Updated: May 6, 2021 by Kristen Chapple
Your kitty got IBD? Aw, poor baby! The diarrhea and bloody poop caused by the chronic irritation and inflammation in your cat’s GI tract can’t be pleasant at all, and the digestion and absorption issues can’t be good for their energy level and appetite. That’s not gonna be a happy kitty.
The science hasn’t quite figured out yet what really causes irritable bowel disease but we know it does hit older cats harder, and that it has something to do with the abnormal interaction between bacterial populations, diet, and the immune system. So the right diet, like the best canned cat food for IBD, could help bring about a more balanced environment in your cat’s digestive system and better interaction among the gut flora.
So if you want to find that food that can reduce inflammation, heal the gut lining, and make your cat happier and healthier, go ahead and read on to get to the best cat foods for inflammatory bowel disease.
The Best Cat Foods for IBD Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Royal Canin Adult PD Cat Food |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Tiki Cat Canned Food |  |
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| 3. Ziwi Peak Venison Cat Food |  |
| Check Current Price |
| 4. Hill’s Prescription Diet Cat Food |  |
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| 5. Merrick Limited Ingredient Cat Food |  |
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1. Royal Canin Adult PD Cat Food — Best Wet Cat Food for IBD
This canned cat food is loved by many cat owners worldwide. In fact, it is a great prescription food that is specifically designed for cats with food sensitivities.
It is considered to be one of the best foods for IBD in the market by both cat owners and veterinarians. Royal Canin is a top pet food brand with an in-depth knowledge of dietary requirements for felines with IBD.
This canned product is made with limited ingredients, and it features proteins from peas and duck. These ingredients are rarely associated with allergies in felines. This Royal Canin cat food also has fish oils that supply Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). These omegas promote the health of your cat’s skin and coat.
This highly digestible and palatable recipe can help relieve digestive issues, hair loss, and itching. It will also help quicken the healing process of your cat’s gut and keep him healthy. This canned food from Royal Canin can help your cat maintain its weight and fight IBD.
Please note that you’ll need a vet prescription to buy this food.
Specs
- Proteins: 12% (minimum)
- Fats: 2% (minimum)
- Fiber: 1.5% (maximum)
- Moisture: 82% (maximum)
Pros
- The duck protein helps lessen allergic reactions
- This food is easily absorbed by the cat
- It has essential nutrients that help reinforce your pet’s skin barrier thus reducing skin irritation and sensitivity
Cons
- The fish oil can trigger allergies in some cats.
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Conclusion
Royal Canin Adult PD cat food is an affordable top food for cats with IBD. Plus, with duck as its primary source of protein, you can relax in the knowledge that it won’t aggravate your pet’s condition.
2. Tiki Cat Canned Food — Best Affordable Wet Food for IBD
If your cat has IBD, it means you will have to keep it on a special diet for the rest of its life. Therefore, you need affordable high-quality wet canned food. And Tiki Cat is a popular brand that is known for producing high-quality, affordable cat food.
Tiki cat has a wide variety of cat foods for you to choose from, and this one is unique since it’s made from salmon. Since it is made from salmon, it will provide plenty of moisture to keep your pet hydrated.
This canned food comes with essential taurine, minerals, omegas, and vitamins. And the fact that it has zero grains flours, starch, carbohydrates, and gluten, makes it a perfect cat food.
Specs
- Crude Fiber: 0% Maximum
- Crude Fat: 1.8% minimum
- Crude Protein: 14.0% minimum
- Moisture: 81.0% maximum
Pros
- It is affordable
- High protein level that supports healthy muscles
- Has enough moisture to keep your pal hydrated
- A unique formula for picky eaters
- Gluten and grain-free means less irritants
Cons
- Contains no added fiber
- Some cats are sensitive to fish
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
This Tiki Cat food is made with a tasty salmon stock that cats love, and that extra hydration helps soothe the digestive tract.
3. Ziwi Peak Venison Cat Food
Venison is a unique source of protein that has a low probability of triggering allergic reactions. This venison-based cat food is all about bones, organs, and meat. And it leaves no room for anything that could be hard for your cat to digest. For a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, Ziwi Peak adds green-lipped mussels from New Zealand.
This Ziwi Peak Venison cat food features 100% single-sourced meat that is reared in New Zealand farms. It is highly digestible and nutritious. Another great thing about this food is that it doesn’t include soy, corn, sugars, additives, fillers, or preservatives.
However, this venison-based food features chickpea. Chickpeas are not nourishing to cats, and digesting them can be difficult for some .
Specs
- Moisture: 78.0% minimum
- Crude protein: 10.0% minimum
Pros
- Highly digestible
- Made from a single novel protein-source
- Highly nutritious
- Gluten-free
Cons
- One of the most costly food in the market
- Contains chickpea (yes, the main ingredient of hummus) which can be quite difficult for some cats to digest
Overall Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Conclusion
This venison-based meal is designed to mirror a prey, including bones, organs, and meat. Therefore, it doesn’t have anything that can trigger allergies.
4. Hill’s Prescription Diet Cat Food
Lack of digestive enzymes, food allergies, and dietary discretions can affect your feline pal’s digestive system. And for the cat’s body to obtain energy and repair tissues, your feline pal should be able to digest food efficiently.
Therefore, your cat must eat food that is formulated to help improve his digestive health. And for this reason, Hill’s nutritionists formulated this food specifically for easy digestion and gut relief.
This food is rich in highly digestible protein, which can help repair tissue and assimilate nutrients. The fiber present in this food helps improve your cat’s gastrointestinal health. This highly palatable food is perfect for growing kittens and adult cats.
But still, though veterinarians highly recommend this product, make sure to test out a small pack first, as some cats don’t like it.
Specs
- Crude fiber: 1.0% maximum
- Crude fat: 4.0% minimum
- Crude protein 7.5% minimum
Pros
- Highly digestible, and it ensures easy nutrient absorption
- Affordable
- Nutritious
- Perfectly designed and rich in digestible protein that can help to repair tissue
- This product is loved and highly recommended by veterinarians
Cons
- Some cats don’t like this canned food
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion
This food can be quite beneficial to cats recovering from routine surgery and gastrointestinal upset.
5. Merrick Limited Ingredient Cat Food
This Merrick cat food is designed to provide a sensitive pet with simple nutrition that can be quite beneficial. Merrick cat food is packed with tender turkey, which is considered a high quality protein, as its first ingredient, and single protein source ideal for cats with allergies and sensitivities.
This Merrick canned food comes loaded with omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin. It is loaded with antioxidants that can improve your cat’s immune system.
Plus, it has zero preservatives, artificial colors, or grains. Therefore, you can allow your cat to enjoy this meal without worrying about this food aggravating their condition. However, many people have complained about flimsy cans that dent easily.
Specs
- Crude protein: 9.0% minimum
- Moisture: 78.0% maximum
Pros
- Well-balanced cat food
- High moisture content
- No gluten or grain
- It uses a single protein source
- Packed with antioxidants that support your cat’s immunity system
Cons
- Excellent cat food, poor packaging
Conclusion
Merrick recipe is one of the best wet cat foods for IBD with 72% moisture. This means that it is digestible and cannot help lessen the discomfort caused by IBD.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Cat Food for IBD
When it comes to buying cat foods for IBD, there are numerous factors you have to consider. Some of these factors include nutritional value, inflammation, and moisture content, among others. The best canned cat food for IBD should have a unique combination of ingredients that can improve your cat’s condition.
Some of the key features that you must consider when buying canned food for IBD include:
Moisture Level
Moisture is essential in foods of felines with IBD, as it helps combat the dehydration issue affecting their digestive system. Dehydration is a common issue among cats with this condition, so make sure you get food with high moisture content. Therefore, choose freshly cooked or raw canned, highly nutritious cat food.
Nutritional Value
Cats with IBD have a significant challenge when it comes to digesting food, and most of them lack appetite. Therefore, you must always look at the nutritional value of the food.
The food needs to be species-specific with a single source of protein. It needs to meet all your cat’s dietary needs. Cats need high quantities of protein and carbohydrates in their diet.
Inflammation
Several ingredients trigger inflammation in cats, and this can be very dangerous. Some of these ingredients include lactose, preservatives, color, artificial flavors, and lactose. So make sure the food doesn’t have any of these. Sticking to natural ingredients is also a safe bet.
Allergens
Food allergies play a key role in the severity of the IBD. So avoid all cat foods with allergenic ingredients. Some of the most common allergens include eggs, dairy, beef, pork, and even chicken. Instead, go for cat foods that are made using rabbit, lamb, or even turkey meat.
Your Budget
Inflammatory bowel disease is a long-term condition. And all cats with this condition need a special diet, and you need to factor this into your budget. You may have to look for an affordable and nutritious brand. This way, your cat will never miss his or her meals even when your budget is strained.
Final Thoughts
Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic illness that you and your kitty will find challenging to live with. One of the best ways to take care of a cat with IBD is to give them the best food for IBD — highly nutritious with high moisture content, and has no allergens or inflammation triggers.
Do check the options we’ve vetted in the above list for some of the best foods for IBD available out there.
Gleaning from our research, the best cat food for IBD is Royal Canin adult PD cat food. This cat food is highly nutritious and digestible. Plus it helps maintain your furball’s weight while fighting IBD.
