Last updated Oct 6, 2023
Medically reviewed by
After studying how much fiber cats need, identifying appropriate fiber sources for cats, and researching the high-fiber cat food market, we recommend Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk in the Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme as the best high-fiber cat food on the market.
Most high-fiber foods—think those marketed for indoor cats and hairball control—are bulked up with fiber and other plant ingredients your cat doesn’t need. Too much fiber and too much plant matter can give your cat a smelly litter box and a troubled tummy. That’s the opposite of what you want.
The best high-fiber cat food supports your cat’s need for a carnivorous diet and provides just enough fiber to keep his gut healthy without weighing him down.
At a Glance: Best High Fiber Cat Food 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
- Popular among cats with digestive issues
- Higher fiber content than most wet foods
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe
- Primarily made from animal protein
- Contains a mix of insoluble and soluble fiber, including prebiotic fiber
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Purina Beyond Indoor Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- A relatively economical buy
Primal Duck Formula Nuggets
- Made from fresh, minimally processed animal ingredients
- Features a mix of duck muscle meat, organs, and bones
- Low carbohydrate content
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
- Primarily made from animal protein sources
- Contains prebiotic fiber to support digestive health
- Made with fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
The best high-fiber cat food acknowledges that your cat’s a carnivore and provides just enough fiber to keep his gut healthy without weighing him down.
Top 5 Best High-Fiber Cat Foods
The foods that are described below provide a little extra fiber while honoring your cat’s carnivorous needs.
On top of fiber content, they have essential qualities like plenty of species-appropriate animal protein, high moisture content, and minimal carbohydrate matter. They’re made with safe, high-quality ingredients and are created by reputable companies. Some are formulated with digestive health in mind, offering additional support for a smooth move through the digestive system.
#1 Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review
- Brand Name: Weruva
- Made In: Thailand
- Food Type: Wet Food
- Guaranteed Protein: 10%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 17
- Price Per Ounce: $0.40
This Weruva food earns its position as the number one best high-fiber cat food not because it has more fiber than other products, but because it’s rich in animal protein, low in carbohydrates, and is made from human-grade ingredients.
The food is primarily made from beef with a little extra fiber from pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, and xanthan gum. Overall, the food has more plant content than we’d typically want, but at 72% protein and 8.9% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis, it’s still a carnivore-appropriate meal.
The product’s roughly 3.8% fiber content is a rare find in such a meat-centric food. It’s become a favorite among people treating their cats’ constipation and digestive issues. One Chewy reviewer said it was “a Godsend for my 12-year-old, 22-pound cat with mega colon and a sensitive stomach.”
Ingredients
Chicken Broth, Chicken (Boneless, Skinless Breast), Tuna, Pumpkin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Lactate, Locust Bean Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Popular among cats with digestive issues
- Higher fiber content than most wet foods
- Low carbohydrate content
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Made from top-quality ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
#2 Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe Canned Cat Food Review
- Brand Name: Wellness
- Made In: United States
- Food Type: Wet Food
- Guaranteed Protein: 11%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 25
- Price Per Ounce: $0.67
Foods sold for indoor cats operate on the premise that indoor cats are prone to obesity, hairballs, and constipation, necessitating increased fiber.
This Wellness CORE recipe features multiple sources of muscle meat and organs while going light on high-carbohydrate ingredients. It contains pea fiber, ground flaxseed, and multiple types of gums as thickeners: guar gum, cassia gum, and xanthan gum. Though they’re not the best things a cat could eat, these gums are rich in soluble fiber and can help to improve digestion.
In addition to these fiber sources, the food contains chicory root extract, a type of prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria, supporting digestive health.
Altogether, the food is about 9% fiber on a dry matter basis.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Meal, Turkey, Pea Protein, Dried Ground Peas, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Pea Fiber, Ground Flaxseed, Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Alfalfa Meal, 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
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made from animal protein
- Contains a mix of insoluble and soluble fiber, including prebiotic fiber
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Relatively low carbohydrate content
What We Didn’t Like:
- May contain too many gums for some cats’ tastes
#3 Purina Beyond Indoor Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Canned Cat Food Review
- Brand Name: Purina Beyond
- Made In: United States
- Food Type: Wet Food
- Guaranteed Protein: 10%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 33
- Price Per Ounce: $0.40
Relatively affordable compared to the other recipes on this list, this Purina Beyond recipe is marketed for indoor cats and features a mix of chicken, liver, fish, and eggs as sources of animal protein.
The food contains powdered cellulose, carrots, and guar gum as sources of fiber. It’s a little bit higher in carbohydrates than the other products on this list, with 16.8% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. At about 11% fiber on a dry matter basis, this is one of the higher-fiber foods on this list. The food’s unusually high fiber content, combined with relatively high carbohydrate content, make it a less-than-ideal choice for long-term feeding.
Chewy reviewer Shawn says that after feeding his three cats this Beyond recipe, “some digestive situations we were having have cleared up.”
Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Liver, Sweet Potatoes, Ocean Fish, Carrots, Egg Product, MINERALS [Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide], Guar Gum, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Salt, VITAMINS [Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement].
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in animal-sourced protein
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- A relatively economical buy
What We Didn’t Like:
- High carbohydrate content compared to other wet foods
#4 Primal Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food Review
- Brand Name: Primal
- Made In: United States
- Food Type: Freeze-Dried Food
- Guaranteed Protein: 33%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 126
- Price Per Ounce: $3.53
If you prefer to feed your cat a freeze-dried or raw diet, you might like this food from Primal Pet Food. It’s a duck-centric recipe with plenty of duck muscle meat, organs, and bones.
Unlike some raw foods that skip anything indigestible and load up on bone, which can cause constipation, this food seems to promote healthy digestion. It contains a variety of fibrous ingredients, including carrots, squash, broccoli, and pumpkin seeds. Altogether, the food’s fiber content is around 4% on a dry matter basis.
The food contains salmon oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to relieve inflammation and related digestive issues.
Be aware that raw foods may contain bacteria that cause foodborne disease, so talk with your veterinarian if you are considering feeding your cat a raw food diet.
Ingredients
New: Duck (with ground bone), Duck Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Broccoli, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.
Original: Duck Necks, Whole Ducks, Duck Hearts, Duck Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Broccoli, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Made from fresh, minimally processed animal ingredients
- Features a mix of duck muscle meat, organs, and bones
- Low carbohydrate content
- Contains anti-inflammatory salmon oil
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
#5 Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Canned Cat Food Review
- Brand Name: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
- Made In: United States
- Food Type: Wet Food
- Guaranteed Protein: 6.5%
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories Per Ounce: 20
- Price Per Ounce: $0.86
Finally, if you want a prescription food that’s specially formulated for cats with gastrointestinal issues, consider this high-fiber cat food from Royal Canin.
With 34% fewer calories than its “High Energy” counterpart, this food is formulated for cats who need to lose weight. According to Royal Canin, it contains highly digestible proteins—including pork by-products, chicken, and chicken liver—with prebiotic fiber to support healthy gut bacteria and digestive function.
It contains fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and soothe the digestive tract.
The food gets positive reviews from customers, with reviewers saying it helped their cats with diarrhea, allergies, pancreatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
On the negative side, this food contains plenty of corn flour and modified corn starch, which sends its carbohydrate content sky-high. This isn’t the kind of food you’d want to feed your cat long-term.
Ingredients
Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken Liver, Pork By-Products, Chicken By-Products, Pork Liver, Chicken, Corn Flour, Powdered Cellulose, Pork Plasma, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Flavors, Gelatin, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Oil, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Potassium Chloride, Carob Bean Gum, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Vegetable Oil, Taurine, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Hydrolyzed Yeast, Sodium Carbonate, Trace Minerals [Zinc Oxide, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made from animal protein sources
- Contains prebiotic fiber to support digestive health
- Made with fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Free of artificial additives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very high carbohydrate content
The Right Amount of Fiber Can Promote Healthy Digestion, but Don’t Overestimate the Need To Add Fiber to Your Cat’s Diet.
Cats are carnivores who live on flesh, fat, and bones. The natural feline diet doesn’t involve cellulose powder, dried tomato pomace, or flaxseed. In contrast to the fiber fermentation machines that are herbivores, cats have short digestive tracts and their bodies don’t spend much time fermenting what they eat.
But they do need a little fiber. When cats consume prey in the wild, they ingest all sorts of indigestible matter—hair, claws, teeth, and connective tissue. Though it’s not fiber in the traditional sense, this indigestible stuff ferments in a cat’s colon and aids digestion. Since most people are unable or unwilling to add back this indigestible animal matter, plant fiber works instead.
Both soluble and insoluble fiber help to promote healthy digestion. They feed good bacteria in the gut and help the stool retain water. A little bit of fiber is essential to keep your cat’s gut happy and healthy.
While a pinch of fiber is a friend for your cat’s GI tract, there’s no need to fill your cat up with piles of fiber. In fact, most normal dry foods—not even those marketed as high-fiber or indoor foods—have more fiber than a cat’s natural diet would ever include. A cat’s natural diet of fresh, whole rodents would be about 0.55% fiber. Compare that to the 4% fiber content of a standard dry food or the 9-10% fiber content of the typical indoor cat food.
On top of the fact that most cat food has more fiber than cats need, cat food companies market fiber as a solution to problems that it either isn’t the best solution to or simply can’t solve.
For example, although fiber helps promote fullness, your overweight cat may not need a high-fiber diet to stay satisfied and lose weight.
If he’s already eating a normal diet, your hairball-prone cat doesn’t need more fiber to sweep hair through his digestive tract. Fiber is not a broom and your cat doesn’t need to be swept like a kitchen floor. It’s normal for cats to eat hair, whether it’s their prey’s hair or their own. That hair moves through the GI tract and comes out in the stool. That’s normal. Frequent hairball hacking is indicative of deeper digestive problems, not a fiber deficiency.
Too much fiber could inhibit the secretion of pancreatic enzymes that digest protein, decreasing nutrient absorption and, ultimately, making your cat less healthy. Elisa Katz, DVM says that she’s seen this problem “in many cats fed a commercial prescription diet known to be high in fiber. Their coats become dry and flaky and their stools become huge.”
If, after switching your cat to one of the above foods or something similar, your cat is still having digestive issues, more fiber isn’t the answer. There are likely deeper issues at work.
Speak with your veterinarian if you are thinking about switching your cat to a high-fiber food. Your veterinarian will consider your cat’s overall health and current diet to determine whether a high-fiber food would be right for your cat.
You Might Be Interested in Reading Our Articles on the Best Foods for Cats With Common Digestive Issues.
In addition to listing top foods for each condition, these pieces share information about their causes, symptoms, and treatment.
This article is really helpful in finding a new diet for my 4 cat household. I did want to note that the ingredient list for the Weruva was incorrect. Thank you!
Lani, thank you so much for making us aware of that! I’ve corrected the ingredient list.
Are you paid by these brands? Checking the crude fiber vs dry matter content, some of these actually very LOW fiber content -much lower than other brands, in fact. A very common fiber content is 1%-1.5% crude fiber in 78% moisture foods, which is 6.8% fiber based on dry matter content. Seeing brands on here that are 0.5% to 80%+ moisture brands is misleading. My vet has advised that true high fiber foods are in double-digits in terms of fiber as a percentage of dry matter – prescription high fiber foods are 14%+.
Hey Julius, no! We’re not paid by these brands. As the article mentioned, I chose not to list extremely high-fiber foods, because I found that most of the cats who are given high-fiber foods (like those with constipation and hairballs or overweight cats) don’t benefit as much from a very high-fiber diet as they do a species-appropriate diet with moderate levels of fiber. The products listed here are slightly higher in fiber than other similarly high-protein, carnivore-appropriate foods, and they have other qualities that may support satiety and digestive health as well. I realize that this may make the title seem misleading, but I think this is the most helpful approach. Your vet may have a different opinion on this, and we always recommend bringing these questions to a vet rather than taking our word for it.
You are correct in that the title is misleading which makes this article disappointing. Had I not read the comments I’d still be wondering what I’m missing in that the fiber isn’t that high in these brands. Why not give us what the article promised and let us make decisions for what our cats need right now? Don’t treat readers like we’re children that you have to protect from ourselves.
This is a good point, Liz. I’m still happy with the message of the article, but we’ll keep this in mind for the future.
I did not find the title misleading and absolutely never felt I was being treated as a child. The title stated “ BEST” High Fiber Food as opposed to simply Highest Fiber Food. From my research I agree that these are considered some of the “best” options for increasing fiber while maintaining good protein and other healthy ingredients for cats, just as the article explains. They did state in the article that there ARE higher fiber foods but that there are reasons that those higher fiber foods may not be best for cats. The title fits the article just fine.
Loved finding your website, So much info, I left my vet so overwhelmed on what food to feed my 2 – 13 year old cats, none of which they would eat. Needing food to feed one who is a diabetic and the other one has constipation. I would love to find a food that would serve both needs as they are hard to keep out of each other’s bowls and like to sneak each other’s like their missing something. Any recommendations?
Hi Vicki! We have some information about choosing cat food for diabetic cats (and recommendations) here:
https://cats.com/best-cat-food-diabetic-cats
Unfortunately, diabetic cat foods tend to be low in carbs while cats with constipation can benefit from higher levels of fiber. One thing to try might be adding pumpkin puree to the food. It’s a low-carb source of fiber that will also add a little moisture. Other sources of additional moisture can be beneficial for both cats as well. Supplementing dry food with a high-protein, low-carb wet food is great or just mixing a little bone broth into the food. Bone broth has digestive benefits as well.