Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Turkey
★★★★★ 4.9/5
Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipes
★★★★★ 4.6/5
IBD is a chronic gastrointestinal disease in cats that needs proper medical attention and a healthy diet.
Cats with the disease have a chronically inflamed and irritated gastrointestinal tract that hampers her body from digesting and absorbing all the nutrients from her food. Middle-aged kitties are at the highest risk of developing this disease.
So, as a responsible pet parent, what can you do?
In this blog post, we will help you figure out the best cat food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and go through a few things you should know about IBD in cats.
Let’s get started!
Let’s Learn About Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats!
To defeat the enemy, you must know more about it.
Let’s take a quick look at inflammatory bowel disease, shall we?
There are a lot of things that can trigger Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in cats. This syndrome is a result of a reaction to the chronic irritation in your cat’s intestines or stomach.
Under normal circumstances, inflammation is a way of your cat’s immune system to respond to injuries and foreign substances. In IBD, inflammation of the intestinal wall and stomach thickens the lining of your cat’s GI tract, making it difficult for her body to move food through the digestive tract and absorb nutrients from it.
IBD isn’t age-specific but, the chances of your kitty developing the disease increase with age.
How is IBD Treated in Cats?
The course of treatment that your vet will suggest will depend on what triggered the condition in the first place. In addition to pharmacological treatment, your vet will also recommend dietary changes.
Let’s take a look at how IBD is treated, shall we?
Anti-inflammatory Medications
Your vet will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to suppress your kitty’s natural inflammatory reaction to help reduce the symptoms. This, in itself, doesn’t work unless you make dietary modifications to your kitty’s diet.
Dietary Modifications
A significant number of cats tend to do well with a change in diet. This involves removing the ingredient your cat’s body is reacting to. In most cases, vets recommend switching to a homemade diet or novel protein sources. If that doesn’t work, your kitty may have to go through a complete food trial.
Deworming Treatments
Intestinal parasites are one of the most common reasons for IBD in cats. Your vet will conduct some fecal tests to check the presence of parasites and prescribe deworming treatments for the best results.
Vitamin B12 Supplements
Cobalamin or Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin that most kitties with Inflammatory Bowel Disease are unable to absorb. So, in some cases, the vet recommends injecting the supplement during treatment.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cat Food: How Does That Work?
Hypoallergenic diets are probably the best cat food for irritable bowel disease since allergens in your kitty’s normal diet can aggravate the intestinal inflammation, leading to IBD.
The diet works by including novel sources of carbohydrates and protein such as venison, duck, rabbit, etc.–something that your kitty has never tried before. In most cases, these diets help reduce the symptoms.
If not, switching to an easily digestible diet that’s low in fat and high in fiber is a good idea.
What most people don’t understand is that you will not see instant results after switching your cat’s diet–they may take up to four weeks. During this phase, you cannot feed anything else such as treats, snacks, table scraps, etc. since they could also be an irritant.
Novel protein diets do work but could be a problem for some kitties.
Some experts also recommend a raw food diet for cats as it is the closest to a cat’s natural diet. If you’d like to try it, you can look up some of the best raw cat food for IBS, to begin with.
Looking for the Best Cat Food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hypoallergenic diets are the best for cats with IBD, as they don’t trigger any allergies.
Your cat may have developed an allergy to a specific ingredient in her food.
This means that while one recipe may be hypoallergenic to one cat, it may cause a reaction in the other because it contains an ingredient that your kitty’s body reacts to. Limited ingredient diets with a single source of protein are the best for cats with IBD as they contain only a few essential ingredients your cat needs in her food.
Diets with a novel protein source are also a good idea.
Here are a few things to look out for in high-quality cat food for IBD:
Limited Ingredient Diet
Food allergies can trigger and even worsen symptoms of IBS and IBD in cats. By switching your kitty over to a limited ingredient diet, you are reducing the number of ingredients her digestive system has to process.
Fiber and Probiotics
While fiber assists the food in moving through your kitty’s gastrointestinal system, probiotic supplements increase the number of good bacteria in the gut, which helps boost immunity and improve digestion. Cats with IBD don’t have as many good gut bacteria as healthy cats and could use some additional help.
If your cat gets constipated, you should avoid giving her high-fiber foods.
Novel Source of Protein
Cats thrive in a high-meat and high-protein diet because they are obligate carnivores. Animal protein is highly digestible for cats since their digestive system has evolved for millions of years to process it. Plant-based sources may cause allergies.
Switching to a novel source of protein is a good idea if your cat has symptoms of IBD.
High-quality, Natural Ingredients
Foods free from by-products and fillers are high-quality and closest to a cat’s natural diet. You should look for kibble that contains whole-food ingredients, and the first ingredient must always be animal protein.
Digestible foods have carbohydrates from vegetables and whole grains.
Say No to Artificial Additives
By-products and artificial additives do no good as they have little to no nutritional value and may trigger side effects. These include artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. You should carefully read the food label to ensure that the kibble you choose for your kitty is free from these ingredients.
The Top 3 Reviews: Best Cat Food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Did we help you figure out all that you need to know about the best cat food for IBD?
In this section of the blog post, we will review the best foods for IBD in detail so that you can choose the best one for your kitty. We know how busy you are, so to help save you time, we’ve picked the best of the best.
Take a look.
Best Cat Food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Here’s Why You Should Get It | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food, Chicken & Turkey | Real Turkey is the number one ingredient (by weight)
Contains fiber blend for easy digestionOmega 3 and 6 fatty acids ensure healthy skin and coatNo filler ingredientsComplete and balanced nutrition for adult cats | 4.9 Stars | Check now |
Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food | Real Turkey is the number one ingredientEasily digestible meal formulated for a sensitive stomachNourishes the skin and coat and promote healthy skin and coatNo filler ingredients used | 4.9 Stars | Check now |
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipes | Contains probiotic fiber for a healthy and happy gutMade in the United States with natural ingredientsA highly digestible formula for sensitive stomachGreat-tasting recipe for picky eaters | 4.6 Stars | Check now |
Now, let’s review each of these in detail, shall we?
Started in the 1940s, Iams is one of the most popular pet food brands on the market. The brand uses only high-quality ingredients in its recipes made in the United States in facilities that follow FDA regulations. This means that your pet gets the best food possible.
Contains Real Turkey
Real Turkey and Chicken by-product meals are the first two ingredients (measured by weight) in this pet food, ensuring that your kitty gets all the nutrition she needs from this kibble.
The food doesn’t contain low-quality ingredients such as soy or wheat, making it a great choice.
Easy to Digest
This is the best cat food for irritable bowel disease as it is easy to digest for your feline friend, thanks to the proprietary fiber blend contained in this kibble. This food provides complete and balanced nutrition for your cat so that you don’t have to supplement her food.
Healthy Skin and Coat
The kibble contains Omega 3 and 6 Fatty acids for healthy skin and a glossy coat.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 31.3% protein which is near-average
- 32.2% fat which is below-average
- 36% carbohydrates which are average
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a quick peek at the pros and cons, shall we?
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Enhances healthy digestion | ✖Linked to odors in the litterbox |
✔Turkey is the number one ingredient | |
✔Doesn’t contain known allergens–wheat and soy | |
✔Rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids | |
✔Excellent taste |
On to the next one.
Owned by Nestle, Purina Pet Food strives to nourish pets and enrich their lives by creating quality pet food. The company invests in innovative research to ensure that its formula provides your pet with optimum nutrition for overall health and wellbeing.
Made for Sensitive Stomachs
This cat food recipe is easily digestible, making it the best cat food for irritable bowel disease as it helps nourish the skin and stomach without irritating your kitty’s system.
Healthy Heart Function
The cat food uses protein from high-quality sources, making it excellent for your kitty’s cardiovascular health. The food contains vitamins A and E, along with several proven antioxidants to strengthen the immune system to fight IBD.
Skin and Coat Health
This cat food promotes optimum skin and coat health as it contains micronutrients and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. You’ll also find wholesome grains and veggies in this kibble.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 34% protein which is average
- 14% fat which is average
- 34% carbohydrates which are above-average
It also contains a moderate amount of meat, making a good choice for cats with irritable bowel disease.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Made with real turkey and chicken | ✖Shorter shelf life than most |
✔Excellent for sensitive stomach | |
✔Ensures heart health | |
✔Strengthens immune system | |
✔Excellent taste |
Hill’s Science is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive and was started by Dr. Mark Morris. This premium pet food provides your pet with the right nutrients so that he can live a long, healthy, and happy life. The company uses human-grade ingredients to ensure their food is the best available.
Prebiotic Fiber
This kibble contains that acts as a fuel for the beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a balanced microbiome and improving gut health from the inside out. These foods are highly digestible for optimum nutrient absorption and health.
Vitamin E and Omega Fatty Acids
This cat food contains Vitamin E and essential omega-6 fatty acids to help improve skin and coat health. Additionally, it contains clinically-proven antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
Natural Ingredients
This is the best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease because it contains natural ingredients and no chicken by-product meal. Real chicken is the number one ingredient in this recipe.
Nutritional Breakdown
This dog food formula contains:
- 32.% protein which is average
- 20.7% fat which is average
- 34.8% carbohydrates which are above-average
It also contains a moderate amount of meat, making it the best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick peek at the pros and cons!
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
✔ Ensures healthy skin and coat | ✖Hard to chew for cats with dental problems |
✔Excellent for digestive health | |
✔Contains clinically-proven antioxidants | |
✔Made in the United States | |
✔High-quality ingredients used |
Best Cat Food for Irritable Bowel Disease: Some FAQs
Let’s take a look at some of the frequently asked questions about the best cat food for IBD.
1. What food is the best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease?
While most people agree that a raw diet is the best cat food for inflammatory bowel disease, in some cases, it can backfire, which is why we recommend kibble as well.
A raw diet is the closest to a kitty’s natural diet, so, in theory, it should be easy to digest. However, these foods don’t have a long shelf life, so they go bad in a few days. You can look up the best raw cat food for IBS for more information.
High-quality kibble that contains protein from one or two sources is also an excellent choice. Go for something that has natural and a limited number of ingredients. These foods have a longer shelf life and are easier for busy kitty parents.
2. Do probiotics help cats with IBD? Or are they simply a sales gimmick?
Probiotics are great even if your kitty doesn’t have IBD or IBS. They’re great because they help in digestion while supporting healthy gut flora.
If your cat is on antibiotics to treat her IBD or IBS, foods with probiotics are the best choice as antibiotics kill the beneficial bacteria along with the bad, so, in this case, adding probiotics to your cat’s food helps restore good bacteria.
3. What is the difference between IBS and IBD in cats?
This is probably the most common question we’ve come across. These are two separate diseases:
- IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a relatively mild disease with symptoms such as bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, cramping, etc.
- IBD stands for Irritable Bowel Disease which is severe in nature as the digestive tract gets inflamed, leading to an autoimmune response.
Your vet will be able to better guide you and diagnose your kitty.
Best Cat Food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Improved Health
The best cat food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is one that:
- Restores the gut flora
- Improves immune system function
Cat foods for sensitive stomachs ensure that the kibble is digestible and contains enough probiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria, thus improving immune system response.
A healthy gut leads to a healthy body.
Signs of improvement include healthy bowel movements, shiny coat, healthier skin, and an overall happy kitty!
Did we help you figure out the best cat food for irritable bowel disease? Let us know in the comments.
Dr. Veronica Heller
Born and brought up in Grand Marais, Minnesota, ever since she was a little girl, Dr. Veronica Heller dreamed of becoming a vet thanks to Sruffy, her family pet. She graduated from College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota and began her veterinary career in Larpenteur Animal Hospital in St. Paul as an emergency Veterinarian. Since then, she has worked with Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, Small Animal Hospital, and Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. Her interests in the field include preventive medicine, internal medicine, nutrition, and surgery. She’s also a loving pet mother to two cats and a Golden Retriever.
