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Best Cat Food For Gassy Cats (2024): 6 Top Foods to Reduce Flatulence

Posted in: Cat Food - Last Updated: January 8, 2024 - Author: Rebekah Carter
Posted in Cat Food 
Last Updated: May 3, 2022  
Author:  Rebekah Carter

So, your kitten farts a lot! It always raises a laugh before the waft of their 'bottom burp' hits you full on! 

It's completely natural and we all let loose a little gas from time to time – even adult cats and adorable kittens do!

If you’ve ever enjoyed an afternoon with your beloved kitty sitting on your knee, and you’ve suddenly been hit with a horrific odor, you know just how bad these bouts of gas can be. 

While the occasional toot isn’t an issue, an incredible gassy cat could be a serious problem. Not only does make your home stink, but excess gas could also be a sign of a significant underlying problem. 

Here’s what you need to know about the best cats foods for gassy kittens and cats.

Best cat foods for gassy cats

Best Gassy Cat Food Top 3 Picks

Short of time? Want a quick summary of the three ‘best cat food for cats that fart’ which came top in our extensive research and testing process?

In our table below, we compare some of the most important features of those three ‘gassy’ favorites.

For much more detail about each individual product continue reading down the article.

Our Top 3 Choices

Best Overall

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe, 10 Pound (Pack of 1)

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient

  • Limited ingredients for fewer allergy risks
  • Fantastic high-quality ingredients
  • Multiple flavor options

Best Value

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food, Chicken 11-lb

Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient

  • Good protein source
  • Packed full of vitamins, and minerals
  • Limited Ingredients for fewer dietary risks

Premium Choice

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Grain-Free Cat Food, 8 oz bag

Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner

  • Meat-focused formula
  • No grains or fillers
  • Completely natural ingredients

So that’s a quick overview for you! Now let’s take a deeper look at these best cat gas remedy cat foods. 

Our top wet cat food and dry cat food picks for gassy cats are chosen for their blend of high-quality ingredients, designed to get your cat’s digestive tract back working as normal.

To start with here's more detail on those top three best cat food to prevent gassy kittens and cat picks:

1. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets (Best Overall)

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe, 10 Pound (Pack of 1)

The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient food is an excellent choice for cats with gas issues. A limited ingredient diet helps to banish any ingredients which may cause allergy issues and other problems in your cat. 

These foods are great for promoting fast and effective digestion. 

Natural Balance is completely grain-free, and it’s made with high-quality ingredients, like duck and chicken.

Plus, you get a bunch of fantastic vitamins and minerals built-in, great for giving your kitty the organic support they need.

Pros

  • Limited ingredients for fewer allergy risks
  • Fantastic high-quality ingredients
  • Kibble stays in good condition for longer
  • Multiple flavor options to choose from

Cons

  • Can have an unattractive smell
  • May be expensive in large doses

2. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free (Best Value)

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food, Chicken 11-lb

If you want high-quality food for your furry friend, but you don’t want to spend a fortune, Blue Buffalo could be the best choice. 

The indoor chicken formula promises limited ingredients to ensure your cat has as little exposure to disruptive substances as possible. 

This cat food is brimming with animal protein as its primary ingredient and comes with all the minerals and nutrients your cat needs to maintain high activity levels, shiny coats, and good appetites.

Pros

  • Good protein source
  • Packed full of vitamins, and minerals
  • Formula specially designed for indoor cats
  • Limited ingredients for fewer risks of allergies
  • Decent value

Cons

  • Not excellent for ensuring your cats get the right amount of water

3. Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food (Best Premium)

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Grain-Free Cat Food, 8 oz bag

Intended as a “mixer” for cat foods, or a full meal option, Stella & Chewy’s dinner morsels are a fantastic addition to your cat’s diet. 

The all-natural recipe helps to protect your kitty from low-quality ingredients which may increase the risk of gas. 

Grain-free and minimally processed, Stella and Chewy’s dinner morsels are made primarily of meat, with no added hormones or fillers. 

Additionally, you’ll have a selection of flavors to choose from, including chicken, duck, goose, or turkey. This means you’re more likely to find something which appeals to your cat’s tastes.

Pros

  • Excellent meat-focused formula
  • No grains or fillers
  • Fantastic for use as a complete food or treat
  • Completely natural ingredients

Cons

  • Can be expensive, particularly when you’re using it as a full meal option

Alternative Options

While the three choices above are our top picks, there are some other fantastic cat foods for gassy cats you can consider too. 

Here are some additional options all chosen for their excellent, stomach-healthy formula – perfect for your cat.

4. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Chicken Recipe

Hill's Pet Nutrition Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Chicken Recipe, 16 lb. Bag, White

A highly respected cat food company, Hill’s Science is well-known for producing sensational foods with quality ingredients. 

This dry cat food comes with added taurine for improved heart health, as well as extra minerals and vitamins for bladder and kidney health. 

With extra vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids, the all-natural Hill’s Science formula gives your cat all the extra support they need for a healthy stomach and digestive system. 

You can even get multiple different bag sizes.

Pros

  • Packed with vitamins and minerals for a healthy stomach
  • Support for lean muscle building
  • Balanced minerals for bladder and kidney health
  • Available in a range of packet sizes

Cons

  • No moisture support
  • May be expensive in large doses

5. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Chicken Recipe Wet

Instinct Original Grain Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food, 5.5 Ounce (Pack of 12)

Instinct Original is grain-free cat food, contains zero artificial flavors, is formulated with cage-free chicken, and absolutely no unnecessary grain or fillers. 

If you’re looking for a wet food option for your gassy cat, this could definitely be the choice for you, with complete and balanced nutrition for cats of all ages. 

The carefully-chosen formula deliberately avoids all of the common by-products known to trigger food sensitivities and gas in cats. Y

ou can also choose to serve this food either as a meal or a meal topper, depending on how much cash you want to save.

Pros

  • Pate formula is easy to digest at all ages
  • Excellent for getting extra moisture into your cat's diet
  • No preservatives or substances are known for triggering sensitivities
  • All-natural high-quality ingredients

Cons

  • Can be expensive as your cat’s main source of nutrition

6. ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food – All Natural, High Protein, Grain Free & Limited Ingredient with Superfoods (Chicken, 2.2 lb)

A high-protein choice created to give cats all of the essential nutrition they need, the ZIWI peak cat food is packed full of value. 

This product comes with a fantastic 96% free-range meat formula, with all kinds of delicious flavors to choose from. There are minimal carbs, and a limited ingredient formula ensures your cat isn’t exposed to common allergens. 

For an extra boost to your cat’s digestive system, this cat food comes with a superfood boost and holistic ingredients. 

The mineral boost supports healthy weight management, digestion, joint health, and heart performance too.

Pros

  • Excellent for strong digestion and weight management
  • Limited ingredient design
  • Free-range meat in every packet
  • Suitable as a full meal or meal topper

Cons

  • Can be quite expensive
  • Unusual smell

Why Do Cats Get Gas?

Wondering why your cat struggles with gas in the first place? 

There are a number of reasons. 

When a cat eats food, just like a human being, it travels through the digestive tract, being broken down gradually so the cat can absorb the required nutrients from its food. 

Best cat foods for gassy kittens

However, if your cat doesn’t have the best quality of food, it can process more slowly, leading to fermentation in the stomach. 

In some cases, certain foods can even trigger allergies and inflammation in the digestive system, which increases the risk of gas. This can also lead to your cat having smelly poop that is worse than normal.

Common causes of gas include:

  • Allergies: Allergens in cat food can cause inflammation and slow digestion in your cat’s stomach, which can prompt side effects like bowel movement problems and gas.
  • Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle prevents your cat from digesting food as quickly as they should, which can increase the risk of fermentation and unwanted smells.
  • Low grade or spoiled food: The food your cat eats has a huge impact on how they smell. Low-grade foods with a lot of fillers, or spoiled foods will cause more digestive problems.
  • Parasites: Sometimes, gas can be a sign of significant problems, such as worms or other intestinal parasites causing issues with your cat’s stomach.
  • High fiber: While fiber can be useful for digestion, your kitty usually won’t need a lot of it. Too much fiber in a cat’s diet increases their chances of smelly litterbox habits and gas.

Cats can also end up with gas when they’re swallowing air when eating too fast. 

If this is the case for your kitty, you can consider using an orthopedic feeding bowl or another unique form of cat bowl to slow their eating habits. 

It’s also worth looking for signs your cat might be over-eating

If your cat eats too much food, it won’t be able to digest all of the nutrition in its digestive system at the right pace, which can lead to discomfort, indigestion, and gas.

What’s the Best Cat Gas Remedy?

Gassiness in your cat can be a common problem caused by a range of digestive issues. 

If your cat only has gas occasionally, you should be able to simply wait for the issue to pass. 

However, if you notice the problem continues to happen, you may want to consider seeking guidance from a vet. 

The first step in solving any issue with your cat is getting to the route of the issue. 

Once your vet has ensured there aren’t any underlying problems, such as parasites, an upset stomach, or stomach problems that might be causing the condition, they’ll be able to suggest treatment options. 

Some common treatments include:

  • Feed more digestible protein: Usually, treatments for gassy cats will start with a change to your kitty’s diet. A limited ingredient diet is often a common pick for most vets, as it will help you to avoid any ingredients which might cause allergies in your cat
  • You can also look into feeding your cat more digestible protein from a high-quality meat source, like chicken, duck, and fish such as salmon.
  • Monitoring cat eating habits: As mentioned above, eating too quickly, or too much food at once can lead to various flatulence problems, among other symptoms. There are steps you can take to prevent your cat from eating too fast if you notice them doing so. For instance, special slow-feeding bowls are often a good choice. You can also monitor how much your cat eats at different times and avoid leaving food out for them to graze on throughout the day.
  • Feed your cat smaller meals: Feeding gassy cats smaller meals throughout the day can also help to prevent them from eating too much at once. Smaller meals also mean cats with inflammation and stomach problems will have more time between eating sessions to digest and process the nutrition correctly.
  • Give your cat regular exercise: Cats need exercise to digest food properly, just like we do as humans. Making sure you entertain your feline friend with plenty of exercise can help to keep their digestive system working in the best possible condition. Consider investing in some interactive toys, or even taking your cat for walks.

Remember to keep an eye out for additional symptoms which could be a sign of other issues in your cat. 

If your kitty also has issues with vomiting, diarrhea, or changes to their appetite, this could be a sign you need additional treatment from a vet.

Cat Food Allergies and Gas

One of the most common causes of gassiness in your kitty is an allergy to their food.

For instance, there are a number of common allergens in cat food, from soy and grain to dairy, which can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms. 

Allergens can cause a wide range of issues beyond simply a little bit of gas. Some people notice bloody stools and bloating in their feline friends. 

You may also find your cat stops being particularly interested in their food. 

When choosing the best cat foods for gassy cats, it’s best to stay away from substances like rice, wheat, and potato which you may find is more common in the cheapest cat food. In some cases, cats can also be allergic to fish and certain types of meat. 

If your cat seems to have an allergy to something in the food, your vet will often recommend placing them on a limited ingredient cat food diet to avoid the issue.

Limited ingredient foods aim to remove all of the unnecessary “extras” in cat meals, to ensure your cat only has the specific ingredients they need.

Cat gas remedy

Diagnosing the Issue and Fixing Cat Gassiness

As mentioned above, if your cat has gas occasionally, or they have a bout of bad gas after eating something new, there probably isn’t anything to worry about. 

However, the more gassiness and other digestive symptoms you notice, the more likely it is you’ll need to speak to a vet. 

Your vet can assess all of the various symptoms your cat may be experiencing and perform tests to determine what the underlying problem is. 

Only after a complete diagnosis will your vet be able to offer you advice on the kind of treatment methods you can consider. 

If your cat doesn’t have any underlying health conditions, you can also take steps to prevent them from suffering from various sources of digestive discomfort. 

For instance, make sure your cat doesn’t have access to any food outside of the meals you prepare for them. 

This means making sure your cat doesn’t get into the trash when you’re not watching, and that they don’t share your food.

Consider feeding your kitty smaller meals if they eat quite quickly, and always prioritize getting the highest quality ingredients from every meal. 

This will help to reduce the risk that various additives and chemicals might cause problems with your cat’s digestion. 

Cats with Gas: An FAQ

Is it normal for my cat to fart?

Yes, cats have gas just like any other animal. Most of the time, it happens when they eat something that doesn’t agree with them, or the food they consume starts to ferment in their stomach. If your cat doesn’t fart very often, but occasionally has a little bit of gas, this is perfectly normal. 

Should I be worried about my cat farting?

Usually, the only reason to worry if your cat has gas is if they’re letting loose a lot of wind. If you notice significant gassiness, then this could be a sign of an underlying issue. It’s also worth seeking out assistance from a vet if you notice other symptoms accompanying the gassiness, such as yowling, problems within the litter tray, or blood in your cat’s stool.

Does wet food cause gas? 

Every cat is different. Some cats do experience more gas when they start eating wet food, while others have more gas on dry food. It’s usually not the moisture content of the food that’s the problem, but the ingredients your cat doesn’t really need in their diet, like extra grain and various other additives. You should also watch out for things like legumes and cruciferous vegetables.

How many times do cats fart in a day?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Just as you can’t predict how often you’re going to have gas on any given day, you can’t really know for certain how often your cat will let one go – if at all. Ultimately, you shouldn’t be worried unless you notice it happening all the time.

Best Cat Foods For Gassy Cats: The Verdict

We finish with our 'best cat foods for gassy cats' verdict. Cat gas doesn’t have to be a sign of anything terrible, provided it’s not accompanied by any other unwanted sensitive stomach symptoms. 

However, if you notice your cat’s gassiness is getting out of control, you might want to consider speaking to a veterinarian and looking into ways of getting the issue under control with food. 

A change to your cat’s diet will often be the first step in addressing a gas problem. 

Don’t forget, if you do decide you need to switch your cat’s food for something different, it’s important to transition them slowly onto the new diet. 

A rapid change in food can sometimes cause various symptoms to worsen and may make your cat’s gas even worse.

We hope you have enjoyed this delightful topic and have given you a real insight into the best food for cats that fart! 

Writing it has been a giggle!

About the author

Rebekah Carter is a dedicated animal lover. Her Savannah cat, Roscoe, has a lot of attitude, while her Maine Coon, Dukino, is full of love. When not writing, she’s looking after her cats and researching ways to help them live their best possible life. Her passion for animals and natural skill for writing led her to pursue pet blogging.

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