The best high fiber cat food for diarrhea can cleanse and enrich your pet’s GI tract with probiotic bacteria, reduce irritation, and regulate the bowel movements to produce firmer stools.
Wondering which best cat food for diarrhea to choose?
Check out these five cat-parent approved and vet recommended cat foods with fiber for cats with diarrhea.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best high fiber cat food for diarrhea:
- Purina ONE High Fiber Dry Cat Food
- Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
- Weruva Cats in Kitchen Canned Cat Food
- Blue Buffalo Basics L.I.D Dry Cat Food
- Royal Canin Digestive Care Cat Food
Best High Fiber Cat Food for Diarrhea – 2022 Top 5 Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Purina ONE Natural Cat Food for Hairball Control, +PLUS Hairball Formula - 16 lb. Bag
As the name indicates, PURINA ONE High Fiber Adult Cat Food contains plenty of fiber to help regulate your cat’s stools and bowel movements.
This is also a hairball-control formula with fiber-rich, and easy to digest nutrients that has helped many cats produce firmer stools.
Purina’s natural fiber content prevents hairball and also reduces the looseness or wateriness of stools.
The protein-rich foods also support the immune system which prevents gastrointestinal diseases and infections in cats.
The natural chicken formula is also fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide antioxidants and give your pet healthier and shinier coat.
In addition to these benefits, your cat will also have stronger muscles and healthier heart.
What we like about it
- Helped several cats prevent diarrhea and soft stools
- Promotes heart health, stronger immune system, and improved skin and coat
- Reduces hairballs and vomiting as well
- Great flavor and scent which most cats loved
What we don’t like about it
- Small kibble – some cats refused to eat it but most loved it.
- Natural adult dry cat food for hairball control features a natural fiber-rich blend with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help support her overall health
- Easily digestible, adult cat food features a SmartBlend of high-quality ingredients, including four antioxidant sources for a strong immune system
- Real chicken is the number 1 ingredient in this high-protein cat food recipe, which supports strong muscles, including a healthy heart
- Crunchy cat food kibble provides the textures cats love, and with added calcium, helps support her strong teeth and healthy gums
- Great tasting chicken cat food kibble features deliciously crunchy bites and is crafted in Purina-owned, U.S. Facilities with no artificial flavors or preservatives
2. Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food - Made with Real Quail & Pumpkin - Winged Tiger Grain Free Cat Food Sensitive Stomach for Adult & Senior Cats - Supports Immune & Digestive Health - 6lb
SOLID GOLD Winged Tiger is the best cat food for cats with diarrhea is because of its pumpkin content. Pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber and vets recommend it for cats with chronic diarrhea.
In addition to this, your cat also gets quail – a novel protein. Switching to novel protein can also benefit cats with chronic diarrhea.
The food is also naturally grain-free and rich in Omega-3 which helps in preventing GI tract inflammation and irritation.
Solid Gold also gets our approval as the best cat food for diarrhea because it is free from corn, soy, gluten, and wheat.
It is gently formulated for cats having sensitive stomachs and food allergies.
Apart from fiber, the brand adds carefully selected super-foods and probiotics which stay alive and viable till they enter your pet’s GI tract. Here they work to regulate the system and prevent loose or watery stools.
What we like about it
- High fiber content thanks to pumpkin
- Contains whole superfoods to cleanse your cat’s GI tract
- Balanced, grain and gluten-free food with viable probiotic bacteria
- Rich in ocean fish meal for healthy Omegas
- Supports gut health for better digestion, immunity, and healthier coat
What we don’t like about it
- Some picky cats wouldn’t touch it. This was a small percentage of cats and most liked it. Adding some food toppers can help overcome this issue.
- NATURAL RECIPE FOR CATS OF ALL LIFE STAGES - Winged Tiger is a grain free dry cat food made with real quail for healthy lean protein, pumpkin for fiber and digestive support, plus wholesome superfoods for nutrition that adult and senior cats crave
- AMERICA'S FIRST HOLISTIC PET FOOD - Solid Gold has been delivering transformative nutrition for your pet since 1974, crafting recipes with functional superfoods, omega fatty acids, high quality proteins, and protected probiotics to support gut health and overall well being
- CRAFTED FOR BALANCED WELLNESS - This cat dry food contains functional superfoods, like carrots and pumpkin, to provide antioxidants and fiber, while also containing omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and probiotics for peak digestive health
- FREE FROM FILLERS - Winged Tiger cat dry food contains no potatoes, is free from fillers like corn, wheat and soy, and contains no artificial preservatives so that you can be sure that you are feeding your cat everything they love and nothing they don't
- TRY WITH OUR WET FOOD - Serve alone to give your cat a nutritionally complete and balanced meal, or serve with one of our Solid Gold wet cat food products as a meal topper or mixer
3. Weruva Cats in The Kitchen, Funk in The Trunk with Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Cat Food, 6oz Can (Pack of 24)
Weruva cat food to help with diarrhea has been formulated by pet parents and cat owners who know what cats need when it comes to balanced nutrition.
This food consists of pumpkin consommé making it the ideal high fiber wet cat food for diarrhea.
Weruva food not only provides your cat with high fiber; it also provides hydration which is a must for pets with chronic diarrhea.
It is free from grain, gluten, and carrageenan which can irritate sensitive stomachs and upset the GI tract.
Picky cats love the flavor and texture of Weruva grain-free, high-fiber food.
Your pet also gets ethically sourced protein from land or sea – cage-free chicken and wild caught fish.
What we like about it
- Contains pumpkin for high fiber
- Optimal hydration benefits cats with chronic diarrhea
- Formulated by cat parents
- Minimally processed – no corn, starch, soy, gluten, GMO, wheat, and carrageenan
- Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and omegas.
What we don’t like about it
- Inconsistent quality and recipe changes. Most cats and parents loved it though.
- Funk in the Trunk (6oz cans, pack of 24) Featuring cage-free shredded chicken, tuna, and pumpkin in a delicious Au Jus. An all natural recipe with pumpkin for easy digestion!
- Cats in the Kitchen - Weruva’s selection of unique recipes packed with premium proteins and low in carbs - perfectly crafted for your kitchen carnivore!
- Grain-free, Gluten-free, Starch-free & Carrageenan-free. No corn, wheat or soy. Free from any artificial colors & preservatives
- Supports a Healthy Urinary Tract - Low in phosphorus, magnesium, & ash with proper hydration levels
- Produced in Human Food Facilities under the Strictest B.R.C. Global Standards for Food
4. Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, Skin & Stomach Care, Limited Ingredient Diet for Indoor Cats, Fish & Potato Recipe, 11-lb. Bag
Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient food contains pumpkin for providing plenty of fiber.
Its single protein source and limited ingredients also prevent digestive issues in cats with sensitive stomach.
This high fiber dry cat food for diarrhea is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and omegas for fighting inflammation in the GI tract and improving gut health.
Blue Buffalo contains easy-to-digest real white fish along with fruits and vegetables that provide fiber.
It is free from eggs, soy, wheat, gluten, corn, and dairy which are often known to cause diarrhea in cats.
It is also free from chicken and beef which some sensitive cats cannot tolerate.
High-quality single-source protein combined with easily digestible carbohydrates and limited ingredients help avoid adverse reactions in cats.
Oatmeal, brown rice, peas, and potatoes provide all the fiber your pet needs for improved digestive health.
Fish and flaxseed oils in the food are also beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs and chronic diarrhea.
What we like about it
- Contains easy to digest carbohydrates for fiber
- Single animal protein source and limited ingredients
- Omegas for anti-inflammatory action and soothing GI tract
What we don’t like
- Expensive
- REAL MEAT FIRST: This Blue Buffalo dry cat food is made with real, high-quality fish as the #1 ingredient
- SKIN & STOMACH CARE: BLUE Basics dry cat food is made with healthy ingredients for gentle digestion, plus Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to nourish skin and coat
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT: This grain-free cat dry food contains exclusive, antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits
- HEALTHY, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: This natural cat food is made with no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and no corn, wheat, or soy
- Contains: One (1) 11-lb. bag of BLUE Basics Skin & Stomach Care Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, Fish & Potato
5. Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Cat Food, 6 lb bag
Royal Canin Digestive high fiber cat food for diarrhea led to 95% improvement in stool quality in chronic diarrhea sufferers.
It contains psyllium fiber and probiotics both of which are highly beneficial in improving gut health in cats.
Royal Canin contains an optimal blend of fibers and probiotics shaped into ring-sized kibble that slows down speed of eating in fast eaters. This can also result in better digestion.
What we like about it
- Easy to digest protein along with psyllium husk seed for improved digestion
- Crunchy kibble in ring-shape aids dental health and slows down eating speed
- Fresh ingredients, great taste and flavor which picky cats love
What we don’t like about it
- Expensive
- FOR CATS WITH SENSITIVE STOMACHS: Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Cat Food is formulated for cats 1 year and older with sensitive stomachs
- HEALTHY DIGESTION: An optimal blend of prebiotics and dietary fibers promotes digestive health
- OPTIMAL STOOL: This precise diet is proven to be effective after 10 days with over 95% healthy stool quality
- SPECIALIZED KIBBLE: Exclusive ring-shaped kibble encourages slower eating to help support healthy digestion
- MIX WITH WET FOOD: Perfect complement to Royal Canin Digest Sensitive Wet Cat Food formulas
What are the Causes of Diarrhea in Cats?
Many factors can cause loose, watery stools in cats.
The clinical appearance of diarrhea in cats due to any of these causes are the same: frequent (more than 4-5 watery stools in 24 hours), soft, and watery stools.
Depending on the cause of diarrhea, a pet might even have dark or bloody stools, vomiting, gas in the form of belching, bloated stomach, and flatulence.
Like in humans, cats also have a gastrointestinal tract which has defense mechanism against irritants of many sorts – irritants that cause contents to move a greater number of times than usual.
Common ‘irritants’ that can cause your cat’s diarrhea include: worms, parasites, bacteria, viruses, spoiled foods, toxins in the environment, food sensitivities, indigestible foods like hair, cloth, or plastic, as well as bone fragments.
Your cat’s GI tract then tries to flush out these irritants by using rapid movements. However, because the stools are thrown out so quickly, the colon does not absorb much water from the stools as it normally does.
This results in stools that are abnormally liquid, loose, and watery.
Because there are so many varied factors that can cause diarrhea in cats; we have to be alert to the possibility of other conditions lurking behind these symptoms.
However, in most cases, chronic diarrhea and watery stools in cats arise from eating the wrong kind of food, indulging in spoiled food, overeating, parasites, and viral infections.
How to Treat Chronic Diarrhea in Cats
1) Avoid feeding for 24-36 hours
Let your cat fast for a day and a half. This will give the GI tract a chance to reset itself. Preventing food intake can also help your pet’s digestive system flush out the irritants causing the diarrhea and regulate itself.
2) Provide plenty of fluids
Please keep plenty of fresh drinking water available for your cats.
Constant chronic diarrhea and loose stools can cause dehydration which you must avoid at all costs.
You can also offer your pet some broth or stew made with vegetables, rice, and meat or bones. This will help prevent dehydration and also eliminate toxins and gastric irritants from the colon.
3) Change the food
Nutrition is extremely important in managing chronic diarrhea and your vet will recommend certain dietary changes along with other therapies.
Many vets recommend diets with novel protein, low fats, and high fiber.
These have helped many cats overcome chronic diarrhea.
Switching to diets that do not contain a source of allergy or food sensitivity can also help cats with sensitive stomachs.
In some cases, a new diet can worsen the condition. So, you have to do some trial and error until symptoms reduce.
4) De-worm your pet
Regular deworming can also prevent chronic diarrhea in cats.
De-worming prevents parasitic worms from laying eggs in the GI tract which tends to upset the balance and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Speak to your vet about regular deworming of your pets.
5) Treat underlying infections
Certain bacterial and viral infections can also cause chronic diarrhea.
Thankfully, treating these issues can help overcome the symptoms almost instantly.
6) See your vet if symptoms persist
If diarrhea persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, bloody stools, fever, and lethargy, please see your vet right away.
Also Read: Best Cat Food for Diarrhea in Cats
How does a High Fiber Cat Food for Diarrhea Help?
Fiber is extremely beneficial in the treatment of chronic large and small bowel diarrhea in cats.
There are two forms of fiber in cat foods: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber forms a gel in solution which slows down the GI transit time. This reduces the number of bowel movements in cats having chronic and persistent loose stools.
Soluble fiber also increases the probiotic or good bacteria in the gut.
These bacteria regulate the digestive system and increase fermentation in the gut to provide an additional source of nutrition for the colonocytes – cells of the colon.
Insoluble fiber does not form a gel and is fermented to a lesser degree than soluble fiber. But it adds bulk to the stool and improves and regulates bowel movements.
Fiber is necessary for maintaining your cat’s GI tract health.
It also assists with passage of difficult-to-digest items including hairballs. Fiber is also essential for weight management and in controlling glucose levels in cats.
In short: the best high fiber cat food for diarrhea has a soothing effect on your cat’s digestive health. It reduces inflammation and irritation, eases the passage of waste, and encourages proper elimination to keep the digestive tract clean.
Why are Pumpkin-based Cat Foods Good for Cat Diarrhea?
Pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber for cats.
As a natural fiber source, pumpkin regulates your cat’s intestines and keeps them in good working order. This means that, if your pet has diarrhea or constipation, pumpkin will help the stools get back to the right consistency
Moreover, most cats, and even the pickiest of them, are known to love the sweet taste of pumpkin and other squashes.
It further helps that pumpkins are an excellent source of beta carotene, B-complex, and vitamin A. All these enhance immunity, vision, and benefit your cat’s overall health and well-being.
How to Select High Fiber Cat Food for Diarrhea?
Here are some factors to consider when selecting food with fiber for cats with diarrhea:
A) Contains easily digestible fiber
High-quality, easy to digest fiber for cats with diarrhea includes pumpkin, psyllium husk, peas, fruits, and vegetables. These fibers help regulate and cleanse the GI tract to prevent loose and watery stools.
B) Contains a novel protein source
Switching to a protein that your cat has not eaten before can help with your pet’s food sensitivities. Sometimes, cats are allergic to certain proteins found commonly in commercial cat food.
These include eggs, chicken, and even fish in some cats.
A novel protein source such as quail, duck, turkey, or rabbit can prevent diarrhea, vomiting, and other allergy symptoms in cats.
C) Contains limited ingredients
Select a food that is minimally processed and free from allergens like starch, gluten, carrageenan, corn, wheat, soy, and dairy which irritate the intestines and result in diarrhea.
D) Contains moisture
Many pet parents prefer high fiber wet cat food for diarrhea. This is because of the higher moisture content that aids in digestion of food, elimination of wastes, and lubrication of tissues.
High moisture content also serves as a medium that salts and other electrolytes use to pass through the cats’ GI tract.
E) Contains omegas and probiotics
Omegas and other essential fatty acids prevent inflammation of the GI tract. Probiotics are gut-friendly bacteria that increase the healthy microflora in your pet’s digestive system.
They aid in the digestion process and also increase immunity to diseases and infections.
Conclusion
The best high fiber cat food for diarrhea has a pacifying effect on irritation or inflammation caused by undigested foods in your cat’s tummy. It also helps eliminate wastes, keeps the GI tract clean, and creates less irritation and inflammation.
We recommend the PURINA ONE High Fiber Adult Cat Food because of its pumpkin and other fiber content that has prevented loose stools and chronic diarrhea in many cats.
It also prevents hairball formation. Do check out our other recommendations as well.
