10 Best Cat Foods for Pancreatitis – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Dealing with pancreatitis in cats can be difficult and finding a food that’s appropriate for your cat with pancreatitis is overwhelming. Pancreatitis involves inflammation of the pancreas that essentially causes the pancreas to begin releasing digestive enzymes and digesting itself. Cats with pancreatitis need a moderate-fat diet that is easy to digest, and while veterinary-prescribed diets are typically the best choice, there are some non-prescription options as well.

The most important takeaway from these reviews is that this is a guide to help you identify foods that may be appropriate for your cat. This is not medical advice or recommendations of foods you should give your cat without consulting your vet. When treating pancreatitis, never make dietary changes without consulting with your vet first. If your cat isn’t eating, it’s necessary for you to let your vet know and get their guidance on trying something different.

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 Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Cat Foods for Pancreatitis

1. Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall

Cats experiencing pancreatitis do best on a moderate-fat, easy-to-digest diet. Smalls is a delivery service that brings your cat’s food right to your door. You can choose from different protein sources among the fresh recipes, but a popular choice is the Smalls Ground Bird Recipe. The high protein content consists of combined chicken breast, chicken liver, and chicken heart. It joins green beans, peas, kale, and various vitamins in a highly digestible recipe with minimal fat content.

There are no fillers, additives, or artificial preservatives in this food, so your cat’s body won’t have to work hard to break down the food to absorb nutrients from it. This subscription is a little pricey, so you’ll need to budget a little more for it. You’ll also have to find room in the fridge and freezer to store the food once it arrives.

That said, we like the convenience of ordering, the moisture that the fresh recipes provide, and the high-quality, balanced nutrition of the recipes. If you’re considering making the switch to Smalls, talk to your vet before feeding your cat anything new to make sure it’s an appropriate food for them, especially if they have health conditions like pancreatitis.

All in all, we think this is the best cat food for pancreatitis that you can buy this year.

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2. Iams Proactive Health Weight & Hairball Control – Budget Buy

If you’re on a tight budget, the Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Control dry food is a good option. This food has a fat percentage between 12% and 15%, and it is made specifically for the weight and digestion needs of indoor cats. It’s easy to digest and uses chicken as the first ingredient. It has L-carnitine in it, which can help support healthy metabolism. It contains a fiber blend that can improve the quality of stools and take some stress off of the GI tract. This food is non-prescription and is available at most major retailers.

This food contains some fillers, like corn grits and corn gluten meal. Since this is a weight loss food, it’s important to ensure that you are feeding an appropriate amount to your cat to support healing and prevent weight loss.

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3. Purina Pro Plan Vet Diets Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Food

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Formula contains hydrolyzed chicken-based protein, but the primary protein is hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, which is a novel protein for most cats. This food should be easy to digest and has a fat percentage of 10%. The main carbohydrate source in this food is a good source of medium-chain triglycerides, which don’t require energy for absorption or use, allowing the GI tract to rest. This food is designed specifically for cats with allergies or digestive problems, including pancreatitis.

This food comes at a premium price, so it may not be affordable for many people. Some cats don’t find this food to be palatable, and the largest bag size available is only 8 pounds.

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4. Blue Buffalo Natural Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Cat Food

The Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support cat food contains 15.5% fat and has deboned chicken as the first ingredient. This food is designed to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption. It contains prebiotic fibers that support natural digestive microflora. It contains ingredients that are high in antioxidants to support your cat’s immune system.

Although expensive, this food is on the lower end in terms of price when it comes to prescription foods. Some people find their cats aren’t big fans of the taste of this food, so its palatability may be low for fussy cats. This food is currently only available in a 7-pound bag.

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5. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Wet Cat Food

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie food is chicken-flavored wet food with slices in gravy. It only contains 9.8% fat, making it a good pick for cats with pancreatitis. This food is made for cats with digestive issues who are also prone to weight gain, so if fed properly, it shouldn’t lead to inappropriate weight gain in your cat. It contains soluble and insoluble fiber to support digestion, as well as other ingredients to support digestive health and healthy stools.

This food is premium priced, and it is only available in one flavor, so picky cats may not like it. The cans are only 3 ounces each, so most cats will require multiple cans per day.

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6. Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Dry Cat Food

Another great pick for cats with pancreatitis is Hills Prescription Diet Z/D Dry Food. This food is made for cats with allergies to common proteins and it features hydrolyzed proteins, which means the proteins have been broken down into a highly digestible form. It has a fat content of 11.5%, making it ideal for cats with pancreatitis. This food is designed to improve gastric efficiency and stool quality, allowing your cat’s GI tract a chance to rest while the pancreas heals. It also contains antioxidants that have been clinically proven to improve the skin barrier and immunity. You may see a healthier coat and a reduction in shedding while your cat is on this food.

This food may be prohibitively expensive for many people, especially if it’s being fed long-term. Also, some cats don’t find it particularly palatable and may not eat it.

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7. Wellness CORE Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Salmon Wet Cat Food

The Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entrée in Broth is a canned food that has a fat content of 23.3%. It features tuna as the first ingredient and also includes mackerel and salmon. It is non-prescription and contains sunflower oil, which supports coat and digestive health. This food is prepared by hand and is available in two can sizes. This food can become expensive quickly if it’s the primary food your cat is receiving.

Although this food is intended to flake in broth, some people have reported it being more of a thick liquid with some chunks.

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8. Orijen Six Fish Dry Cat Food

The Orijen Six Fish dry cat food contains 22.2% fat and features proteins as the first nine ingredients, including whole mackerel, whole herring, flounder, Acadian redfish, monkfish, and whole hake. The food includes organs and bone, so the food consists of 90% animal ingredients. Most of the proteins are raw, ensuring maximum nutrition in the food, and the kibble is coated in freeze-dried raw proteins for maximum flavor. This food is a premium price, though.

Although formulated for maximum flavor, cats who are used to poultry or beef foods may find this fishy food to be not palatable.

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9. Royal Canin Vet Diet Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Cat Food

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP kibble uses hydrolyzed soy protein as the primary protein source, making it ideal for digestion. It has 19.5% fat content and contains healthy levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat. Most kitties seem to find this food palatable, but pickier cats may not.

It carries a premium price tag and may be difficult to find since some vet clinics do not carry Royal Canin foods, and it is frequently out of stock online.

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10. Purina Beyond Trout & Catfish Canned Cat Food

For a budget-friendly wet food, the Purina Beyond Grain Free Trout & Catfish Recipe pate is a good option. It contains 22.7% fat and features protein from trout, catfish, chicken, and egg. The trout is farm-raised in the US and the food has prebiotic fiber to aid in healthy digestion. The food is made in Purina’s US-based factories that are working to reduce water usage and waste production.

This food does have a fishy smell that may be noticeable and is unappetizing to some cats. It is only available in 3-ounce cans.

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

Why Does Fat Content Matter?

The primary reason you want to keep an eye on the fat content in the food you choose for your cat with pancreatitis is because the pancreas is responsible for releasing the enzymes that the body uses to digest fat. If your cat’s pancreas is already inflamed and you are feeding food with high-fat content, then your cat’s pancreas is having to work overtime while it’s already struggling, leading to further inflammation and a decrease in your cat’s ability to properly digest foods.

It’s important to note that fatty foods can be difficult to digest anyway. Sometimes when you eat a large, fatty meal, you end up with an upset stomach afterward, and cats are no different. Feeding foods that are difficult to digest while the body is already struggling to keep up with the demands of digestion for survival and metabolic processes can lead to a rapid decline in your cat’s health status.

Choosing the Right Food for Your Cat with Pancreatitis

The best way to choose the right food for your cat with pancreatitis is to talk to your cat’s veterinarian. Your cat’s vet is familiar with more than just your cat being a cat with pancreatitis. Your cat’s vet is also familiar with your cat’s medical conditions and history, medications, and supplements your cat takes, and your cat’s current health status. Pancreatitis can go hand in hand with other medical problems, and your vet would be aware of these issues by assessing your cat physically and performing diagnostic tests. They will be able to suggest a food for you to try your cat on while their body attempts to heal.

If you have concerns about what your vet might recommend, you can put together a list of foods, flavors, or textures that your cat likes, and then the two of you can work together to find the best fit.

While providing our feline companions with high-quality food is paramount, selecting the right food and water bowl is equally important. The modern yet practical design of our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl combines cat-catered features, like whisker-friendly shallow dishes and slight elevation, with a contemporary style aimed at protecting your floors from messy eating and drinking. The NomNom is entirely dishwasher safe and was thoughtfully created with your cat’s health and well-being in mind. 

Final Thoughts

Remember that these reviews are a starting point to helping you find the perfect food for your cat suffering from pancreatitis, but this is not a complete list, and your vet should be involved in helping you decide if a food is appropriate. The best overall option is Smalls Fresh Cat Food Subscription, which is available without a prescription, is made with limited and all-natural ingredients, and is delivered right to your door. If you’re on a tight budget, ask your vet if Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Control will work for your cat. It’s affordable but is likely to meet the nutritional needs of your cat during the healing and recovery process.

• See also: 10 Best Tasting Cat Foods for Picky Cats – Reviews and Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: osobystist, Shutterstock