Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Does your cat throw up frequently after eating?

If it is a chronic episode, then a change in your pet’s diet can help.

The best cat food for cats that throw up can slowly but surely provide much needed relief to your pet.

In this guide, we have compiled 5 of the top brands of the best food for vomiting cat which is easier to digest, prevents food allergies and hairball issues, and can drastically reduce those messy clean-ups for pet parents.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best cat food for smelly poop:

1. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach
2. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach
3. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food
4. IAMS Proactive Indoor Weight & Hairball Control
5. Purina Pro Plan Entrees in Gravy

Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up – 2022 Top 5 Picks

1.     Our Editor’s Pick: Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach, Sensitive Skin, Natural Dry Cat Food, +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula - 16 lb. Bag

The delicious crunchy bites in PURINA ONE best cat food to reduce vomiting contain 34% protein (nearly 36g of protein per cup) with real turkey as its number 1 ingredients and also contains gentle-to-digest rice and oats.

PURINA’s easy-to-digest formula is rich in Omega-3 EFAs for healthy skin and coat.

In fact, this is a vet-recommended brand of cat food for cats having sensitivities and food allergies and is known to support digestion and immunity.

What we like about it

• Prevented vomiting in a wide majority of the cats
• Crunchy kibble is good for plaque prevention as well.
• Great flavor, scent, and fresh ingredients which picky cats loved

What we didn’t like about it

• Some packaging issues.

2. Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Natural Dry Food for Adult Cats, Sensitive Stomach, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, 15-lb. Bag

With Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach best cat food to reduce vomiting, you get real protein as the first ingredient combined with easy-to-digest brown rice.

The FOS (Fructooligosaccharide) prebiotics in this high-quality cat food are known to have improved digestion in a vast majority of barfing cats.

Blue’s patented LIFESOURCE BITS® formula includes a delicious and balanced blend of antioxidants which has been formulated by holistic vets and feline nutrition experts.

This natural cat food is also free from any by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, making this one of our favorite cat food to reduce vomiting.

What we like about it

• Rich in taurine
• High-quality ingredients without allergens

What we don’t like

• Some picky eaters didn’t like it

3. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Adult 1-6, Stomach & Skin Sensitivity Support, Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Rice, 3.5 lb Bag

This prebiotic-rich best cat food for cat puking from Hill’s Science Diet is known to support cat’s natural microbiome.

Its highly-digestible and balanced nutrients make poop pickup easier and is also known to prevent puking and barfing in chronically vomiting cats.

This gentle, all-natural food is formulated by expert vets and made in organic kitchens in the USA itself.

What we like about it

• Natural, great-tasting ingredients with balanced nutrients
• No artificial colors or flavors
• Vet recommended precise nutrition to support skin, coat, and stools
• Made in USA with ingredients sourced globally
• Supports shelter pets

What we don’t like

• No improvement in vomiting in a small percentage of cats.

4. IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Care Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken & Turkey, 22 lb. Bag    

Real chicken as the number 1 ingredient makes IAMS Proactive cat food good for vomiting.

It is also completely balanced nutritionally and is free from fillers and artificial ingredients.

IAMS Proactive Health is formulated for adult cats and aids in weight management as well as hairball control in long-haired cats.

The best food for vomiting cat from IAMS contains a rich fiber blend with beets which prevents hairball formation.

It also contains 10% less fat compared to other IAMS adult cat foods which is great for preventing obesity.

What we like about it

• Real chicken and turkey, no artificial ingredients like dyes and fillers, wheat-free
• Great flavor and scent

What we don’t like about it

• Some cats tend to eat too much of this food causing weight-gain!

5. Purina Pro Plan Gravy, High Protein Wet Cat Food Variety Pack, Complete Essentials Chicken and Turkey Favorites - (Pack of 24) 3 oz. Cans

The best cat food for indoor cats that throw up need not always be dry food.

In fact, wet food can help prevent dehydration in cats and is often easier to retain than dry food, especially in chronic vomiters.

PURINA PRO PLAN Entrees has helped many indoor cats stop chronic barfing post meals.

It also contains a balance of essential nutrients, 25 vitamins, and taurine to support skin, coat, vision, and digestive health in cats.

Most cats also loved the texture and flavor of this delicious wet cat food.

What we like about it

• Contains real meat, fish, and poultry
• Optimized formulas for all life-stages
• Crafted in US facilities

What we don’t like

• Dented cans.

Possible Reasons Behind Chronic Feline Vomiting

The type of vomiting will indicate the cause of vomiting in cats.

Vomiting is common in cats and is associated with the GI (gastrointestinal) as well as non-GI conditions.

It is important for cat parents to know that vomiting in cats is a symptom of a disease and not the disease itself.

If vomiting is mild and of short duration, then there is not much significant fluid loss.

That is what pet parents need to be aware of. Fluid loss can lead to dehydration and that can be a cause of concern.

Moreover, vomiting can be a way of ridding foreign bodies and may not always be serious unless there are other symptoms like fever, blood, diarrhea, lethargy etc.

Here are some of the common causes of chronic feline vomiting:

A) Intestinal obstruction

If your cat projectile vomits, then the cause could be some kind of gastric outflow or intestinal obstruction.

Take your pet to the vet immediately to have the underlying cause detected and treated.

B) Gastric irritation-related vomiting

Cats with gastric irritation may seek grass to eat in an attempt to disgorge any irritant or foreign material which remains, but grass eating is often an enjoyable pastime for cats and not a sign of illness.

Another type of gastric irritation-related vomiting is hair ball vomiting.

Hairball vomiting is typically seen in longhaired cats. This type of vomiting is not too serious as the cat simply throws out the swallowed hair.

Rarely though, some cats that vomit food along with hairballs may need surgical treatment.

You can clip your pet’s hair regularly or feed it psyllium to dissolve the hairball and help it pass out more naturally.

Also read: Top 5 Grass Cat Litters in 2022

C) Food allergies

Cats are sensitive creatures.

Many are known to be allergic to certain ingredients found in commercial cat foods and treats.

These include dairy, wheat, gluten, soy, and potatoes.

Some cats are even known to be allergic to chicken, lamb, and even fish.

These food allergens can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea among other symptoms.

If your cat has recently started vomiting more frequently after a food change, you may want to consider changing the food.

Switching to one of the above-mentioned cat food good for vomiting can show results. Please be patient since any change takes some time to take effect.

D) Eating too fast

Sometimes, simply eating too much food or too fast can also cause vomiting in cats.

You can try switching to special food bowls which slow down the rate at which your pet swallows the food.

You can also feed smaller portions to curb this issue.

E) Stress

Chronic stress might also explain why some cats vomit frequently.

Perceived competition with other cats, change of residence, fear or separation anxiety etc., can all increase the amount of food that a cat may eat at one time or even the rate at which your pet eats the food.

F) Diseases

Certain serious underlying diseases can also cause vomiting in cats. 

Observe your cat carefully. If s/he is vomiting longer than 8 hours after a meal, it can suggest motility or retention disorders.

Indigestion, poor-quality food, or bacterial/parasitical contamination in food can also cause feline vomiting.

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Choosing the best cat food for cat puking can be tricky especially when the shelves are lined with so many choices. Here are some factors to consider when selecting best cat food for vomiting

1) Contains wholesome ingredients

Select a gentle, easy-to-digest food with wholesome nutrients like whole, cage-free or wild-caught, natural, or organic protein sources.

These include chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, or tuna.

Most cats can digest these wholesome protein sources.

The food may contain ancient and wholesome grains like quinoa, kasha, bulgar, brown rice, etc.

You can also select grain-free foods for sensitive cats that cannot tolerate grains at all.

2) Is free from fillers, allergens, and artificial ingredients

Do avoid cat foods that have labels stating ‘meat and meat by-products’ without mentioning the actual protein.

Avoid foods with corn, wheat, soy, gluten, grains, colors like Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, or Caramel.

Stay away from foods containing xanthan gum and carrageenan.

3) Your cat likes its taste

Cats are extremely picky eaters, so even if you select the best tasting best cat food to reduce vomiting, s/he may still turn up its nose at it.

It is a good idea to buy a small size of the cat food and ensure getting your kitty’s approval.

Observe your cat. If no vomiting occurs within 24 hours, you can safely say that your pet has loved and approved the food. However, some allergies could still take some time to manifest in different ways. 

Speak to your vet in order to choose the best food for chronic vomiters (although the list of the best cat food for cats that throw up included above are all vet recommended and mostly cat approved as well.)

4) Is within your budget

This can be the first factor when it comes to selecting the best cat food for indoor cats that throw up.

However, many cheap or low-quality cat foods contain harmful fillers, allergens, and poor-quality ingredients which can worsen your pet’s vomiting.

It is better to select high-quality cat food with the best ingredients which might cost more but will help you reduce your vet bills as well as messy clean-ups.

Tips to Prevent Chronic Cat Vomiting after Eating

A) Dietary changes

Simple transition to a blander, gentler, allergen-free food can make a big difference in cat’s vomiting.

Switch to one of the best cat food to prevent vomiting in the list above.

Be patient since any dietary change can take some time to show results. Addressing simple issue of food allergy can bring massive change to your cat’s health.

Do not forget to avoid treats which contain allergens like dairy, wheat, gluten, soy, etc which can also contribute to chronic vomiting.

B) Keep your pet hydrated

Provide plenty of fresh water to your pet, especially if your cat eats dry kibble.

Water helps the food go down easily and aids in better digestion. This simple trick can sometimes stop cat’s vomiting post meals.

C) Change the food bowl

Special food bowls with raised edges are a simple tip to prevent from gorging down the food too fast on your cat’s tummy.

You can also try feeding your pet smaller, frequent meals to prevent over-eating which could be a cause of vomiting.

D) Groom your long-haired cat regularly

Foreign body in food and your pet’s own hair can also cause hairball vomiting.

Frequent trimming and grooming, particularly in long haired cats, can lessen this type of vomiting issues.

E) De-worm your pet

Chronic feline vomiting can result from intestinal disease when there are parasites in your pet’s intestines such as tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm etc. Speak to your vet about deworming.

F) Check for underlying health issues

Reaction to certain drugs, liver issues, kidney diseases, increased phosphate levels, etc. are some common causes for chronic vomiting in cats.

Simple blood tests can help reveal these issues. Your vet will then suggest the right medication to treat the problem.

FAQS on Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

1) Why does my cat throw up undigested food?

Your cat may be gorging when it is throwing up undigested food. Also called as regurgitation, undigested food are passively popping out of your cat’s mouth due to several reasons.

When your cat eats too much or too fast, his stomach may have a stretch reflex that could trigger him to regurgitate or vomit.

You will notice that it looks like a pile of undigested food coming out of his mouth.

Other health issues can trigger throwing up like when your cat has gastrointestinal disease, digestive upset, kidney disease, poisoning and inflammatory bowel disease.

2) How do I get my cat to stop throwing up food?

Digestive issues is a common cause of throwing up on cats.Here’s a quick remedy if vomiting is not frequent- try not giving your cat any food for 12 hours and suppply him with tablespoon of water every 30 minutes.

You can also give ice cubes within the 12-hour fasting window.

After that, slowly give small pieces in a little amount of food before you return to normal feeding.

Keep a steady time of meal to your cat everyday to alleviate vomiting.

Observe if your cat is showing signs of food sensitivity or if you notice very frequent vomiting. If it continues to vomit, you need to get him checked by the vet.

3) What does the color of cat vomit mean?

The color of your cat’s vomit can tell what’s going on in his digestive tract. If you see a foamy yellow vomit, it is due to hairball.

Switch his diet to a hairball formula canned cat food or sensitive stomach cat food

When you see thick and yellow bile, your cat may be experiencing infection or kidney disease.

If the throwing up is associated with lethargy, loss of appetite, and other abnormal behaviors, a vet visit is urgently needed.

Vomiting issues may take some time to settle but given the proper treatment, your cat’s sensitive stomach will abate.

Conclusion

Switching to the best cat food for cats that throw up can help chronic cat vomiting, particularly if the condition is linked to food allergies or sensitivity.

We recommend the PURINA ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Cat Food as it contains an easy-to-digest protein source and is also free from fillers, grains, and artificial ingredients.

It has helped many pet parents see tremendous improvement in their pet’s chronic vomiting.

Do check out our other entries in the list of the best food for vomiting cat.

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