9 Best Cat Foods For Smelly Poop

comments-icon Medically reviewed by  JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Tired of litter box odor? You’ll be glad to know you can change the smell of your cat’s litter box by changing what you put in his bowl. After hours of studying the relationship between feline food and feces, we’ve identified the qualities of the best cat food for a healthier gut and less odor.

The best cat food for smelly poop is easy to digest and free of ingredients that could trigger a food allergy or cause digestive upset. Its ingredients are high-quality and species-appropriate, with items like muscle meat, organs, and animal-derived fat making up most of the recipe.

At A Glance: Best Cat Food For Smelly Poop To Buy

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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.

Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Smalls Cat Food

  • Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
  • Rich in high-quality animal protein
  • High moisture content, good for digestion
Best Ethically-Sourced
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food

  • Single source of high-quality animal protein
  • No fillers, animal by-products, or vaguely named ingredients
  • Contains the moisture your cat needs for hydration
Premium Pick
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pate For Adult Cats

  • Recipes formulated by veterinarian, Dr. Karen Becker
  • Limited ingredient whole food recipes that are low in carbs
  • 100% human-grade food made in a USDA inspected facility
Value Pick
9.5
Picked by 25 people today!

Stella & Chewy’s Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Freeze-Dried Cat Food

  • Simple, nutritious recipe with no excess additives
  • Freeze-dried to preserve nutritional integrity
  • Rich in animal protein and essential nutrients
Best Wet Cat Food
9.4
Picked by 21 people today!

Instinct Original Grain Free Paté Real Duck Recipe

  • Primarily made from highly digestible animal protein
  • Low in added carbohydrate content
  • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Best Dry Food
9.3
Picked by 18 people today!

Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

  • Main ingredients are animal-based proteins
  • No artificial additives or inflammatory ingredients
  • Fewer fillers and waste products than traditional kibble
Best for Weight Loss
9.2
Picked by 31 people today!

Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken in Chicken Consomme

  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Simple diet, minimizes strain on the GI tract
  • Low in added carbohydrate content
Best for Sensitive Stomach
9.1
Picked by 31 people today!

Vital Essentials Rabbit Dinner Patties

  • Minimally processed food, relies heavily on animal ingredients
  • Raw food may help control stool odor and volume
  • Contains herring oil for omega-3 fatty acids
Best for Picky Cats
9.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food

  • Multiple sources of fiber may aid digestion
  • Primarily made from nourishing animal ingredients
  • Low in added carbohydrate content

Because it’s a fresh food made primarily made from ultra-digestible animal ingredients, we recommend Smalls Cat Food as the overall best cat food for smelly poop. Multiple customers mention a change in fecal odor after switching to this food, with reviewers saying that their cats’ poop “no longer stinks!” and that it’s “not stinky like with wet food”.

But this food isn’t right for every cat. To help you find the recipe that works for you, we’ve recommended 9 top recipes. Each recipe brings something a little different to your cat’s bowl, but all of them have the same combination of digestion-friendly qualities.

Before we get into the reviews, let’s talk about what sets the best cat food for smelly poop apart from the crowd.

Also Read: Best Cat Food For Constipation

What Are the Qualities of The Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop?

With various health issues potentially contributing to severe fecal odor, ruling out infections and other health issues is essential before you start dietary odor management.

Once you and your veterinarian have established that diet is the solution to your cat’s smelly poop, prioritize two things: simplicity and efficiency.

All poop smells, but it smells worse when there’s more to it—more sulfur, more bacteria, and more digestive by-products. Time also plays a part. Foods that take longer to digest spend more time in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, giving digestive gases more time to build up and make your cat’s litter box session all the smellier.

By keeping things simple, the best cat food for smelly poop minimizes the amount of work your cat’s body does to process his food, making digestion more efficient.

What does that mean when you’re shopping for food? Let’s go into a little more detail.

The Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop Is Free of Allergenic or Irritating Ingredients

In addition to other symptoms, food allergies may cause flatulence and reeking stool. The most common food allergies in cats are caused by a protein, primarily chicken, fish, or beef. Other less common cat food allergies are wheat, corn, and soy.

Though the idea of an allergic pet is hot right now, true food allergies—an inappropriate immune reaction to a certain food—are rare among cats.

Instead, many cats experience unexplained food intolerances. Food intolerances involve only the digestive system, not the immune system. For example, a food intolerance may cause a cat to have diarrhea. Your veterinarian can help you determine whether your cat has a food intolerance or food allergy.

A food elimination trial is the ideal way to determine which food is causing the allergy or intolerance. Your vet will advise you on which diet to feed your cat during this trial, which takes about 8 to 12 weeks.

Once you’ve identified the food to avoid, look for diets that are free of the ‘culprit’ food and contain a single protein source—this helps to minimize your cat’s exposure to anything that might trigger an allergic response. It’s also advisable to feed your cat a novel protein source, such as kangaroo, that is unlikely to trigger a food allergy.

And don’t be limited by the “limited-ingredient diet” or “hypoallergenic” label. In spite of the name, these foods are often loaded with an army of unnecessary ingredients, and may even contain multiple protein sources that could worsen a food allergy or intolerance. Read the ingredient list and pick recipes with a single protein source and no more than 4 main ingredients.

The Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop Is Free of Lactose

Most adult cats are lactose-intolerant, potentially leading to digestive distress, flatulence, and smelly poop. Avoid giving your cat cow’s milk as a treat and pass up foods that contain it.

The Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop Is High-quality and Easy To Digest

Protein digestibility is a question mark in the feline nutrition world. While we’ve mapped out the biological value (a measure of the percentage of protein the body uses when it takes in a given food) of proteins for humans, we just don’t know exactly which protein sources are most and least biologically available to cats.

That said, we do know that cats are obligate carnivores, capable of thriving on a diet of nothing but small animals. It appears that meat is the most efficient source of protein for your carnivore.

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.

The Best Cat Foods For Smelly Poop: Our Top Picks

The following foods emphasize the qualities that we look for in the best cat food for smelly poop.

#1 Overall Best: Smalls Cat Food

ENTER “ALLABOUTCATS” TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Read Our Full Brand Review View Lab Report

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken liver, Green beans, Peas, Water (sufficient for processing)

Smalls is a fresh cat food delivery service that uses human-grade ingredients, including premium proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish. Choose from minced-style recipes or classic pâté to provide your cat with protein-rich, low-carb cat food formulated for cats in all life stages.

Though Smalls doesn’t portion out your cat’s meals for you, they do provide detailed feeding recommendations according to your cat’s calorie requirements. Each package of food contains about 16 ounces of food, with markings on the package at 50-calorie increments.

Smalls cat food is delivered frozen, so you’ll need to thaw the package overnight in the fridge before feeding. Your subscription will be based on your cat’s calorie needs, and you can adjust it as needed by contacting the customer care team.

In addition to their fresh food, Smalls also offers a selection of freeze-dried cat foods, treats, and meal toppers. They also recently started selling millet and silica cat litter.

Featuring chicken and chicken liver as the top two ingredients, this fresh food is packed with premium animal protein. Green beans, peas, and kale are the only carbohydrate ingredients and they are naturally grain-free and rich in nutrients.

In addition to being high in protein and low in carbohydrates, this formula is rich in moisture, which helps support digestion and skin and coat health. Overall, this minced chicken recipe is a high-quality source of balanced nutrition for cats in all life stages.

While Smalls is one of our favorite fresh cat food companies, we’d like to note that they’ve had some issues of late. In addition to a voluntary recall on several of their fresh food formulas, Smalls has had numerous customer service complaints. They claim to be working on the issues, but it’s hard to say when or if they will be remedied.

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

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Crude Protein: 15.5%
Crude Fat: 8.5%
Crude Fiber: 1.5%
Moisture: 72%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 55.36%
Fat: 30.36%
Fiber: 5.36%
Carbs: 8.93%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 40.11%
Fat: 53.42%
Carbs: 6.47%

What We Liked:

  • Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
  • Real, high-quality animal protein
  • High in protein and moisture, very low in carbs
  • Boosts energy and supports skin and coat health

Why We Didn’t Like The Product:

  • Not individually portioned for your cat
  • Limited protein options (chicken, turkey, beef)

#2 Best Ethically-Sourced: Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food

Enter “AAC20” To Get 20% Off Your First Auto-Ship Order

Read Our Full Brand Review

First 5 Ingredients: Humanely Raised Turkey, Turkey Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach

When it comes to reducing litter box odor, the quality of your cat’s diet matters. This Open Farm formula is our premium pick because it features wholesome, high-quality ingredients that are 100% human-grade and ethically sourced.

This wet food formula features humanely raised turkey as the primary ingredient and the sole source of protein. Because turkey is a novel protein for many cats, it may help relieve digestive issues related to a food allergy or intolerance. You’ll also find turkey bone broth as a main ingredient. Turkey broth provides moisture and may help support healthy digestion.

In addition to being rich in animal protein, this formula is completely free from fillers, animal by-products, and vaguely named ingredients, as well as the artificial additives that often contribute to litter box odor. It contains more plant ingredients than we’d like, but the dry matter carbohydrate content of the formula as a whole is still fairly low.

Ingredients:

Humanely Raised Turkey, Turkey Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Red Lentils, Agar Agar, Non-GMO Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Chicory Root, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Turmeric.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 8.1%
Crude Fat: 6.19%
Crude Fiber: 1.15%
Moisture: 82%
Ash: 1.81%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 45%
Fat: 34.39%
Fiber: 6.39%
Carbs: 4.17%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 33.92%
Fat: 62.94%
Carbs: 3.14%

What We Liked:

  • Single source of high-quality animal protein
  • No fillers, animal by-products, or vaguely named ingredients
  • Contains the moisture your cat needs for hydration
  • Made from 100% human-grade, ethically sourced ingredients

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Fairly expensive compared to the average cat food
  • Contains several plant-based ingredients

#3 Premium Pick: Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pate For Adult Cats

Click Here To Save 20% Off Your First Box

Read Our Full Brand Review

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Pumpkin, Organic Spearmint

Raised Right Turkey & Pumpkin Pâté for Adult Cats is free of ingredients and additives that might worsen or cause smelly poop. It doesn’t contain any animal by-products or rendered meals. Instead, it’s primarily made from readily-digestible animal ingredients like turkey thigh, heart, and liver.

All of its ingredients are human-grade and minimally processed for a table scrap-like consistency that cats love sinking their teeth into.

Each batch of cat food is made-to-order in the company’s own kitchen. Because it’s fresh, moisture-rich, and full of species-appropriate animal protein, this food is a satisfying and nourishing choice for cats.

Ingredients:

Turkey Thigh, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Carrots, Blueberries, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Organic Kelp Powder, Taurine, Thiamine Mononitrate

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 21%
Crude Fat: 8%
Crude Fiber: 2%
Moisture: 67%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 63.64%
Fat: 24.24%
Fiber: 6.06%
Carbs: 6.06%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 49.49%
Fat: 45.79%
Carbs: 4.71%

What We Liked:

  • Made from highly-digestible protein
  • Low in carbohydrates
  • Releases documentation on lab testing

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Fairly expensive compared to other options

#4 Value Pick: Stella & Chewy’s Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Freeze-Dried Cat Food Review

Stella & Chewy's Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken (Ground with Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride

This freeze-dried formula from Stella & Chewy’s addresses the issue of smelly stools in several critical ways. As a high-protein freeze-dried raw food, it relies heavily on the nutritional value of fresh meat. With chicken, chicken liver, and gizzard the food’s main ingredients, it’s easy to digest and provides plenty of nutrition and high protein content without a lot of waste.

In addition to being an efficient diet that fuels your cat without fluff and artificial flavors, this cat food contains an array of probiotics, which may help support digestive health.

Though you can feed it dry, this freeze-dried food is best when rehydrated with warm water or broth. This makes it a hydrating food that promises to support your cat’s overall well-being, from urinary tract health to digestion.

Be aware that raw food diets may contain bacteria, such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, that can cause foodborne disease in pets and pet owners. The FDA and various veterinary organizations advise against feeding raw foods to pets. Talk with your vet if you want to feed your cat a raw food diet, such as this one by Stella & Chewy’s.

Ingredients:

Chicken (Ground With Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Fenugreek Seed, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 45%
Crude Fat: 25%
Crude Fiber: 5%
Moisture: 5%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 47.37%
Fat: 26.32%
Fiber: 5.26%
Carbs: 21.05%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 35.8%
Fat: 48.3%
Carbs: 15.91%

What We Liked:

  • A straightforward, streamlined food that nourishes your cat without excess additives
  • Primarily made from safe, natural ingredients—doesn’t contain any synthetic colors or preservatives that might harm your cat over time
  • Features species-appropriate, easily-metabolized fatty acids from animal ingredients
  • Rich in animal protein for overall health
  • Contains probiotics to support a healthy digestive system

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May have too much phosphorus for some cats
  • Rehydrating the food is relatively time-consuming

#5 Best Wet Cat Food: Instinct Original Grain Free Paté Real Duck Recipe Review

Instinct by Nature's Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food

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First 5 Ingredients: Duck, Turkey Liver, Duck Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay

If your cat prefers pâté-style wet cat foods, he might like this diet from Instinct by Nature’s Variety. The food is 95% composed of duck meat and turkey liver, ingredients that are easy for your cat to digest and utilize.

Though it’s primarily made from meat, the food contains a few plant ingredients, including ground flaxseed, peas, and carrots. Still, it remains a low-carbohydrate food that should be easy for your cat’s body to digest and utilize.

The food contains a trace amount of menhaden fish oil, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids may help to ease inflammation and relieve digestive issues.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Egg Product, Peas, Carrots, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), 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, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 10%
Crude Fat: 7.5%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 78%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 45.45%
Fat: 34.09%
Fiber: 13.64%
Carbs: 6.82%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 33.65%
Fat: 61.3%
Carbs: 5.05%

What We Liked:

  • Primarily made from highly-digestible animal protein sources
  • Low in carbohydrate matter
  • Doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives that might cause inflammation

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Doesn’t receive the highest palatability ratings—a fair number of cats seem to dislike the way this food tastes

#6 Best Dry Food: Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food Review

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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)

Compared to canned and raw cat food, kibble tends to have the worst effects on litter box odor. Most dry foods are starchy, contain lower-efficiency protein sources, and have more fiber than your cat needs.

All of this can add up to bulkier, smellier poop.

While nothing can replace the moisture content of a wet, raw, or fresh-cooked diet, this dry food manages to avoid most of the flaws of your traditional kibble. It’s a high-protein food primarily made from animal-derived ingredients. With an emphasis on protein digestibility, this food promises to nourish your cat without bulking up his waste or weighing him down in any way.

Thanks to the use of gelatin instead of potatoes, grains, and other starchy ingredients, the food is a low-carbohydrate and generally species-appropriate option.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Agar-Agar, Tricalcium Phosphate, Barley Grass, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Turmeric, Dried New Zealand Green Mussels, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Folic Acid.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 59%
Crude Fat: 18%
Crude Fiber: 4%
Moisture: 12%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 67.05%
Fat: 20.45%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 7.95%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 53.78%
Fat: 39.84%
Carbs: 6.38%

What We Liked:

  • Chicken and other animal-derived ingredients are the food’s first ingredients
  • Doesn’t contain additives that might harm your cat over time
  • Free of inflammatory ingredients that might contribute to digestive issues

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Contains several protein sources, making it a potential problem for cats with food intolerances or allergies
  • Dry cat food can never provide the moisture your cat needs

#7 Best For Weight Loss: Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken in Chicken Consomme Review

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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Taurine

If your cat needs to lose weight, a lean, high-protein, moisture-rich diet like this food from Tiki Cat may be able to help.

This wet food contains nothing but shredded chicken in a fortified broth, with sunflower seed oil as its main fat source. The food’s straightforward recipe, which features natural ingredients, minimizes your cat’s exposure to irritants while keeping calorie content low. It’s also an extremely low-carbohydrate, low-fiber food.

We should note that the low fiber content of this food may not be ideal for cats struggling with diarrhea. In that case, you might want to supplement this food with a probiotic and an added source of fiber. A bowl of cat grass can make a big difference to your cat’s digestive system. Talk with your veterinarian before supplementing your cat’s diet.

Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Broth, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Calcium Iodate, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin K3 Supplement.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 16%
Crude Fat: 2.6%
Moisture: 80%
Ash: 1.6%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 80%
Fat: 13%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 71.7%
Fat: 28.3%

What We Liked:

  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • A simple diet that minimizes strain on the GI tract
  • Low in carbohydrates
  • Cats love this food’s taste and texture

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Low fiber content isn’t ideal for every cat
  • Low fat content isn’t right for every cat

#8 Best For Sensitive Stomach: Vital Essentials Rabbit Dinner Patties Review

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First 5 Ingredients: Finely Ground Whole Rabbit, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Lungs, Rabbit Kidney

Freeze-dried raw foods are among the best options for cats with smelly poop. For those who also have digestive sensitivities, those diets are all the better when they have limited ingredient lists and single protein sources.

This food from Vital Essentials features rabbit as its only protein source. With whole rabbit, heart, liver, lungs, kidney, trachea, and blood among its main ingredients, the food manages to deliver the nutrition your cat needs without using a lot of additives that might irritate his digestion.

In addition to its single protein source, the food contains a couple of ingredients with potential health benefits. Herring oil is a well-respected source of omega-3 fatty acids and may help to ease inflammation, while raw goat’s milk has a less-established but promising history of supporting healthy digestion.

Ingredients:

Finely Ground Whole Rabbit, Rabbit Heart, Rabbit Liver, Rabbit Lungs, Rabbit Kidney, Rabbit Trachea, Rabbit Blood, Raw Goat’s Milk, Water, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, D-Alpha Tocopherol.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 52%
Crude Fat: 15%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 8%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 56.52%
Fat: 16.3%
Fiber: 3.26%
Carbs: 23.91%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 47.09%
Fat: 32.99%
Carbs: 19.92%

What We Liked:

  • A minimally-processed food that relies heavily on the nutritional value of fresh meat, organs, and bones
  • Contains herring oil, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Doesn’t contain any commonly-irritating ingredients
  • A single-protein food ideal for cats with digestive sensitivities

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Some cats don’t like the taste or texture of this food

#9 Best For Picky Cats: Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food Review

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First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Cranberries

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing paté with all the qualities of a species-appropriate diet, consider this recipe from Wellness CORE. It’s a protein-rich food that contains turkey, pork liver, and duck as its primary ingredients.

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.

Read our complete review of Wellness brand cat food.

Ingredients:

Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Cranberries, Guar Gum, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 12%
Crude Fat: 8%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 78%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 54.55%
Fat: 36.36%
Fiber: 4.55%
Carbs: 4.55%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 37%
Fat: 59.91%
Carbs: 3.08%

What We Liked:

  • Contains multiple sources of fiber, which may aid healthy digestion for some cats
  • Primarily made from nourishing meat ingredients
  • Low carbohydrate content
  • Receives largely positive customer reviews

What We Didn’t Like:

  • With several protein sources, this food isn’t ideal for cats with food intolerances or allergies
  • Contains several thickening gums, which may irritate some cats

Remember—food isn’t always the solution. Sometimes more serious issues are at play.

Many times, simply changing out what your cat is eating can be enough to fix the smelly poop problem. But it’s a good idea to talk to your vet first to see if the problem is more severe than just a poor diet.

Other, more dangerous factors can contribute to seriously smelly poop:

  • Spoiled food. If your cat eats something rotten—maybe something straight from the garbage—his poop might temporarily smell worse than usual.
  • Tapeworms and other parasites. Intestinal parasites cause a variety of digestive issues, including severe fecal odor. Giardia, for example, is an intestinal parasite that causes a foul fecal odor.
  • Digestive disorders. If your cat has a digestive disorder that impedes nutrient absorption, it can cause your cat’s poop to smell foul.
  • Drugs. Antibiotics and certain other drugs can contribute to severe fecal odor.
  • Infections. Certain types of infections can cause similar digestive issues, including smelly poop.

Bacterial infections from E.coli and Salmonella cause inflammation, leading to diarrhea and gas, both of which can have an unusually intense odor.

If increased litter box odor is a new problem and you haven’t recently made any changes to your cat’s diet, talk to your veterinarian to determine whether an underlying health problem might be at play.

Ask a Vet

vet If your cat is exhibiting labored, rapid, or noisy breathing, you’ll need an expert to help you identify what’s going on and how to fix it. If you can’t bring your cat to a veterinarian right now you may want to contact a vet on JustAnswer. For between $10 and $100, this service allows you to connect one-on-one with a real veterinarian in real time. It’s one of the best ways to get personalized expert advice at a fraction of the cost of a vet visit.

Ask A Question

Ask A Question

Your vet can help you determine what the cause of the smelly poop is and what you need to do to fix the problem. If your cat has had this issue for only a day or two, then it may not be something you need to concern yourself with, but if it persists or keeps coming back, then you will need to take action.

Often, a change of diet is all your cat needs to start feeling better and having better-smelling poop. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about any major changes you are making to your cat’s lifestyle and diet, especially if your cat is being treated for a medical condition.

We hope that you can use the information here to get your cat healthy once more and to get rid of that foul poop smell.

Relevant Articles:

Note: The values in our nutrient charts are automatically calculated based on the guaranteed analysis and may not represent typical nutrient values. This may lead to discrepancies between the charts and the values mentioned in the body of the review.
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About Mallory Crusta

Mallory is the Head of Content at Cats.com and an NAVC-certified Pet Nutrition Coach. Having produced and managed multimedia content across several pet-related domains, Mallory is dedicated to ensuring that the information on Cats.com is accurate, clear, and engaging. When she’s not reviewing pet products or editing content, Mallory enjoys skiing, hiking, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She has two cats, Wessie and Forest.

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