Last updated Apr 11, 2023
Medically reviewed by
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Our reviews are based on extensive research and, when possible, hands-on testing. Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, we’ll receive a percentage of the proceeds. Read more about how we’re supported here.The best cat food for constipation promotes a healthy stool consistency and supports the digestive system.
Visualize your cat’s digestive system. It’s more than a tube running from mouth to anus—it’s a complex system, like a municipal sewage processing plant. When your cat is constipated, we need to do the plumbing work—clearing the pipe—but we must also cooperate with the processing plant’s workers and infrastructure.
At A Glance: Best Cat Food For Constipation To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free
- Moisture-rich canned food is ideal for constipated cats
- Made with pumpkin
- Contains fiber from guar gum
Smalls Fresh Ground Bird
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- Low in carbohydrate content
- Contains small amounts of fiber that may support digestive health
Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food
- Hydrating canned food
- Popular among cats with digestive issues
- Contains pumpkin
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food
- Contains chicory root as a prebiotic
- Contains guar gum
- Contains ground flaxseed for fiber
Lotus Duck Pate Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- Moisture-rich food is ideal for constipated cats
- Contains olive oil for constipation
- Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
- Rich in moisture
- Made with fiber-rich ground flaxseed
- Contains pumpkin
Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Cats
- Made with a short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Relies on animal-sourced protein and fat
- Doesn’t contain carrageenan or gums
Before you choose the best cat food for constipation, you need an understanding of the digestive system and how motility issues begin.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is governed by the enteric nervous system, populated by billions of bacteria, and contains a maze of intestines several feet long. It also connects to the rest of the body via the capillary transit routes and contains many other intricate structures. All of these parts cooperate to extract nourishment from food and move the remaining waste out of your cat’s body.
When waste arrives in the small intestine, it has a sludgy consistency, called chyme. When the chyme moves further down to the large intestine, it’s the large intestine’s job to draw water out of the chyme and turn the sludge into stool.
Once the waste firms up, it continues making its way down to the rectum, signaling to the central nervous system that it’s time to squat in the litter box and go.
But if there’s anything wrong—if the process went too slowly, the body absorbed too much water, or there’s something blocking the way, the stool won’t move out smoothly.
When a cat is constipated, stool turns to stone and bowel movements become increasingly frustrating. All the while, the digestive system continues merrily on, creating more waste to fill up the small intestine and double your cat’s discomfort.
Causes Of Constipation In Cats
Dehydration
Although well-hydrated cats can be constipated, dehydration is a contributing factor in feline constipation.
Jean Hofve, DVM, says that “In more than 18 years of experience as a feline veterinarian, I have not personally seen constipation problems in cats who do not eat dry food.”
Consider that dry food is 10-12% moisture and that your cat’s natural prey is at least 70% water. Combined with your cat’s low thirst drive, this is a recipe for chronic dehydration and all its ripple effects throughout the body, including constipation.
Click here for our list of the best wet cat food.
Inadequate Fiber Intake
You might feel that cats don’t require fiber—after all, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they require meat in their diet. We’re most familiar with fiber as the indigestible component of plants.
Remember that cats consume herbivorous prey. Each of these animals contains a pocket of partially-digested plant matter in their own tiny GI tract. And while we think of natural prey as an ultra-efficient form of nutrition for cats, they’re not completely digestible. They have hair, skin, teeth, and claws.
Commercially-sold diets include substitutes for these natural sources of fiber and indigestible matter, but raw cat food or homemade diets seldom do. By missing these subtle details, we skip an essential part of the feline digestive process.
Credit: FelineConstipation.org
There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is primarily used in the treatment of constipation as a bulking agent.
Soluble fiber is a prebiotic, fueling probiotic activity in the gut. As gut bacteria consume the indigestible matter in the intestine, short-chain fatty acids are produced as by-products, creating a slightly acidic environment and helping the stool retain water.
Fiber Supplements For Cats:
- Pumpkin puree
- Psyllium husks
- Chia seeds
- Ground flaxseeds
- Powdered cellulose
- Green beans
- Cat grass
- Catnip
Obesity Or Inactivity
When your cat exercises—playing, walking, hunting, and jumping—the movement stimulates rhythmic intestinal contractions, which help propel waste towards the rectum. If your cat is overweight and inactive, they experience less of these contractions, and waste tends to build up in the intestine.
Check out our list of the best cat food for overweight cats.
Physical Obstructions
Remember that the small intestine is a convoluted tube designed to move sludge. Solid objects can block the intestinal tract and obstruct the flow of waste. These include tumors, hairballs, twists in the intestine, or ingested foreign bodies.
Litter Box Avoidance
Like litter box martyrs, some cats hold in their bowel movements in protest against a dirty litter box or an uncomfortable new litter. What starts out as a temporary protest can become a real health issue when the stool remains in the large intestine for too long.
If Your Cat Has Litter Box Problems, These Articles May Help:
- Best Cat Litter Box
- Best Cat Litter
- Best Cat Litter For Multiple Cats
- Best Litter Box For Multiple Cats
- Best Cat Litter For Kittens
Other Problems
Constipation may stem from inflammatory bowel disease, stress, reactions to medications, joint problems that make squatting uncomfortable, or nerve damage that impedes the ability to pass waste. Observe your cat’s symptoms and behavior closely and bring these observations to your vet’s office.
Check Out Our List Of The Best Cat Food For IBD
Signs That Your Cat Is Constipated:
- Their bowel movements are infrequent – Cats should have one or two bowel movements every day. Constipated cats may move their bowels 3-4 times per week. Their waste is small, dry, and hard.
- They’re straining in the litter box – Constipation is sometimes characterized by straining and pain in the litter box.
- They aren’t passing any stool at all – Some constipated cats don’t pass any stool for 2 days or more. If your cat is experiencing acute constipation and cannot pass any stool, please bring them to the veterinarian.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re only putting the best in your cat’s bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the “view lab report” link in the product review.
Top 7 Best Cat Foods For Constipation
The following cat foods are both moisture-rich and encourage water retention in the stool, targeting the most common causes of constipation.
#1 Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken (Boneless, Skinless, White Breast), Tuna, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil
While any dietary change can have a positive effect on constipation, this food has a particularly good reputation. One reviewer said that it cleared their elderly cat’s constipation after 2 weeks of blockage.
It’s a chicken-based canned food that features pumpkin, which is almost universally recommended for cats with constipation.
It contains locust bean gum, xanthan gum, and guar gum as binders. Gums are controversial, so let’s discuss the pros and cons of these inclusions in your cat’s food.
Fiber-rich guar gum is extracted from guar beans and has widespread use as a laxative. Some people give it directly to their constipated cats. Although it’s a plant ingredient and has little nutrient value for cats, it appears to be completely safe.
Xanthan gum, however, should be approached with caution. As a product of simple sugar fermentation, xanthan gum may carry traces of the fermentation medium. If your cat has allergies to the corn, soy, wheat, or dairy used to create the xanthan gum, they may have an adverse reaction to the gum. Fortunately, allergies to corn, soy, wheat, and dairy are rare in cats.
Locust bean gum, like guar gum, isn’t associated with any negative effects in cats. It’s extracted from the seeds of the carob tree and may have benefits for digestive health.
Ingredients:
Chicken Broth, Chicken (Boneless, Skinless, White Breast), Tuna, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Locust Bean Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Moisture-rich canned food is ideal for constipated cats
- Made with pumpkin
- Contains fiber from guar gum
Cons:
- If your cat prefers pâté-style canned food, they might not like the texture of this food
#2 Smalls Fresh Bird Cat Food
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Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken liver, Green beans, Peas, Water (sufficient for processing)
Smalls Fresh Ground Bird is a good choice for cats with constipation thanks to its concentration of easily-digestible animal protein and high moisture content.
While you will see green beans, peas, kale, and vegetable oil on the label, they are not remarkable amounts, and the overall carbohydrate content is under 5%.
As mentioned, this formula does contain several plant-based ingredients, but it is free from any BPAs, preservatives, fillers, or mystery-ingredients.
You also won’t find any grains or controversial thickeners such as xanthan gum in this food.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken liver, Green beans, Peas, Water (sufficient for processing), Chicken hearts, Kale, Tricalcium phosphate, Canola oil, Choline chloride, Potassium chloride, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Ferrous sulfate, Zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, Thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), Calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), Copper sulfate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Manganese sulfate, Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Potassium iodide, Folic acid, Biotin (vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 supplement, Vitamin D3 supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- Low in carbohydrate content
- Contains small amounts of fiber that may support digestive health
- Delivered to your door monthly
Cons
- Cost on the high side compared to other wet cat food
- Smalls has a reputation for poor customer service
#3 Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food Review
Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Tuna
While it’s unclear if added probiotics help with constipation, this food contains the patented BC30 probiotic, which contributes to the natural bacteria population in your cat’s gut. You can read more about the effects of probiotics for cats here.
The food is meat-based with multiple sources of animal protein, such as turkey and tuna, and contains guar gum and agar-agar as binders. These fibrous binders can help reduce constipation.
Along with several other trace amounts of fruits and vegetables, the food contains pumpkin, which can help encourage bowel movement in constipated cats.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Chicken, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Tuna, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Agar Agar, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Sodium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Hydrating canned food
- Popular among cats with digestive issues
- Contains pumpkin
- Made with guar gum
Cons:
- Some reviewers say their cats disliked the food
#4 Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Cranberries
This food has the foundations of a good meal for your cat. It’s meat-based and moisture-rich to promote healthy bowel function. While it contains more plant matter than some other canned foods and might not be a great choice for everyday feeding, this food contains several additions that can benefit constipated cats.
It’s made with multiple high-fiber binders, along with ground flaxseed, another fiber-rich ingredient that can increase gut motility. It also includes chicory root extract, which is a prebiotic that encourages probiotic activity.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Ground Flaxseed, Cranberries, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Contains chicory root as a prebiotic
- Contains guar gum
- Contains ground flaxseed for fiber
- Primarily made from nourishing meat ingredients
Cons:
- Contains more plant ingredients than some other cat foods
#5 Lotus Duck Pate Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Duck, Duck Broth, Pork Liver, White Fish, Peas
While this food’s variety of plant ingredients might make it a less-than-ideal choice for most cats, it has several benefits for those suffering from constipation.
It’s made with whole flaxseed and olive oil, both of which are commonly-recommended food additives for constipated cats.
The food also includes several other ingredients that you might not find in other cat foods, like New Zealand Green Mussel for glucosamine and chondroitin and salmon oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Ingredients:
Duck, Duck Broth, Pork Liver, Pork Liver Broth, White Fish, Peas, Natural Flavor, Agar Agar, Tricalcium Phosphate, Ground Whole Flaxseed, New Zealand Green Mussel, Asparagus, Clams, Blueberries, Cranberries, Carrots, Eggs, Olive Oil, Salmon Oil, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Betaine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Niacin, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, etc…
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Moisture-rich food is ideal for constipated cats
- Contains olive oil for constipation
- Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
Cons:
- Contains numerous fruits and vegetables
#6 Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food Review
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Peas, Pea Protein
This is a high-moisture, meat-based cat food. It is free of grains and contains a variety of ingredients that can benefit your constipated cat.
These constipation-relieving ingredients include ground flaxseed, guar gum, and a trace amount of pumpkin, all of which are fiber-rich and can help promote gut motility.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Peas, Pea Protein, Montmorillonite Clay, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Salt, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Rich in moisture
- Made with fiber-rich ground flaxseed
- Contains pumpkin
Cons:
- A plant-heavy recipe is not ideal for long-term feeding
#7 Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Paté For Adult Cats
First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries
Formulated with a single source of animal protein and a limited list of easily digestible ingredients, Raised Right could be a good choice for cats with constipation. It’s not as high in moisture as some canned foods but it does contain pumpkin for a boost of dietary fiber.
This cat food features a blend of turkey muscle meat and organs with cod liver oil as an animal source of omega-3 fatty acids. The food doesn’t contain hard-to-digest beans, peas, or legumes, and it’s free from artificial additives. The carbohydrate content is very low, under 10% measured as dry matter.
Raised Right fresh foods don’t contain carrageenan or gum thickeners. Organic dried kelp is used to help bind the ingredients in the absence of added starch and other high-carbohydrate ingredients.
Ingredients
Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Pumpkin, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Dried Kelp, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros:
- Made with a short list of easily digestible ingredients
- Relies on animal-sourced protein and fat
- Doesn’t contain carrageenan or gums
- Pumpkin provides a source of supplemental fiber
Cons:
- Some cats don’t seem to like the texture or flavor
- Only sold in packs of 4 or 16 bags
