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5 Best Cat Foods for Hyperthyroidism – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Genevieve Dugal

By Genevieve Dugal

Vet approved

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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sick and thin cat

If your cat has hyperthyroidism, it means that his thyroid gland’s activity is increased and secreting too many hormones. Abnormally high production of thyroid hormones can affect your cat’s health: weight loss, high blood pressure, or even hyperactivity are possible. There are several options to treat this disease, lifelong daily oral treatment is commonly prescribed. Surgery or treatment with radioactive iodine may also be considered as both of these methods allow complete recovery. However, they are expensive and invasive procedures that are seldom practiced. The first treatment option to try is managing your kitty’s diet!

So, to help you find the best cat food for hyperthyroidism, we’ve reviewed the commercially available dietary treatment options and picked several options that might suit your cat. These reviews will guide you through your purchase and hopefully help you understand the food treatment options and some factors to consider if your precious kitty has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

IMPORTANT: Before changing the diet of your cat suffering from hyperthyroidism, the advice of your veterinarian is essential!

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hill's Prescription Thyroid Wet Cat Food Hill's Prescription Thyroid Wet Cat Food
  • Dietary treatment
  • Formulated by veterinarians
  • wet food
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Hill's Prescription Thyroid Dry Cat Food Hill's Prescription Thyroid Dry Cat Food
  • Dry food dietary therapy
  • Clinically proven
  • Helps regulate your cat's thyroid
  • Third place
    Instinct Chicken Canned Cat Food Instinct Chicken Canned Cat Food
  • High in protein
  • Grain-free
  • Natural
  • Tiki Cat Wild Salmon Canned Cat Food Tiki Cat Wild Salmon Canned Cat Food
  • Budget-friendly
  • High protein option after radioactive therapy
  • Provides essential moisture to keep your cat hydrated
  • Premium Choice
    Feline Chicken & Venison Wet Cat Food Feline Chicken & Venison Wet Cat Food
  • High in protein
  • All-natural formula
  • Low in carbs
  • The 5 Best Cat Foods for Hyperthyroidism

    1. Hill’s Prescription Thyroid Can Food – Best Overall

    Hill's Prescription Diet y_d Thyroid Care

    Iodine content:  Low
    Sodium content:  Low
    Omega-3 fatty acids content:  High

    The Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care is by far the best cat food for cats with hypothyroidism as it has been clinically proven to be effective. This dietary treatment promises to regulate your feline’s thyroid in just three weeks, thanks to its limited iodine formula. Keep in mind that for this dietary treatment to work your cat can only eat this diet and nothing else. In addition, this product promises to help maintain healthy kidneys, support heart function, and keep your cat’s coat shiny and healthy.

    However, it is also at the high end of canned cat food and as such, it is pricy. Also, you will need your veterinarian’s authorization before purchasing the product online, which can be inconvenient at the time. However, this allows you to get the advice and approval of your vet before buying this premium product.

    Pros
    • Formulated by veterinarians
    • Can restore thyroid health in 3 weeks
    • High-quality ingredients

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Veterinary authorization needed


    2. Hill’s Prescription Thyroid Dry Cat Food – Best Value

    Hill's Prescription Diet y_d Thyroid Care Original

    Iodine content:  Low
    Sodium content:  Low
    Omega-3 fatty acids content:  High

    Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care Original dry food takes the best value dietary treatment. Just as in the case of wet food, this product promises to regulate your cat’s thyroid after 3 weeks of consuming only this food. If you can afford it we recommend sticking to the wet version, canned food is a better option because of its high water content, which helps counteract your cat’s tendency to overproduce urine due to its high levels of thyroid hormones.

    However, since it is the only food on the market that is formulated to regulate an overactive thyroid, we have chosen Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care as the best dry cat food for hyperthyroidism.

    Pros
    • Best dry food available on the market
    • Clinically proven
    • Help regulate the thyroid of your cat

    Cons
    • Veterinary authorization needed
    • Expensive


    3. Instinct Original Chicken Canned Cat Food

    Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Chicken Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food

    Iodine content:  Low
    Sodium content:  High
    Omega-3 fatty acids content:  High

    Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate is a good food option for some cats after hyperthyroidism radioactive therapy. It’s high in natural meat protein, without soy, corn, artificial colors, or preservatives. Therefore, this is a great product that can help your cat gain weight and regain muscle mass. However, you must keep in mind that it is not uncommon for cats with hyperthyroidism to be diagnosed with kidney disease after surgery or therapy. This happens because the hyperthyroid condition masks the markers of the renal disease in the blood and the disease goes unnoticed until the hyperthyroidism is resolved. If that is the case with your cat you will need a renal-specific diet and those are usually low in protein. If your cat is diagnosed with kidney disease, your veterinarian should be able to guide you to choose the right product for your cat depending on the stage of progress of the renal problem.

    If your cat’s kidneys are well and you are looking for a great quality high protein product, this paté contains carefully balanced and healthy ingredients, including real chicken, fruits, and vegetables, as well as natural sources of omega fatty acids to help promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. It is also not too expensive for such a good product recommended by vets.

    Pros
    • High in protein
    • Grain-free
    • Natural

    Cons
    • Not appropriate for cats with kidney disease


    4. Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon Wet Cat Food

    Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon in Salmon Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

    Iodine content:  Medium
    Sodium content:  High
    Omega-3 fatty acids content:  High

    Although it has a slightly higher iodine content than the previous option, Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon is the best value for money. However, since wild-caught flaked Alaskan salmon is the first ingredient, it provides a lot of moisture. This helps keep your cat hydrated and supports their digestive and urinary health.

    Additionally, it is a veterinarian-recommended product for cats recovering from iodine radioactive therapy who are not diagnosed with kidney problems and need a good quality high protein diet to help them recover weight and muscle mass.

    Pros
    • Budget-friendly
    • High protein for cats recovering from hyperthyroidism
    • Provides essential moisture to keep your cat hydrated

    Cons
    • High-fat content
    • Higher iodine levels


    5. Feline Chicken & Venison Canned Cat Food

    Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast (1)

    Iodine content:  Not specified
    Sodium content:  Medium
    Omega-3 fatty acids content:  High

    Feline Natural is another great choice for cats recovering from hyperthyroid radioactive treatment without a renal disease diagnosis due to its high good quality protein content that is easily digestible, its low carbohydrate content, which is ideal for insulin-resistant cats, and its all-natural ingredients.

    Pros
    • High in protein
    • All-natural formula
    • Low in carbs

    Cons
    • Some cats may not like its taste
    • Pricey

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Food for Cats with Hyperthyroidism

    Is There a Special Diet for Cats With Hyperthyroidism?

    Yes, there is a diet designed especially for cats with hyperthyroidism. But, again, you must consult your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet. Let’s take a look at the qualities of a top-choice food for felines suffering from this illness and what to look for when shopping for your cat’s food.

    persian cat eating dry food
    Image By: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock

    Reduce Iodine in Your Cat’s Diet

    Recently, an iodine-depleted diet, available only by prescription, has been developed for cats with hyperthyroidism. Indeed, an iodine intake is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, by reducing the levels of iodine in food, you can limit the number of thyroid hormones produced by the animal.

    Usually, a cat’s body begins to decrease its production of thyroid hormones as early as the third week of this diet. And that production may return to normal after a few months.

    Feed Your Cat Exclusively Iodine-Free Foods

    If you’re starting to feed your hairball with food without iodine, you must give it just that. Indeed, if you were to feed it with traditional cat food, treats, or table scraps, the diet would be ineffective. And this even in small quantities!

    Make Sure Your Cat Can’t Hunt

    Likewise, if your cat has access to the outdoors and hunts and eats prey, such a diet is not an option. Indeed, here too, your feline would increase its iodine level in its body. All the efforts made before would then be wasted.

    orange cat eating bird
    Image By: rihaij, Pixabay

    Favor Canned Food

    Since your cat produces too much thyroid hormone, she may tend to drink and urinate more often.

    In this case, do not hesitate to favor canned moist foods (patés). Indeed, the latter has a higher water content than dry foods (kibble). This may make your feline produce less urine.

    Choose Foods Rich in Protein

    One of the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats is increased appetite accompanied by weight loss. This is because hyperthyroidism speeds up the metabolism; the animal then burns its calories even before its body has been able to absorb them and transform them into energy.

    If your cat has lost a lot of weight as well as a large part of its muscle mass, then it is essential that it put on weight. To do this, consider choosing foods rich in protein. However, be careful to ensure that the proteins are of high quality!

    Regardless of the type of food your feline companion prefers, finding a bowl that is sure to keep the mess contained can be tough. Our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl features a wide tray designed to ensure that all food stays exactly where it should—inside the bowl and off the floor. The whisker-friendly bowls fit securely into the PP plastic base and are low and wide to prevent whisker fatigue. Its contemporary style will fit seamlessly into any home and it is completely dishwasher safe. 

    Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
    • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
    • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...

    Final Thoughts

    Having a cat with hyperthyroidism can be heartbreaking for any cat owner. However, these kitties can have happier and healthier lives when their caregivers know about the disease and its food management. This is why we have reviewed the best cat food to give to your feline so that you can avoid, as much as possible, the often lengthy and expensive drugs and treatments.

    Hill’s Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care Canned and Dry Food are the only options specially formulated to reduce the iodine content in your cat’s diet. However, since these options are rather expensive, you can opt for Instinct Original Grain-Free and Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau Wild Salmon, also recommended by vets.


    Featured Image Credit: Benchamaporn Kanlapungha, Shutterstock

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