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Best Cat Food for Hyperthyroidism (6 Special Diet Choices for Thyroid Problems)

Posted in: Cat Food - Last Updated: September 15, 2022 - Author: Rebekah Carter
Posted in Cat Food 
Last Updated: August 30, 2022  
Author:  Rebekah Carter

The best cat food for hyperthyroidism is a nutrient-rich and protein-high food, specially designed to reduce the symptoms of thyroid disease. 

These foods are custom-made with a focus on avoiding ingredients that might exacerbate thyroid problems or increase thyroid hormone levels.

Best-Cat-Food-for-Hyperthyroidism

However, some of the top options may require a prescription from your vet. It’s always best to seek vet advice before changing your cat’s food.

Our Top 3 Choices

Best Overall

Hill's Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care with Chicken Wet Cat Food, Veterinary Diet, 5.5 oz. Cans, 24-Pack

Hill’s Prescription Diet Thyroid Care y/d Feline Canned

  • Clinically proven to reduce thyroid hormone production
  • Controlled phosphorus and sodium levels
  • Increased Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids

Best Value

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner Morsels Cat Food, 18 oz. Bag, Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels

Stella & Chewy Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels

  • Convenient raw feeding option
  • 98% cage-free chicken in every package
  • Organs, bone, taurine, and probiotics included

Premium Choice

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Canned Cat Food, Chicken Pate, 12.5 Ounces (Pack of 12)

Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Chicken Entrée Wet Cat Food

  • Soft pate is easy to eat for older cats
  • Natural animal ingredients as the number one protein source
  • Healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables

Our Top Picks

Our top picks for the best cat food for hyperthyroidism were chosen based on their unique formula, and their low iodine content. 

These foods are commonly recommended by vets and have high customer satisfaction scores.

1. Hill’s Prescription Diet Thyroid Care y/d Feline Canned (Best Overall Choice)

Hill's Prescription Diet y/d Thyroid Care with Chicken Wet Cat Food, Veterinary Diet, 5.5 oz. Cans, 24-Pack

Hill’s Prescription Diet Y/D thyroid is a specialist cat food designed just for hyperthyroid cats.

Created by dedicated nutritionists and veterinarians, this food has been clinically proven to decrease thyroid hormone production within as little as 3 weeks.

The product comes with highly controlled phosphorus and sodium levels, and higher omega-3 fatty acids to support kidney and heart health. 

There are also high levels of L-carnitine to support lean muscle mass and Omega-6 for coat and healthy skin. 

Like most Hills Science foods, this product also includes animal protein as the number one ingredient.

Pros

  • Clinically proven to reduce thyroid hormone production
  • Controlled phosphorus and sodium levels
  • Increased Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
  • L-Carnitine for lean muscle mass
  • High-quality protein as the number one ingredient.

Cons

  • Only one flavor is available (chicken recipe)
  • May prompt weight loss

2. Stella & Chewy Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels (Premium Choice)

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner Morsels Cat Food, 18 oz. Bag, Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels

High-quality animal protein is a crucial ingredient in any cat food, but it can be particularly important for cats with overactive thyroid gland issues.

The Stella & Chewy Freeze-Dried raw cat dinner morsels are perfect for feeding your cat plenty of natural, animal-based ingredients.

This product contains 98% cage-free chicken, as well as organs, bones, added taurine, and probiotics. 

The all-natural ingredients are minimally processed, which helps to reduce the risk of thyroid issues and digestion problems.

What’s more, you get all the benefits of feeding your cat raw food, without the complexity of having to create the meals yourself.

Pros

  • Convenient raw feeding option
  • 98% cage-free chicken in every package
  • Organs, bone, taurine, and probiotics included
  • No additives or problematic chemicals
  • 100% balanced for every stage of life

Cons

  • Relatively small packs
  • Can be harder to consume for older cats

3. Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Chicken Entrée Wet Cat Food (Value Choice)

Wellness Complete Health Grain Free Canned Cat Food, Chicken Pate, 12.5 Ounces (Pack of 12)

An ideal option for cats who prefer wet food, Wellness Complete is a grain-free, pate-style food that’s easy to consume. This healthy and natural food for adult cats is brimming with high-quality animal protein, essential fatty acids, and nutrients. 

The Wellness Complete cat food contains no soy, wheat, or added grains which could disrupt your cat’s digestion. 

Plus, it contains plenty of moisture, which helps to support urinary tract health. Designed to deliver fantastic healthy nutrition with no potential allergens, this limited-ingredient food could be ideal for cats with thyroid issues.

Pros

  • Soft pate is easy to eat for older cats
  • Natural animal ingredients as the number one protein source
  • Healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables
  • No corn, wheat, or soy products
  • Moisture-rich

Cons

  • Very strong smell
  • Some quality control issues

Additional Picks

If the options above aren’t suitable for your cat, there are still various great products out there that could be helpful for felines with thyroid issues. Here are some of our additional picks.

4. Instinct Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate

Instinct Original Grain Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food, 3 oz. Cans (Case of 24)

Instinct Original’s Grain-Free cat food pate is a fantastic wet food option for cats with health issues. 

The number one ingredient is cage-free chicken (95%), and your kitty will also get a healthy dose of wholesome fruits and vegetables too. 

This product contains no soy, grain, or other ingredients which might cause food sensitivities.

Inspired by raw food diets, the nutrition-rich option is ideal for kitties with problematic stomachs. 

The food also comes in a pate style which is easier to eat for some cats.

Pros

  • Easy-to-eat pate formula
  • 95% cage-free chicken as the main ingredient
  • Wholesome fruits and vegetables included
  • No grains or soy for thyroid disruption
  • Suitable for all ages

Cons

  • Strong smell
  • May be too liquid-based for some cats

5. Tiki Pet Foods Cat Canned Cat Food

Tiki Cat Luau Shredded Meat, Wild Salmon Recipe in Salmon Consumme, Grain-Free Balanced Nutrition Wet Canned Cat Food, For All Life Stages, 2.8 oz. Cans (Pack of 12)

Certified for human consumption, Tiki Cat canned food is packed full of high-quality natural ingredients.

This product comes in seafood flavor, so it’s ideal for cats who aren’t a big fan of common options like chicken and turkey. 

The product is packed with whole natural salmon as the number one ingredient.

This food also contains a range of additional vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin E, Zinc, and Taurine, to promote a healthy life for your cat.

Pros

  • Added vitamins and minerals
  • Salmon as the number one ingredient
  • Easy-to-consume texture
  • No added grains and fillers

Cons

  • Needs to be refrigerated
  • Quite a strong smell

6. Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 11+ Senior Cat food

Purina Pro Plan High Protein Senior Wet Cat Food Pate, SENIOR 11+ Chicken & Beef Entree - (Pack of 24) 3 oz. Pull-Top Cans

Since thyroid issues and many other conditions can begin to influence cats more commonly as they get older, a senior-focused food might be a good idea for your feline.

 The Purina Pro Plan Pate is a high-protein food for older cats, with tuna and salmon as the primary ingredient.

The food contains no artificial preservatives or colors which might disrupt digestion, and comes packed with 25 essential vitamins and minerals.

There’s also extra added taurine. The pate formula is also much easier to eat for cats with teeth issues.

Pros

  • Highly digestible pate
  • Excellent protein content
  • Lots of vitamins and minerals included
  • No additives or preservatives
  • Lots of flavor options

Cons

  • Strong smell
  • Cans can be quite small

What is Hyperthyroidism in cats?

Feline hyperthyroidism is an unfortunately common disease in cats.

Also known as thyrotoxicosis, the condition is caused by increased production of specific thyroid hormones from a gland in your cat’s neck. 

In many cases, the enlargement of this gland is a result of a non-cancerous tumor that can develop in cats as they begin to get older. 

Hyperthyroidism is most common in older and middle-aged cats, so it’s something your vet might ask you to watch out for as your cat begins to age. 

Some rare cases of hyperthyroidism in cats can also be caused by malignant tumors, which could require surgery.

Cat-food-for-thyroid

Although the cause of hyperthyroidism in felines isn’t known for certain, some vets believe deficiencies and excesses of certain food compounds in a cat’s diet can contribute to the issue. 

Because thyroid hormones influence all the organs in the body of your cat, they may also cause a range of symptoms and secondary problems. 

Cats afflicted with hyperthyroidism can exhibit a range of symptoms and signs which may start off subtle and become more severe over time. 

For instance, some of the most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, increased urination and thirst, and increased appetite. 

In some cases, this condition can also cause diarrhea, vomiting, and hyperactivity, and the coat of your kitty might start to look greasy or matted. 

There is a range of options for treating hyperthyroidism in cats, though most vets will recommend a change in diet, to begin with. If the condition is severe, your cat may also need specific kinds of therapy, medication, and even surgery.

Cat Food for Thyroid Problems: What to Look For

If your cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, your vet should be able to provide some advice on the best cat food for their needs. 

However, there are a few specific points you can look for when you’re assessing your dietary options.

The most important thing a cat with hyperthyroidism will need in their diet is a highly-digestible form of animal protein

Most people with hyperthyroidism have an overactive metabolism and are often in the senior stages of life. 

This means your cat will need a more nutrient-dense diet. Choosing foods composed of 50% protein or more is usually a good idea.

The higher the animal-based protein content the better. Other things to look for in the best food for hyperthyroidism include:

  • Low iodine: Most vets will recommend reducing the amount of iodine in a cat’s diet if they’re suffering from hyperthyroidism. Iodine intake is necessary for the production of hormones, so reducing iodine can also lower the amount of thyroid hormone produced by your feline friend. Where possible, stick to iodine-free food.
  • High moisture: Since some cats producing extra thyroid hormones will urinate more often, they may struggle more with dehydration. Wet cat food will help your cat to stay hydrated if they generally prefer to avoid their water bowl. Pates are often the best choice as they have the highest moisture content.
  • Avoid too many carbs: Hyperthyroidism can also raise your cat’s blood glucose levels, leading to insulin resistance. This can increase your cat’s chances of developing diabetes. It’s best to keep carbohydrate levels low to avoid exacerbating the issue.

What Cat Foods to Avoid

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing the best cat food for hyperthyroidism.

Often, the best thing you can do is speak to your vet and get their suggestions on which foods to pursue, and which foods to avoid

However, research into hyperthyroidism in cats does indicate certain ingredients may be more problematic than others. Some of the main things to avoid include:

Fish-based foods

Although some cats do prefer seafood-style meals to chicken or poultry alternatives, there’s a higher risk of hyperthyroidism associated with fish. 

In general, most forms of fish and ocean creatures will have higher iodine levels than other foods.

It’s also worth noting some fish are contaminated with certain other chemicals which can worsen thyroid conditions.

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If you are going to choose a fish-based food for your cat, make sure it’s rich in the right nutrients, and check the iodine levels on the back of the tin.

BPA-free canned foods

Canned foods and wet food can be a good choice for cats with hyperthyroidism, as it helps to maintain their moisture levels

However, cats who eat from certain canned products can have an increased risk of thyroid problems, due to the chemicals used in canning. 

Cat-food-for-low-iodine

Cat food cans are sometimes coated with an epoxy lining which includes BPA. 

According to some studies, BPA is a kind of thyroid receptor antagonist that can alter thyroid functionality significantly, and lead to common health issues.

Soy

In most cases, it’s best to avoid additives, grain-based foods, and other fillers when you’re looking for the best food for your cat.

However, soy could be particularly problematic for cats with thyroid problems. 

When researchers gave 18 healthy cats soy or soy-free diet in one study, they found that cats eating the soy diet had a higher thyroid hormone production level.

If your cat is already struggling with thyroid production, it’s best to make sure you’re not making matters worse with additional soy.

Thyroid Prescription Cat Food

In some cases, cats with specific health conditions will benefit from having a specially chosen “prescription” food to tackle their symptoms. 

These foods are custom-made to address specific issues, and often take the latest research on the symptoms into account. 

There are prescription cat foods available on the market today which are particularly low in iodine and high in digestible proteins to assist cats with their thyroid condition. 

While not all cats will necessarily need a prescription diet, your vet may recommend one if your cat is suffering from severe symptoms.

Cat Food with Low Iodine

Iodine is a relatively common ingredient in a lot of cat foods because it can be relatively beneficial to your cat’s overall health. 

According to some research, the dietary needs for cats range around the 1.3ppm mark when it comes to iodine.

However, research is still ongoing. 

It’s uncertain exactly what iodine does for a cat’s health, but we also don’t have much research into the potential downsides of feeding cats an iodine-restricted diet.

Best Cat Food for Hyperthyroidism: The Verdict

If your cat has hyperthyroidism, we recommend considering Hill’s Prescription Diet Y/D Thyroid cat food. It’s specially made for cats with thyroid issues and has been clinically proven to have a positive benefit on thyroid hormone production. 

The substance also comes with added nutrients and minerals to contribute to cat wellbeing.

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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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