Our Review Process
Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.The best cat food for sensitive stomachs is easy to digest, rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients, and free from additives and artificial ingredients that could irritate your cat’s intestinal tract or immune system.
With its highly-digestible recipe, abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, and personalized customer experience, Smalls Fresh Kills Fresh Minced Chicken is our pick for the number one best cat food for sensitive stomachs.
But food sensitivities and allergies vary from cat to cat and not everyone is on the same budget. There’s simply no single food that will solve every cat’s digestive woes. So, in addition to our top pick, we’ve included six more of the best foods for sensitive stomachs, giving you plenty of food options for every cat and every home.
At A Glance: Best Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Smalls Fresh Kills Fresh Minced Chicken Cat Food
- Primarily made with high-value animal protein
- Made from human-grade ingredients
- Conveniently shipped to your door
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
- Rabbit is usually a novel protein, making it ideal for allergic or sensitive cats
- Freeze-dried food is safer than raw food, but retains all the nutritional benefits of raw meat
- Contains probiotics for digestive health
Hound & Gatos Turkey & Turkey Liver Canned Cat Food
- Made from turkey, which is a good alternative to chicken
- Free from commonly irritating ingredients
- A limited ingredient food with just one animal protein source
Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Duck Recipe
- Highly digestible formula is 95% duck and turkey liver
- Free from the most common cat allergens
- Supplemented with menhaden fish oil, a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
FirstMate Turkey Formula Limited Ingredient Grain-Free
- Contains a mix of nourishing turkey and chicken
- A limited ingredient diet for cats with allergies and food sensitivities
- Free from common irritating ingredients
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- Primarily composed of highly-digestible animal-sourced ingredients
- Doesn’t contain any of the most commonly irritating ingredients
- The inclusion of salmon oil introduces omega-3 fatty acids
Why You Should Trust Us?
Over the last year, we’ve reviewed over 80 cat food brands, including most of the biggest brands on the planet. We’ve read customer reviews, spoken with market insiders, and tested foods hands-on.
Based on that research, we’re bringing you an updated list of the best cat food brands and products in the industry. The following foods earn their place with outstanding ingredient quality, nutritional merits, and safety records.
Before we get into the reviews, let’s talk about what it means when we say that a cat has a “sensitive stomach”.
Cats with digestive issues are frequently misunderstood and their problems are often dismissed. A cat who vomits multiple times a week is called “just a puker”. When an adult cat can’t tolerate new foods, his problems are brushed off with the myth that domesticated cats should eat one food for the entirety of their lives.
The term “sensitive stomach” itself is a euphemism—no cat’s stomach is inexplicably fragile or fussy. There’s usually a reason why a cat can’t tolerate certain foods, even if that reason is difficult — and frustrating — to identify.
In other words, a sensitive stomach isn’t a diagnosis in itself. Let’s take a look at a handful of the most common causes of stomach issues in cats.
Acute Gastroenteritis
This is any condition involving acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It could be caused by parasites, food poisoning, spoiled food, or another disease. Acute gastroenteritis is typically short-lived.
Colitis
Colitis is inflammation of the large intestine. This condition can be either short-term or long-term and, in many cases, the underlying cause is unknown. Common triggers include bacterial or parasitic infections, kidney disease, and food allergies.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are rare among cats, but the rare cat with food allergies may experience digestive issues.
Although skin irritation and poor coat health are the most common symptoms, food allergies can occasionally manifest as vomiting and diarrhea.
Cats appear to develop allergies to the foods they eat the most. Feed your cat a beef food for five years and you might find that he’s suddenly having an allergic reaction to beef. Therefore, it appears to be a good idea to give your cat a rotational diet — constantly introducing new and varied protein sources.
If you suspect your cat has an allergic sensitivity to a certain food ingredient, it’s time to put the theory to the test with an elimination diet. Elimination diets are performed under veterinary supervision.
Your veterinarian will advise you to switch your cat to a limited ingredient diet — one with very few ingredients and, usually, a single novel protein. For at least a month (ideally 8 to 12 weeks), feed your cat this food exclusively, with no treats or table scraps. If symptoms subside, confirm the difference by reintroducing potential allergens one at a time.
Once you’ve identified the ingredients causing your cat’s allergies, permanently eliminate them from your cat’s diet.
Contrary to popular belief, gluten and grains are not the most common culprits for cat allergies. In fact, whole grains are a more nutritious option than high-glycemic carbs like potatoes. The most common cat food allergens are common proteins like chicken, beef, and fish.
Click Here For A List Of The Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Although the pathology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is poorly understood, we can generally describe it as chronic inflammation of the GI tract. It’s a diagnosis of exclusion; in other words, you arrive at the IBD diagnosis by ruling out any other health issues, such as allergies.
This condition leads to structural changes in the mucosal lining of the GI tract. Over time, it can lead to digestive dysfunction and changes your cat’s ability to digest nutrients. It can also lead to a leaky gut that allows food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leach into the bloodstream.
If your cat is suffering from chronic stomach upset or other digestive problems, consult with your veterinarian. They can perform tests to determine whether your cat has IBD. Following an IBD diagnosis, your veterinarian may prescribe medications or dietary changes to suit your cat’s needs.
Click Here To Read Our Guide To The Best Cat Food For IBD
What’s The Best Food For Cats With A Sensitive Stomach?
Switch To A Bland Diet
If your cat has acute gastroenteritis, start with a 12-hour fast to allow their GI tract to rest, then introduce a bland diet.
Think of it like the BRAT diet for humans recovering from a stomach illness. Like the BRAT diet, a bland diet is non-irritating and provides enough nourishment for a few days, but you shouldn’t feed it any longer than necessary.
This type of diet comes in various forms. Some like pumpkin puree and boiled chicken. Some recommend boiled chicken and rice.
I prefer to keep it simple and carnivore-appropriate. Try cooked, unseasoned chicken thighs with fat and skin attached. After cooking, remove the bones – cooked bones may shatter and hurt your cat. This cooked chicken is ideally served with bone broth, which is very nutrient-dense, gentle, and palatable.
Don’t feed this diet for more than a few days. Your cat needs complete and balanced nutrition, so switch to a nutritionally complete pet food as soon as possible.
Eliminate Inflammatory Or Irritating Ingredients
This often means choosing a pet food made with novel proteins – meats that your cat hasn’t been exposed to before. For example, if your cat always eats a chicken-based food, opt for one made with rabbit or venison instead. Other potentially irritating ingredients include carrageenan and dairy.
While you’re ridding your cat’s diet of inflammatory ingredients, don’t forget to incorporate anti-inflammatory ones. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or krill oil are powerful and species-appropriate anti-inflammatories.
Choose Foods Featuring Highly Digestible Ingredients
Plant protein, for example, tends to be less digestible than animal protein. Animal by-products, similarly, may have lower digestibility scores than properly proportioned muscle meat, organs, and bones.
Fat follows the same carnivorous logic. Animal fat is more digestible than plant fat.
The guaranteed analysis on the label lists only crude fat and crude protein, so you’ll need to probe deeper to find the digestibility values of these macronutrients; digestibility values indicate how digestible a particular ingredient is. You can guess by looking at the ingredient list or you can contact the company for exact digestibility values.
Promote Healthy Gut Flora By Providing Probiotics
Supporting a healthy gut microbiome is a cornerstone of ensuring that your cat’s digestive system stays in top shape.
Dysbiosis, or imbalanced bacteria population, is associated with poor digestive health and IBD. Particularly if your cat has undergone antibiotic therapy — which kills both good and bad bacteria — it’s likely that dysbiosis plays a role in your cat’s tummy troubles.
There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting a connection between antibiotic treatment and subsequent IBD in humans.
One of the simplest ways to promote healthy gut flora is to add a probiotic supplement to your cat’s meals. You can also consider the inclusion of prebiotics, which promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by All About Cats without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re only putting the best in your cat’s bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the “view lab report” link in the product review.
Top 7 Best Foods For Cats with Sensitive Stomachs
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Fresh Kills Fresh Minced Chicken Cat Food
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Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report
Overview:
- Brand Name: Smalls
- Made In: NYC, United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 21% min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.00 to $3.50
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Chicken Breast, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas
If your cat is sensitive to everything but chicken, this recipe from Smalls could be your chicken-based solution.
Featuring chicken thigh, breast, and liver as the top three ingredients, this fresh food is packed with premium animal protein. Green beans, peas, and kale are the only carbohydrate ingredients. They are naturally grain-free, rich in nutrients, and promote healthy digestion.
In addition to being high in protein and low in carbohydrates, this formula is rich in moisture that helps support digestion and healthy skin and coat. Overall, this minced chicken recipe is a high-quality source of balanced nutrition for cats in all life stages.
Ingredients:
Chicken Thigh, Chicken Breast, Chicken Liver, Green Beans, Peas, Water sufficient for processing, Chicken Heart, Kale, Vegetable Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium Gluconate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Copper Gluconate, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Gluconate, Ferrous Gluconate, cNiacin, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Selenium,Dried Kelp, Biotin, Vitamin B12
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made with high-value animal protein
- Made from human-grade ingredients
- Conveniently shipped to your door
- Low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
#2 Best Freeze-Dried: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report
Overview:
- Brand Name: Stella & Chewy’s
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 44% min
- Age Range: Adult
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.53 per day
First 5 Ingredients: Rabbit With Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride
While it’s unclear whether or not digestive enzymes naturally found in raw meat have any positive health effects, the body of anecdotal evidence pointing to a correlation between a raw diet and improved digestive health makes it worth a try.
Because it’s made from rabbit, which is usually a novel protein, this formula from Stella and Chewy’s is perfect for cats with food allergies. The food is supplemented with probiotics to encourage digestive and immune health. It’s freeze-dried, so you don’t have to worry about it spoiling on the shelf.
Be aware that raw food carries a risk of food-borne disease because the food may contain disease-causing bacteria like E. coli. Consult with your veterinarian if you are considering switching your cat to raw food.
Ingredients:
Rabbit With Ground Bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Ediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rabbit is usually a novel protein, making it ideal for allergic or sensitive cats
- Freeze-dried food is safer than raw food, but retains all the nutritional benefits of raw meat
- Contains probiotics for digestive health
- Highly digestible
What We Didn’t Like:
- This food takes a few minutes to rehydrate, so it may not be convenient for every schedule
#3 Best For IBD: Hound & Gatos Turkey & Turkey Liver Canned Cat Food
Overview:
- Brand Name: Hound & Gatos
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% min
- Age Range: Adult
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.18/day
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride
According to Hound & Gatos founder Will Post, the brand is most popular among cats with IBD. All Hound & Gatos formulas are extraordinarily simple, minimizing your cat’s exposure to potential irritants.
Turkey isn’t one of the most common cat food allergens and is a nourishing and highly digestible source of protein for your cat. With just one protein source and no grains or other ingredients that could aggravate your sensitive cat, this food is a great choice for ultra-sensitive tummies.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Agar-Agar, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made from turkey, which is a good alternative to chicken
- Free from commonly irritating ingredients
- A limited-ingredient food with just one animal protein source
- Contains salmon oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
- Doesn’t receive consistently positive reviews
#4 Best For Picky Cats: Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Duck Recipe
Overview:
- Brand Name: Instinct by Nature’s Variety
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 10% min
- Age Range: Adult
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.28/day
First 5 Ingredients: Duck, Turkey Liver, Duck Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay
This recipe features highly-digestible duck and turkey liver as primary ingredients. These meat ingredients represent 95% of the total. The rest of the food is composed of a mix of supplemental fruits, vegetables, and other sources of micronutrients and fiber.
It’s one of the few foods that contains montmorillonite clay, which contains a range of trace minerals. Menhaden fish oil serves as a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
While this food has one of the busier recipes on this list, it’s a hit among cats with digestive issues and sensitivities.
Ingredients:
Duck, Turkey Liver, Duck Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Peas, Potassium Chloride, Carrots, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Highly digestible formula is 95% duck and turkey liver
- Free from the most common cat allergens
- Supplemented with menhaden fish oil, a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains some plant ingredients
#5 Best For Senior Cats: FirstMate Turkey Formula Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Overview:
- Brand Name: FirstMate
- Made In: United States
- Age Range: Adult
- Guaranteed Protein: 59% min
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.4 per day
First 5 Ingredients: Boneless Turkey, Water Sufficient for Processing, Potato, Chicken Liver, Calcium Carbonate
This limited-ingredient recipe is made with turkey, which is a great alternative for cats accustomed to the poultry flavor of chicken. The food’s protein content is 96% animal-derived, making it a digestible choice for your cat.
With no carrageenan, guar gum, or other gums, this food has a relatively loose consistency and is a good option for cats with dental problems. One reviewer quipped that, after two days on this food, their senior cat might lose the nickname “Barf-o-matic 3000” — this was the first food to apparently reduce the cat’s chronic vomiting.
Unfortunately, this food contains potato, which is high in carbohydrates and minimally nutritious for your cat. It also doesn’t have any salmon oil or other anti-inflammatories, so you may want to add an omega-3 supplement to your cat’s diet.
Ingredients:
Boneless Turkey, Water Sufficient For Processing, Potato, Brewer’s Yeast, Minerals, (Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Monodicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Vitamins, (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate), Taurine, Kale
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains a mix of nourishing turkey and chicken
- A limited ingredient diet for cats with allergies and food sensitivities
- Free from common irritating ingredients
- Highly digestible with 96% animal protein
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains high-carbohydrate potato
- Doesn’t contain any concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids
#6 Best Dry: Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Review
Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report
Overview:
- Brand Name: Dr. Elsey’s
- Made In: United States
- Age Range: Adult
- Guaranteed Protein: 59% min
- Typical Cost Per Day: $2.24/day
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat
Most dry foods contain potentially-inflammatory additives and high-carbohydrate ingredients that can irritate sensitive stomachs. This dry food is a refreshing exception to that rule. While it still doesn’t have the moisture your cat needs, this Dr. Elsey’s kibble emphasizes ultra-digestible protein sources and cuts back on carbohydrates, giving you a readily-digestible food that honors your cat’s carnivorous needs.
The recipe contains some of the most easily-digested protein sources available, including pork protein isolate, which is extraordinarily bioavailable and won’t trigger food sensitivity reactions.
The inclusion of salmon oil helps to soothe inflammation and may ease digestive distress.
Overall, dry food is never our first recommendation for cats, whether they have digestive issues or not. But if you want to feed dry food, this is the type of product you should try.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Salt, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily composed of highly-digestible animal-sourced ingredients
- Doesn’t contain any of the most commonly irritating ingredients
- The inclusion of salmon oil introduces omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t have all of the moisture cats need
- One of the most expensive dry cat foods you can buy
If You Can’t Find The Right Food For Your Cat, Consider Homemade Cat Food
Making your cat’s food at home allows you to introduce novel proteins and create a rotational diet.
It’s the best way to control what goes into your cat’s body and it makes it easy to track the relationship between dietary changes and symptom changes. Homemade diets can be a good choice for cats with sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin.
Even with the benefits of homemade food, there are some drawbacks. For example, making your cat’s food can be time- and energy-intensive. Also, it can be difficult to get the proper amount and balance of nutrients. Consult with a veterinary nutritionist if you would like to make your cat’s food.
Read Our Complete Guide To Homemade And Raw Cat Food Diets