Best Cat Food For Constipation

This is our review of the best cat food for constipation.

A constipated cat is an unhappy cat. There could be many reasons your cat is constipated but diet can be a big factor in it.

If you are looking for the best cat food for constipation to help your furry friend, you have come to the right place.

Our favourite option is Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food.

It contains high fiber content and ingredients such as pumpkin which are beneficial in treating constipation.

But we have many other options as well, from kittens to senior cats to picky eaters, so find the best one for your needs. Here are the best cat foods for constipation.

Our Best Cat Food For Constipation

1. Best Overall – Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Cat Food
2. Best Budget – Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food
3. Best Premium – Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food
4. Best Kittens – Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food
5. Best Senior – Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Mature Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
6. Best Picky Eaters – Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Wet Cat Food

6 Best Cat Food For Constipation Reviewed

The brands and formulas listed below follow AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your cat to a new recipe, please consult with your veterinarian. 

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Cat Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken (Boneless, Skinless Breast), Tuna, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil
• Guaranteed Analysis: 10% Protein, 1.6% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 0.5%
• Moisture Content: 87%
• Caloric Content: 54 kcal/3.2-oz can, 102 kcal/6-oz can, 172 kcal/10-oz can
• Type of Product: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, Pea-Free, Non-GMO, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural, Premium
• Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 5 out of 5

With a particularly strong reputation in cat owners for aiding in constipation, this is a great choice if your cat has constipation.

This recipe has particularly high quality ingredients with real meat ingredients and low fat content, this food is particularly beneficial for cats with constipation.

This recipe also includes fiber rich and sage  ingredients such as pumpkin and guar gum (known as a laxative) that aid in relieving constipation in cats.

Free from fillers and grains, this food is also free from any allergy causing ingredients making it our number one recommendation for cats with constipation.

Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Cranberries
• Guaranteed Analysis: 12% Protein, 8% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 1%
• Moisture Content: 78%
• Caloric Content: 212 kcal/can
• Type of Product: High-Protein, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, Premium
• Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

This recipe by Wellness Core provides complete nutrition to your cat. It is based on real meat ingredients and is high in moisture to provide pepper hydration to cats that helps with bowel movements.

This recipe is also filled with high fiber ingredients such as guar gum and ground flaxseed, this cat food helps increase gut motility.

It does contain a large number of plant ingredients which are not that beneficial for cats if your cat doesn’t suffer from digestive issues.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Protein, 13% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 4.7%
• Moisture Content: 8%
• Caloric Content: 362 kcal/cup
• Type of Product: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion, With Grain
• Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Response is a specially formulated dry cat food for cats with constipation.

It includes special vitamins and minerals such as EPA/DHA to improve the overall health of the digestive system.

Customers also are happy that their cats absolutely love this food and it is easy for their cats to eat.

This being a dry food, the moisture content is low and you want to ensure your cat is drinking enough water to stay properly hydrated.

Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Tuna
• Guaranteed Analysis: 11% Protein, 6.5% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 0.75%
• Moisture Content: 78%
• Caloric Content: 193 kcal/can
• Type of Product: Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Gluten Free, High-Protein, Low Glycemic, Pea-Free, Non-GMO, Premium
• Life Stage: Kittens, Adults

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This food contains high quality protein with multiple meat sources such as Turkey, Chicken and Tuna, providing your kitten with all the nutrients they require to grow.

High in fiber through the use of ingredients such as guar gum and agar agar, that will help your kitten with constipation issues.

It contains fiber from vegetables and pumpkin which is great for constipation.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Mature Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: 7% Protein, 4% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 2.5%
• Moisture Content: 78%
• Caloric Content: 91 kcal/3 oz can, 168 kcal/5.5 oz can
• Type of Product: Indoor, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, Natural
• Life Stage: Senior

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

This is an ideal recipe for senior cats with constipation as it contains moderate protein and fat contents, perfectly suitable for senior cats and their nutritional requirements.

This food is particularly high in fiber coming from all natural sources such as vegetables which will provide your senior kitty with a healthy boost of fiber.

High in moisture means your senior cat will get all the hydration they need from this food.

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Pate Real Turkey Recipe Wet Cat Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Peas, Pea Protein
• Guaranteed Analysis: 11.5% Protein, 7% Fat 
• Fiber Content: 2%
• Moisture Content: 78%
• Caloric Content: 204 kcal/5.5 oz can, 111 kcal/3 oz can
• Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
• Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

A limited ingredient food that will not just aid your cat with constipation but your cats will also eat it happily.

Protein in this comes from a single source reducing the risk of sensitivities in cats.

It is high in fiber that comes from ingredients such as ground flaxseed, guar gum, and a trace amount of pumpkin that all assist a cat’s digestive system in constipation.

Buying Guide: How to Pick The Best Food For Constipated Cats?

Ready to buy cat food that will help your kitty with constipation? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

What Are the Causes of Constipation in Cats?

There are a few reasons that can cause constipation in cats.

Dehydration

If your cat does not give enough hydration in a day, it can lead to constipation in cats.

Cat’s natural prey has around 70% water content whereas on average dry cat food contains only 10-12% moisture which is significantly lower than the cat’s natural prey. So if your cat’s diet mainly consists of dry cat food, there is a higher chance of your cat being dehydrated and causing constipation.

Cats also have a low thirst drive which means they are not known to drink loads of water. So they are prone to dehydration if they don’t get enough moisture from their food. So if your cat doesn’t drink much water and solely is on a dry food diet can lead to constipation in cats.

Fiber Deficiency

Fiber, especially insoluble fiber is particularly important in treatment of constipation and for a healthy digestive system.

It is important to have adequate amounts of fibers in a cat’s diet to overcome constipation or stop it from occurring again. Especially if the cat’s diet is based on raw cat food or homemade cat food.

Soluble fiber is a prebiotic which improves the overall gut health by aiding the production of healthy gut bacteria in cats.

Obesity And Lack of Exercise

When cat’s do a lot of physical exercise such as walking, playing or jumping, these aid in stimulating intestinal contractions which help move the waste towards the rectum.

Obese cats or cats that do not do a lot of exercise have less of these simulated intestinal contractions which can lead to waste building up in their intestine without moving.

Obstructions

Constipation can be caused by obstruction in a cat’s intestine. These can include hairballs, tumors, ingested foreign bodies or intestine issues.

Food Changes

Sudden changes in the cat’s digest can confuse the digestive system and can cause issues such as constipation and diarrhoea.

Always change a cat’s food slowly over a 7 to 10 day period.

Read more on how to safely change a cat’s food here.

Symptoms of Constipation in Cats

Watch out for the following symptoms of constipation in your cat.

Irregular Bowel Movements

Typically cats have one or two bowel movements in a day. Constipated cats will have 3 to 4 or less bowel movements in a week.

If your cat is not having daily bowel movements then they might be suffering from constipation.

Straining During Litter Time

If a cat is constipated they will usually strain or display signs of pain and discomfort while they are in the litter box.

Small, Dry And Hard Faeces

If the cat’s faeces are small, dry and hard or don’t look the same as they usually do, this could be a sign that the cat is suffering from constipation.

In some cases, liquid faeces can also indicate constipation in cats.

What To Look For When Buying Cat Food For Constipation

If your cat has constipation, some ingredients and food can help in removing constipation. Here’s what to look for:

High Moisture Food

If your kitty doesn’t like drinking water, feeding your cat wet food can help keep their body hydrated and lower the chances of constipation.

Pate has the highest moisture content amongst wet foods.

High Fiber Content

Fiber is the main ingredient that will soften and minimise the size of the stool so that it is easier to pass for your cat.

Look for food that contains rice bran and/or beet pulp as they are an excellent source of fiber that can give your cat the right nutrient they need to help with constipation.

Just a heads up, please make sure that the food with extra fiber is not low in protein, this is a common tradeoff pet food manufacturers make when adding extra fiber.

Some of the safe fiber ingredients are wheat bran, oat fiber, cellulose, and various vegetables. These ingredients help the bowel movement.

Probiotics

Probiotics assist a cat’s digestive system by helping it to produce more stool.

Ingredients like pork liver and brewers yeast are all good sources of probiotics.

You can also consult your vet on getting probiotic supplements such Proviable DC or Purina Fortiflora that can aid your cat’s digestive system and help reduce symptoms of constipation.

High Protein Content

Even though your cat might not be having great bowel movements, you still need to feed it sufficient amounts of protein for it’s body to function properly.

Look for food that is high in protein so that your cat can get all the nutrition it requires.

Low Fat Content

Look for food with low fat content so that you don’t put extra burden on your cat’s digestive system. Low fat food would not stay in your stomach for longer than it should and pass out quickly.

Digestibility

When looking for food for your constipated cat, look for low carb cat food and animal based-protein meals as they are easier for your cat to digest and pass out.

Try to avoid foods with a lot of plants and starchy ingredients such as peas, potatoes and lentils as they are not easy to digest for cats.

Allergen Free

If your cat suffers from sensitivities, look for foods that don’t have common allergen causing ingredients such as artificial ingredients.

Limited ingredient food with enough fiber and moisture can be a good option for your cat with allergies.

You can also read more on Ingredients to Avoid in Your Cat Food Here.

How to Help A Cat With Constipation?

There are a few things you can do to help your cat with constipation.

Increased Daily Exercise

Instead of letting your cat lay down and doze off immediately after eating, take out their favourite toy and play with them for 10 to 15 minutes.

This will help increase the intestinal movements in your cat and help their digestive system form more normal faeces.

Small Frequent Meals

Changing how often you feed your cat can help with constipation. Feeding your cat smaller frequent meals can help increase contraction in the cat’s digestive system.

Litter Box

Try providing your cat litter boxes in different areas of your house. Also clean out the litter box frequently so that the cat has a fresh litter to go into it.

Home Remedies To Help Your Cat With Constipation

There are a few safe home remedies you can try to help your cat with constipation.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a safe source of fiber for cats. You can give approx 1 to 2 tablespoons of pumpkin to your cat to help them with constipation.

Canned pumpkin has around 28% crude fiber on a dry matter basis.

Probiotic Supplements

Try supplementing your cat’s food with probiotic supplements such as Proviable-DC and Purina Fortiflora. These probiotics can improve your cat’s digestive health.

Try these probiotics for at least a month before giving up on them.

Our Final Verdict

Your cat does not have to suffer from constipation longer than they should. The cat foods in this list will help you overcome constipation and be a happy kitty again.

In our opinion the best cat food for constipation is Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food.

But each of the formulas that we’ve listed contains fiber content, natural ingredients, and even prebiotics and probiotics. These are all essential potential food for cats with constipation.

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