harmful microorganisms and parasites.

A bland diet made of plain rice or pasta, or white chicken meat, may help calm a sensitive stomach. Some cats with diarrhea respond well to a bland diet of fibrous fruits like bananas and pumpkin too.

The animal doctor may prescribe a special diet if food allergy or intolerance is determined, or if inflammatory bowel disease or colitis is the root.

If parasites are the origins, deworming could be the treatment. Or the vet may prescribe probiotic supplements.

More serious cases like chronic diarrhea require proper diagnosis by the vet, and probably some medication. Do not attempt to give your cat medications meant for humans before asking the vet.

What To Look For In The Best Cat Food For Diarrhea

Cats with a sensitive stomach need to have clean and high-quality cat food to help mitigate these digestive issues.

Cat foods with poor quality ingredients and artificial components mostly found in cheap products can only exacerbate kitty’s condition.

Cat parents must check the ingredients list of every cat food, regardless of whether it's wet food or kibble, to ensure that no food component can be an agent for diarrhea or any other health issues linked to food.

Here are some of the most important details to look for in the best cat food for diarrhea:

High Quality and Natural Ingredients

Human-grade and natural ingredients make up the best food for any pet. Real meat from a named animal source is a prime requirement.

Poor-quality diets use unnamed animal by-products as the main ingredient. These cheaper cat foods may be economical but may also result in more trips to the animal hospital.

High in Fiber

A high-fiber diet is ideal to firm up a cat’s stool. The fibers absorb the fluids in the feces to solidify it. Some fruits and veggies like pumpkin are known to help alleviate digestive problems in cats.

High in Protein, Low in Fat

High-protein diets are not only healthful to a cat’s overall growth and health but can also support healthy digestion in cats. The proteins help in firming up cat poop, while the fats can irritate the intestines and cause loose stools.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Choose cat foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus are good bacteria that support the GI tract and protect it from bad bacteria. Prebiotics are fibers that feed good bacteria.

This prebiotic fiber is supplied by whole foods like lentils, oats, green peas, legumes, bananas, and berries.

Complete and Balanced Nutrition

Make sure you give your kitties recipes with sufficient essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to better protect them from various illnesses, including digestive disorders.

Vitamins A, C, D, E, and various B’s are all critical to feline health, and so are minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium. Omega fatty acids are crucial for healthy skin and coat, heart, and immune system. 

No Food Allergens

Check for common food allergens that your cat may be sensitive to. These are usually protein sources that he or she is allergic to or gluten found in wheat or other grains.

Limited-Ingredient Diet

A limited-ingredient meal is the best cat food for pets with allergies. Grain-free food may also be a good option, although some grains are good for firming up a stool because of their rich fibers. So a diet being grain-free is not a requirement for cat's diarrhea.  

Manufactured in Countries with High Safety and Quality Standards

The best cat foods are made by pet food manufacturers that use high-quality ingredients and follow strict safety and quality standards.

These products are usually made and sourced in countries with very high-quality standards in food manufacturing like the USA and Canada.

Conclusion

Diarrhea in cats is not at all uncommon. But it’s important for cat owners to monitor the cat’s condition.

There are several causes of diarrhea, and diet is one of the most common. A sudden change in diet or consumption of unfamiliar food may cause a cat's diarrhea. Sensitivities to certain food ingredients can also cause an upset stomach.

Always provide clean water near your cat’s meal. Excess water is not the reason for her diarrhea. On the other hand, dehydration may be caused by diarrhea, which could cause serious health risks.

As much as possible, give your kitties the best cat food you can afford, using the guidelines provided in this review.

Maintain a clean and easily accessible litter box. Sanitize common dwelling areas.

If your cats still have loose stools after 48 hours, or if you notice any of the signs of severe diarrhea, call a veterinarian immediately. If your cat has chronic diarrhea, strictly follow the pet doctor’s orders.

If you have more than one cat, you must try to determine if more than one cat has diarrhea, and which ones.

Kittens and senior cats, or cats with lingering health problems, are more vulnerable to diarrhea. They need special care and support to live happily and longer.

To help the vet properly diagnose your cat’s condition, provide a detailed medical history. Track the day-to-day condition of your feline friend in full detail, including the time and date. Give specific details of the stool’s appearance and the cat’s behaviors.