Dr Marie Menniti - Miss Cats Team

Dr. Marie Menniti's Veterinary Advice

If your cat is struggling in the litter box, she may be dealing with stools that are too firm to be passed easily.

Firm stools are uncomfortable for our feline friends and may lead to constipation.

Straining in the litter box is usually a sign that a veterinarian should get involved and an emergency appointment should be booked if it doesn’t resolve in 24 hours.

If your cat suffers from firm stools, the right diet might be able to help. If your cat does have a medical condition, it is best to check with the vet when picking out a food. However, the following guidelines can help you get started.

1) Choose a diet with a high water content

Diets with a high moisture content, such as a canned diet, can help keep things moving in the gut. Cats don’t naturally have a high thirst drive, so a food that is high in water will help ensure proper hydration.

2) Choose a diet that uses soluble fiber sources

One type of fiber, called “soluble fiber”, increases fecal moisture, and can help to soften hard poos. Examples of soluble fiber sources include apples, oats, and barley.

3) Choose a diet that contains prebiotic ingredients

Prebiotics are ingredients in the diet which feed the healthy bacteria of the gut. These “gut critters” produce compounds which have been linked with better gastrointestinal health. Examples of prebiotic-containing ingredients include cranberries, citrus pulp, and carrots.

Note: In a manufactured food, all important nutrients, including prebiotics, are present in the right amounts and in a form that is appetizing for your cat. You should check with your veterinarian before adding fresh ingredients to the diet on their own.

4) Don’t change diet too quickly or too frequently

When you are choosing a food for your cat, one important thing to keep in mind is to not switch diets too quickly or frequently. The gut of a cat and healthy gut bacteria need time to adjust to changes in composition and texture of new foods. The transition should happen over a minimum of 7 days, increasing the proportion of the new food in the bowl each day.

5) Consider the energy needs of your cat

Obesity can have an impact on gastrointestinal health in cats. If your vet advises that your cat is overweight, you might want to find a less ‘calorie dense’ diet to help her slim down.

Your veterinarian can help you determine how much to feed each day for your cat to meet her ideal bodyweight. You should measure out your cat’s daily portion using a scale, as cups are inaccurate.

What is the Best Cat Food for Firm Stools?

IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 71 kcal/2.9 oz can
  • Protein: 37.9%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 60 kcal/can
  • Protein: 38.7%
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 498 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 35%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 127 kcal/5.5 oz can
  • Protein: 39.6%
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 352 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 33%

Cat Food for Firm Stool Reviews

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Veg Wet Cat Food

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Water
  2. Chicken
  3. Pork Liver
  4. Carrots
  5. Wheat Gluten
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 71 kcal/2.9 oz can
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
23.2%
23.2%
Protein
37.9%
37.9%
Fiber
2.7%
2.7%
REVIEW

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Veg Wet Cat Food Review

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Veg Wet Cat Food is specifically formulated for a healthy digestive system. This formula has a high water content, and the recipe contains carrots and other insoluble fibers which contribute to a healthy firm stool. It also has an optimal balance of fat and protein, so your cat gets all the nutrients they need without irritating their stomach.

This recipe is fortified with antioxidants and powerhouse ingredients that are crucial for your cat’s health. Although this diet is created specifically for sensitive stomachs, it also has all the nutrients growing kittens need. It’s made with fresh chicken and vegetables, so it has a delicious taste that cats love. This formula from Hill’s Prescription Diet is the best cat food for firm stools on the market.

Royal Canin Veterinary Gastrointestinal Wet Cat Food

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Water Sufficient For Processing
  2. Chicken Liver
  3. Pork By-Products
  4. Chicken By-Products
  5. Pork Liver
PRICE
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FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 60 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
9.68%
9.68%
Protein
38.7%
38.7%
Fiber
12.9%
12.9%
REVIEW

Royal Canin Veterinary Gastrointestinal Wet Cat Food Review

The Royal Canin Veterinary Gastrointestinal Wet Cat Food is a balanced formula that supports a healthy digestive system. This cat food contains plenty of dietary fibers and is fortified with prebiotics to keep your cat’s digestive system regular. The protein in this formula is also very easy to digest and won’t irritate your cat’s stomach.

This recipe contains a healthy balance of fat that gives your cat the nutrients they need, but also helps your cat manage their weight. It is fortified with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and is also specifically formulated to support urinary health. This formula from Royal Canin is an excellent cat food for pets that prefer wet food and need a bit of extra gastrointestinal support.

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Cracked Pearled Barley
  3. Corn Gluten Meal
  4. Brewers Rice
  5. Pork Fat
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 498 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
17%
17%
Protein
35%
35%
Fiber
4%
4%
REVIEW

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Cat Food Review

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Dry Cat Food is primed to support your cat’s digestive health. This formula contains an optimal balance of both soluble and insoluble fibers, which helps support firm stools for your cat.

This dry cat food contains prebiotic fiber, which helps keep your cat regular and healthy. It has a healthy balance of protein and fat to keep your cat feeling strong and healthy. This cat food has a rich chicken flavor that is very appealing for cats. It’s also fortified with essential vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamins A, E, D3, and B12.

Like many of Hill’s other formulas, this cat food is formulated to meet the S+OXSHIELD standards, which means that it supports your cat’s urinary health.

Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit & Digestion Wet Cat Food

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Water
  2. Pork Liver
  3. Pork By-Products
  4. Powdered Cellulose
  5. Chicken
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 127 kcal/5.5 oz can
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
13.8%
13.8%
Protein
39.6%
39.6%
Fiber
14.1%
14.1%
REVIEW

Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit & Digestion Wet Cat Food Review

The Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Wet Cat Food is a balanced formula to support many different aspects of your cat’s health. It’s an excellent formula for firm stools as it contains a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as high water content. Additionally, this diet is specifically formulated to help your cat maintain their weight, as it is low in fat and low in calories.

This formula is also designed to keep your cat’s urinary tract healthy. The formula contains minimal amounts of sodium and magnesium. However, it does contain a number of other essential antioxidants and minerals, such as taurine, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, L-carnitine, and more.

This cat food from Hill’s supports firm stools, and is an excellent choice for your cat’s health all-round.

Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food for Constipation

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Turkey
  2. Chicken By-Product Meal
  3. Ground Whole Grain Corn
  4. Brewers Rice
  5. Chicken Meal
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food
  • Calories: 352 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
14%
14%
Protein
33%
33%
Fiber
3%
3%
REVIEW

Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food for Constipation Review

The Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion Dry Cat Food For Constipation has a healthy formula with high-quality ingredients for healthy stool. It has a unique fiber blend made with beet pulp for healthy digestion, as well as prebiotics for a consistently healthy gut.

Healthy protein sources like turkey keep your cat’s muscles strong, and the fresh turkey flavor is very appealing to your cat’s taste buds. This formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which keep your cat’s skin and coat smooth. The Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Digestion cat food is a balanced formula to keep your cat’s digestive system healthy.