Updated: February 17, 2021 by Kristen Chapple
Cats are known for not drinking a lot of water. However, water plays an important role in their bodies, especially in the process of digestion. When a cat fails to take enough water, there is a danger of suffering from constipation. Although some might not consider it a serious problem, it is not one that you should ignore!
Constipation can cause discomfort and become a chronic issue if not addressed promptly. As a cat owner, you have a duty to understand the feline’s needs, including promoting healthy and regular digestion.
If your cat has a constipation problem, it is important to talk to a vet and discuss the best form of treatment. Further, you should consider switching to the cat food that can help to prevent or treat constipation. Keep reading to learn about the best cat food for constipation.
The Best Cat Food for Constipation Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food |  |
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| 3. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pumpkin Jack Splash Tuna in Pumpkin Soup Grain-free Cat Food |  |
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| 4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response |  |
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| 5. Hill’s Science Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food |  |
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| 6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |  |
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| 7. Purina Beyond Simply Indoor Wild-Caught Salmon |  |
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1. Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food — Best Dry Cat Food for Constipation
Coming top on the list is this Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food from Iams, a respected brand that will go to any length to ensure your cat gets the best.
The commitment to quality has seen this food become one of the top options for treating cats with constipation. After shifting to this food for our cats, constipation in some of our cats simply faded off.
The food is prepared with easy-to-digest proteins, making it easy to pass through the digestive system. Furthermore, it contains a rich blend of fibers that help to push the food along the digestive tract. This is very useful, especially for adult cats that are less active.
When formulating this food, Iams nutritionists knew that a healthy cat needs more than an excellent digestive system. Therefore, they enriched the food with antioxidants and vitamins that help to also strengthen the immune system. It is because of these enrichments that cats fed on this food are happier, have healthier skin and fuller hair.
Specs
- Proteins: 33% (minimum)
- Fiber: 3% (maximum)
- Fat: 14% (minimum)
- Moisture: 10% (maximum)
Pros
- Contains a blend of fibers and probiotics for a healthy digestive system
- Enriched with Omega fatty acids and minerals for whole-body health
- Free from fillers, soy, and wheat
- Lovely turkey flavor that is loved by cats
- Affordable
Cons
- Some cats refuse to eat it after some time
- Dry
2. Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food — Best Canned Cat Food for Constipation
Second on our list is this Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food, a top recommendation by animal vets to pet owners looking forward to addressing constipation, and joint problems.
Ziwi used a unique formula that ensures your cat gets all the ingredients it requires for the good health of the gut and whole body. Because the food is prepared from real meat, it will also make your cat feel natural.
The main ingredient used to prepare the food is free-range and grass-fed lamb, which is tender and easy for cats to digest. Furthermore, the food contains high moisture and fiber content that helps to make food and movement through the intestines easy.
Another thing that makes the food outstanding is the careful balance of vitamins and minerals. Particularly, the food provides ample glucosamine and chondroitin that help to support joint health. You will also like the food because it is free from fillers and grains.
Specs
- Proteins: 9.5% (minimum)
- Fat: 6% (minimum)
- Fiber: 2% (maximum)
- Moisture: 78% (minimum)
Pros
- Free from artificial preservatives
- Contains high fiber and moisture content
- Helps to promote good joint health
- Carefully balanced with vitamins, minerals and Omega fatty acids for whole body health
Cons
- Bad smelling droppings
3. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pumpkin Jack Splash Tuna in Pumpkin Soup Grain-free Cat Food
One of the top options for constipation is this Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pumpkin Jack Splash Tuna in Pumpkin Soup Grain-free cat food. Weruva has cut a name for making foods that are excellent for the gut health of cats.
The food is formulated with all-natural ingredients that help to help prevent or treat constipation in most cats. Its salmon and tuna flavor is also lovely.
The secret ingredient used on this food to help with constipation is pumpkin. It supplies your cat with high-fiber content that helps with digestion and makes the waste movement in the intestines easy. Furthermore, it contains high moisture content, which makes it a great option even for cats that do not like drinking water.
Apart from the high fiber content, the food is also rich in proteins that supply all the amino acids that your cat needs for good health. You will also like the food because it is enriched with vital minerals and vitamins that make it a great option for whole-body health.
Specs
- Proteins: 9% (minimum)
- Fat: 1.4% (min)
- Fiber: 0.5% (maximum)
- Moisture: 85% (maximum)
Pros
- Wet and easy to digest for most cats
- Contains high fiber content to reduce the risk of constipation
- Prepared from all-natural ingredients
- Offers a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and taurine for whole-body health
- Grain-free
Cons
- Not all cats love pumpkin
4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response
Trailing our first choice closely is this Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response from Royal Canin, a carefully formulated feast that is liked by vets, cat owners and cats. It is one of the few dry foods that are formulated for help with gastrointestinal health, especially constipation.
Unlike most medical-oriented foods that are known for bad taste, this one is tasty and our cats looked forward to every mealtime.
Like other products from Royal Canin, this food is formulated with the focus on promoting good health of your canine. The most notable ingredient is high fiber content that promotes easy movement of food through the digestive system, helping to solve the issue of constipation. The food is recommended for treating conditions such as diarrhea, colitis, and constipation.
To keep your cat in good health, the food also contains other important components, including vitamins, essential minerals, and Omega fatty acids. Additionally, the food is enriched with prebiotics that help restore the feline’s intestinal flora, helping to improve the health of the gut.
Specs
- Proteins: 29% (minimum)
- Crude fat: 13% (minimum)
- Crude fiber: 4.7% (maximum)
- Moisture: 8% (maximum)
Pros
- The food is specifically formulated to promote good health of the gut
- Contains ample fibers that promote effective digestion to facilitate smooth food movement in the intestines
- Prepared with prebiotics that help create good environment in the gut
- Enriched with all vitamins and minerals for whole-body health
- The food is also effective in preventing the development of bladder crystals
Cons
- The food is dry, and the cat needs to take a lot of water separately
- Contains corn gluten
5. Hill’s Science Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
Like the name suggests, this Hill’s Science Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control food was formulated for helping cats with urinary tract issues, but its ingredients also make it one of the best options for constipation. Rocking a whopping 6.5% of dry fiber content, this food is one of the best options for addressing constipation in cats.
Although it does not come cheap, most cat owners have come back with positive results: “My cat overcame constipation after using this food.” So, you should also consider using it to counter constipation in your cat.
Another outstanding thing about this food is that it comes with a lot of Omega fatty acids, which are very helpful in giving your cat healthy skin and fuller hair. Also, it contains vital vitamins and balanced minerals that help to protect the cat from urinary related infections while promoting whole-body health.
Specs
- Proteins: 29.5% (minimum)
- Fat: 16% (minimum)
- Fiber: 6.5% (maximum)
Pros
- The food is prepared with ingredients that help promote whole-body health of your heart
- Contains high fiber content that helps to reduce the problem of constipation
- The food is also good in reducing urinary tract related infections
- Enriched with vitamins and omega fatty acids for a healthy skin
Cons
- Might not be challenging to use for cats that do not like drinking water
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo makes our list with this high-rated Chicken recipe grain-free dry cat food, and it is easy to see why — a special commitment to quality.
The food is inspired by the natural diet that felines get as obligate animals, and is further balanced to help your cat enjoy better gut health. It also comes with a lovely chicken flavor that most cats find irresistible.
If your cat is suffering from constipation, it needs three crucial things and this food provides both; high fiber content, probiotics and healthy intestinal muscles.
The fiber and probiotics help to promote the digestion of the food, and further work with the intestines muscles to help push the waste through. Furthermore, the lean proteins from real chicken help to strengthen the walls of the gut, making your cat feel comfortable and happy.
In addition to a good digestive system, you also want your cat to be happy and look beautiful, right? To deliver this, Blue Buffalo enriched this food with antioxidants and vitamins that help to strengthen the cat’s immune system and make its fur smooth.
Specs
- Proteins: 40% (minimum)
- Fat: 18% (minimum)
- Fiber: 4% (minimum)
- Moisture: 9% (maximum)
Pros
- Contains probiotics and high fiber content that helps to address constipation in cats
- Prepared using high-quality protein from natural sources such as chicken and fish
- Enriched with Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and stronger immune system
- Grain-free
Cons
- Requires the cat to take a lot of water
7. Purina Beyond Simply Indoor Wild-Caught Salmon
If your cat spends most of the time indoors and has a problem of constipation, you need a carefully formulated food such as the Simply Indoor cat food from Purina Beyond.
The food is prepared using high-quality ingredients that help to address the constipation, maintain a balanced supply of energy, and support a strong immune system. And that is not all; the kibble rocks a lovely salmon flavor that is loved by most cats.
The most conspicuous thing about this food is its formulation. It is prepared using salmon as the number one ingredient because it is easy to digest without causing constipation. The proteins deliver high fiber content that enhances digestion, nutrients absorption and helps to push the waste through the gut system.
To make the food complete and ideal for an indoor cat, it contains balanced carbohydrates sourced from dried sweet potatoes and cassava. Purina Beyond went a step further and enriched the food with Omega fatty acids, vitamins, and all the minerals that your feline needs for a healthy body.
Specs
- Protein: 33% (minimum)
- Fat: 10% (minimum)
- Fiber: 6.5% (maximum)
- Mixture: 12% (maximum)
Pros
- Prepared using salmon as the first ingredient for ample supply of proteins
- Carefully formulated with high-fiber content to help reduce the problem of constipation in cats
- The carbs are sourced from trusted suppliers and balanced to reduce the risk of diabetes
- Reliable for whole cat’s body health
Cons
- Might not work for cats that are allergic to peas
Buying Guide
Cats are more prone to constipation compared to other pets because they do not take a lot of water. Therefore, it is your job to ensure they have the right food to help fight the condition.
Although we have reviewed the seven best foods you can rely on to address constipation, the number is still high, right? So, we will now tell you how to narrow down to the best option.
Understanding Constipation
Because cats are obligate felines with their bodies tuned to take water from the food they eat, constipation is a common challenge to them. The good thing is that you can easily treat the problem by shifting to the right diet when the symptoms are noted.
If you do not note the problems fast, there is a danger of your cat suffering from more severe problems. Here are some tips you can use to check whether your cat is suffering from constipation.
Examining The Droppings
The first thing that you should check is whether your cat is producing stool regularly. Most cats poop about once or twice every day, and any deviation from that should be a sign of constipation. Particularly, you should be worried when the cat goes for several days without pooping.
Cat’s Behavior
Another indication of possible problem of constipation is a change in cat’s behavior. When constipating, the difficulty in passing the waste through the intestines triggers a whole range of behavioral changes.
If the cat is not drinking or eating, it is a sign of a problem and that could be constipation. Other signs to check include vomiting, loud meowing, hiding, and difficulty when trying to defecate. If you notice any of these signs, you need to get the cat checked by a professional vet.
Factors To Consider When Buying Cat Food For Constipation
Now that you know how to identify a cat suffering from constipation, here are the factors to consider when selecting the best food to address the problem:
Moisture Content
Because constipation is primarily caused by poor hydration, you should look for the food that will naturally provide water into the cat’s body.
Fiber Content
Another important ingredient that helps food to move along the digestive system easily is fiber. Indeed, it also helps to make digestion easy and improve the efficiency of nutrient absorption. So, consider going for foods formulated with high-fiber content.
Nutrients
In addition to helping the cat address the problem of constipation, the food you select should be carefully formulated for whole body health. Make sure it has high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
The right cat food for constipation should also be enriched to meet specific cat needs. Consider selecting the options that are rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which are very helpful in strengthening the cats’ immune systems.
Final Thoughts
Your cats’ health is very crucial, and the food you offer can help address common issues such as constipation. In this post, we have reviewed the best cat food for constipation that you can rely on to keep your feline healthy and happy. The foods are sourced from the best brands and will also help to promote whole-body health of your feline.
While we stand with the seven cat foods for constipation that we brought out in our reviews above, (they are outstanding in every sense), the Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food was the best of them all because it is rich in fiber, probiotics, and essential nutrients.
