This is our review of the best cat food to stop vomiting or for cats that throw up.
Vomiting is a very common phenomenon in cats but if your cat vomits constantly it could be a sign of a health issue, caused by ingredients in your cat food or excessive hairballs.
We have spent hundreds of hours researching the best cat food for cats that vomit that will surely help your cat’s digestive system and reduce occurrences of vomiting.
We highly recommend Halo Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food as the best cat food to stop vomiting or cats that throw up.
But the other options are great as well and might be more suited for your cat’s particular needs.
Our Best Cat Food For Vomiting or Throwing Up
- Best Overall – Halo Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
- Best Budget – Purina One Sensitive Systems Dry Cat Food
- Best For Kittens – Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food
- Best Premium – Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food
- Best For Seniors – Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach Natural Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
- Best For Sensitive Stomach – Hill’s Science Diet Stomach & Skin Cat Food
6 Best Cat Food For Vomiting or Throwing Up Reviewed
All cat foods in this list meet the standard AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines. Always consult your vet before making changes to your cat’s diet.
Halo Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Whitefish, Brewers Rice, Pork, Brewers Dried Yeast, Pork Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
- Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Protein, 16% Fat, 5% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 447 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, With Grain, Non-GMO, High-Protein
- Life Stage: Adult
Our Rating: 5 out of 5
Halo is the best cat food we have reviewed to stop vomiting and improve cats overall digestive system.
This halo product contains high quality high content protein derived from fish and pork which is easily digestible and provides complete nutrition to your cat which improves digestion and stops cats from vomiting.
Halo product is also free from any harmful preservatives or thickening agents that can irritate a digestive system and cause vomiting.
Full of healthy omega fats, this food will reduce swelling and improve your cat’s skin and coat.
All the meats used in this food are antibiotic free which can sometimes cause vomiting in cats.
Customers do complain about the smell of the food and the small kibble size which can make a mess when cats are eating.
What We Like:
- Use of high quality seafood ingredients
- Soy and corn free
- Plenty of healthy omega fats
What We Don’t Like:
- Strong smell
- Tiny kibble size
Purina One Sensitive Systems Dry Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken By-Product Meal, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 34% Protein, 14% Fat, 4% Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 429 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High-Protein, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural, With Grain
- Life Stage: Adult
Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5
This is a specially formulated food for cats with digestive issues and can help your cat with vomiting issues.
Made with real turkey and chicken meals, this food is full of protein that can be easily digested by cats.
If you are looking for a pocket friendly option to help with vomiting, we recommend this product.
There are a few things we didn’t like about it though, the inclusion of grains and by-product meals means some cats’ digestive system might not be able to handle this food and cause issues.
We recommend getting the small pack and testing it out to ensure this food suits your cat.
What We Like:
- Chicken free
- High protein content
- Inclusion of antioxidants
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains artificial colouring
- Grain inclusive
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Liver Pate Canned Kitten Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Chicken Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 12% Protein, 7.5% Fat, 1% Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 108 kcal/can
- Type of Product: Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, High-Protein, Premium
- Life Stage: Kitten
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
If your kitten has issues with vomiting, we recommend the Wellness Core Natural Kitten Food.
The main protein content comes from Turkey and chicken and is full of vitamins and minerals. This food is easy for your kitten to digest without causing any digestive discomfort.
This food is free of grain and any harmful ingredients such as artificial preservatives and colouring that can cause sensitivities in a kitten stomach.
The high moisture content can also help relieve symptoms of diarrhoea in kittens.
With all healthy foods, your kitten might not like the taste of it initially so you might want to slowly transition it to the new food.
What We Like:
- High Protein
- Specially formulated for kittens
- Grain free
What We Don’t Like:
- Some kittens don’t like the taste
Royal Canin Vet Diet Gastrointestinal Fiber Dry Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Protein, 13% Fat, 4.7% Fiber, 8% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 362 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion, With Grain
- Life Stage: Adult
Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5
This is a specially formulated veterinary food aimed to help cats with digestive problems.
Also quite effective for hairball control, this food can especially help if your cat suffers from excessive hairballs.
We are not a big fan of the protein coming from by-product meals and high fiber content in the food.
But it has been specially formulated and can only be prescribed by vets so we kind of have to trust the formulation in reducing vomiting in cats.
The customers mostly give this product positive reviews and state that this product actually works.
What We Like:
- Vet Prescribed
- Specially formulated to help digestive issues and excessive hairballs
What We Don’t Like:
- Use of by-products
- Grain inclusive
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach Natural Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
- Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Protein, 16% Fat, 3.5% Fiber, 9% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 422 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, With Grain, Natural
- Life Stage: Senior
Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Blue buffalo produce natural high protein food that are easily digestible for your senior cat.
It also contains FOS prebiotics that help improve digestive health and can help soothe your kitty’s stomach.
This food is a bit high in protein and might not be the best choice if your senior cat suffers from kidney issues.
What We Like:
- FOS prebiotics
- Full of omega fats
- High Quality Protein
What We Don’t Like:
- Use of by-products
- High protein content
Hill’s Science Diet Stomach & Skin Cat Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat
- Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Protein, 17% Fat, 3% Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 524 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Sensitive Digestion, Pea-Free, With Grain
- Life Stage: Adult
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
Hill’s science produces some of the best specialty food for health conditions and this one is no different.
Full of prebiotic fiber, this food will help improve your cat’s digestive health and also help with digestion.
This formula is also highly digestible so that your cat absorbs the nutrients quickly and the food not to linger in your cat’s stomach for longer than it should.
It also has healthy omega fatty acids and Vitamin E to improve your cat’s skin and fur.
The downside is that it has a lot of corn which makes the cat feel unfulfilled and more hungry.
This food isn’t recommended for pregnant or nursing cats as it doesn’t provide enough nutrients that their body requires.
What We Like:
- Highly digestible
- Full of omega fats
- Formulated for sensitive stomach
- Good for skin and coat
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains corn
What Causes Vomiting in Cats?
There can be several reasons why your cat might be vomiting. Vomiting can be a sign of a serious health condition or a more simple issue that can be fixed by switching your cat’s food.
Here are some of the most common causes of vomiting in cats.
- Hairballs – A very common reason for cat’s vomiting is hairballs. Cats consume a lot of hair when they groom themselves. If your cat’s vomit contains a lot of hair that means that the hair is not passing through your cat’s digestive system and causing issues that are causing your cat to vomit out those hairballs.
- Eating Too Fast – Eating too fast or eating too much can cause issues and discomfort in your cat’s stomach and can cause vomiting.
- Allergies – Some cats are prone to allergies or sensitivities from certain foods especially from certain meats, artificial ingredients or grains in their food. These allergies or sensitivities can cause your cat to vomit.
- Hyper Activity – If your cat is too active right after eating, that can sometimes cause an upset stomach and vomiting in some cats.
- Diet Changes – Changing your cat’s food too often or too quickly can cause an upset stomach and other digestive issues including vomiting and diarrhoea. Changing a cat’s food should be a slow and scheduled process. Read more on how to properly change a cat’s food here.
- Sensitive Stomach – Cats have very sensitive stomachs that can be thrown off very easily from changes in food, ingredients in food. Cats with sensitive stomachs usually vomit. It is important to find the right food if your cat has a sensitive stomach to reduce vomiting.
- Health Issues – Several health issues can also cause vomiting in cats. It is important to consult your veterinarian to determine the exact reason your cat is vomiting to give them the proper treatment they require.
- Foreign Objects – Some cats are a bit more curious than others and would put things in their mouth that they can potentially swallow, causing them to vomit. Always consult your vet if you feel your cat might have swallowed something.
Vomiting vs Regurgitation: How Are They Different?
Vomiting is the process of evacuation of food from the stomach. Vomiting is not a disease but could be a symptom of some health condition.
There is no need for concern if your cat vomits once a month but if your cat is vomiting three times or more in a month, then you need to consult your vet to make sure they do not have any underlying health conditions.
Regurgitation is a bit different, regurgitation involves throwing up food or water immediately after consumption.
If you notice that the vomit contains undigested food that could be a sign of regurgitation.
If you consistently see your cat vomiting or regurgitation, it is best to consult your vet to ensure there are no serious underlying health issues.
How To Treat Vomiting in Cats?
There is no universal cure to stop your cat from vomiting. Sometimes no treatment is the best option if the vomiting is not chronic.
If your cat throws up occasionally and with hair, there is no need for concern.
But if your cat has a chronic vomiting or regurgitation issue, it is best to consult your vet to understand the underlying issues.
Based on the diagnosis, your vet might recommend one or more of the following treatments.
- Change Your Cat’s Diet: Your vet might recommend a bland or limited ingredient diet till the issue disappears.
- Hairball Control Food: If your vet concludes that the cause of vomiting is hairballs, a hairball control diet might be prescribed.
- Medication: If the symptoms are chronic and severe, the vet prescribes medication to help cure the underlying issue.
There are a couple of things you need to monitor to share with your vet so that they can give the proper treatment to your cat.
- How Often and How Much is Your Cat Vomiting: Let your veterinarian know how often and how much is your cat vomiting.
- Energy And Activity Level of Your Cat: If your cat is very lethargic or the activity level has dropped, then contact the vet immediately
- Look Out For Blood in Vomit: If the vomit contains blood, consider this is an emergency and take your cat to the vet immediately
Buying Guide: How To Find the Best Cat Food For Your Cat that Vomits?
The right food can help reduce vomiting in cats. Below is a guide on how to pick the right cat food.
Limited Ingredient Diet (LID)
Until you find the exact ingredient that is causing your cat to vomit, try feeding your cat Limited ingredient Diet which has novel protein and easy to digest ingredients that won’t cause any issues to the cat’s stomachs.
Real Protein Sources
Look for food that has real animal based protein. Try to avoid meal by-products and meal products. These are usually low quality sources of proteins used by the pet food companies to prop up the protein content number in the food.
Easily Digestible
It is important to feed your cat food that is easily digestible and will not stay in your cat’s stomach longer than it should.
Best cat food for a cat that is vomiting will be free from grains and low quality fillers that adds stress to your cat’s digestive system.
Low Carb Content
Food that is low in carb helps digestion and also helps control vomiting in cats.
Moderate Healthy Fats
The best cat food to stop vomiting will have moderate fat content, ideally derived from animal fats. These are easier and quicker for cats to digest and help with vomiting.
Veterinarian Prescribed Diet
You might also want to try out a veterinarian prescribed diet that has been specially formulated to help with vomiting in cats.This provides complete nutrition to cats in the right formulation to help with vomiting.
Our Final Verdict
As you can see there are many options available to help your cat with vomiting issues.
The best option for cats that vomit is Halo Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food.
Having a vomiting issues doesn’t mean your cat should only have bland food, they can still enjoy delicious meals and with the options we are sure your cat is going to thank you.
FAQ
Why is My Cat Vomiting?
Cats can vomit due to illness, ingestion of some sort of toxin such as chocolate, sensitivities caused by diet or due to hairballs.
Vomiting is a common symptom in feline illness and could hint to some sort of underlying health condition or just caused by hairballs or hyperactivity after eating.
Should Cats Eat After Vomiting?
Veterinarians do not recommend withholding food from vomiting cats. You can and you should feed your cat even if they are vomiting as cat’s don’t do well if they don’t eat. Withholding food from a vomiting cat does not help the condition at all.
What to Give a Cat For Vomiting?
Bland, unseasoned and cooked meat is the best choice to give a cat for vomiting.
You want to put as little stress on your cat’s digestive system as you can and help the digestion problem.
Your veterinarian might also prescribe medicine such as maropitant citrate (brand name Cerenia®) famotidine (brand name Pepcid®) or metronidazole (brand name Flagyl®) to control vomiting and inflammation.
What is Normal For a Cat to Throw Up?
It is normal for a cat to throw up once a while but if your cat throws up once or more per week or consistently every few weeks, it is best to get your cat checked by the veterinarian.
When Do I Take My Vomiting Cat to the Vet?
If your cat is vomiting consistently, showing signs of lethargy, diarrhoea, constipation and/or loss in appetite, take your cat to the vet immediately.
Why is My Cat Throwing Up Undigested Food?
Vomiting undigested food can be a sign of some illness in your cat. These could be excessive hairballs, internal obstruction, indigestion, constipation etc.
