Best Cat Food for Constipation

Looking for the best cat food for constipation?

Just like you and I, your cat can have a hard time passing stools and most often, it is a just a passing condition that will resolve by itself within a day or two.

However, if your cat suffers from constipation for more than 48 hours, this could be a more serious condition which requires immediate intervention.

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 constipation:

1. Hill's Science Urinary & Hairball Control
2. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food
3. Purina Beyond Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate
4. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels For Cats
5. Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food

Best Cat Food for Constipation – 2022 Top Picks

1. Our Editor’s Choice: Hill's Science Urinary & Hairball Control

If you want an easily digestible food for constipated cats, Hill’s Science Diet is undeniably a reliable option.

Its canned, real chicken ingredients are fully natural and rich in fiber content that can help cure the bowel movement or digestive disorder of your cat..

It is specially formulated to reduce hairball formation which directly reduces constipation issues.

The high-quality protein from chicken will also trigger a rather quick recovery for your constipated cat.

Thanks to its precisely balanced nutrition, your cat will receive about 324 kilocalories/cup of energy.

The formulation of this dry cat food for constipation supports the entire urinary system of your cat.

No wonder this is a top choice of cat parent as source of soluble fiber and stool softener for their pet!

It also nourishes the skin and fur through the inclusion of Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids when added to your cat’s diet.

Most importantly, it tastes incredibly great (a bonus if your cat has lost its appetite!) and is made without any artificial colors or preservatives.

Things We Liked

• Natural high fiber with high protein.
• Enhanced reduction of hairballs.
• Tasty & digestible formula.
• Balanced and precise nutrition.
• Nourishment of muscle & skin.

Things We Don’t Like

• Only suitable for adult cats.
• Quite large triangular kibble.

2. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food

The Royal Canin Veterinary Gastrointestinal Fiber Response is a unique formula made specially to improve the overall GI (Gastro-Intestinal) health of your cat and to manage responsive colitis & associated constipation.

It comes as a combination of protein & prebiotics to initiate healthy digestion and to optimize stool quality.

This high fiber cat food for constipation is made with a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to ensure a healthy gastrointestinal track transition.

It’s exclusive S/O index also helps to prevent crystal formation in the cat’s bladder chronic constipation.

Finally, this palatable formula comes with health-promoting Omega-3 fatty acid & essential antioxidants to promote general well-being of your cat.

Things We Liked

• Made with a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber for healthy GI track transition.
• Specially formulated for the management of healthy GI health.
• Highly digestible formulation.
• Palatable & balanced nutrition.
• Comes with extra antioxidants and fatty acids.

Things We Don’t Like

• Price is on the expensive side.
• Suitable for adult cat only.

3. Purina Beyond Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate

Treat your constipated cat while satisfying its craving with a succulent serving of this wet canned food.

Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural, Adult wet cat food is one of the best canned cat food for feline constipation and is highly recommended for indoor adult cat.

This no-grain chicken recipe is a rich and comprehensive source of natural fiber to help ease or prevent constipation in cats.

Its all-natural ingredients also bring a new level of wholesome goodness for promoting urinary health and eliminating digestive issue and intestinal tract problems.

It contains a perfect nutritional balance of essential fat, carbohydrate & fatty acids.

This savory high-quality protein will easily meet the dietary requirements of indoor feline suffering from food allergy or constipation.

We especially love that it does not contain any wheat, corn, soy, poultry by-products or artificial additives that can cause loose stool, idiopathic megacolon, or further gastrointestinal sensitivity issues to your cat.

Things We Liked

• Special formula to treat constipation in indoor cats digestive issue.
• Natural nutrition contains high fiber.
• Immediate control of cat’s hairballs.
• Healthy weight & immune support.
• Savory flavor with high-end ingredients.

Things We Don’t Like

• Not exactly for picky cats.
• Few chunks are quite large.

4. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels for Cats

With pure ingredients & raw diet, Stella & Chewy ensures wholesome, all-natural nutrition for cats.

This recipe contains 98% meat, organ & bone to mirror the ancestral diet for maximum food safety.

In fact, the use of single-sourced absolute rabbit formula will trigger a quick and healthy recovery from constipation.

Truth to be told, we’re quite impressed with this effective formulation that also features taurine, probiotics and antioxidants that are perfect for cat’s digestion.

This is a nutritional blend of protein, omega fatty acids & oil that also comes in an exceptional & irresistible taste.

It is fortified with extra mineral and vitamins to initiate optimum digestibility cat’s diet.

Despite its rather small pack size, this USA made cat food includes nothing imported, thus committing to its promise of providing the best quality cat food!

Things We Liked

• Absolute rabbit sourced protein.
• Simple formula for optimal digestion.
• Good support for overall health.
• Rich in nutritional content.
• Zero gluten, hormone, antibiotic.

Things We Don’t Like

• Quite small (8oz) pack size.
• Morels seem rough, gritty.

5. Purina ONE Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food

Purina’s premium ONE Sensitive Systems formula promises to aid cat constipation through purposeful and high-quality ingredients.

What really amazed us is its ability to promote healthy body hydration and to reduce the formation of hairballs.

In fact, this special formula of increased fiber content helps to improve cat’s bowels and prevent or ease constipation in cats effectively.

Offering 449 kcal/cup energy, the best dry cat food for constipation here can satisfy the growing needs of your cat at different stages of its life.

We really love that this recipe is made with real meat/poultry/fish to ensure all-natural, targeted nutrition.

Additional minerals, fatty acids & vitamins with antioxidants are also fortified to provide a 100% balanced meal.

Purina One guarantees significant & noticeable health improvement within 28 days of feeding, making it one of the best cat food for sensitive stomach and constipation.

And it’s delicious hearty flavor will keep even the pickiest feline waiting for the next meal.

Things We Liked

• Fully natural, nutritional contents.
• Highly suitable for any life stage.
• Faster hydration of health system.
• Extra fiber to reduce constipation.
• Quite energetic, easily digestible.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Unsuitable for allergic cats.
• Questionable packing quality.

What Causes Constipation in Cats?

First, let us delve into the various reasons of how your cat can get constipation:  

A) Inadequate Fluid Intake

Insufficient water intake is probably the most common cause of constipation in cats.

Generally, cats have lower thirst drive which may lead to dehydration.

Providing a constant supply of clean water using a pet water fountain can help encourage your cat to drink more water.

Alternatively, you can add water in their food to increase the amount of their daily water consumption.

B) Insufficient Fiber Intake

Fiber is an essential nutrient to keep the digestive system functioning and soften stools for easy defecation.

It is possible that your cat may have insufficient amount of dietary fiber in its daily diet leading to constipation.  Choose the best cat food for constipation from the list recommended above.

C) Physical Inactivity/ Obesity

Exercise is important to help maintain normal bowel movements.

If your cat is mostly indoors, there is a chance that it may suffer from constipation due to low activity or inactivity.

Obesity is another common cause of constipation as your cat may not want to move as often as it should which can lead to constipation.

Increasing playtime with your cat can help to increase metabolism and bowel movements.

D) Colon Obstruction

Your cat may accidentally swallow foreign objects or suffer from hairball obstruction in the colon which can lead to constipation.

Also, hernia/tumor in your cat’s colon can also trigger constipation.

E) Drug Medication

If your cat takes medications such as antibiotics, it is possible for constipation to occur as a side effect.

Constipation caused by medications should clear up once your cat finishes the round of medication.

Whatever the cause, it is important to bear in mind that constipation could be a symptom of a more severe/extreme disease.

Therefore, from the very moment of detection, you’ll have to start diagnosis and treatment to avoid its escalation into a severe condition.

How do you know if your cat is constipated?

Below are several symptoms that can aid in your detection of constipation in your cat.

These symptoms may happen one at a time or a few at the same time.

Whichever it is, it is important to detect early so that treatment can be given to elevate the suffering.

A) Less often defecation

The most obvious symptom is less frequent defecation or reduced quantity of stools within a 48-hour period.  

Even if your cat defecates, you will find that the feces is absurdly hard, small & dry.

B) Strain while defecating

As the stools are often dry and hard in constipated cats, your cat may be straining to pass the stools.

Sometimes, it can be painful causing your cat to cry out in pain.  In some severe cases, your cat’s stool may even contain blood or mucus.

C) Suffering from abdominal pain

Constipation can also cause abdominal pain due to the build-up of fecal matter in the colon.

This is a common symptom of constipation which should be easy to detect if you observe your cat curling in pain or cries in pain when you touch its abdomen.

D) Loss of appetite & lethargy

Another common sign of constipation in your cat is a loss of appetite which may lead to a quick loss of weight.

As a result, your cat may exhibit signs of a lack of physical energy (lethargy).

E) Behavioral change

A considerable change in your cat’s behavior may also takes place.

Your cat may start to dislike grooming or avoid social contact with other animals or human.

Key Factors While Choosing Best Cat Food for Constipation

We hope to provide you with a set of considerations that can help you identify the most important ingredients while choosing the best cat food for constipation:

A) Sufficient Fiber

A good fiber amount is quite essential for regulating the cat’s digestive system.

It’s important to ensure a reasonable amount of good fiber than high carbohydrates.

Examples of food that contain a good amount of fiber are pumpkin puree, chia seeds, flaxseed, lentils or cat nip/grass.

B) Healthy Fats/Oils

Oil/fat is the ultimate fuel to produce physical energy.

Apart from growth & development, Omega fatty acids also trigger healthy metabolism.

Your cat’s dietary supplement should include Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids which are beneficial to improve its overall digestion.

C) Digestible Nutrition

As your cat is already going through intestine issues, you need to provide easily digestible food. Wholesome ingredients are more digestible than unnecessary fillers/additives.

The chunk/kibble/morsel size has to remain sufficiently small so the body can break it effortlessly.

D) Hydrated Cat Food

Cats are quite known for their low thirst for water & that’s where you’ll have to add moisture content.

Wet canned foods definitely hold great, particularly in this aspect.

But still, you can go for dry foods by adding an adequate amount of slightly warm water.

E) High Quality Protein

Being a carnivorous animal, cats do require an enormous amount of protein.

When treating constipation, choose high quality protein from real meat sources like chicken, turkey or salmon will help to boost metabolism and ensure healthy gastrointestinal function/

F) Tasteful Flavor

In some cases, your constipated cat may have lost its appetite and this is where food palatability counts.

Whether your cat is picky or not, it is recommended to provide tasty food so encourage your cat to eat more to regain its energy and treat the constipation.

When to Consult a Vet for Cat Constipation?

Constipation itself can indicate other serious diseases.

Treatment should start right away to avoid permanent/long-term intestinal damage. Experts suggest veterinary consultation if the cat doesn’t defecate for 24/48 hours.

The prescribed treatment depends on the severity of cat constipation.

For mild condition, home remedies such as dietary adjustments should work to effectively resolve the constipation.

Severe conditions may require enema or even medications like laxatives or probiotics. It is best to consult a vet’s advice at this point if home remedies do not work to resolve the constipation.

Caring Tips for Your Constipated Cats

It’s essential to attend more care for your constipated cats. Apart from vet recommendations, you need to follow certain tips to make things better.

• Increase overall water intake is the very first thing you should do. For every 5 pounds of body weight, a cat should take 3.5oz – 4.5oz water per day.
  
• Increase in daily activity or regular exercise can really help to improve the bowl movement of your cat. Stay active with your pet while playing its favorite toys.
  
• You may have heard of cat constipation massage which involves massaging the belly & abdominal to help get the bowels moving. It can work for minor constipation but not exactly in severe conditions.

Wrap Up – Best Cat Food for Constipation

Going through all the picks, the prize goes to Hill's Science Urinary & Hairball Control.

Being an enriched fiber source, it’s arguably the best cat food for constipation trusted by vets worldwide!

Dietary changes together with the above tips can dramatically help to improve your cat’s constipation over a short period of time.

However, if the constipation do not resolve after trying these home remedies, it is recommended to consult a vet’s advice for more information.

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