The Best Cat Food for Constipation in 2022

Although mild and occasional constipation is common and rather normal in domesticated cats, frequent and more serious constipation problems require help, as if left untreated, the condition can lead to much more serious health problems. So what can you do to help your kitty have healthy digestion? First, make sure she has adequate fluid intake and then try changing her diet. If your kitty doesn’t have access to outdoor plants, it’s best to switch to hairball control formulas or recipes that are higher in fiber. To help you find the best cat food for constipation, we’ve not only put together a list of 10 excellent-quality foods, but also a buying guide containing all the relevant information on cat constipation and what you can do to help. For more options, check out our detailed review of cat food for hairballs.

Before you start feeding your cat a different diet or force her to drink more water than she’d like to, make sure she actually is constipated. Unsure how? Compare your kitty’s bathroom habits to a healthy cat’s bathroom habits:

• Healthy cats defecate once to three times a day, every day
• Healthy cats produce firm stools that keep their shape
• A healthy cat’s stool has enough moisture, so litter will stick to it
• Healthy cats easily defecate (do not strain).

Based on this, it should be easier to see if your pet is actually constipated or not. However, if you’re still not sure, the following symptoms of constipation should provide a definite answer:

• Decreased appetite and water intake
• Vomiting
• Depression
• Crying or straining while trying to defecate
• Small, dry, hard stools
• Not producing stools for 48 hours or longer.

Generally, a constipated cat will be in quite a bit of pain and you should notice the pet is acting differently than usual. This is because the longer the cat doesn’t defecate, the more gastrointestinal upset they’ll experience. And if these issues don’t resolve on their own (which they typically don’t), constipation can become obstipation. This is a severe form of constipation in which the cat cannot clear the mass of very dry and hard stools that have been accumulating in the colon. This, unfortunately, can lead to a complete blockage of the large intestine with feces which, in turn, can result in loss of the colon’s motility. Needless to say, you really don’t want to let your kitty’s mild constipation develop into something more serious.

Now that you know whether or not your cat is constipated (still unsure? Get your kitty to a vet!), you’re probably wondering what causes this condition in the first place. Unsurprisingly, there can be various reasons for cat constipation, including ingestion of foreign objects, side effects of certain medications, traumatic injury, infection, intestinal tumors, even obesity. But the two most common causes remain dehydration and a low-fiber diet. Let’s talk about these two potential causes and what you can do to avoid them in the first place.

Dehydration

Like all living things, cats need water in order to survive. Unfortunately, many cats have a low thirst drive, which means they don’t feel the need to drink water that often. If your cat is one of these pets, here is what you can do:

• Make sure the cat always has fresh, clean water source available. Sometimes, larger water bowls or cat water fountains can help.
• Add water to your cat's dry kibble, or wet food to ther regular diet. You can also completely replace dry food with wet food until the condition resolves.

Low-Fiber Diet

Although some pet parents, as well as some feline nutrition experts, believe that cats don’t have any physiological requirements for plant matter and therefore plant fiber, most cats, in fact, do. How is this possible? You don’t see cats eating grains and pumpkins in the wild! We hear you – however, cats who live in the wild often eat grass which supplies them with necessary fiber and nutrients, which in turn, help them eliminate all indigestible matter from their digestive tract. Here is how this works: naturally, cats lack the necessary enzymes to break down plant matter, so, when they eat vegetables and other plants, including grass, they sometimes throw up. While unpleasant (mostly for the owner), this allows the cat to get rid of all the things she cannot digest. This includes fur, bones, and feathers. Some experts speculate that certain indigestible animal parts themselves play a role of “fiber”, as they help bulk up the cat’s stool in a similar way, helping her defecate easier.

So what are indoor cats who cannot eat grass or dead animal parts suppose to do? Consume cat foods that are high in fiber; at least from time to time. 

Check out our guide on the best cat food for indoor cats for more info.

All cats have the same basic nutritional requirements, and cats who occasionally or frequently struggle with constipation are no different; except in one aspect: they typically need more fiber.

When looking for the best cat food for constipation, pay attention to the following things:

• Quality and Amount of Protein

Cats are carnivores, and as such, have high protein requirements. Ideally, you want cat foods that contain good-quality animal protein sources (muscle meats, organs, meat meals, even quality by-products are all good), as well as moderate to high amounts of protein. Otherwise healthy felines tend to do well on high-protein diets, so anything between 30-40% of protein on dry basis is excellent. Cats with serious digestion problems, including constipation or diarrhea, as well as urinary tract problems, may have different protein requirements. In any case, more serious health problems are something you should discuss with your vet (some cats may need to switch to meat-free diets, for example). For more options head over to our guide on high protein cat food.

• Quality and Amount of Fat

Cats need plenty of fat in their diet, especially those who are physically active. Look for foods that contain at least two different sources of fat, such as fish/salmon oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, chicken fat, pork fat, etc.

• Fiber (Carbohydrates)

As mentioned, many cats who suffer from constipation may greatly benefit from increased fiber intake. It’s worth noting that fiber comes in different forms and that each type reacts differently on the cat’s digestive system.

• Insoluble fiber (wheat bran, oat fiber, cellulose, various vegetables, etc.) helps bulk the stool and speed the bowel movement.;
• Soluble fiber (oat bran, barley, pectin, peas, carrots, etc.) feeds the good gut bacteria, helping improve GI motility disorders;
• Mixed fibers (psyllium, pea fiber, beet pulp, etc.) combine the benefits of both insoluble and soluble fiber.

Because fiber comes in different forms and has a variety of effects on the cat gut, it’s wise to start adding it slowly to your kitty’s diet. If your pet suffers from mild, occasional digestive issues, best foods for constipation will contain moderate amounts of fiber. If, on the other hand, your cat suffers from frequent and more serious digestive problems, they may require higher amounts of fiber in their diet. If this is your kitty, we suggest switching to a high-fiber cat food specifically crafted to treat constipation until their condition improves.

Because constipation can vary from animal to animal, there really isn’t a single best cat food for constipation. That being said, if you’re looking for an all-around healthy and well-balanced cat food that also supports digestive health thanks to its fiber content, give Blue Wilderness Grain-Free Adult Cat Food a try. Made with wholesome, quality ingredients, including lots of animal protein, moderate amounts of healthy fas and fiber, this dry cat food is a perfect preventative diet. If your kitty suffers from mild, occasional constipation, mix this kibble with water and voila – super nutritious, convenient, yet high in moisture, this cat food will nourish your pet’s overall health and wellbeing and promote regular bowel movements.