Best Cat Food for Constipation
Healthy stools are no joking matter. Truly, when it comes to your kitty’s digestion, organ health and comfort, it couldn’t be more overstated. Unfortunately cat constipation is a common problem and it’s a symptom of a variety of issues. That’s why it’s crucial to address bowel problems head on before more correlated issues arise down the line.
If you’re worried about your cat’s state, here are some common signs of constipation to look for:
- Straining in their litter box;
- Small, hard, dry stools;
- Infrequent defecation; and,
- Loss of appetite and/or weight loss.
The best cat food for constipation to buy in 2021
We’ve put on our detective hats and analyzed dozens of cat foods for cats with constipation. We looked at how the food is made, ingredient composition, and quality, as well as fiber content (secret: this helps kitties go #2). From our detective work we have identified the best cat foods for constipation currently on the market, and which ones are right for your cat depending on their age and lifestyle.
Best Wet Cat Food for Constipation
If you are looking for a quality wet food for constipation look not further than this product. The fiber content of the Instinct recipe is 3x more than numerous mainstream brands. If you want your cat to feel relieved by having regular bowel movements, then this wet food is a great choice.
Key features:
- High quality ingredients (cage free duck 1st ingredient)
- High in fiber
- Made without grain, corn, wheat, soy, and potato
- No artificial colors, or preservatives
- Made in the USA
First ingredients:
- Duck
- Turkey Liver
- Duck Broth
- Ground Flaxseed
- Montmorillonite Clay
The makeup of this product is 95% duck, and turkey liver, and just 5% vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients. This is excluding the broth, which gives much needed moisture and nutrients for cats health. The pate texture of this product has received rave reviews from cat owners, and if cats could talk, we’d assume they would agree. With the first three ingredients being meat based, and no unnecessary fillers, along with a nice amount of omega fatty acids, this product covers most bases for cats!
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 9.0%
- Crude fat (min): 7.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 3.0%
- Moisture (max): 78.0%
Runner Up
If our first wet cat food doesn’t tickle your fancy, then our runner up is almost just as good. Whole Earth makes its products in the US, and doesn’t use corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors, or preservatives. This makes their foods easy to digest for cats
Key features:
- First 5 ingredients meat based
- High in fiber
- High quality ingredients
- No artificial colors, or preservatives
- Made in the United States
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken Broth
- Beef
- Salmon
- Chicken Liver
This product offers the same amount of fiber as our top wet food for constipation. It has the same amount of protein, and a little less fat, which is the reason it didn’t take top spot. High protein and fat diets are ideal for cats, and Instinct offered a little more in the way of that. But if you have a cat that needs to lose a little holiday weight, then this may be the better choice.
The first 5 ingredients are all meat based, which is amazing. There is a nice mixture of different meats, which is great for capturing a variety of amino acids. Cats with very sensitive stomachs may want to avoid this, as having too many ingredients can be a little harder to digest than a food with a feature meat. If you are looking for a product with the first 5 ingredients being meat based, this is it, there aren’t many out there.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %9.0
- Crude fat (min): %4.0
- Crude fiber (max): %3.0
- Moisture (max): %78.0
Best Dry Cat Food for Constipation
Our best dry food for constipation is packed full of fiber, it doesn’t have moisture like wet foods do, which helps aid cats to deal with their constipation. However, it is a great choice if you feed your cat dry food, or a mixture of wet and dry. Because it has such a high amount of fiber, it will also help your cat with their weight management.
Key features:
- High quality source of protein
- High in fiber (plant based cellulose)
- Probiotics for digestive health
- No artificial colors, or preservatives
- Made in the United States
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken Meal
- Turkey Meal
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
It has 32% protein, with the main sources of protein coming from chicken, chicken mean, and turkey meal. These are all great sources of protein to support lean muscles, it also has cellulose, which is a natural fiber from plants, which helps cats feel fuller even after eating less calories. This food also has L-carnitine which helps boost metabolism, in addition to glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. There are also probiotics to aid digestive health.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %32.0
- Crude fat (min): %9.0
- Crude fiber (max): %10.0
- Moisture (max): %10.0
Runner Up
If you want a dry formula with reduced calories, is packed full of protein, and doesn’t skimp on the protein then this is what dreams are made of. It has a nice mixture of different meats with chicken, salmon, and lamb. It also has essential taurine for healthy eyes and heart in cats.
Key features:
- High in proteins and fats
- High in fiber
- No artificial colors, or preservatives
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken Meal
- Chicken
- Brown Rice
- Potatoes
- Pea Protein
This recipe offers a higher amount of protein and fat than our best overall dry food for constipation. The reason it is runner up is that the top 5 ingredients aren’t as good as Diamond Care’s product, and it also has 8% fiber, which again is slightly lower than our top dry choice. But if you are looking to get more protein and fat into your cats diet while also aiding their constipation issues, then this product is ideal.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %35.0
- Crude fat (min): %10.5
- Crude fiber (max): %8.0
- Moisture (max): %10.0
Best Budget Wet Food for Constipation
Quality and affordable? Don’t mind if I do. Rachel Ray is a household name, and I think I heard my cat whispering her name after trying her food. And my bank account also barely notices whenever I purchase this product.
Key features:
- Value
- High in fiber
- High in protein
- No artificial colors, or preservatives
First 5 ingredients:
- Tuna
- Water
- Vegetable Oil
- Powdered Cellulose
- Tricalcium Phosphate
For a 24 case of 2.8oz portion sizes it will run you about $25, or cheaper if there is a sale happening, which is often the case. Similar size cases by other premium brands can cost upwards of $45. So if you want to save a little money, but provide your cat with quality nutrition then consider this product.
Made with Tuna and having 9% crude protein, and 3% fat Rachel Ray has provided cat owners with a viable wet food that doesn’t’ break the bank. Save that money for a vacation, or to have some extra spending money, we won’t tell your cat, and they surely won’t notice any dip in quality. As Rachel Ray doesn’t use any grains, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %9.0
- Crude fat (min): %3.0
- Crude fiber (max): %3.5
- Moisture (max): %79.0
Best Budget Dry Food for Constipation
Designed for indoor cats, this recipe contains 10% less fat than the original formula. It includes fat-burning L-Carnitine and a special blend of carbohydrates that promote a sense of fullness and satisfaction.
First ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken by-product meal
- Corn grits
- Corn gluten meal
- Ground whole grain corn
The wholesome roster of whole grains, beets, and rice will ensure good digestion while reducing hairball issues and litter odors. This nutrient-dense formula comes in crunchy kibbles that can help eliminate tartar buildup to ensure teeth and gum health. If you have an adult cat over the age of one, this may just be the bag you need.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 30.0%
- Crude fat (min): 11.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 8.3%
- Moisture (max): 10.0%
Best food for constipation in senior cats
Just like a fine wine, a fine feline ages with grace. Senior cats have specific health needs, while they don’t require the same amount of protein and fat that growing kittens do, they require a solid balance of nutrients, and most likely a little less of some to keep their weight in check.
Key features:
- Quality ingredients
- Enhanced with vitamins and minerals for aging cats
- High in fiber
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken Broth
- Chicken Liver
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
Cats also need adequate hydration as they age, and their teeth become more delicate. As such you’ll want to get your senior cat wet food, with high fiber, moderate protein, and fats if they are dealing with constipation.
Blue Buffalo offers a quality product for mature aged cats. With its protein and fat coming from chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, and it;s fiber coming from quality vegetables.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %7.0
- Crude fat (min): %4.0
- Crude fiber (max): %2.5
- Moisture (max): %78.0
Best food for constipation in kittens
So your kitten is having bowel issues? This is probably a new and uncomfortable experience for them. Getting the right food should nip this problem in the bud. Kittens need a food that is high in protein and fat. They also need vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and growing. Having a well rounded food that will keep them regular, as well as fueling their health growth and development is important.
Key features:
- Quality ingredients
- High protein and fat
- High in fiber
- No Fillers
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken Broth
- Chicken Liver
- Natural Flavor
- Dried Egg Product
Whole Earth Farms make a great kitten food that will aid digestion and give your kitten the fuel it needs to thrive. With whole chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver as the first three ingredients it is a solid product. It is composed of 9% protein, and 4% fat, and will give your kitty the moisture it so badly needs when growing with 78% moisture content.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): %9.0
- Crude fat (min): %4.0
- Crude fiber (max): %3.0
- Moisture (max): %78.0
Your cat’s stools should be dark brown, firm and soft with a slight smell. lProper excretion and elimination may help prevent a wide variety of health problems. Stool left sitting in the intestinal tract is problematic and can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and upset. This is true for issues such as colitis, anal gland problems, and run of the mill constipation.
By providing special food for constipation to your feline friend, you can aid in healthy stool development and digestion. First consult with your veterinarian to determine the causes and best course of treatment for your cat’s constipation.
Then it’s time to start thinking about ideal food products that can help ease and prevent constipation. We’ve narrowed down the best features and products for you to browse through.
Remember that meat should always be the primary ingredient in any food choice, as cats are obligate carnivores. After considering the above features and buying the right food, you’ll be kicking constipation’s butt!