- Written by: Sarah
- Last Update: March 1, 2023
Best Cat Foods for Constipation in 2023 + Supplements
Is your cat plugged up? You may want to look for a good cat food or supplement to help them move things along. Finding the best cat food for constipation can feel more complicated than we’d like, however. We’ve gone through some of the best high fiber cat foods and cat fiber supplements around to bring you the best, so you can make sure the bowels of your furry friend move along smoothly.
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Dry Cat Food for Constipation | Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control | 4.9 |
| Best High Fiber Wet Cat Food | Weruva Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Cat Food | 4.7 |
| Budget Option | Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food | 4.6 |
Our Top Pick
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control
This excellent kibble is one of the best around for keeping your cat’s bowels flowing. Boasting an incredible 7% fiber and ingredients to help your cat’s overall health from start to finish, it won’t let you down. Try it today.
Table of Contents
Top Cat Foods for Constipation
Best Overall Dry Cat Food for Constipation
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Urinary & Hairball Control
With a whopping 7% dry fiber content, this is one of the best foods around if your cat is regularly constipated and acclimated to dry food. It doesn’t come cheap, but in addition to the high fiber content, it also has some other standout qualities.
The first is that it’s loaded with Omega Fatty Acids. They don’t do anything for constipation, but they’re essential for the skin and coat health of your cat. There’s also a higher than average amount of Vitamin E, which helps with eye health as well.
Lastly, the chicken included is pretty geat. It’s not the end bits that you’ll find in most dry foods, so you can be assured your cat is getting the good stuff. Not quite a raw food diet, but definitely a step above your average Purina kibble.
Are there problems? Absolutely. It’s not grain-free, which can be a bit problematic if your cat has allergies, and you’ll also find that it’s quite a bit more expensive than many of the foods out there.
Our Opinion:
Still, the fiber content is almost double the average for dry cat food, and it contains enough extras that we recommend it as the front line defense against constipation in cats that prefer dry food. Give it a shot and get those bowels flowing.
Best High Fiber Wet Cat Food
Weruva Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Cat Food
For those who are looking for a great wet food option, look no further. Weruva makes a line of wet cat foods that are excellent for gut health owing to a not-so-secret ingredient. That ingredient turns out to be pumpkin, which is apparently a secret weapon against constipation.
And well it should be, due to the higher fiber content of the vegetable. Indeed, in some cases, veterinarians just recommend straight feeding your cat canned pumpkin when they’re experiencing problems with constipation.
It’s also a high-quality, grain-free solution for your cat, so it’s perfectly viable for long term feeding. High-quality protein and a wide variety of different flavors mean there’s something out there for every taste.
The problem? Many of them come in soup-styles, which most cats aren’t adapted to eating. You may be out of luck if your cat doesn’t enjoy them.
Our Opinion:
It's worth a shot, however, especially if your cat is suffering from frequent bouts of constipation. The price is right, and most people won't miss the money even if it ends up being a miss.
Budget Option
Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
If you can’t quite afford out top pick, Iams Proactive Health is an excellent option. It has a 6.5% fiber content that most cats will seriously appreciate when it comes time to potty, and you’ll appreciate the savings.
The source of the fiber seems to be primarily pulped beet, which is a great way to do things. There’s also some prebiotics here for further gut health, but the jury is still out on just how much they help with constipation.
It’s an overall good food, albeit not a great one, so it’s also fine to feed for extended periods.
The main problem is that the ingredients are of lower quality than the others on our list. Some cats won’t take to it either despite repeated attempts.
Our Opinion:
For all it’s flaws, however, this high fiber dry cat food from Iams is a great option for your cat’s gut. Just be aware of the flaws going in and weigh them against the price of something with higher quality.
Top High Fiber Cat Supplements
Best High Fiber Supplement for Cats
Raw Paws Pet Organic Pure Pumpkin for Dogs & Cats
When it comes to making sure that a cat’s feces are moving along on time, you’ll find that pumpkin is undoubtedly the best remedy. In lieu of opening cans on a frequent basis, you can opt for this powdered supplement to help your cat achieve the same laxative effect.
Keep in mind that many cats will develop resistance to pumpkin’s effects after a few weeks, so it’s not really a true long term solution. That said, this is a high-quality supplement for occasional use, and we found it rather effective in the field.
It mixes easily with water, and you may need to add some if your cat is regularly being fed dry food. It’s also remarkably cheap for the volume you’ll be able to purchase, which is an added bonus.
Our Opinion:
There really aren't any downsides in this case: it's a great supplement for digestion, and it's super cost-effective. Sometimes simpler is just plain better.
Veterinarian Recommended
Glandex Dog & Cat Anal Gland Sac Fiber Supplement
It’s hard to find a supplement that most veterinarians agree on, but Glandex definitely fits the bill. It’s one of the most widely recommended supplements for any kind of anal gland or stool problems in cats and dogs and with good reason.
It consists largely of pumpkin powder, but the addition of digestive enzymes and probiotics make it excellent for overall GI tract health in our pets. Think of it as our favorite with some additional help, and you’re on the right track.
Unfortunately, it’s also higher in price, and some animals really don’t like the stuff.
Our Opinion:
That said, it’s strongly recommended by vets and works wonders when it comes to helping your cat get their bowel movements nice and regular again.
Budget Supplement
Vet’s Best Cat Hairball Relief Digestive Aid
Constipation relief doesn’t always have to cost a ton of money, and these handy little tablets come in super cheap. The main source of fiber here is psyllium husk, as opposed to pumpkin, which is another great source of fiber and laxative properties.
Think of it as kitty Metamucil, and you’re on the right track. The tablets can be split to control dosing for smaller cats, as well.
The downside? It’s in tablet form. Some cats are nearly impossible to get to take their medications, so you’ll have to figure out a way to get them to take them. It’s not that it’s less effective than the others, just more of a pain to feed.
Our Opinion:
Still, if you're on a tight budget, you might find these to be lifesavers. Just figure out whether or not you'll be able to feed your cat tablets before you make the purchase.
How Do I Know If My Cat is Constipated?
While it’s fairly obvious with indoor kitties, those who have cats that generally use the bathroom outdoors will have more trouble pinpointing if their cat is constipated.
The following are good signs:
- The biggest indicator is a lack of fecal matter in the litter box. You are checking your cat’s box daily, right?
- Cats will often form a hard lump in their bellies when constipated.
- Vomiting after visiting the litter box is another common sign that a cat is constipated.
- A lack of appetite can also indicate constipation if combined with any of the above.
Except for the lack of pooping, most of these symptoms will appear within a day or two of the problem appearing.
Constipation can be indicative of serious issues, so your first step should always be to go to a vet.
But the truth is that some cats are just prone to constipation, so if your kitty often has trouble passing stool, you may want to think about switching cat foods out.
What to Look For in a Cat Food for Constipation
There’s one big factor that you need to keep an eye out for when you’re looking into cat food for constipation: fiber. Most dry foods sit around 3%, and most wet foods sit around 0.3%, so anything higher than that is a good idea for getting the bowels flowing.
You’ll also want to look for something which is healthy overall, but that can take the backseat for the moment unless your cat has specific food allergies.
People will try to sell you on prebiotics and probiotics, which are great for cats with sensitive stomachs but aren’t proven to help here. Keep it simple by focusing on high-quality food with a higher than normal fiber content, and you’re well on your way.
Whether you choose to go with dry food or wet food really depends on what your cat’s normal diet looks like. You don’t want to spend the time switching your cat over to a high priced food that solves their GI problems, which can take multiple days when your cat is already in the throes of poop blockage.
If it’s a chronic problem, however, you may want to look into switching to wet food. The higher moisture content of the food often helps things out, and it’s much easier to switch a feline to wet food from kibble than vice versa.
Here’s one thing we did learn: foods that control hairballs and foods that control constipation are often one and the same. It’s a twofer.
When it comes to supplements, you’ll mostly be looking at high fiber supplements. You should focus on finding one which tastes good, and you’ll be able to mix in with your cat’s food easily for the best results.
Other Measures Against Feline Constipation
After checking with your veterinarian to make sure nothing serious is happening, you’ll need to ensure that you’re doing your best to keep your cat from having problems in the future.
Switching foods slowly is the key to getting your cat to accept new foods, gradually adding in small portions until they’re entirely switched over to the new food, which should prove to be better for their intestines. Supplements can be added as well, increasing the fiber content even more.
The biggest culprit of non-disease oriented constipation in cats is the same as it is in humans: dehydration. Some owners have found that just switching to high-quality wet food can do the trick. Remember that as hypercarnivores, cats in nature actually get the bulk of their moisture from their prey since meat is usually around 70% moisture.
For the most part, a dietary change should do it, but some veterinarians recommend adding more active toys to the environment. When a cat is active, at a healthy weight, and sufficiently hydrated with no other medical issues, you really shouldn’t have a problem.
High Fiber Cat Food and Cat Constipation FAQ
We’ve anticipated some of your questions, and if you’re ready to dive in a bit, then so are we. If you have any questions we haven’t answered, then you’ll want to drop us a line in the comments, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
How long should I wait before deciding that my cat is constipated?
If your cat hasn’t left behind a bowel movement in more than forty-eight hours, it’s most likely time to start worrying. At the three day mark, it’s time to find a vet and get a thorough examination to make sure that there aren’t any further problems.
Can I use Metamucil for my cat?
You can, but you’ll need to use a small dose added to food. In all honesty, the majority of high fiber cat supplements are cheaper anyways, so it should only be used in an emergency… in which case you should be at the vet’s office instead.
When should I get my constipated cat to a vet immediately?
After three days, of course, but there is one big sign that something is seriously amiss that will show up earlier. If your cat is actively straining while in the box, then you’re going to find out that they’re in trouble in short order. It’s one of the most common signs of infection.
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