Constipation is a common issue in cats that can cause discomfort and lead to more serious health problems if left unaddressed. While there are several causes of constipation—ranging from dehydration and lack of exercise to underlying medical conditions—diet plays a crucial role in managing and preventing this problem. In this blog, we’ll explore the best food options for cats with constipation, helping you choose the right nutrition to keep your feline friend healthy and comfortable.
1. High-Fiber Diet
Fiber is essential in promoting healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. A diet rich in fiber can help to bulk up the stool, making it easier for your cat to pass. Some commercial cat foods are formulated with additional fiber to support digestive health, but it’s important to choose the right type of fiber for your cat.
Insoluble Fiber
Found in ingredients like wheat bran, cellulose, and peanut hulls, insoluble fiber helps to increase stool bulk. However, too much insoluble fiber can sometimes lead to excessive dry stools, so balance is key.
Soluble Fiber
Ingredients such as psyllium husk or pumpkin are excellent sources of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber attracts water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass.
Best Cat Foods With High Fibre
When looking for a cat food brand that offers high fiber, focus on the type and quality of fiber used. Look for a balance of soluble fiber (such as pumpkin, psyllium husk, or beet pulp) to soften stool and improve digestion, along with insoluble fiber (like cellulose or pea fiber) to add bulk. Ensure the food is made with high-quality ingredients and avoids unnecessary fillers. Below I have listed a few of my favourite brands and products with high fibre and highlighted the good fibre ingredients in each.
Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, De-Boned Salmon, Whole Oats, Rye, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato, Natural Flavour, Apples, Millet, Psyllium Husk, Quinoa, Carrots, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Phosphoric Acid, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Brewers Dried Yeast, Ground Grain Sorghum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (A Source Of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulphate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulphate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Rosemary
Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Herring Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Dried Ground Potatoes, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Calcium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Cranberries, Dried Chicory Root, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Vitamin C (L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate), Niacin, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin, Manganese Proteinate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
Ingredients: Turkey broth, turkey, chicken, duck, pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, natural turkey flavor, agar-agar, dandelion greens, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium proteinate, choline chloride, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), folic acid, biotin (vitamin B7), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], taurine, minerals [copper proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, potassium iodide, zinc proteinate, sodium selenite], salmon oil, yucca schidigera extract, turmeric.
Don’t want to switch your cat’s food? No problem! A cheap and easy solution is simply adding canned pumpkin (plain, no additives) or psyllium husk to your cat’s current diet.
2. Canned, Fresh-Cooked or Wet Food
Hydration plays a significant role in preventing constipation. Many cats don’t drink enough water, which can lead to dry, hard stools. Switching to canned, fresh or other wet food is one of the simplest ways to increase their water intake, as wet food contains a much higher moisture content compared to dry kibble.
The additional moisture helps to keep the stool soft and promotes regular bowel movements. For cats prone to constipation, a diet that is primarily or entirely wet can be highly beneficial.
Best Cat Foods With High Moisture
When choosing a cat food brand with high moisture content, prioritize wet or canned foods that list water or broth as one of the first ingredients. Look for options that provide at least 70-80% moisture, which helps keep your cat hydrated and supports digestive health. There are so many wet cat food brands to choose from. Below I have listed a few of my favorites, along with the moisture content of each.
Moisture content: 78%
Moisture Content: 82%
Moisture content: 82%
Does your kitty love their kibble? Just add a little water to their meal and let it soak for 5-10 minutes to rehydrate the kibble!
3. Foods with Added Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut environment, supporting digestion and nutrient absorption. By improving gut flora, probiotics can help to normalize bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Many cat foods now contain added probiotics, or you can supplement your cat’s diet with probiotic powders or chews. Look for strains specifically formulated for feline digestive health, such as Enterococcus faecium or Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Best Cat Foods With Added Probiotics
When selecting a cat food brand with added probiotics and prebiotics, look for specific strains of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Enterococcus faecium, which support gut health and digestion. The label should clearly list these probiotics and provide the CFU count (colony-forming units) to indicate potency. Choose a brand that is transparent about its probiotic formulations and ensures they are added in amounts effective enough to provide real health benefits. Below I have listed a few of my favorites and highlighted the good probiotic ingredients in the ingredient lists.
- TLC: Whole Life Cat Food
Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Fresh Chicken, Whole Brown Rice, Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, a Natural Source of Vitamin E}, Pea Fiber, Chicken Liver, Salmon Meal {Preserved With Vitamin E and Rosemary Extract}, Oatmeal, Salmon Oil {Source of DHA}, Whole Eggs {Natural Source of Vitamin K}, Potassium Chloride, Phosphoric Acid, Flaxseed, Cultured Yeast, Lecithin, Chicory Root {Inulin}, Quinoa, Kelp, Cranberries, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Niacin, Inositol, Vitamin A, Vitamin Bl, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Taurine, Choline Chloride, DL Methionine, 1-Lysine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Carrots, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Probiotics (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Enterococcus Faecium, Bifidobacterium Thermophilum), Thyme, Cassia, Anise, Horseradish, Juniper, Ginger, Yarrow, Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients: Salmon, Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Fish Protein Concentrate, Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes, Tapioca, Pea Protein, Canola Oil, Pumpkin, Menhaden Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Natural Fish Flavor, Sun-Cured Ground Miscanthus Grass, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Botanicals (Ginger Root, Turmeric, Carrot, Apple, Blueberry, Broccoli, Cranberry, Licorice Root, Peppermint Leaf, Pomegranate, Butternut Squash, Spinach), Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Sunflower Lecithin, Sodium Bisulfate, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, Dl-Methionine, Yeast Extract, L-Lysine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Niacin, Calciumpantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid], Dried Chicory Root, L-Tyrosine, L-Carnitine, Organic Acids (Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid), Chia Seeds, Fructooligosaccharides, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Tryptophan, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product.
Digestive Enzymes and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Digestive enzymes help to break down food more effectively, improving overall gut health and digestion. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil or flaxseed, can also help reduce inflammation in the intestines, easing constipation and improving digestive function.
Hydration is Key
Regardless of the type of food you choose, encouraging your cat to drink more water is essential in managing constipation. Here are a few tips to boost water intake:
- Use a water fountain to keep water fresh and appealing.
- Place multiple water bowls around the house.
- Add water or low-sodium broth to your cat’s wet or dry food.
Take Home Message
The best food for cats with constipation is one that provides adequate fiber, moisture, and overall digestive support. Whether you opt for a high-fiber dry food, a moisture-rich canned food, or a specialized raw diet, it’s important to monitor your cat’s bowel movements and adjust their diet as needed. For persistent or severe cases of constipation, always consult with your veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to rule out any underlying health issues.
With the right food choices and attention to hydration, your cat can enjoy a healthy, happy digestive system—and you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.
Andrea Geiger is a certified companion animal nutritionist with a master’s degree in Veterinary Toxicology and Nutrition. With over five years of experience in product development and consulting, Andrea specializes in creating science-based nutrition plans and formulating recipes that prioritize pet health, ensuring optimal nutrition for dogs and cats alike.