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10 Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea in the UK — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Keri-Beth Clur

By Keri-Beth Clur

cat eats dry food from a white bowl

If you’ve got an extra curious cat that licks and nibbles on anything left out, you’ve probably had to deal with frequent bouts of diarrhea from their stomach, not being able to digest the unfamiliar food very well. You may also be familiar with diarrhea if your cat has food sensitivities, intolerances, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The first cause of your cat’s diarrhea is acute, while the other is chronic.

If your cat has chronic diarrhea, you may need to switch to a new diet with novel proteins. You’ll also need to provide them with probiotics to restore good bacteria to their gut which aids in digestion. Providing your cat with moisture-filled food that is highly digestible could help with their sensitive stomach and keep them hydrated.

If all this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve listed reviews of our favorite cat food for diarrhea to guide you in your search.hepper cat paw divider

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Royal Canin Wet Cat Food Royal Canin Wet Cat Food
  • Suitable for all kinds of diarrhea
  • High moisture content to prevent dehydration
  • Tasty and appealing to sick cats
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food
  • Affordable
  • Ingredients are low in allergenicity
  • Great for cats with a grain intolerance
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food
  • High-quality ingredients
  • High protein content
  • A hydrating recipe
  • Best for Kittens
    PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Cat Food PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Cat Food
  • Made for kittens with diarrhea and urinary problems
  • Tasty
  • Great value for the improvement it brings
  • Hills Science Plan Cat Food Hills Science Plan Cat Food
  • Beneficial for cats with skin and stomach sensitivities
  • Contains omega-6 and vitamin E
  • Highly digestible ingredients
  • The 10 Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea in the UK

    1. Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal Wet Cat Food – Best Overall

    Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal Wet Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Pork and poultry meats, poultry liver, corn flour, and fish oil
    Protein Content:  7.6%
    Fiber Content:  0.8%

    Whether your cat’s diarrhea is acute or chronic, these Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal Wet Cat Food pouches will provide them with the nutrients they need, which is why it’s our best overall cat food for diarrhea. This cat food is tasty and smells appealing to encourage sick cats to eat. It’s got a high moisture content of 80% to prevent dehydration and replenish their bodies.

    It contains probiotics to restore good bacteria to your cat’s gut and has omega-3 fatty acids to improve digestive health and keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. However, unlike other wet food, this option is only available in one flavor. If your cat becomes bored of it, there’s not much you can do except change their food.

    Pros
    • Suitable for all kinds of diarrhea
    • High moisture content to prevent dehydration
    • Tasty and appealing to sick cats
    • Contains probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids
    Cons
    • No variety

    2. Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food – Best Value

    Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Fresh white fish, potato, white fish meal, chicken oil, and egg powder
    Protein Content:  31%
    Fiber Content:  2%

    The best food for diarrhea for the money is Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food, as it’s created for cats with both skin and stomach sensitivities. It contains fresh white fish, potato, white fish meal, and egg powder, as well as many other premium ingredients that are high in nutrients and low in allergenicity.

    If your cat has a grain intolerance, they’ll do well on this grain-free recipe. However, most cats aren’t allergic to grains, so chat with your vet about whether a grain-free diet is necessary for your cat to prevent them from missing out on all of its benefits. Arden Grange cat food is made in Britain and is more affordable than many other hypoallergenic brands. This recipe has a low moisture content, so be sure to provide water in a bowl next to their food or add warm water to this recipe.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Ingredients are low in allergenicity
    • Great for cats with a grain intolerance
    • Made in Britain
    Cons
    • Your cat will need additional moisture with this meal

    3. MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food – Premium Choice

    MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Kangaroo meat, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys
    Protein Content:  11.5%
    Fiber Content:  0.4%

    Our premium option is made up of high-quality ingredients that are 99% meat. MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food comes in a box of 12 pouches and contains many essential minerals and vitamins that your cat needs. It has a high moisture content of 79% due to it being wet cat food, which is excellent for providing your cat with the hydration they need.

    Kangaroo meat, which is a novel protein, is used in this recipe as most cats aren’t allergic to it, unlike common proteins such as chicken and pork. It is also grain-free for intolerant cats. This cat food is very expensive, but you could consider using it as a topper to mix into your cat’s kibble to make it last longer.

    Pros
    • High-quality ingredients
    • High protein content
    • A hydrating recipe
    • Use of a novel protein
    • Can be used as a topper
    Cons
    • Expensive

    4. PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food – Best for Kittens

    PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS EN Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Soya protein powder, dried chicken powder, soya meal, corn starch, and pork fat
    Protein Content:  40%
    Fiber Content:  2%

    For a complete and balanced kitten food suitable for managing diarrhea, try out PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS EN Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food. This recipe is bound to tickle your kitten’s taste buds and leave them wanting more. It’s great value for all that it offers, and customers have reported seeing an improved difference in their kitten’s poop once starting on this food.

    The ingredients used are limited and easy to digest to reduce the stress on your kitten’s gut. It contains chicory inulin, which is a prebiotic that improves gut health. This recipe is also suitable for kittens that struggle with urinary conditions. Unfortunately, customers have complained of damaged packaging upon arrival. They also don’t disclose the moisture content of this recipe.

    Pros
    • Made for kittens with diarrhea and urinary problems
    • Tasty
    • Great value for the improvement it brings
    • Limited protein
    • High digestible ingredients
    • Includes prebiotics
    Cons
    • Frequent occurrences of damaged packaging

    5. Hills Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin

    Hills Science Plan Cat Food Sensitive Stomach and Skin

    Main Ingredients:  Brewer’s rice, chicken, turkey meal, maize gluten meal, and maize
    Protein Content:   32.3%
    Fiber Content:  1%

    Hills Science Plan Cat Food Sensitive Stomach and Skin, which can be purchased without a prescription. It contains brewers rice, chicken, turkey meal, and maize gluten meal which can be beneficial to cats with stomach and skin sensitivities, but it’s not as good as some other premium cat food options.

    To improve your cat’s skin, coat, and immune function, this recipe contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E. It also contains highly digestible ingredients, such as brewer’s rice, for stool improvement. Unfortunately, this cat food is quite expensive and has a low fiber content.

    Pros
    • Beneficial for cats with skin and stomach sensitivities
    • Contains omega-6 and vitamin E
    • Highly digestible ingredients
    Cons
    • Low in fiber
    • Expensive

    6. Purina ONE Adult Cat Food

    Purina ONE Adult Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Varied
    Protein Content:  12%
    Fiber Content:  0.5%

    For a whole lot of variety, consider getting your cat a box of Purina ONE Adult Cat Food which contains 40 pouches of varied ingredients, such as lamb, ocean fish, chicken, and beef. The ingredients used are high quality and easy to digest. It’s packed with antioxidants, amino acids, and chicory, which helps improve digestion and immune health, and supports healthy joints and bones.

    These pouches are packed with flavor and can be used as a meal or a topper over their kibble. They’re high in moisture to keep your cat hydrated. Some picky cats lick up the gravy and bits of meat but won’t eat the carrots and green beans.

    Pros
    • Good variety
    • High-quality ingredients
    • 79% moisture content
    • The chicory improves digestion
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Some cats refuse to eat the vegetables

    7. James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Adult Cat Food

    James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Adult Dry Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Fish meal, brown rice, white rice, and maize gluten
    Protein Content:  33%
    Fiber Content:  1.8%

    James Wellbeloved Complete Hypoallergenic Adult Dry Cat Food uses only one source of animal protein throughout their list of ingredients for easier digestion. Sustainably sourced fish is used in this recipe, as well as natural, high-quality ingredients. Brown and white rice not only provide your cat with energy, but they’re also highly digestible ingredients. Tomato pomace and cranberries are included as they’re packed with antioxidants.

    Chicory extract is a prebiotic that improves gut health in cats with diarrhea. This recipe is filled with minerals, vitamins, and omegas to support your cat’s immune system, coat, skin, and digestion. A downside to this tasty recipe is that it can make your cat’s poop stink badly!

    Pros
    • Single protein
    • Sustainably sourced fish
    • Natural, high-quality ingredients
    • Highly digestible
    • Contains chicory extract
    Cons
    • It can worsen the smell of your cat’s poop

    8. Perfect Fit Adult 1+ Complete Dry Cat Food

    Perfect Fit Adult 1+ Complete Dry Cat Food

    Main Ingredients:  Dried poultry protein, greaves protein, maize, and pregelatinized maize
    Protein Content:  41%
    Fiber Content:  3%

    Another kibble recipe that improves diarrhea and overall digestion is the Perfect Fit Adult 1+ Complete Dry Cat Food. It contains dried poultry protein, greaves protein, and maize which pushes the crude protein content of this recipe to a high 41%.

    The high protein and low carbohydrate levels help keep your cat energized and at a healthy weight while the added prebiotics improve gut flora. The kibbles break down plaque buildup on your cat’s teeth for good dental and gum hygiene. As good as this food is, it isn’t sold in bigger sizes, and you’ll have to purchase a new bag quite frequently.

    Pros
    • High protein and low carbohydrate content
    • Added prebiotics
    • Kibbles break down plaque buildup
    Cons
    • Only available in 750g bags

    9. Scrumbles Adult and Senior Cats Dry Food

    Scrumbles Adult and Senior Cats Dry Food

    Main Ingredients:  Chicken, rice, dried alfalfa, and salmon oil
    Protein Content:  36%
    Fiber Content:  2%

    Another UK-made option is Scrumbles Adult and Senior Cats Dry Food, which is gentle on your cat’s gut. This recipe consists of 97% high-quality animal protein, making it tasty and full of amino acids for the benefit of your cat’s whole body.

    It has added probiotics, or live bacteria, to help and improve your cat’s gut after their bout of diarrhea. It’s free from artificial ingredients, sugars, and salts, making it a safe option to feed your cat. The packaging is recyclable, and when you purchase from Scrumbles, they’re able to give back and support animal charities with various donations. Unfortunately, many customers have been dissatisfied with the recent recipe change and its effect on their cats.

    Pros
    • UK-made cat food
    • High animal protein content
    • Contains added probiotics
    • Recyclable packaging
    • The brand helps animal charities
    Cons
    • Many customers are dissatisfied with the recent recipe change

    10. Blink Cat Food Chicken Selection

    Blink Cat Food Chicken Selection

    Main Ingredients:  Chicken, duck, fish fillets, and turkey
    Protein Content:  13%
    Fiber Content:  0.2%

    Blink Cat Food Chicken Selection is a chicken variety pack that includes two roasted chicken and tender duck, two fish fillets and roasted chicken, two roasted chicken and juicy turkey, and two roasted chicken pouches. Each pouch has a high meat content and only contains natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals. Blink cat food is made in the UK, and all its ingredients are sourced from local farms.

    It’s a nice option for cats with sensitive stomachs that sometimes have diarrhea because it has a high moisture content and doesn’t contain any cheap fillers. Even fussy cats tend to enjoy this high-quality recipe. However, it is quite expensive.

    Pros
    • Comes with a variety of chicken options
    • High meat content
    • Ingredients are sourced locally
    • High moisture content
    • Free from cheap fillers
    Cons
    • Expensive
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    Buyer’s Guide — Buying the Best Cat Foods for Diarrhea

    Most of the time, cats with acute diarrhea don’t have any serious health problems, and it was most likely brought on by eating something bad. This diarrhea can be treated with fasting, bland food, and a slow reintroduction of their regular cat food.

    Cats with chronic diarrhea often have some sort of health issues, such as an intolerance to certain foods or IBD, and require a change of diet that is gentle on their gut, free from triggers, and packed with everything they need for a healthy life. We’re going to discuss what makes certain diets better for cats with diarrhea and what you should look out for in your cat’s food.

    What Makes Certain Cat Foods “Highly Digestible”?

    Sometimes the ingredients your cat needs don’t have to be unique; they simply need to be of higher quality and simplified. Cat diets with whole, high-quality animal protein, such as chicken, fish, etc., are easier to digest and contain more amino acids than meat meals and other low-quality rendered animal proteins.

    Cat diets with limited proteins are also more digestible because your cat’s digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard. Diets with low amounts of fat and moderate protein and carbohydrates are more digestible than high-fat, protein, and carbohydrate diets.

    Sometimes just changing your cat’s food from kibble to canned can help them digest their food better because it’s less processed and contains more amino acids.

    Hypoallergenic Diets

    A hypoallergenic diet can be one that has limited ingredients, one with novel proteins, or one that uses hydrolyzed protein. Most food allergies that cats experience are caused by the animal protein used in their diet, such as chicken, turkey, fish, etc.

    If your cat has food sensitivities, your vet will likely start your cat on a diet with a single protein and carbohydrate. If they still experience symptoms on that diet, then they’ll recommend a novel diet and then a hydrolyzed protein diet.

    Cute cat eating food from bowl
    Photo Credit: Freepik

    What Your Cat May Need

    A hypoallergenic diet might be the answer to reducing or eliminating your cat’s diarrhea. However, some cats may need a low-fiber diet and will need fiber supplements, such as canned pumpkin. Cats that struggle with diarrhea need probiotics added to their diet to replenish their gut with good bacteria.

    Sometimes your cat may need a little more help, and your vet may prescribe anti-diarrheal medication for a period. It’s important to chat with your vet to discover what they think would be best for your cat.

    When Should I Take My Cat with Diarrhea to The Vet?

    If your cat has diarrhea, but you know what they ate that set their stomachs off, withhold food for 12 hours to give their gut a chance to recover. Start them on a bland diet, such as chicken and rice, and feed them that for a few days until their diarrhea clears up and their stool improves. Throughout this process, make sure they always have water.

    If your cat continues to have diarrhea after the fast and bland diet or has it frequently, they may have chronic diarrhea, and you should take them to the vet. Other instances when a trip to the vet is necessary is if you have a very young or old cat with diarrhea, they have other symptoms accompanying the diarrhea, such as vomiting, or the diarrhea has blood in it.

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    Conclusion

    The Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal Wet Cat Food is our best overall pick, as it offers everything you need at a good price. The Arden Grange Sensitive Cat Food is our most affordable pick. MjAMjAM Natural Wet Cat Food is one of the best foods you can get on a high budget.

    If you have kittens, check out the PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS EN Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food. The Hills Science Plan Cat Food Sensitive Stomach and Skin is another excellent choice to consider.

    See Also:


    Featured Photo Credit: serg60, Freepik

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