13+ Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs [2025]

Has your cat been struggling with a sensitive stomach? Are they refusing to eat, or do they have diarrhea, vomiting, or gas after eating? Or did a trip to the vet lead to stressful discussions about irritable bowel syndrome or gastritis? 

If so, you're not alone! Plenty of cats and cat parents struggle with the same issue. Sensitive stomachs, food allergies, digestive problems, and intestinal diseases are common, but solutions exist. Finding the perfect cat food for sensitive stomachs can improve their overall health and well-being.  

But…which sensitive stomach cat food is best? That’s where we come in! 

We've compiled a list of some of the best sensitive cat food products to jumpstart your furry friends' journey to a healthy gut! 

Why Your Cat Might Need Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

If your cat regularly experiences vomiting, soft stool, or a loss of appetite, their current diet might be too harsh on their system. That’s where sensitive stomach formulas come in. They’re made with simplified, easy-to-digest ingredients that help avoid common dietary triggers. 

KOHA Limited and Minimal Ingredient Cat Food are designed to support digestion naturally. Each recipe uses one high-quality animal protein, along with gentle additions that support regularity and urinary health. You won’t find additives—just straightforward nutrition your cat can tolerate. 

Making the switch to a simpler, cleaner formula could mean fewer flare-ups and a much happier mealtime routine.

Sensitive Stomach Causes 

Sensitive stomachs in cats can have various causes:

• Food-related triggers, food allergies or intolerances, a sudden change in diet, or consumption of spoiled or inappropriate food (such as dog or human food) can upset a cat’s system. 

• Underlying health conditions can also play a role. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), parasitic or bacterial infections, or chronic illnesses like kidney disease can all contribute to recurring stomach problems. 

• Stress and anxiety can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset as well. Changes in environment, routine, or exposure to loud noises can cause stress-related gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive cats.

 

Sensitive Stomach Symptoms: How to Tell if Your Cat Has a Sensitive Stomach

Cats with sensitive stomachs might display a variety of symptoms. Common ones include:

• Frequent vomiting: This is one of the most common symptoms. Cats may occasionally vomit hairballs, but frequent or chronic vomiting can indicate a sensitive stomach.

• Diarrhea: Loose or liquid stool is another common symptom of a sensitive stomach. However, any changes in bowel movements could be a signal that something isn’t right with your cat’s gastrointestinal health.

• Lack of Appetite: Cats with sensitive stomachs may not want to eat or may eat less than usual.

• Weight Loss: If your cat has stomach issues and won’t eat, or if they’re not absorbing nutrients properly, they may experience unexpected weight loss.

• Excessive Gas: Flatulence can be another sign of a sensitive stomach. It usually happens when a cat’s digestive system struggles to process certain ingredients, resulting in gas buildup. 

Other possible symptoms include:

• Licking their lips
• Lethargy 
• Acid reflux
• Fever
• Hard or bloated stomach
• Dehydration

If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, it can be time to take a trip to the vet. 

When to Consult Your Vet

Although occasional digestive problems are possible, cat parents must never ignore persistent or worsening symptoms in their cats. If your pet’s vomiting, diarrhea, lack of interest in food or play, or lethargy continues, it’s essential to consult your vet. 

Some of these ongoing symptoms could indicate a more serious underlying health issue that a professional needs to diagnose and treat. The vet will perform tests to rule out allergies, infections, and other medical problems and advise you on the best diet and care plan for optimal support for your cat’s health.

 

Benefits of Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Sensitive stomach cat food provides various benefits specifically targeted at supporting the digestion and overall health of cats with delicate stomachs. The food is easier to digest, has fewer complicated ingredients, and is free of artificial coloring, flavors, or preservatives. 

Some common benefits are: 

• Limited ingredients: Many sensitive cat foods use a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk of intolerances or food allergies in your pet.

• Nutrients: Although designed for easy digestion, these foods still contain all the essential nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy. This includes a good balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. 

• Improved stool quality: Sensitive stomach cat food can help enhance stool quality due to its easily digestible ingredients, resulting in less diarrhea or loose stool.

You may also notice that your cat's behavior becomes more relaxed and content after switching to sensitive stomach cat food! 

Don’t wait—switch to KOHA Sensitive Stomach Cat Food today to provide your cat with the right nourishment to thrive and feel better from the inside out. 

 

Types of Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

There are three main types of sensitive stomach cat foods: 

Choosing the right cat food for sensitive stomachs can help improve your furry friend’s comfort and vitality. 

The ideal choice depends on your cat’s current needs—whether they’re recovering from a recent flare-up or managing long-term sensitivities. Some cats respond better to soft, hydrating meals, while others benefit from minimal-ingredient diets that keep things simple and easy to digest.

Generally speaking, there are three main types of sensitive stomach cat foods, each providing unique benefits. Before choosing one, consider your cat’s response to the formula and their meal preferences. 

Wet Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs 

Wet cat food is easier to digest due to its softer, moist consistency. This is beneficial for cats with delicate digestive systems that may struggle to process dry food. It also provides supplementary hydration, which is crucial for not only digestive health, but urinary and kidney function.

Wet cat food contains fewer calories than equivalent dry food, helping with weight management. Another benefit is its usually lower carbohydrate content and higher protein content, making it an ideal food option for cats prone to digestive issues like IBD and IBS. 

KOHA Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food is created for cats with food intolerances, sensitive stomachs, and digestive conditions like IBD and IBS. Each recipe—available as pâtés, stews, shreds, and poké bowls—is made with minimal ingredients to lower the risk of triggering sensitivities. Each KOHA offering is gentle and nourishing, featuring premium animal protein and a carefully selected combination of ingredients that help cats feel their best.

Provide your best friend with the digestive support they need—explore the KOHA Limited Ingredient Wet Cat Food range and witness the difference in their health and happiness.

Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

The best choice for cats with sensitive stomachs depends on their unique needs. While dry food can be left out for free-feeding without the risk of spoiling, allowing your cat to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, you can replicate this by providing smaller feedings of wet cat food. 

Raw Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Raw cat food is often a high-protein, low-carb composition that can aid digestion. Another key advantage is the absence of additives often found in commercial cat foods that can potentially upset a sensitive stomach. 

However, it's crucial to approach a raw diet under the guidance of a veterinarian or a pet nutrition expert since certain foods might not agree with your cat. Raw food is more susceptible to pathogens and bacteria than dry or wet cat food.

Overall, the best option for cats with sensitive stomachs is wet cat food. It’s hydrating, easier to digest, and contains fewer calories compared to dry food. 

 

What to Look for in Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Once you start researching the best cat foods for sensitive stomachs, you quickly realize the abundance of options, which may feel overwhelming. 

The process can be easier if you know what to look for in recipes formulated for sensitive stomachs. Ideally, it should support their sensitive digestive system and provide premium nutrients without junky fillers. 

These are the key features to look for when choosing food for a cat that struggles with sensitive stomach:

Find High-Quality Ingredients

Cats with sensitive bellies benefit from simple, nourishing diets with a limited number of premium-quality ingredients. At KOHA, we’re dedicated to transparency and quality—all KOHA cat food recipes contain naturally soothing ingredients that provide support to feline digestion and gut balance. 

KOHA ensures quality of ingredients by partnering with specialized manufacturing facilities across the US, Canada, and Thailand and collaborating with experts in texture, protein handling, and food safety. 

KOHA Thai Cannery is a global leader in the production of safe, premium shredded land and sea proteins, with stringent quality controls and internationally recognized certifications. KOHA sources its proteins from Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, prioritizing North American sourcing when possible. 

Start With a Trial Diet

If you suspect your cat struggles with food sensitivities, a trial diet can help. It involves feeding your furry friend a limited-ingredient diet exclusively for 8 to 12 weeks. This includes avoiding any other foods, including treats and table scraps, to avoid exposure to potential allergens. This allows pet parents to determine if their cat tolerates the more basic food well and if their symptoms of discomfort improve. If so, ingredients in their original diet may be the culprit of your cat’s sensitivity.

During this period, you must monitor your cat closely for stool consistency, appetite changes, coat quality, and overall behavior. If the symptoms persist or worsen, consult your vet to rule out other possible medical conditions. 

Once the trial period is over, it’s important to reintroduce certain foods gradually, as needed, to determine which foods caused the gastrointestinal issues. If you’d prefer to keep them on the diet that helped improve their health, KOHA’s Bland Diet for cats is complete and balanced to provide an excellent long-term solution. 

Featuring limited, easily digestible ingredients like chicken and rice, it supports cats with food sensitivities or recovering from digestive upset. Its high moisture content encourages better hydration and urinary health, pivotal for cats prone to gastrointestinal problems.

 

Best Wet Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Ready to help your cat’s upset stomach? Here are some top wet cat foods for sensitive stomachs!

1. KOHA Limited Ingredient Cat Food

KOHA is dedicated to offering pets the highest quality, most nutritious food using minimal and restricted ingredients that support your cat’s digestive health. KOHA crafts products for cats and dogs battling food allergies, IBS, IBD, and sensitive stomach issues.

For cat parents, KOHA provides high-quality cat food with limited ingredients that are optimal for allergy management. Their pâtés, shreds, stews, and toppers are all made with simplified formulas that are easy to digest, making them perfect for cats that suffer from heightened stomach sensitivities.

KOHA Limited Ingredient cat food recipes are some of the most sensitive recipes:

• High in protein
• Can be used as a food topper or served as a meal
• Easy to digest
• No junky fillers or preservatives
• Pumpkin to support healthy digestion
• Cranberries are included in the recipe for urinary tract health

KOHA Limited Ingredient recipes are available in chicken, duck, turkey, venison, kangaroo, and rabbit.

2. Smalls Human-Grade Cat Food 

Smalls Cat Food produces wet cat food products that are high in protein and contain limited ingredients. These are packaged in recyclable materials for environmental sustainability. Pet parents can take a survey to get paired with the best product for their cat.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Smooth Bird Recipe
• Ground Bird Recipe
• Smooth Other Bird Recipe
• Ground Other Bird Recipe
• Cow Recipe
• Fish Recipe

3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet Gastroenteric Wet Cat Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet Gastroenteric Wet Cat Food is formulated with high proteins, prebiotics, and low fiber for intestinal health. This product was designed for cats who suffer from gastritis, IBD, pancreatitis, or other intestinal tract diseases. 

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• EN Gastroenteric Feline Formula- Chicken in Gravy
• EN Gastroenteric Feline Formula- Turkey in Gravy

4. Royal Canin Digestive Care Canned Food

Royal Canin Digestive Care Canned Food helps improve cats' stools by focusing on the healthy bacteria living in the digestive tract. However, this formula does contain carrageenan, wheat, corn, and rice flour.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Kitten Dry Cat Food
• Feline Anallergenic Dry Cat Food
• Weight Care Dry Cat Food
• Feline Diabetic Dry Cat Food
• Dental Care Dry Cat Food

5. Made by Nacho Digestive Support

Made by Nacho Digestive Support is a wet cat food recipe that is made to help cats with digestion. This formula contains bone broth, fruit, vegetables, and other antioxidants for easy digestion. Made by Nacho does not use grain, poultry, corn, wheat, or soy in their recipe.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Cuts in Gravy
• Minced Cups
• Minced Cans
• Grain-Free Pâté Cans
• Flaked Fish Cans

6. The Honest Kitchen Pâté Wet Cat Food

Honest Kitchen Pâté Wet Cat Food features cage-free chicken or wild-caught fish. It’s free of gums, carrageenan, and artificial preservatives, making it suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Minced Wet Cat Food
• Câté (Pâté) Wet Cat Food

 

Best Dry Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Here are some good dry cat food options for felines with sensitive stomachs. 

1. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach is a dry cat food for adults with sensitive stomachs and uses prebiotics to promote healthy bacteria in the intestine. This recipe also includes antioxidants, vitamins, taurine, and turmeric. 

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• BLUE True Solutions
• BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet
• BLUE Tastefuls
• BLUE Basics

2. Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Digestive Care

Hill's Prescription Diet I/D Digestive Care is a dry cat food made with mixed fiber sources and antioxidants to help cats' gastrointestinal health. This recipe also uses digestible proteins and fats to help cats get the necessary nutrients. 

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes

• Hill's Prescription Diet z/d 
• Hill's Prescription Diet w/d
• Hill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome
• Hill's Science Diet Kitten
• Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach

3. Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Grain-Free Sensitive Stomach

Merrick Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Grain-Free Sensitive Stomach is a dry food for adult cats to support weight management and metabolism. The major ingredients in this product are deboned chicken, potatoes, and peas. 

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free
• Purrfect Bistro Healthy Grains
• Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Hairball Control
• Purrfect Bistro Complete Care Weight Control
• Purrfect Bistro Grain Free Healthy Kitten 

4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin is a dry cat food focusing on nutrient absorption for cats with sensitive stomachs. Their formula comprises prebiotic fibers, vitamin E, and Omega-6 fatty acids. This product is recommended for adults. 

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Hill's Science Diet Adult
• Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control
• Hill's Science Diet Adult Health Cuisine
• Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion
• Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Entree

5. Halo Holistic Sensitive Stomach Support

Halo Holistic Sensitive Stomach Support helps cats maintain healthy skin, coat, and digestive tract. This product contains pro and prebiotics, fatty acids, taurine, and vitamins for a strong immune system. Halo has no GMO ingredients, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavoring, colors, or preservatives.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Wild-Caught Whitefish Adult Dry Cat Food

6. IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin

IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion & Skin is for cats of all ages and sizes. This recipe is made for digestive health and is made with beet pulp, prebiotics, and fatty acids. There is no soy or wheat included in this product.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• IAMS Perfect Portions 
• IAMS Proactive Health
• IAMS Healthy Enjoyment
• IMAS Long Hair
• IAMS Advanced Health

7. Purina Pro Sensitive Skin & Stomach Canned Cat Food

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Canned Cat Food is formulated for cats with digestive sensitivities and skin issues. It includes easily digestible ingredients like oatmeal and rice, as well as omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to support feline coat and skin health. The formulas are free of additives.

Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Recipes:

• Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice Formula
• Purina Pro Plan Turkey and Oatmeal Formula
• Purina Pro Plan Salmon and Rice Formula

 

How to Transition to Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Transitioning a cat to hypoallergenic cat food or food for sensitive stomachs should be a gradual process to avoid additional digestive upset from sudden dietary changes. Slowly adjust their food over 7-10 days, starting with small amounts of the new food in the cat’s current food and slowly increasing the amount of the new food while decreasing the old with each passing day.

If the cat’s symptoms, like diarrhea, appetite loss, or vomiting, continue or worsen during the transition, consult your vet.

 

Learn More About Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Should I use wet or dry food for cats with sensitive stomachs?

Cats with sensitive bellies should be fed wet food because it’s moist, soft, and gentle on their digestive tract. However, some dry foods formulated with easily digestible ingredients, fiber, and prebiotics may also support feline digestive health. 

The best option for your cat depends on its needs, age, overall health, and the vet’s recommendations. Sometimes, combining the two types may provide a balanced approach to sensitive stomachs.

What are some good protein sources for cats with sensitive stomachs?

Cats with sensitive stomachs benefit the most from premium, easily digestible protein that decreases the risk of food intolerances. Single animal proteins are suitable for identifying sensitivities and easing digestion. Novel proteins are also an excellent choice because they’re less likely to trigger allergies to common proteins. 

The KOHA Limited and Minimal ingredient Diet range offers six thoughtfully crafted recipes designed to meet the needs of food-sensitive and picky cats alike. Each option is protein-rich, enhanced with beneficial ingredients like pumpkin and cranberries and featuring a single animal or novel protein They’re free of junky fillers and delicious!

Discover nutritious, gentle, protein-rich, and filler-free recipes formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs—choose your cat's KOHA recipe today.

What's the difference between limited ingredient diets and other sensitive stomach cat foods?

Though both limited-ingredient and sensitive stomach cat foods are created to support digestive health, their roles differ. 

Limited ingredient diets reduce the number of ingredients, usually containing one animal protein and a carbohydrate, to help detect food allergies or intolerances. One great example is KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet Pâtés—their formula incorporates a single animal or novel protein per recipe while excluding additives.

Sensitive stomach cat foods may feature multiple ingredients formulated to be easily digestible and may also include probiotics, prebiotics, and gentle fiber sources. KOHA Minimal Ingredient Stews are crafted for cats with food sensitivities, featuring tasty cuts of duck, turkey, or chicken in gravy. Each recipe is gentle on the stomach and free from unnecessary ingredients that may trigger reactions.

Another great example is the KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet with shredded chicken, white rice, and pumpkin. It’s nutritionally complete and balanced, suitable for felines recovering from an illness or digestive flare-up, as well as a long-term solution for cats with sensitive stomachs.

 

Choose the Best Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Choosing the best cat food for a sensitive stomach is easier said than done. Depending on your cat and its needs and preferences, it may take a series of trial and error before you find the right recipe. Always consult your vet to determine what foods should be included and excluded from your cat's diet to help narrow your search for the perfect cat food solution. 

Feeding your cat with a limited ingredient cat food recipe is an excellent method to meet its nutritional needs without causing digestive discomfort. And at KOHA, limited ingredient recipes are our specialty. 

KOHA takes into account your cat's digestive health by ensuring our recipes contain only one type of protein while also including all the minerals and nutrients your cat needs. 

You can finally rest easy knowing that your cat is eating healthy and happily.

Try KOHA Cat Food