Have you noticed that your cat keeps being sick or they sometimes seem off their food? You may have noticed that they have occasional runny poo or seem uncomfortable after eating. These could all be signs that your cat has a sensitive stomach. But what does that mean and what can you do to help?
What is a sensitive stomach?
The term ‘sensitive stomach’ really just means an animal that has frequent gastrointestinal upsets. This could be vomiting, retching, diarrhoea, colitis or, in cats, even passing frequent hairballs. There are lots of different causes of a sensitive stomach, so which food you use to tackle it will depend very much on the underlying cause.
Reading the signs
All cats, like us humans, get the occasional one-off tummy issue. Maybe your cat caught a mouse that didn’t go down well. But if you notice that your cat has a gastrointestinal upset every few days, or even every couple of weeks, then it’s best to see your vet to make sure there isn’t a medical issue. If your cat goes out a lot, you might not notice the overt signs, so always try to weigh your cat every month, either at home on your scales or at the vet practice. Noticing weight loss is very important for spotting disease in cats at an early stage. This habit also helps you spot if your cat is becoming too fat, which can be just as bad!
What might cause a cat’s sensitive stomach?
The most common causes of a sensitive stomach in cats are:
- Food allergies or intolerances.
- Stress. This is particularly important in cats, especially those living with other cats or kept solely indoors. Stress may be an important factor in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in dogs and cats, as well as humans. This isn’t fully understood at this time but research is ongoing.
- Parasites
- Infections.
When you go to the vet, stool samples and even videos of your cat being sick can be really helpful if you can get them. Your vet may want to do various tests, including blood tests, stool analysis, ultrasound or x-rays. In some cases, biopsy may be required.
Tasty Tips
Feeding a cat with a sensitive stomach
If your vet finds a definite underlying cause like parasites, they may simply need to administer treatment. If there is no apparent cause, it may be that your cat will need a change of food. Many cats with a ‘sensitive stomach’ may have what’s called Food Responsive Enteropathy (FRE). These are cases which, as the name suggests, get better when the cat is fed a food that supports digestive health. It may be that your cat has been on a lower-quality food they have trouble digesting, or one that has too much fat for their body to tolerate. Foods that support gut health have high-quality, highly digestible ingredients. They contain omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation, along with great sources of prebiotic fibres, which nourish the ‘good’ bacteria that keep the gut microbiome and immune system healthy.
If your cat doesn’t get better with a change of food, your vet may try antibiotics or steroids, or suggest an elimination diet. These foods are aimed at cats that are suspected of having a food allergy or intolerance. Adverse food reactions (the term that covers both allergies and intolerances) are usually caused by a certain ingredient in the food, such as a meat protein. Your vet may give you a food that contains hydrolysed proteins, which are broken down to a size that is too small for the body to recognise as allergenic. Your vet may also suggest a food that contains ingredients that your cat has never eaten before. With these elimination trials, it is important to feed ONLY the food your vet has given you and no titbits or table scraps. Usually a trial for gut issues lasts 2-4 weeks, but your vet will explain it all to you. Your cat may need to stay on the special food for life if an intolerance is found.
Your vet may recommend wet food for your cat or a mix of wet and dry. Stomach upsets can quickly make cats dehydrated and wet foods are a great way to increase water intake. Also, lots of cats really love some wet food in their diet, so they may be a good way to get your cat eating well again. Follow your vet’s advice and always ask about how to transition your cat from their old food to the new one.
Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA
Related products
Senior Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Senior Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports healthy aging during the golden years. Contains a special ingredient blend to help keep older cats agile, more alert & interactive.
Sterilised Mature Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Cat Mature Adult Cat Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition tailored to meet the needs of mature adult sterilised cats, ages 7+, and to promote graceful ageing.
Oral Care Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken supports the health of the whole urinary system. Suitable for sterilised cats.
Related articles
Hill's Cat Foods: Nutritional Balance Just for Indoor Cats
Find the right Hill
Cats Need Good Nutrition In Order To Stay Healthy
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
How Often Should You Feed A Cat?
Feeding time can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your cat. Find out how to make the most of it and create a healthy habit with HIll's Pet UK.
Hill's Cat Foods: A Healthy Choice for Your Cat
Selecting the right food for your kitten is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life. Learn more about how to select the right kitten food.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.