Last updated Jul 24, 2025
Emma Williams / Cats.com
Keeping your cat well-fed and topped up with nutrients is one of your most important jobs as a caring and responsible pet owner, but it’s not always easy. Just like humans, some cats suffer from food allergies and stomach sensitivity issues that can turn meal times into ordeals.
While you should always seek guidance from your vet first, oftentimes, a simple switch to a more suitable cat food can make a world of difference. How do I know? Because I’ve seen the results in one of my two boys, and I’d love for our journey to help others in a similar bind.
With assistance from our resident veterinary advisors, myself and my two kitties (Wessie and Forest) set out to test 7 of the best cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs and allergies.
We found Purina Pro Plan Delicate Digestion Wet Cat Food to be the overall best choice, but were also impressed by the 100% natural ingredients found in KatKin, alongside the high vitamin content of Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care.
Whether your cat has a sensitive stomach, is a picky eater, or you’re both just searching for a healthier meal time option, we’re confident you’ll find the purrfect choice below.
At a Glance: Best Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs in the UK To Buy
Pro Plan Delicate Digestion Wet Cat Food
- High-quality ingredients
- Prebiotics for gut health
- Skin sensitivity support
- Backed by science
Pro Plan Delicate Digestion Dry Cat Food
- High-quality protein sources
- No wheat
- Developed with veterinary support
KatKin 100% Fresh Cat Food
- 100% real, highly-digestible meat
- No added fillers
- Unique nutrient mix
Fuzzball Wet Food
- Made with real, ethically sourced chicken
- Easy to store and serve
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Pouches
- High-quality, digestible proteins
- Gluten and lactose-free
- Contains omega 3 fatty acids
Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care
- Supports easy nutrient absorption
- High in electrolytes, B vitamins, and antioxidants
- Unique blend of prebiotic fibres for gut health
HiLife Adult Wet Cat Food Cans
- 100% natural recipes
- No artificial colors or preservatives
- 100% grain-free
In a rush? We’ve condensed our general thoughts about the cat foods we’ve tested into a simple table below, covering some key features and overall benefits related to each product.
That said, we do advise reading our full reviews further down this article to get a better idea of which products are best-suited for your cat’s needs, age, and sensitivities.
Why Trust Cats.com?
Myself and the rest of the Cats.com team have tested hundreds of cat foods produced by leading and boutique brands over the last few years. From 100% natural recipes to foods formulated for seniors, kittens, and cats with kidney, urinary, and sensitivity issues, we know what to look for and which ingredients offer the most benefits to cats of all shapes and sizes.
In searching for the best cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs, I prioritised products with easily digestible ingredients, prebiotic fibres, and vet-approved vitamins and minerals proven to reduce gut inflammation and soothe sensitive stomachs. As a parent to both sensitive and not-so-sensitive kitties, I also added marks to foods that both of my boys were excited to eat.
Our team of veterinary experts has also offered insight into what makes safe, healthy, and effective cat food for cats with sensitive stomachs, and given seals of approval to the top 7 food products covered below. Learn more about how we approach cat food ratings here.
Our Veterinary Advisors
- Nat Scroggie MRCVS
- Caren Carney, DVM
- Alex Crow, VetMed MRCVS
- Jennifer Coates, DVM
- Dwight Alleyne, DVM
The Best-Rated Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs: Our Top 7 Picks
Topping our list is Purina Pro Plan Delicate Digestion, with its high-quality ingredients and specially developed prebiotic formula making for a tasty meal that can also soothe sensitive stomachs and promote good gut and digestive health.
I’ve also added picks for dry cat food, foods for older kitties, and products made using 100% natural ingredients to cover all bases. When it comes to sensitive kitties, there is no one-size-fits-all. But our rankings are determined by multiple factors, including price, ingredient quality, mineral content, and availability. So, even if our top pick isn’t right for you and your kitty, we’re sure one of our top 7 foods for cats with sensitive stomachs will be.
#1 Overall Best: Pro Plan Delicate Digestion Wet Cat Food
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 12.6% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 27
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.73 per day
Produced by a well-known brand backed by hundreds of veterinary experts, Purina Pro Plan Delicate Digestion is a great, easy-to-find, all-around pick, especially for parents of multiple cats with varying degrees of food sensitivities.
Both of my boys were immediately interested as soon as I opened the pouch, even Wessie, whose food sensitivity issues over the years have left him a little nervous around new foods.
Looking over the ingredients, I was impressed by the protein variety, high mineral content, and inclusion of prebiotics said to support good gut and digestive health. The addition of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids supports healthy skin, something many cats with food sensitivities struggle with.
Emma Williams / Cats.com
In practice, Wessie had no issues with eating or nausea over our test week, and Forest was happy to chow down on this product the same as his normal food. The main downsides I would mention, however, are the inclusion of sugars and the fact that this product isn’t suitable for kittens or younger cats.
Ingredients
Meat and Animal Derivatives, Vegetable Protein Extracts, Fish and Fish Derivatives (Of Which Ocean Fish 4%), Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Oils and Fats, Minerals, Various Sugars
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Good variety of meat and vegetable proteins.
- Prebiotics to support good gut and digestive health.
- Can also help to address sensitive skin issues.
- Trusted brand with a high level of veterinary input
What We Didn’t Like:
- Inclusion of sugars
- Not suitable for kittens and younger cats.
#2 Best Dry Food: Pro Plan Delicate Digestion Dry Cat Food
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 40% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 15
- Typical Cost Per Day: $0.32 per day
Given that our top overall pick is the wet food version of this product, it’s no surprise that my two cats also loved this dry food version. I did place it here on merit, though, as many of the same benefits of the wet food carry over to this product, making it a good complementary pick as well as a great alternative for cats that simply prefer dry food in their everyday diets.
Emma Williams / Cats.com
In terms of benefits, it has a decent meat content, and I like the variety of additional protein sources and inclusion of minerals and natural prebiotics found in this product, as well as the fact that the recipe has been formulated with help from experienced veterinary professionals.
My two boys both loved the taste of this product, which is particularly great for my sensitive cat, who prefers dry food generally. Just like the wet food version, I found this to be a great middle-ground pick in terms of price, availability, and ingredients, and an ideal choice for households with multiple cats that have varying food sensitivity needs.
For downsides, the presence of potential allergens like egg, soy, and maize in the ingredients list could be an issue for some sensitive cats, and (again) it’s not suitable for younger kitties.
Ingredients
High Quality Turkey (18%) (Including Back and Chest), Corn Protein Meal, Rice, Dried Turkey Protein, Pea Protein, Animal Fats, Soya Protein Powder, Corn Starch, Dried Egg, Corn, Dried Chicory Root, Minerals, Fish Oil, Digest, Yeast, Protein Sources
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- High meat content.
- Great range of protein sources.
- Vet-approved recipe.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Potential allergens in the ingredients list.
- Not suitable for kittens and younger cats.
#3 Best Fresh Option: KatKin 100% Fresh Cat Food
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: Suffolk UK
- Guaranteed Protein: 17.1% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 38
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.98 per day
KatKin is a tailored meal plan service for cats that owners can use to build a bespoke healthy diet for their pets. However, KatKin products can now also be purchased individually from some Pets at Home stores, so it’s a little bit easier to get your hands on.
Emma Williams / Cats.com
KatKin can be particularly good for cats with sensitive stomachs as its ingredients list is so small, featuring only 100% fresh meat or fish with added minerals. We tried the chicken recipe, which contains chicken thigh, liver, and heart, alongside a special digestion-boosting nutrient mix.
In terms of flavour, Wessie really liked this product, most likely due to its straightforward ingredients and surprisingly dry texture for a wet food. However, that latter point seemed to be an issue for Forest, so it might not be the best choice for picky eaters or households with multiple cats with varying degrees of food sensitivities.
According to Rachael Nind, In-House Vet Nurse at KatKin,
“Highly digestible diets containing quality ingredients, such as KatKin, are often recommended for cats with chronic digestive issues and sensitive digestive systems. Our recipes use only fresh, premium ingredients, including 100% real, human-grade meat. Our fresh meals don’t contain any grains, fillers, sugars, food additives, or emulsifiers which can trigger digestive upset in some cases. Some of our recipes also contain only a single source of protein.”
With that in mind, the major downsides of this food for us were the texture and the fact that it has to be frozen if you want to store it for a while, but these might not be big issues for you.
Ingredients
Fresh Chicken (Thigh, Liver, Heart), Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Zinc Chelate, Iron Chelate, Manganese Chelate, Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate, Potassium Iodide, Taurine.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- 100% real, highly-digestible meat.
- No added fillers
- Unique nutrient mix
- Can be personalised to suit unique sensitivities.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Surprisingly dry for wet food.
- Has to be frozen/refrigerated.
#4 Best for Fussy Eaters: Fuzzball Wet Food
- Made In: United Kingdom
- Guaranteed Protein: 21.65% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: N/A
- Typical Cost Per Day: N/A
The first of a few boutique brands we tried for this piece, Fuzzball Chicken Cat Food is crafted from high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients and quickly became a favorite in my household.
Fuzzball offers a straightforward approach to premium cat food, delivering protein-rich, natural recipes without artificial additives or fillers. Each formula is gently cooked to retain nutrients, and made with real meat as the first ingredient.
I found that the simplicity and integrity of Fuzzball’s recipes made it a top contender for cats with picky appetites or sensitive digestion. Wessie, who usually snubs wet foods, took to this chicken recipe immediately—and with enthusiasm!
Forest also cleaned his bowl, and I appreciated the convenience of storing the pouches in the pantry, unlike frozen or raw alternatives. This recipe is free from grains, soy, and artificial preservatives, and is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. It’s worth noting that chicken can be a common allergen for some cats, so it may not suit every sensitive feline. But for those who tolerate chicken well, this food provides a digestible, protein-forward option that supports overall health.
Ingredients
Composition
75% Chicken, 20.82% Chicken Broth, 1.9% Soybean Oil, 1.06% Minerals, 1% Tapioca
Nutritional additives (per KG)
Taurine 714mg, a-tocopherol acetate 1429mg, Vitamin A acetate
14mg, Thiamine mononitrate 2mg, Riboflavin supplement 1 mg, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride 1mg, Folic Acid 1 mg, Vitamin B12 supplement 1mg, Biotin 1mg.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made with real, ethically sourced chicken
- Easy to store and serve
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Single source protein
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not ideal for cats with chicken allergies
- Premium price point
#5 Best for Older Cats: Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Pouches
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 27% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 99
- Typical Cost Per Day: $1.09 per day
Royal Canin Sensitivity Control is a great choice for sensitive cats of all ages, but myself and our veterinary experts believe it has a few key qualities that make it particularly good for older cats; namely, the presence of highly-digestible key ingredients and omega 3 fatty acids. It also comes in a dry kibble option, making it a great choice for sensitive cats who prefer a mix of wet and dry food, but need a consistent diet.
As cats age, they often struggle to properly process foods, so Royal Canin’s choice to use highly digestible chicken and rice in this product can be a big help to senior kitties. However, the main benefit is the addition of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to address skin and joint issues as well as support overall health in senior cats.
In terms of our tests, both of my cats seemed to enjoy the taste of this product, and I did spot some positive changes to Wessie’s coat, possibly thanks to the added nutrients in this food that supposedly help to reduce water loss through cats’ skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Like some of our other choices, this food contains a single-source protein, which is helpful for cats with food sensitivities. However, chicken is one of the most common food allergies in cats so this won’t suit every stomach.
For downsides, Royal Canin is one of the more expensive foods we tried, and it didn’t contain as high-quality ingredients as some of the other brands we looked at.
Ingredients
Rice (43.2%), Dehydrated Duck Protein (30.8%), Vegetable Fibres, Hydrolysed Poultry Proteins(5.4%), Minerals, Animal Fat, Fish Oil, Soya Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides of Palmitic and Stearic Acids Esterified With Citric Acid, Marigold Meal.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Highly digestible main ingredients.
- Good amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Gluten and lactose-free.
- Comes in wet and dry for easy mixed feeding.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive.
- Ingredients are lower quality than other large brands.
#6 Best Prescription: Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 7.6% Min
- Age Range: All Life Stages
- Calories Per Ounce: 24
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.33 per day
Hill’s Prescription Diet (and the brand in general) is popular among owners of sensitive cats, with this product often being mentioned in reviews of comparable cat foods.
This wet food has been specially formulated to help address digestive issues and improve nutrient absorption, with a unique blend of prebiotic fibres that have been proven to nourish the gut microbiome and improve digestion and stool quality in kitties with sensitive stomachs.
Hill’s are well-respected among vets, including our own experts, with their recipes developed alongside over 200 veterinarians, food scientists and Ph.D nutritionists. As far as real-world tests are concerned, both of my cats did seem to like the taste, but Wessie took a few days to warm to it. I’m glad he did too, as it seemed to improve his stool quality after a week or so.
With added electrolytes and B vitamins to help replace lost nutrients, and omega 3 + 6 fatty acids to support joint, skin, and brain health, there’s a lot to like with this food. Veterinarian Dr Nat Scroggie says, “Hills Prescription Digestive Care is a go-to food for cats recovering from digestive issues. From vitamins to prebiotics, it has everything they need to replenish their microbiome, boost their immune system, and help their guts to absorb the nutrients they need to thrive.”
That said, it does contain a few potential allergens like egg and grains, and its protein comes from multiple sources, which can be an issue for some cats with sensitive stomachs.
Ingredients
Meat and Animal Derivatives (Chicken 23%), Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Fish and Fish Derivatives, Cereals, Minerals, Eggs and Egg Derivatives, Seeds, Oils and Fats, Fruit. Highly Digestible Ingredients: Chicken, Pork, Salmon, Wheat Flour, Dried Egg Whites, Dried Whole Eggs, Pea Protein
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Vet-approved recipe.
- Contains electrolytes, vitamins, and omega 3s + 6s.
- Proven to nourish the gut microbiome.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains egg and grains.
- Protein comes from multiple sources.
#7 Best Grain-Free: HiLife Adult Wet Cat Food Cans
Emma Williams / Cats.com
- Made In: United States
- Guaranteed Protein: 13.5% Min
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 23
- Typical Cost Per Day: $3.54 per day
While grain sensitivities and allergies aren’t the most common causes of stomach problems in cats, they can be an issue for some. Why do I mention this? Because an awful lot of cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs use grains like wheat, corn, oats, and rice in their recipe.
If the source of your cat’s stomach issues is grains, HiLife Adult Wet Cat Food might be the best choice on this list. Like many of our other top picks, it’s packed with healthy vitamins and minerals to promote good gut health, but a stand-out benefit is that it has a high meat content (56%-60%) and contains yucca extract to improve digestion and support joint health.
Both of my cats enjoyed the taste of this food, especially the duck sauce flavour, and I did notice Wessie’s stool quality improved during his time with this product, potentially thanks to the addition of nutritional supplements like chicory root, which can help to improve gut health.
On the negative side of things, it is a particularly wet, wet food, which might be off-putting to some picky eaters, and while it does have omega 3s + 6s, the volume of each is pretty low compared to some of our other picks.
Ingredients
Chicken Breast (60%), Sunflower Oil (1.4%), Tapioca Starch, Minerals, Cranberry Extract (150mg/kg), Chicory Extract (50mg/kg), Yucca Extract (50mg/kg).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- 100% grain-free.
- High meat content.
- Packed with digestion-boosting ingredients.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Overly wet texture could be a problem for picky eaters.
- Comparably low volume of omega-3s +6s.
What To Look for in Food for Cats With Sensitive Stomachs
Emma Williams / Cats.com
Whether you’re deciding between the choices above or seeking out your own cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs, below are some key factors our vets think you should consider.
Analytical Constituents and Nutrient Profiles
Pet food labels and web listings contain information about the percentages of key nutrients found in consumable items. Good quality cat foods for cats with sensitive stomachs will have a minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat for kittens, and 26% protein and 9% fat for adult cats.
Single-Source Proteins
While not a hard-and-fast rule, foods that only have one source of protein can be a good pick for cats with sensitive stomachs. Dr Nat Scroggie says, “Over 90% of food allergies in cats are caused by the protein in their diet, most commonly beef, chicken, or fish. Choosing a food with just one source of protein (or at least a lower number) reduces the number of potential allergens your cat might react to.” This also means you can eliminate potential causes of irritation when investigating issues, then remove them from your cat’s diet moving forward.
Prebiotics and Additives That Support Gut Health
Prebiotics and specially-selected additives can help to reduce inflammation, nourish healthy gut bacteria, and soothe sensitive stomachs, so it can help to look for cat foods that contain:
- Chicory root extract
- Yucca root extract
- Omega 3s + 6s
- Balanced fibers
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also have the bonus of boosting skin health, perfect for cats who struggle with itchy skin as a result of their food sensitivities.
Approvals from Veterinary Professionals
Lastly, prioritise cat foods that have been developed with input from or approved by certified veterinary professionals to help ensure any claims made by manufacturers are well-sourced.
