Best Cat Food for IBD

You can manage your cat’s IBD (or inflammatory bowel disease) symptoms by selecting the best cat food for IBD.

Does your kitty suffer from IBD?

Then we know how tough it must be watching your beloved pet puke meal after meal, lose weight, or show changes in behaviors.

Vets recommend feeding an anti inflammatory diet for a cat with IBD preferably one containing a highly digestible protein source and less carbohydrates.

Based on these criteria, here are our picks of the best wet cat food for IBD as well as the best dry cat food for cats with IBD.

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 IBD:

1. Dr.Elsey’s Cleanprotein™ formula
2. Natural Grain-Free Freeze Dried Cat Food
3. Purina Beyond Grain Free Wet Cat Food
4. Instinct Raw Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food
5. Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food

Best Cat Food for IBD – 2022 Top 5 Picks

1. Our Editor’s Choice: Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Grain Free High Protein, Low Carb Dry Cat Food, Chicken, 2lb , Pack of 1(Packaging May Vary)

Dr.Elsey’s Cleanprotein™ formula uses high-quality protein having the highest biological value.

It is non-GMO, grain-free, and devoid of fillers, preservatives, and other harsh ingredients which tend to worsen cats’ IBD symptoms.

Compared to other cat foods, Dr.Elsey’s CleanProtein is significantly lower in carbohydrates which is one of the key features of the best cat food for IBD.

This food enables high nutrient absorption which can encourage weight gain in cats with poor appetite. It also features a highly-digestible protein source.

Dr.Elsey’s best food for cats with IBD is rich in healthy fish oil which fights inflammation and can reduce abdominal pain.

What we like about it

• Grain and gluten free
• High-quality ingredients
• Formulated by vet
• Great scent and flavor

What we don’t like

• Expensive

2. Feline Natural - Grain-Free Freeze Dried Cat Food - Beef & Hoki, 11oz

Feline Natural grain-free best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease is gluten-free, barley-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and gelatin-free – all of which are terrible ingredients for IBS sufferers.

You also won’t find any rice, potatoes, cereals, or gelling agents in this food.

This limited ingredient cat food for IBD is minimally processed without GMO, legumes, starch, or preservatives which can be irritating to an IBD cat’s sensitive bowels.

Feline Natural freeze-dried cat food contains grass-fed, New Zealand range meats (chicken/lamb/beef) to provide easily digestible protein.

It is also lower in carbs (which is one of the main criteria of IBD dietary therapy in cats).

This best cat food for IBD also meets all nutritional guidelines laid down by AAFCO.

What we like about it

• Picky cats love the fresh ingredients, taste, and flavor
• High-quality GMO free, gluten-free, soy-free, gelatin-free
• AAFCO approved

What we don’t like

• Crumbles easily
• Expensive

3. Purina Beyond Grain Free, Natural Pate Wet Cat Food, Grain Free Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe - (12) 3 oz. Cans

Many cats with IBS are allergic to chicken.

Purina Beyond Grain Free best wet food for cats with IBD has remedied this by using duck as the main ingredient in their recipe. Duck is easier to digest and most cats can tolerate it well.

Purina Grain Free best wet food for cats with IBD also contains wholesome vegetables which provide vitamins and minerals to your pet – these antioxidants fight inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption.

There are no fillers, preservatives, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, poultry by-products or meals in this high-quality anti inflammatory diet for cats.

What we like about it

• Grain and gluten-free
• Responsibly sourced ingredients
• Complete, balanced, and natural nutrition for cats

What we don’t like

• Contains menadione sodium bisulfate (synthetic form of Vitamin K) known as possible cause of cancer in cats.

4. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Natural Dry Cat Food, 10 lb. Bag

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free cat food is grain, corn, potato, soy, wheat and dairy-free (ingredients which aggravate mucosal irritation in IBD cats). 

It is also rich in Omegas, probiotics, and anti-oxidants all of which are recommended for fighting inflammation in cats with IBS.

This food is a mix of kibble and freeze-dried raw food. It is made in the USA and is rich in real, high-quality protein (cage-free and wild-caught) as its first ingredient.

Instinct Raw Boost recipe uses minimally processed never-cooked ingredients that help preserve nutrition and enhance nutrient absorption in ailing cats.

What we like about it

• Grain-free and boosted raw ingredients for optimal nutrition
• Real, natural, minimally processed ingredients
• Relieved food sensitivities in many cats
• Picky cat approved!
• Improved coat health, energy, and vitality

What we don’t like

• Bag is difficult to open and re-seal.

5. Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digest Sensitive Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food, 5.8 oz can

Royal Canin best wet cat food for IBD is especially formulated for cats aged 1 year and older having food sensitivities.

Its highly digestible protein is gentle on IBD cats’ stomach and known to reduce stool odors.

The food contains optimal moisture which ensures hydration and enhances digestibility.

The balanced nutrition in Royal Canin wet cat food helps sick cats maintain optimal weight. It is even known to have caused weight gain in skinny cats having severe food allergies.

Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digest cat food contains optimally balanced blend of vitamins and minerals that fight inflammation. The loaf-style food is also approved by most picky cats.

What we like about it

• Formulated with years of research
• Fresh ingredients, great scent and flavor
• Eco-friendly packaging

What we don’t like

• Cans tend to get dented during transport.

What is IBD in Cats?

IBD or Irritable Bowel disorder (also called IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome) in cats is a chronic condition with no specific cause.

It leads to a specific reaction and chronic irritation of the stomach or intestines.

In IBS, the intestinal mucosa become increasingly permeable allowing pathogens, food, and acids to cross the barrier.

This leads to severe mucosal damage which further increases its permeability.

IBS becomes an endless cycle leading to severe inflammation of the mucosal lining which keeps on hurting and damaging the mucosa.

IBD is seen in middle aged to older cats although symptoms have even been noted in cats as young as 4 months.

What is the cause of IBD?

Multiple factors can cause Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome in cats.

A cat can develop IBS as a hypersensitive response to food, bacteria, or its own immune system.

Genes can also play a role in this syndrome; some cats are genetically predisposed to developing IBS.

The following reasons can lead to mucosal inflammation and subsequent IBS:

• Bacterial, viral, parasitic infections
• Metabolic diseases
• Benign or malignant neoplasia (abnormal overgrowth of cells or tissues)
• Pancreatitis
• Allergies and intolerance to certain proteins in food.

What Are the symptoms of IBD?

The predominant clinical sign in cats with IBD is diarrhea.

Since diarrhea can have numerous causes including food sensitivities and internal parasites, your vet will diagnose IBD only after taking meticulous efforts to rule them out first.

Another clinical sign in cats with IBD is vomiting.

You might find your pet vomiting out the food right after eating or sometimes a few hours after eating.

Again, there are a number of factors which can cause vomiting in cats including hairball formation, food allergies, and infections.

Therefore, vets take into account the other signs and symptoms of IBS which may include the following

• Appetite changes – These can range from complete anorexia to ravenousness.
  
  Inappetence or lack of appetite is seen in cats having frequent bouts of vomiting due to IBS.
  
• Weight loss – This occurs when a cat has on-going diarrhea and vomiting which prevent nutrient absorption and cause rapid decline.
  
• Changes in attitude and activity levels – A cat with IBD can show cyclic changes in activity levels and attitude.
  
  For cats having severe chronic diarrhea, there is listless behavior noted in them.
  
  Many cats have decreased interest in their surroundings and might display frequent hiding or sitting near heated units/vents for prolonged periods.
  
• Loss of litter training – You might find your pet defecating or urinating outside the box.
  
• Abdominal pain and whimpering.

Also read: Top 5 Best Cat Food for Diarrhea

How is IBD Diagnosed in Cats?

Your vet might order several tests to diagnose IBD in cats:

• Internal biopsy specimen analysis
• Tests to assess overall health of your pet
• Baseline tests such as complete bloodwork, urine analysis, and fecal analysis for parasites.
• Serum thyroxine or T4 test
• Tests for feline leukemia virus antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus antibody.

Also read: 5 Best Sensitive Stomach Wet Cat Food

How to Select the Best Cat Food for IBD?

Because dietary allergens play an important role in the cause of IBD in cats, specific dietary therapy is quite beneficial and forms an important part of the treatment.

All cats with mild to moderate IBD symptoms do well with the best cat food for IBD. In fact; in many cats, dietary therapy alone tends to be sufficient for resolution of IBD symptoms.

Regular administration of the best cat food for cats with IBD can even reduce your pet’s dependence on drugs for managing this disease.

There is no single best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease.

You must select the food based on your pet’s dietary history.

You will then have to assess how your cat embraces these dietary modifications.

Thankfully, cat parents have a wide choice of palatable allergen-free and limited ingredient cat food for IBD.

Often, these commercial foods are better than home-cooked meals as they help reduce concerns about dietary imbalances significantly.

Commercially prepared best wet cat food for IBD or best dry food for cats with IBD are also convenient for owners.

A) Contains a novel protein source

The first step in deciding the best cat food for IBD is choosing food with a novel protein source – one that your pet hasn’t had before.

For example, if your cat has been eating chicken, select duck, venison, lamb, or rabbit.

Feed your pet this diet and observe it for a period of 3-4 weeks. You should see a gradual reduction in vomiting and diarrhea.

If your cat continues displaying symptoms and signs of IBS, then select another novel protein source. Your vet might even start drug therapy at this point.

B) Easy to digest

Select a food that is easy to digest since food allergies and sensitivities can increase the mucosal irritation and cause vomiting and gastric distress in cats.

The best cat food for IBD contains high-quality protein as its number one ingredient.

Avoid foods with gluten, grain, soy, wheat, dairy, etc. which are difficult to digest for a cat’s delicate system.

In short: select a diet that is closer to the diet of cats in the wild.

In nature, cats eat meat as they lack the digestive enzymes needed to digest grains, dairy, soy, and corn.

C) Has higher moisture content

The best food for cats with IBS should contain more moisture. This will help ease digestion and also regulate body temperature, lubricate tissues, and aid in waste elimination.

That is the reason why many pet parents select the best wet cat food for IBD. You can choose pate or loaf-style food based on the texture your pet likes. Many cats love gravy-based wet foods.

These days, you can also choose freeze-dried raw food which contains a combination of crunchy kibble and softer raw morsels. These can keep things interesting for cats and also enhance the food’s palatability.

D) Free from additives and fillers

Many foods contain unsafe additives and fillers like flavors, preservatives, byproducts and meals. These do not add to your pet’s nutritional value and many of them are known to even irritate the mucosal lining in sensitive cats. Select a food that is free from these additives and fillers.

E) Is high in antioxidants

Foods rich in vitamins and minerals form an important part of the anti inflammatory diet for a cat with IBD. Your pet needs these nutrients to eliminate free radicals, improve immunity, and also enhance nutrient absorption.

The best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease is fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants for your pet’s optimal wellbeing.

Tips to Help your Cat with IBD

Here are some more tips to ease IBD symptoms in cats:

1) Switch from dry to wet or wet to dry food

If your cat has always been eating kibble, switch to the best wet cat food for IBD.

Alternatively, if your cat has always eaten pate and gravy, switch to dry food or kibble.

Can a cat with IBD eat kibble? Yes, why not!

In fact, these simple changes can sometimes IBS reduce symptoms as their protein may be easier to digest for your pet.

2) Provide omegas and probiotics

Omega essential fatty acids reduce inflammation of the mucosal lining and help your cat in numerous other ways.

They are also good for vision and heart health, healthy joints, and for weight management.

Many best cat food for IBD is enriched with healthy Omegas.

Similarly, probiotics enhance the beneficial gut microflora which ease digestion.

They even help strengthen your pet’s immune system.

That is why the best cat food for cats with IBD are fortified with probiotics.

3) Supplements

Speak to your vet about feeding supplements to manage your pet’s symptoms.

Fructo-oligosaccharides, B12, certain herbs, and regular de-worming can all help reduce intestinal irritation in your pet.

Conclusion

The best cat food for IBD is rich in high-quality and easily digestible protein, free from allergens like soy, wheat, gluten, and dairy, and also rich in moisture.

We recommend Dr.Elsey’s Cleanprotein™ formula which has been formulated by experienced vets, is free from gluten, wheat, and soy, and has helped hundreds of cats ease IBS symptoms. Do check out our other recommendations as well.