Best Cat Food for IBD (What Makes an IBD Cat Food?)

An important part of properly caring for your cat's digestive system is ensuring they have the best food for their nutritional and medical needs. 

If your cat is suffering from a specific condition, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, they’ll need a certain kind of pet food, with a lower level of artificial flavors, wheat, soy, corn, and plant protein ingredients which will help address the problem. 

While the exact cause of IBD in felines is still unknown, experts believe there’s a strong connection between this issue, and your cat’s diet, immune system, and gut flora. 

The best cat food for IBD issues can help with protecting the lining of the gut, reducing inflammation, and restoring healthy gut flora. The question is, where do you start?

Here are some of the best cat foods for IBD to consider today.

The Best Cat Foods For IBD

Let’s start by looking at some of the very best picks for IBD cat food on the market. These products were chosen for their ability to soothe your cat’s intestinal system while causing minimal digestive stress. Our top choices include:

Additional Picks

If the options above don’t work for your cat, there are still some excellent solutions out there. Some of the extra products you can consider include:

What is IBD In Cats?

IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a common condition for humans and our furry friends alike. 

With IBD, your cat may struggle to digest food as well as a standard feline, suffer from chronic irritation, or struggle from a range of symptoms associated with poor stomach and gut health.

At present, the exact cause of this condition is unknown, but most experts do agree that diet plays a role in managing symptoms. 

IBD symptoms in cats can vary but include issues like diarrhea, chronic vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and weight loss. In severe cases, you may even notice bloody stools. 

In contrast to acute digestive problems, cats with IBD often experience symptoms on a chronic basis, which can make it difficult for them to live a happy and healthy life. 

Notably, if you do notice digestive symptoms like the ones mentioned above in your cat, it’s best to seek help from a vet. 

Digestion problems and gastrointestinal distress can also be symptoms of a range of other conditions which will need to be ruled out before you start making dietary changes.

What Triggers IBD in Cats?  

As mentioned above, the exact causes of IBD in felines are still unknown. 

However, most vets and experts believe there’s a strong link between the foods your cat might eat, and the symptoms they’ll experience connected to IBD. 

The natural microorganisms in your cat’s gut might be out of balance, which could be a reason for their digestive issues. 

In IBD, the gut bacteria start fighting themselves, and your cat’s immune system may begin to perceive healthy microbiota as threats. 

When inflammatory substances begin to build up in your cat’s GI tract, they cause significant damage, and the intestinal lining becomes flatter and thicker, which harms digestive function. 

This makes it tougher for cats with IBD to absorb nutrients.

Various food sources can trigger IBD and make it more problematic for your cats, such as added ingredients, additives, and ingredients that often cause inflammation in felines. 

Cats can have many food allergies which make the issue more profound, but it’s difficult to know which foods will trigger your cat’s condition without some experimentation.

IBD can also be triggered by bacterial infections, parasitic infections (like worms), and other common issues which face cats (particularly outdoor felines). 

What Type of Food Should Cats Eat for IBD?  

The best way to adjust your cat’s diet if they suffer from IBD is to seek assistance from a vet. Your cat’s vet will be able to assess their condition carefully and suggest what kinds of foods might be suitable for their needs, based on their symptoms. 

For the most part, it’s best to focus on finding foods with an excellent source of highly-digestible animal proteins. 

Ideally, you’ll need to avoid foods that are high in animal byproducts and generic substances, like poultry meal instead of chicken or turkey meal. 

These ingredients can sometimes have a lot of variabilities when it comes to protein quality. 

According to animal experts, byproducts are the substances that remain after the initial processing of a specific protein product. 

They may include some digestible protein sources but may also be high in substances that are harder for your cat to digest. 

Because intolerances and allergies can play a significant role in IBD, it’s also helpful to avoid any ingredients with common allergy issues. 

Some of the most commonplace cat allergens you might need to be aware of include pork, chicken, beef, dairy, eggs, and fish. 

If you’re not sure which foods your cat might be sensitive to, it’s best to start with limited-ingredient foods and keep an eye on your cat’s symptoms. 

Other points to consider include:

Wet or Dry food for IBD?  

Choosing between wet or dry food for your cat can be a tricky process. Dry food is often more convenient for cats with problematic appetites, as they can graze on the food throughout the day without much of an issue. 

However, wet food is more likely to provide your kitty with the extra moisture content they need to avoid dehydration. 

Wet food is definitely much easier for giving your kitty the water content they need, but it may be problematic for your cat’s teeth, as there are no dry parts to scrape away plaque. 

Ultimately, the best option is to follow your cat’s preferences.

Best Cat Food for IBD: Summary  

In our opinion, Hill’s Prescription Diet Z/D food is the best option for kitties suffering from IBD. It’s specially formulated to avoid digestive tract problems and allergies and comes with an excellent source of protein.

It can even help to promote better bowel movements. 

Good luck finding the IBD food best for your feline friend and remember to speak to your vet if you’re having issues with any undiagnosed symptoms.