Last updated Oct 24, 2023
Medically reviewed by
*This article is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Your veterinarian can provide personalized suggestions relevant to your cat’s unique situation.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition characterized by chronic irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Though the cause is unknown, experts believe it has to do with the interaction between the cat’s immune system, diet, gut flora, and other environmental factors.
The best cat food for IBD helps to heal the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and restore healthy gut flora without stressing the digestive system.
That’s why we recommend Smalls Ground Other Bird fresh cat food as the overall best cat food for IBD. Our top pick is minimally processed and frozen at the peak of freshness. It features a single protein source, promising better digestibility and reduced inflammation.
Based on both veterinary research and anecdotal evidence, we’ve identified the top 9 cat foods that appear to have the best chance of controlling IBD symptoms and putting your cat on the road to optimal digestive health.
At a Glance: Best Cat Food for IBD To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Smalls Ground Other Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Cod liver oil provides omega-3 fatty acids
- Good source of hydration for your cat
The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Minced Turkey in Bone Broth Gravy Wet Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture and fiber to support healthy digestion
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
Koha Minimal Ingredient Chicken Stew for Cats
- Contains numerous sources of animal-based protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration and digestion
- Very limited number of main ingredients
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
- Rabbit is usually a novel protein
- Raw food has a good reputation among cats with IBD
- Supplemented with probiotics
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Chicken Pate Recipe
- Simple recipe free from inflammatory ingredients
- Rich in animal-based protein from poultry
- Salmon oil provides a great source omega-3 fatty acids
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Features highly-digestible animal proteins
- Significantly lower carbohydrate content than the typical dry food
- Contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Entree Cat Food
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Very straightforward, simple ingredient list minimizes exposure to potential allergens
- Features herring oil as a source of soothing omega-3 fatty acids
Hound & Gatos 98% Duck & Liver Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Made from duck, which is a less-allergenic alternative to more common protein sources
- Free from commonly inflammatory ingredients
- Limited ingredient list minimizes potential inflammation
Raised Right Original Chicken Adult Cat Recipe
- Primarily consists of chicken muscle meat and organs
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3s from cod liver oil
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Table of Contents:
Before We Talk About How Food Can Help Your Cat, Let’s Talk About The Cause Of IBD And Its Diagnosis.
No one knows exactly why cats develop IBD. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning that the root cause is unknown. In idiopathic cases of IBD, veterinarians often point to a rift in the relationship between the natural microbiota (normal microorganisms found in the body) and the GI immune system.
For unknown reasons, the gut starts to fight against itself, interpreting normal microbiota and dietary components as threats.
When inflammatory cells enter your cat’s GI tract, they cause serious damage and friendly gut bacteria populations dwindle. The injured intestinal lining becomes thicker and flatter, which results in compromised function. To put it simply, this means that cats with IBD have a harder time digesting and absorbing nutrients.
As a result of this intestinal damage, IBD patients often develop leaky gut, a condition that permits toxins and bacteria to leach into the bloodstream. Between chronic inflammation and a leaky gut, we’re looking at a recipe for a cat who constantly feels unwell.
IBD symptoms include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, and bloody stools. In contrast to those with acute digestive problems, cats with IBD experience these GI issues for three weeks or more at a time.
This kind of chronic digestive distress could point to a range of conditions, so diagnosing IBD requires extensive testing. Once your veterinarian has established that your cat has IBD, you have a couple of options for treatment: dietary management and medication.
The Right Diet Is the Most Powerful Treatment for IBD
Craig Ruaux, BVSc (Hons), Ph.D., MACVSc, DACVIM-SA tells Hills Pet Nutrition that 60% of cats with chronic GI problems improve with nutritional therapy alone.
That’s right—for most cats, diet alone is enough to ease IBD symptoms. No drugs necessary.
While there’s no arguing that diet can help, however, there is definitely some debate on how much it can help. Some experts say IBD is incurable. Others disagree, saying that diet is both the cause of, and the cure for, IBD.
So, We Know That Dietary Management Can Help, but What Are the Qualities of the Best Cat Food for IBD?
Anne Jablonski, a feline nutrition advocate who claims to have cured her own cat’s IBD with a raw diet, describes cats with IBD as “the feline nutritional equivalent of the proverbial ‘canary in a coal mine.’” Jablonski comments that cats with IBD are among the first to exhibit dietary sensitivity to ingredients that are inappropriate for their species.”
Cats with IBD have the same nutritional needs as any other feline. They’re just less tolerant of anything that falls outside of that carnivore-oriented blueprint.
In other words, they need plenty of readily-digestible protein from animal sources. They need animal-sourced fat that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. And they should avoid potentially inflammatory pet food additives like artificial colors, flavors, sugar, and other ingredients that could make things worse.
To nourish your cat while minimizing waste and digestive strain, choose a highly-digestible food with healthy doses of animal protein. It’s recommended that cats with IBD consume a diet with at least 87% highly-digestible protein.
Though we still don’t fully understand which proteins are the most digestible for cats, we do know that minimally-processed animal flesh appears to be the most efficient protein source for an obligate carnivore. (This rules out foods that contain a lot of plant protein from ingredients like corn gluten meal, pea protein, potato protein, and soy protein.)
So, in Shopping for the Best Cat Food for Ibd, You Want To Start With a High-Quality Source of Animal Protein.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to foods featuring animal protein sources, look for foods that are free of animal byproducts and generic meat meals (like poultry meal versus chicken meal). These ingredients may not be of poor quality, but the vagueness of these labels allows for a lot of variability in protein quality.
According to the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials, byproducts are what remains after the initial processing of a particular food product. They may be composed of digestible protein sources, but they may also have animal parts that could be harder for a cat with IBD to digest.
Next, Narrow Down Your List by Prioritizing Recipes With Limited Ingredient Lists and Novel Proteins.
Since food allergies and intolerances play a part in IBD, it’s a good idea to avoid allergenic ingredients. A few of the most common cat food allergens are chicken, pork, beef, fish, dairy, and eggs. Because meat or animal byproducts may contain any variety of allergenic meats, these ingredients should be avoided as well.
If you don’t know which proteins your cat is sensitive to, select novel proteins that are new to your cat’s diet. For example, if your cat has always eaten chicken-based foods, choose turkey, lamb, venison, or rabbit instead. Your veterinarian can help you decide which novel protein to feed your cat.
Make Sure That Your Cat’s Food Is Rich in Moisture.
Feeding a high-moisture diet is the easiest way to combat the dehydration that is so common among cats with IBD. Instead of feeding kibble, opt for a canned food, freshly-cooked, raw, or rehydrated diet.
Choose Foods That Control Inflammation.
Cut out potentially inflammatory additives like lactose, artificial colors and flavors, carrageenan, and certain preservatives like BHA, BHT, TBHQ, and ethoxyquin. Instead, look for foods that contain guaranteed levels of probiotics and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
These ingredients can help fight inflammation and support overall health.
Choose a Species-Appropriate Diet That Honors Your Cat’s Nutritional Needs.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so they require and thrive on animal-based diets. From corn gluten meal to organic butternut squash, fruits and vegetables are not necessary components of a cat’s diet. For those with IBD, a species-appropriate diet is even more important.
The digestive system works best when you’re eating a species-appropriate and highly-digestible diet. For cats, that type of diet consists of raw meat, organs, and bones. A cat can meet all his dietary requirements by eating raw, fresh prey alone.
Anything else—a plant-based diet full of fillers and excess—requires alteration and supplementation before it can come close to satisfying your cat’s needs. A raw diet is the simplest, most straightforward match for your cat’s body.
Raw Feeding Has Benefits for Cats With IBD, but You Should Be Aware of the Risks.
While most cats never get sick from the bacteria found in raw meat, it may be a risk for severely immunocompromised cats. Also, handling raw meat can expose you to those same disease-causing bacteria. If this worries you, you might opt for home-cooked food as a less pathogenic middle ground.
Most commercially available raw foods contain a considerable amount of bone. If your cat has constipation, excessive bone content could make the situation worse.
One alternative is to make your own raw food instead, controlling everything that goes into the recipe. This requires careful planning, research, and adherence to well-formulated recipes. A veterinary nutritionist who is experienced in developing raw food diets for cats can help you with this.
Should You Feed Your Cat a Prescription Cat Food for IBD?
By eliminating or hydrolyzing the components most often implicated in feline food allergies and sensitivities, prescription foods omit common inflammation triggers and give the digestive tract a chance to heal.
Some cats thrive on prescription foods, but it’s important to remember that every case of IBD is unique. Also recall that cats with IBD are still carnivores and, like every other cat on the planet, should receive a species-appropriate, meat-based diet.
This means that regardless of veterinarian endorsement, prescription dry foods are still dry foods and do not offer all of the species-appropriate benefits as other food formulations, such as canned foods.
For example, here are the first 5 ingredients in two of the most popular IBD-focused prescription foods on the market:
- Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Brewers Rice, Pork Fat
- Royal Canin Feline Digestive Care: Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal
Neither of these dry foods offers species-appropriate nutrition for an obligate carnivore. Minimally nourishing plant ingredients dwarf the animal inclusions on the list. To add to the oddness of it all, both foods contain chicken, one of the top cat allergens.
Top 9 Best Cat Foods for IBD Reviewed
#1 Overall Best: Smalls Ground Other Bird Fresh Cat Food
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 14.5% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 40
- Typical Cost Per Day: $4.00 per day
If you’re looking for a healthy, wholesome diet to maximize your cat’s nutrition, check out this Other Ground Bird fresh cat food recipe from Smalls. It’s made entirely with human-grade ingredients, including turkey as the sole source of animal protein.
This formula features fresh turkey thigh as the primary ingredient, with chicken liver as a supplemental source of protein. Fresh veggies like green beans and kale provide natural sources of key nutrients, though some supplementation with synthetic vitamins and minerals is still needed.
In addition to being packed with protein, this recipe is loaded with moisture. Together, these qualities make it a highly digestible and highly nutritious recipe for your cat. Plus, Smalls sends you deliveries of fresh food right to your door as part of their subscription. You can change your cat’s meal plan and pause or cancel your subscription at any time through the customer portal or by contacting customer support via email or text message.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Liver, Green Beans, Water Sufficient for Processing, Dried Yeast, Kale, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Proteinate, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cod Liver Oil, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin.
Ingredients We Liked: Turkey, Turkey Liver, Cod Liver Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Cod liver oil provides omega-3 fatty acids
- Good source of hydration for your cat
- Very low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only available as a subscription plan
- No phone support (text and email only)
#2 Runner Up: The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Minced Turkey in Bone Broth Gravy Wet Cat Food
Moisture is extremely important for cats with IBD which is why we love this wet cat food from The Honest Kitchen. It features a single source of animal protein and is cooked in a flavorful bone broth which provides digestive benefits.
This recipe contains fresh turkey as the main ingredient and the only source of animal protein. The only other main ingredients are pumpkin, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries. These act as natural sources of essential nutrients and dietary fiber to help regulate your cat’s digestion.
Not only is this recipe formulated for balanced nutrition and easy digestibility, but it’s made with high-quality ingredients. The Honest Kitchen uses human-grade ingredients and manufacturers their products in human food facilities.
If you’re looking for a simple and nutritious recipe for your cat that’s easy to digest, this wet food recipe is a good option that is packed with protein and animal-based protein.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Blueberries, Cranberries, Natural Turkey Flavor, Agar Agar, Dandelion Greens, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Copper Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Turmeric.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Rich in moisture and fiber to support healthy digestion
- Free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives
- Comes in a resealable, recyclable container
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, over $0.50 per ounce
#3 Best Limited Ingredient: Koha Minimal Ingredient Chicken Stew for Cats
Featuring fresh chicken as the primary ingredient, this recipe is packed with animal protein. After moisture-rich chicken and vegetable broths, several supplemental sources of protein appear on the list including chicken liver, porcine plasma, and dried egg product.
While porcine plasma may sound like a questionable ingredient it has significant nutritional value for cats. Plasma is a clear, nutrient-rich fluid separated from whole blood which supplies essential amino acids as well as protein and essential micronutrients.
At over 44% protein calculated on a dry matter basis, this recipe is largely animal-based. It does, however, contain starchy chickpeas and xanthan gum. Pumpkin provides dietary fiber which may help regulate digestion in cats with IBS.
Chickpeas may contribute to the recipe’s protein level, but the bigger concern is their phytic acid content. Phytic acid can negatively impact the absorption of key nutrients like calcium and iron. The total carbohydrate content of this food is a little high, but chickpeas and pumpkin are the only significant sources of added carbs.
Though less expensive than some options here, this canned food is fairly pricey at roughly $0.40 per ounce. It is, however, similarly priced to the Hound & Gatos canned food.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Liver, Porcine Plasma, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chickpeas, Xanthan Gum, Pumpkin, Calcium Carbonate, New Zealand Green Mussel, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Parsley, Cranberries, Dried Kale, Turmeric, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Ginger, Fenugreek Seed, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Contains numerous sources of animal-based protein
- Rich in moisture to support hydration and digestion
- Very limited number of main ingredients
- Supplemented with pumpkin to help regulate digestion
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains dried chickpeas
- Fairly pricey, around $0.40 per ounce
#4 Premium Pick: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food Review
The internet is full of stories from people who say that after trying “everything” on the market, raw food was the only thing that relieved their cat’s IBD symptoms. As the closest approximation of your cat’s natural ancestral diet, a raw diet is a highly-digestible choice that honors your cat’s biological needs.
These freeze-dried morsels from Stella & Chewy’s are made primarily from rabbit, which is a novel protein for most cats and unlikely to worsen inflammation.
The recipe is free from grains, potatoes, and other high-carbohydrate, minimally-nutritious plant ingredients.
It’s supplemented with probiotics, which can help fortify the good bacteria in your cat’s gut, thus improving digestion and potentially reducing inflammation.
Ingredients
Rabbit with ground bone, Rabbit Liver, Olive Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Dried Pediococcus acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacilius coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, etc…
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked
- Rabbit is usually a novel protein for cats
- Raw food has a good reputation among cats with IBD
- Supplemented with probiotics
- Primarily made from highly-digestible animal protein sources
What We Didn’t Like
- This food takes a few minutes to rehydrate, so it may not be convenient for every schedule
#5 Best Canned: Wellness CORE Digestive Health Chicken Pate Recipe
Made with two sources of animal protein, this wet food formula is highly digestible for most cats. It doesn’t contain grains or artificial additives which might exacerbate your cat’s IBD symptoms and the food is high in moisture to help improve digestibility.
Though this isn’t a single-protein formula, all of the animal protein comes from poultry. Salmon oil is the primary source of added fat, but proteins are more likely than fats to trigger food allergies in cats. Plus, salmon oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which help fight inflammation and boost skin and coat health.
What makes this recipe truly ideal for cats with IBD, however, is the inclusion of prebiotic fibers like apple powder and pumpkin powder. Prebiotics provide food for the beneficial bacteria in your cat’s digestive tract to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
The food is pretty pricy and only comes in small cans but many cat owners have found that their cats enjoy the food and tolerate it well.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Apple Powder, Cranberry Powder, Pumpkin Powder, Taurine, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Inulin, Choline Chloride, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Blueberry Powder, Papaya Powder, Pomegranate Powder, Vitamin E Supplement, Peppermint Leaf Powder, Cinnamon, Fennel Powder, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Simple recipe free from inflammatory ingredients
- Rich in animal-based protein from poultry
- Salmon oil provides a great source omega-3 fatty acids
- High moisture content improves digestibility
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive, priced over $0.70 per ounce
- Carbohydrate content could be lower
#6 Best Dry: Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food Review
Did you remember that high-moisture food is best for cats with IBD? That means that dry food, with its moisture content often lower than 10%, is seldom a good option for cats with IBD. On top of the moisture issue, dry food is more likely to contain starch and plant ingredients your cat doesn’t need.
But if your cat refuses to eat anything else, dry food might be your only option. If you’re going to feed your cat kibble, this food from Dr. Elsey’s is about as good as it gets.
In contrast to your typical dry food, this food emphasizes high-quality protein, with chicken and pork protein isolate dominating the ingredient list. The food doesn’t contain a lot of plant ingredients. Instead of containing high-carbohydrate binders like most dry foods, this recipe uses gelatin as its kibble binder. It contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
All of this translates to an efficient food that nourishes your cat without a lot of waste or inflammatory ingredients. Aside from the moisture factor, this food fits our description of a great diet for cats with IBD.
Ingredients
Chicken, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Salt, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Features highly-digestible animal proteins
- Significantly lower carbohydrate content than the typical dry food
- Contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dry food doesn’t provide enough moisture
#7 Best Hypoallergenic: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Entree Cat Food
This straightforward, chicken-centric recipe is a winning option for cats with food allergies. It contains nothing but rabbit meat, organs, and bones with water, goat’s milk, herring oil, and tocopherols as preservatives.
Herring oil is added as a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can reduce inflammation and promote skin and coat health, helping soothe and heal itchy skin.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with a single source of animal protein
- Very straightforward, simple ingredient list minimizes exposure to potential allergens
- Features herring oil as a source of soothing omega-3 fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not all cats enjoy the chicken taste
- Expensive
#8 Best For Diabetes And IBD: Hound & Gatos 98% Duck & Liver Formula Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
With just one novel protein source and no additives that could aggravate your cat’s gut, this food is an outstanding choice for cats with IBD. In fact, Hound & Gatos company founder Will Post says that “the IBD cats are our largest customers.”
This recipe is 98% duck, duck broth, and duck liver. In addition to nourishing animal protein sources, the food contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
Thanks to its lack of carbohydrate matter, this food is also a good choice for cats who’ve developed diabetes secondary to IBD.
Ingredients
Duck, Duck Broth, Duck Liver, Agar-Agar, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Salmon Oil, Salt, Taurine, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made from duck, which is a less-allergenic alternative to more common protein sources
- Free from commonly inflammatory ingredients
- Limited ingredient list minimizes potential inflammation
- Highly digestible
- Zero carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like
- One of the most expensive foods on the market
#9 Honorable Mention: Raised Right Original Chicken Adult Cat Recipe
When you find a product your cat loves and their digestive system can tolerate, it makes sense to buy it in bulk. Raised Right offers 4-bag sample packs to help you find the right formula and then you can purchase full boxes of sixteen 1-pound bags.
This fresh cat food formula features chicken muscle meat and chicken organs. It’s a single-protein recipe, so it may be a good option for cats with sensitivities to other proteins. These carnivore-appropriate ingredients contribute to the recipe’s high protein content of over 58%, measured as dry matter.
In addition to being an excellent source of protein, this recipe relies primarily on animal-sourced fat in the form of cod liver oil. This ingredient provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which also help support your cat’s skin and coat health.
As a fresh food, this recipe is also higher in moisture than the typical dry cat food. At about 66% moisture, however, the texture is a little dryer than the average canned cat food. Some cats don’t seem to like it.
Ingredients
Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Organic Spearmint, Blueberries, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Organic Dried Kelp, Flaxseed Oil, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily consists of chicken muscle meat and organs
- Rich in animal-sourced omega-3s from cod liver oil
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats dislike the texture of the food
- Only available in 4- and 16-packs
In Addition to a Superb Diet, Cats With IBD Can Benefit From Certain Supplements.
Here’s a quick overview of the supplements that may improve your cat’s digestion and help him start to feel better. Consult with your veterinarian before giving supplements to your cat.
Probiotic Supplementation for Cats With IBD
Remember, the relationship between bacteria and its host is profound, affecting almost every aspect of your cat’s health. Probiotics are a crucial immunoregulatory agent and can help control inflammation. Because IBD is fundamentally an inflammatory disease and a condition of dysbiosis (microbial imbalance), supplementation with “good” bacteria touches at the root of the problem.
Click Here For Our Guide To The Best Probiotics For Cats
B12 Supplementation for Cats With IBD
Because cats with IBD are unable to properly absorb nutrients, most are deficient in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 plays many important roles in a cat’s body, including digestion, immune health, and cognition. This vitamin can be supplemented via subcutaneous injection.
Stocks and Broths for Cats With IBD
Provide an unseasoned, salt-free broth made from joints, bones, and meat. Meat and fish stocks provide the nutritional building blocks that can heal the gut lining.
Bone broth is mineral-rich and a good source of collagen, which contains two important amino acids (proline and glycine). These help to heal the lining of the gut and reduce intestinal inflammation. Broths also contain glycosaminoglycans, which are building blocks for tissue repair.
Additional Resources
Because IBD affects so many cats and their humans, the web is full of credible and reputable resources for anyone struggling to treat their cat’s chronic GI inflammation.
Here are a few resources to help you further your understanding of IBD in cats:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: This comprehensive page is a good starting point for those who want to understand IBD in cats. It explains the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of feline IBD.
- IBDKitties: This site is a tremendous resource for anyone who has a cat suffering from IBD. The site features case studies, medication advice, instructions for making your own cat food, and a wealth of information on the condition.
- Raw Feeding for IBD Cats: If you’re interested in taking the raw route, this website is the GPS that will keep you from getting lost. In addition to a strong foundation of personal experience and passion, the site is thick with references to research on IBD in both cats and humans.
Even with these web-based resources, your veterinarian will always be your best source of information and advice for managing your cat’s unique IBD.
If you suspect your cat is struggling with IBD, the first thing you should do is talk to your veterinarian. Your vet will know what tests to give your cat to confirm a diagnosis at which point you can discuss treatment options.
Curious, do you not recommend Koha Rabbit pate for cats with IBD? I’m considering trying that for cat and he is picky and doesn’t consistently like Stella & Chewy’s rabbit morsels. Also, his vet does not favor raw foods.
Hey Meagan, great question. In fact, we would highly recommend KOHA’s cat food for cats with IBD, but this article hasn’t been updated in several months. We’ll be sure to consider it for placement in the next round of updates, and in the meantime, I’d encourage you to give this product a shot.
Hi! I noticed your comment about the top two vet-recommended IBD foods: “Neither of these dry foods offers species-appropriate nutrition for an obligate carnivore. Minimally nourishing plant ingredients dwarf the animal inclusions on the list. To add to the oddness of it all, both foods contain chicken, one of the top cat allergens.” But then under #4 of your recommended IBD foods, Best Dry: Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food Review, you state “Features highly-digestible animal proteins,” which proteins appear to be chicken and pork. I’m confused by you saying the vet recommended IBD foods contain a top allergen (chicken) and then saying under another product that it’s a highly-digestible protein. I’m looking for clear information about IBD foods that are well tolerated by cats with IBD.
Good observation. I was trying to underline the irony of the way these vet-recommended foods are formulated, but it didn’t mean that a chicken-based food is always bad for cats with IBD. If you’ve ruled out a chicken sensitivity, then either the Dr. Elsey’s food or perhaps even one of these “prescription” diets could be a good option. I agree, though, that it doesn’t make much sense to feature chicken-based food as the number one dry product on the list, and this article needs to be edited accordingly. You can get some additional recommendations for good limited-ingredient dry foods here.
which one will be the best for sensitive stomach cat?
All of them! Cats with IBD are, by definition, cats with sensitive stomachs.
For the Dr Elseys dry food, is it just the chicken recipe thats good or is any of the other clean protein ones good too?
All of them! We just defaulted to the chicken flavor because it’s popular. I will note that all of them contain a variety of proteins, so none of them are exclusively composed of the meat on the front of the bag.
Im currently feeding rawz chicken and pumpkin along with merrick limited turkey pate..how do these rate for a potential IBD cat?.she has not been diagnosed yet but is showing all the signs.
Both of those could be good options for cats with IBD! They should be fairly easy to digest, with minimal ingredient lists and potentially-inflammatory additives. I would consider sticking to a single protein, though, to make it easier to rule out a particular protein source as the cause of your cat’s irritation. Another good brand to look into is Koha, which offers limited-ingredient diets that feature anti-inflammatory ingredients like New Zealand green-lipped mussel and skip additives that might make that inflammation worse, like guar gum (present in the Merrick food).
My cat has IBD and she does not like freeze dried and many of the canned ones listed above. It is a very expensive trial and error. I am going to try the hound and gatos. Also the dry protien. I currently use the orijen. For moisture (she drinks water but not enough) I buy shrimp, put water in it, microwave it ,let it sit and she drinks the whole bowl.
This flare-up is pretty bad..she gets backed up and not diarrhea. So she is back to lactulose,prednisolome and mirtazapine along with sprinkle of optifiber on her food.
Can you give me a summary on fussi cat canned? She likes that, has moisture, it is expensive.
Ok..thanks for the information. I’m looking into rabbit pate instead of the turkey..trial and error. Tried koha in the past and they didnt like it..lol..
What is your opinion on rawz meal free dry cat food..ive read the ingredients and it seems to be in line with the articles recommendations…
Can you update the hounds and gatos choice and clarify if you mean turkey or duck? Thanks
Yes! I’m so sorry about this—I’m not sure what happened. I definitely had the duck recipe listed here originally, and it looks like an article update was botched. Sorry about that! Thank you for letting me know.
My previous cat, a Maine Coon developed IBD (chronic colitis) at 5 years and lived to 13 years, so I had to manager her IBD for 8 years. Six months of food trials with novel-protein veterinary diets indicated that any poultry (chicken, duck, turkey) would set off the colitis. Unfortunately, most cat food contains some form of poultry. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Adult HP was a game changer. Unfortunately, RC HP’s first ingredient is brewers rice and is over 40 percent carbohydrates. As the disease progressed, she needed to go on long-term low-dose prednisolone which has the high probability of leading to diabetes. At 13 years she developed diabetes, which meant lowering the carbohydrates fast and now my food options were even more limited. If I had to care for an IBD cat again, I would probably try more food brands beyond the standard-brand veterinary diets — but with IBD, it is not about “species-appropriate” food content, it is about food content that excludes the offending protein so I question if these foods would work. Also, I would be hesitant to put my cat on long-term low-dose pred again.
Hi, my cat just got diagnosed with IBD. The vet had us buy the prescription Hill’s cat food from them for her to try. I’m thinking of switching her to the Smalls Fresh Ground Other Bird food. Should I only try the other bird, or should I try other meats as well from Smalls? Thank you so much!!!
I would try a variety of meats—they have several options that may be appropriate, and some trial and error may be needed to find the one that works best for your kitty.