It can be difficult to find the right type of cat food that does not flare your cat’s irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Allergies are a major factor that can trigger IBS in cats. Therefore, it is recommended to choose hypoallergenic foods as a solution for your cat. Many vets will prescribe a protein-based food for cats who are suffering from IBS to ease some of the uncomfortable symptoms your cat will experience.
If your cat is vomiting, suffers from diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and chronic inflammation, then they may have a case of IBS. In this case, wet cat foods with minimal carbohydrates are a good choice. The food should exclude allergens, and since cats are carnivores, the food should contain wholesome protein such as duck or venison. Always consult a veterinarian if your cat may be showing signs of IBS.
We have chosen some high-quality cat foods and picked the top products that vets recommend for this condition.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription
All-natural ingredients
Human-grade
Taurine supports cardiac health
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Best Value
Reveal Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Limited ingredient diet
Natural ingredients
Encourages a healthy appetite
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Premium Choice
Smalls Fresh Cow Cat Food
Made with lean ground beef
Low fat and low carbohydrates
Great alternative to poultry
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Hill’s Prescription Digestive Cat Food
Improves stool quality
Promotes beneficial bacteria growth in the gut
Approved by veterinarians
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Purina Pro Plan Cat Food
Salmon as the main ingredient
High in protein
Aids in proper digestion
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The 8 Best Cat Foods for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription – Best Overall
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Protein content: 23.4%
Fiber content: 0.3%
Fat content: 6.6%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Smalls produces several premium recipes for cats, but the Fresh Other Bird was our 1st best overall food for cats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cats suffering from IBS benefit from low-fat meals enriched with minerals and vitamins. This recipe also has a higher moisture level, ensuring the felines stay hydrated. Fresh Other Bird contains less crude fat (6.6%) than any Smalls’ recipes. Its primary protein sources are turkey (skin on) and chicken livers while containing essential vitamins and minerals. Smalls brand does not add artificial colors, fillers, or preservatives. This is what makes it the overall best cat food for irritable bowel syndrome.
Pros
Only 6.6% crude fat
All-natural ingredients
Taurine supports cardiac health
Cons
Contains vegetable oil
- Reveal Grain-Free Wet Cat Food (Pack of 24) – Best Value
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Protein content: 15.0%
Fiber content: 1.0%
Fat content: 0.5%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
The Reveal grain-free wet cat food has the best value for money. It features limited ingredients and comes in the form of a 24-pack of canned, wet cat food. It contains natural ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Furthermore, this food has quality ingredients, and each recipe contains a single high-quality protein source that is completely grain-free. It helps to promote a natural and balanced diet without flaring chronic IBS symptoms in cats. It has a delightful tuna flavor that many cats will love, which helps encourage a healthy appetite.
Only 6.6% crude fat
All-natural ingredients
Taurine supports cardiac health
- Only 6.6% crude fat
- All-natural ingredients
- Taurine supports cardiac health
Contains vegetable oil
- Contains vegetable oil
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Protein content: 15.0%
Fiber content: 1.0%
Fat content: 0.5%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Pros
Limited ingredient diet
Natural ingredients
Encourages a healthy appetite
Cons
Low in fiber and fat
3. Smalls Fresh Cow Cat Food – Premium Choice
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Protein content: 21.6%
Fiber content: 0.5%
Fat content: 8.3%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Irritable bowel syndrome can be caused by multiple factors, but some feline IBS sufferers are more sensitive to chicken products in their meals. Smalls Fresh Cow is their only fresh meal recipe made with beef and is an excellent option for kitties allergic to poultry. Fresh Cow uses 90% lean ground beef and 10% cow heart and liver as its protein source while having fewer carbohydrates than any other Smalls recipe.
Limited ingredient diet
Natural ingredients
Encourages a healthy appetite
- Limited ingredient diet
- Natural ingredients
- Encourages a healthy appetite
Low in fiber and fat
- Low in fiber and fat
Pros
Made with lean ground beef
Low fat and low carbohydrates
21.6% crude protein
Cons
5.22% peas
The best overall product is Hill’s digestive care cat food. It has been formulated for chronic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other issues that cause the lining of your cat’s stomach to become inflamed. It has been specifically formulated by Hill’s nutrients and veterinarians to support your cat’s digestion and help to improve it. It also helps to improve your cat’s stool quality, whether it’s constipation or diarrhea. It features highly digestible ingredients with an optimal balance of fiber to help support regularity.
Made with lean ground beef
Low fat and low carbohydrates
21.6% crude protein
- Made with lean ground beef
- Low fat and low carbohydrates
- 21.6% crude protein
5.22% peas
- 5.22% peas
Protein content: 38.2%
Fiber content: 1.4%
Fat content: 20.5%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Check Price on Chewy
The addition of prebiotic fiber helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your cat’s gut which is important for such an uncomfortable condition. The clinically proven antioxidants also help to support your cat’s immune system. A vet’s approval is required before you purchase this food, and you need to provide your pet and vet’s information at checkout.
Pros
Improves stool quality
Promotes beneficial bacteria growth in the gut
Approved by veterinarians
Cons
Needs a veterinarian prescription before purchase
Our premium choice is the Purina pro plant cat food as it reduces allergens and aids in supporting cats with chronic stomach inflammation. It is the first cat food that can reduce allergens simply and safely by neutralizing Fel D1 which is a common allergen in cat saliva by using key proteins from eggs. Salmon is the main ingredient in this food which helps to support your cat’s skin and coat health. It significantly reduces a major allergen in cat hair and dander after the first few weeks of feeding. It is a safe and nutritious cat food that is fortified with live probiotics for digestive and immune health.
Improves stool quality
Promotes beneficial bacteria growth in the gut
Approved by veterinarians
- Improves stool quality
- Promotes beneficial bacteria growth in the gut
- Approved by veterinarians
Needs a veterinarian prescription before purchase
- Needs a veterinarian prescription before purchase
Protein content: 36.0%
Fiber content: 2.0%
Fat content: 16.0%
Hypoallergenic: No
Pros
Salmon as the main ingredient
High in protein
Aids in proper digestion
Cons
Low fiber content
This kitten food excludes many allergens such as corn, wheat, and soy which is gentler on your kitten’s stomach. It is a dry food with DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development in a growing kitten. It contains a source of high-quality protein to help kittens build and maintain lean muscle. This kitten food also features balanced minerals to keep your kittens’ bones and teeth healthy. It is made with natural ingredients with the exclusions of allergen-causing grains to help support kittens suffering from IBS.
Salmon as the main ingredient
High in protein
Aids in proper digestion
- Salmon as the main ingredient
- High in protein
- Aids in proper digestion
Low fiber content
- Low fiber content
Protein content: 39.6%
Fiber content: 1.6%
Fat content: 25.0%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Pros
Free from corn, wheat, soy
Contains fish oil
Gentle digestive care
Cons
Contains chicken
This food has been formulated for adult cats that have sensitive stomachs and skin. Turkey is the first ingredient in this food, so a large percentage of the food is based on the health benefits of real, high-quality turkey. It features an easily digestible formula for cats with sensitive stomachs. This food also contains omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health which can also benefit cats who have sensitive skin. Purina sensitive systems is veterinarian recommended, which increases the quality and trust of this food.
Free from corn, wheat, soy
Contains fish oil
Gentle digestive care
- Free from corn, wheat, soy
- Contains fish oil
- Gentle digestive care
Contains chicken
- Contains chicken
Protein content: 34.0%
Fiber content: 4.0%
Fat content: 14.0%
Hypoallergenic: No
Pros
Sensitive skin and stomach formula
Turkey as the main ingredient
Recommended by veterinarians
Cons
Contains grains
This is an adult wet cat food loaf that is soaked in a tasty sauce. It has been formulated for cats over 1 year of age with sensitive stomachs. This food contains highly digestible proteins that help cats absorb nutrients better while reducing stool odor. It helps maintain an ideal weight in cats using specially formulated nutrition. The precise blend of vitamins and minerals in this cat food also helps keep your cat in optimal health. Overall, it a good for mature and adult cats who suffer from IBS and other digestive issues.
Sensitive skin and stomach formula
Turkey as the main ingredient
Recommended by veterinarians
- Sensitive skin and stomach formula
- Turkey as the main ingredient
- Recommended by veterinarians
Contains grains
- Contains grains
Protein content: 7.5%
Fiber content: 1.8%
Fat content: 2.0%
Hypoallergenic: No
Pros
Sensitive stomach formula
Helps cats absorb nutrients
Gentle on your cat’s stomach
Cons
Contains grains
This cat food is made of highly digestible ingredients with the addition of a prebiotic fiber that has been clinically proven to support a cat’s digestive health. The main ingredient in this cat food is chicken with the inclusion of other wholesome ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. Fiber sources have also been included to be gentle on your cat’s digestive system. It is made without wheat and has no corn, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives. No chicken by-products have been added to the formula, to make the food gentle on your cat’s stomach. The downside is that this food contains a high amount of fat.
Sensitive stomach formula
Helps cats absorb nutrients
Gentle on your cat’s stomach
- Sensitive stomach formula
- Helps cats absorb nutrients
- Gentle on your cat’s stomach
Protein content: 8.5%
Fiber content: 3.0%
Fat content: 3.0%
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Pros
Highly-digestible ingredients
Contains fruits and vegetables
Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
Cons
High-fat content
This food is made from real turkey and a blend of natural fiber to support your cat’s digestive health. It also provides your cat with 25 essential vitamins and minerals to support its well-being. This food is 100% balanced nutrition-wise and is suitable as a long-term diet for a cat with mild IBS symptoms. This food does not contain any added flavors or preservatives, which makes a decent percentage of the food natural. It does contain a large portion of grains if that’s an ingredient you want to avoid feeding to a sensitive cat. It seems to have a high number of filler and by-products added into the recipe.
Highly-digestible ingredients
Contains fruits and vegetables
Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
- Highly-digestible ingredients
- Contains fruits and vegetables
- Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
High-fat content
- High-fat content
Protein content: 34.0%
Fiber content: 5.0%
Fat content: 11.0%
Hypoallergenic: No
Pros
100% balanced nutrition
No added flavors or preservatives
Cons
Contains grains
100% balanced nutrition
No added flavors or preservatives
- 100% balanced nutrition
- No added flavors or preservatives
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Cat Foods for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ideal Ingredients for Cats With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
When you are searching for a food that is suitable to feed a cat suffering from IBS, the ingredients list is the first most important place to start. You want to ensure that the food contains little to no allergens, such as corn, wheat, and soy. You also want to check that the food contains no artificial flavors and preservatives which could further upset your cat’s stomach.
Food high in protein is ideal for cats suffering from IBS. Cats are carnivores and a large portion of their diet is based on protein-rich foods such as chicken, turkey, or fish. Cat food with a single protein source as the first ingredient will most likely be high in healthy proteins. Avoid foods high in fillers and allergens, as these ingredients can be harsh on your cat’s stomach. Look for labels on the products that specify if the food is digestive friendly or hypoallergenic, as these foods are better for cats with IBS.
What Types of IBS Friendly Cat Foods Are There?
There are primarily two types of foods for cats suffering from IBS, namely:
Dry Cat Foods
This is a standard diet for cats and typically contains all the nutrients your cat needs. A downside is that dry food is high in carbohydrates and calories. Some cats will struggle to digest dry cat foods as they are more likely to contain allergens like wheat and gluten. The label should specify if the food in question has been formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Recommended: Hill’s Prescription Digestive Care Veterinary Diet
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Wet/Canned Cat Foods
These types of cat foods will generally contain fewer ingredients in comparison to dry cat foods. Allergens are rarely found in wet cat foods, which makes them better for cats with IBS.
Recommended: Blue Buffalo True Solutions Natural Digestive Care Wet Cat Food
Kitten Formula
This type of food has been specifically formulated for kittens who have trouble digesting other types of cat foods. It can be either dry or wet. Most kitten foods are high in protein to aid in their growth, which is beneficial as cats with IBS benefit from a protein-rich diet.
Recommended: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Kitten Food
Cons
The food should ideally be hypo-allergenic and grain-free.
The formula should be mindful of cats suffering from digestive issues.
The food should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates and empty calories (fillers).
The food should meet your budget requirements and be affordable for you in the long term.
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The food should ideally be hypo-allergenic and grain-free.
The formula should be mindful of cats suffering from digestive issues.
The food should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates and empty calories (fillers).
The food should meet your budget requirements and be affordable for you in the long term.
The food should ideally be hypo-allergenic and grain-free.
The formula should be mindful of cats suffering from digestive issues.
The food should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates and empty calories (fillers).
The food should meet your budget requirements and be affordable for you in the long term.
You may also be interested in: 10 Best Cat Foods for Kidney Disease (Low Phosphorus)
Conclusion
Our two top picks in this category are the best overall product, Smalls Fresh Bird since it is human grade and comprised of limited ingredients, and the Blue Buffalo True Solutions Natural Digestive Care Wet Cat Food because it is an ideal wet or canned food for cats suffering from this condition. It also has digestive properties and limited ingredients. If your feline is sensitive to poultry, the Smalls Fresh Cow is our premium option, which offers the same great benefits for the management of IBS.
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