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10 Best Cat Foods for Constipation in Canada in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Kathryn Copeland

Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Siamese cat eating dry food from a bowl

10 Best Cat Foods for Constipation in Canada in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Siamese cat eating dry food from a bowl

The worst-case scenario for any cat owner is seeing your pet in distress when they’re trying to pass stool. Constipation can be painful and even eventually turn into a serious problem that will need vet intervention. It can be caused by several different conditions, including but not limited to dehydration and difficulty with defecation due to pain. However, diet can help things move along — literally.

These reviews of the 10 best cat foods for constipated cats available in Canada should help you find something suitable for your cat. This buyer’s guide covers important topics about what you should look for in cat food if your cat is suffering from constipation.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Blue Buffalo Natural Pâté Wet Cat Food Blue Buffalo Natural Pâté Wet Cat Food
  • High-quality protein with real chicken
  • Natural ingredients
  • No artificial ingredients or fillers 
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Wet Cat Food Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Wet Cat Food
  • Well-priced
  • Moderate amount of fibre
  • Grain-free with simple ingredients 
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Weruva Best Feline Friend Variety Pack Weruva Best Feline Friend Variety Pack
  • Low in fibre and carbs
  • High-quality ingredients and high protein
  • Moderate amount of fat
  • Best for Kittens
    Royal Canin Wet Kitten Food Royal Canin Wet Kitten Food
  • Good for kittens up to 1 year
  • Contains the right nutrients for a growing kitten
  • Prebiotics, proteins, and fibre for healthy digestion
  • Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care
  • High in fibre
  • Includes anchovy oil and psyllium 
  • Easily digested ingredients 
  • The 10 Best Cat Foods for Constipation in Canada

    1. Blue Buffalo Natural Pâté Wet Cat Food — Best Overall

    Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Pate Wet Cat Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver
    Protein content: 10%
    Fat content: 6%
    Calories: 199 kcal/can

    The overall best cat food for constipation in Canada is Blue Buffalo’s Healthy Gourmet Natural Pâté Cat Food. It has high-quality protein with real chicken and includes healthy ingredients but no fillers, artificial flavours, or preservatives. It’s high in soluble fibre from guar gum and flaxseed, which can help the motility of a constipated cat. It’s also low in carbohydrates.

    The cons are that it is pricey and high in fat. Also, if your cat isn’t a fan of pâté, they might not like this one.

    Pros
    • High-quality protein with real chicken
    • Natural ingredients
    • No artificial ingredients or fillers
    • High in soluble fibre, including flaxseed
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Only in pâté
    • High in fat

    2. Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Cat Food — Best Value

    cat with box of iams wet food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, water poultry liver
    Protein content: 9%
    Fat content: 5%
    Calories: 45 kcal/serving

    The best cat food for constipation in Canada for the money is Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Adult Wet Cat Food. This one is ideal for cats that need a diet low in fibre because sometimes, too much fibre can lead to constipation. It’s grain free and contains simple ingredients in a tasty pâté. It comes in small single-serve trays that you just peel and dish out for your cat. No leftovers need to go in the fridge.

    However, the packaging isn’t entirely environmentally friendly, and it’s fairly high in fat.

    Pros
    • Well-priced
    • Moderate amount of fibre
    • Grain-free with simple ingredients
    • No leftovers with single peel-and-serve trays
    Cons
    • Not completely environmentally friendly
    • Fairly high in fat

    3. Weruva Best Feline Friend Variety Pack — Premium Choice

    Weruva Best Feline Friend (b.f.f.) Variety Pack

    Main ingredients: Tuna, fish broth, chicken
    Protein content: 12%
    Fat content: 2%
    Calories: 69 kcal/can

    Weruva’s Best Feline Friend Variety Pack is our pick for premium choice cat food for constipation. This is a canned food that’s low in fibre and carbohydrates. It’s quite high in protein, with several high-quality ingredients, but is only moderate in fat. It also has a high moisture content, which can be helpful for constipated cats. This is also a variety pack with four recipes, one of which contains pumpkin, a known ingredient that can help with constipation.

    It’s expensive, though, and the texture is quite watery. This is a good thing in the long run, but it might put off some cats.

    Pros
    • Low in fibre and carbs
    • High-quality ingredients and high protein
    • Moderate amount of fat
    • High moisture content
    • One recipe has pumpkin
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Watery

    4. Royal Canin Wet Kitten Food — Best for Kittens

    Royal Canin Loaf in Sauce Wet Kitten Food

    Main ingredients: Water, pork by-products, chicken by-products
    Protein content: 11%
    Fat content: 3%
    Calories: 76 kcal/can

    Royal Canin’s Loaf in Sauce Wet Kitten Food is a top-notch food for kittens 1 year old and younger. Kittens aren’t as likely to experience constipation as adult cats, but they are prone to digestive issues in general. It contains all the necessary nutrients for a growing kitten and will meet their high energy demands. The high-quality protein, as well as prebiotics and fibre, promote healthy digestion and antioxidants for immune system support.

    Unfortunately, it’s expensive, and if your kitten proves to be picky, they might not want to eat this food.

    Pros
    • Good for kittens up to 1 year
    • Contains the right nutrients for a growing kitten
    • Prebiotics, proteins, and fibre for healthy digestion
    • Antioxidants for the immune system
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Picky kittens might not like it

    5. Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care

    Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care

    Main ingredients: Chicken meal, corn, brewers rice
    Protein content: 32%
    Fat content: 13%
    Calories: 338 kcal/cup

    Royal Canin’s Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care is a cat food that might seem odd to recommend hairball food for a cat with a constipation problem. But most hairball recipes include ingredients that aid digestion health and tend to be high in fibre. This one contains fibres, psyllium, and anchovy oil, which helps lubricate the digestive system. Many of the ingredients are also easily digested, and there are omega-3 fatty acids, which all work together for a much healthier digestive system. The fact that it helps with hairballs is an additional advantage because those can sometimes lead to digestion issues.

    However, this food is quite expensive, and it’s dry food, which isn’t ideal to give to a cat with constipation issues.

    Pros
    • High in fibre
    • Includes anchovy oil and psyllium
    • Easily digested ingredients
    • Omega-3 aids healthy digestion
    • Manages hairballs, which can lead to digestion issues
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Dry food isn’t the best for constipation

    6. Tiki Cat Food Aloha Variety

    Tiki Cat Food Aloha Variety

    Main ingredients: Tuna, tuna broth, pumpkin
    Protein content: 11%
    Fat content: 1.8%
    Calories: 60 kcal/can

    Tiki Cat Food Aloha Variety has four recipes that have tuna as the main ingredient, followed by a different seafood for each, namely, shrimp, ocean whitefish, calamari, and tilapia. Pumpkin is commonly used for constipation and is the fourth ingredient in all four recipes. These foods are made with high-quality protein, which also makes them highly digestible and have high water content.

    A downside is that the consistency can be watery, and some cats might not appreciate this.

    Pros
    • Four different recipes with whole tuna as the main ingredient
    • Pumpkin is the fourth ingredient in all recipes
    • High-quality protein makes it highly digestible
    • High moisture content
    Cons
    • Sometimes, the consistency is too watery
    • Picky cats might not like it

    7. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Dry Cat Food

    Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Natural Adult Dry Cat Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice
    Protein content: 32%
    Fat content: 16%
    Calories: 422 kcal/cup

    If your cat has a sensitive stomach, Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food might work for you. It includes a sugar prebiotic, which is derived from plants and increases the probiotics and healthy bacteria in your cat’s intestines, which can vastly improve digestion. It also contains flaxseed and barley, which are natural fibres that aid the digestive system. It has no artificial ingredients and has an excellent source of antioxidants.

    However, it might make some cats experience stomach upset, and some picky cats don’t seem to like it.

    Pros
    • Contains a natural probiotic for digestion health
    • Flaxseed and barley for natural sources of fibre
    • No artificial ingredients or fillers
    • Excellent source of antioxidants
    Cons
    • Some cats might get an upset stomach
    • Some cats don’t like it

    8. Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Food

    Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, ground whole-grain corn
    Protein content: 32%
    Fat content: 14%
    Calories: 399 kcal/cup

    Iams Proactive Health Adult Hairball Care Dry Food is a hairball cat food that might be able to help with constipation. It contains natural sources of fibre that can lead to a healthier digestive system and reduce the chances of hairballs forming. It has chicken as the main ingredient, as well as omega-3 and -6 and vitamin E for healthy skin and coat and a strong immune system. It’s also well-priced.

    Some cats won’t like it, and it doesn’t necessarily help all cats with hairballs.

    Pros
    • Natural source of fibre
    • Aids digestive system
    • Omega-3 and -6 and vitamin E for healthy skin
    • Well-priced
    Cons
    • Some cats don’t like it
    • Doesn’t help with hairballs for all cats

    9. Hill’s Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Adult Cat Canned Food

    Hill’s Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Adult Cat Canned Food

    Main ingredients: Water, chicken, turkey giblets
    Protein content: 7%
    Fat content: 3.5%
    Calories: 84 kcal/can

    Hill’s Science Diet Urinary & Hairball Control Adult Cat Canned Food is designed to promote a healthy urinary tract, but it also has high fibre for hairball issues. It’s made with natural ingredients, which include natural sources of fibre that can aid in the health of your cat’s digestive system and dealing with hairballs. Omega-3 and -6 and vitamin E are included for healthy coat and skin. Added magnesium helps support the entire urinary system.

    This food is quite pricey, and some cats just don’t seem to like it. Also, while this is a pâté, the consistency can sometimes be a bit soupy, depending on the batch that you receive.

    Pros
    • High in fibre for hairballs
    • Natural ingredients and fibre for the digestive system
    • Omega-3 and -6 and vitamin E for healthy skin and coat
    • Added magnesium for the urinary system
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Some cats refuse to eat it
    • Consistency can be inconsistent

    10. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food

    Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, whole-grain wheat, corn gluten meal
    Protein content: 31%
    Fat content: 13%
    Calories: 319 kcal/cup

    Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food contains natural fibre and high-quality ingredients that help support a cat’s digestive health. The ingredients are easy to digest, are nutritionally balanced and delicious, and help support heart health. The added antioxidants help with immune system support.

    Unfortunately, this is an expensive cat food that some picky cats won’t always enjoy. Also, the size of the kibble is a bit large, and some cats might have trouble eating it.

    Pros
    • Natural fibre and high-quality ingredients for healthy digestion
    • Easy to digest
    • Supports heart health
    • Antioxidants for immune system support
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Picky cats
    • Kibble size is large

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Cat Food for Constipation

    This buyer’s guide goes over what you should look for in cat food to help with constipation.

    Treat the Cause

    The diet that you put your cat on will depend on what might be causing the constipation. This means a visit to your vet so you can determine the underlying cause and the best way to treat it. If your cat doesn’t drink enough, you’ll need to take steps to increase their water intake. If your cat is overweight, you’ll need to invest in food that will support weight loss and address the constipation.

    More Water

    Cats tend to not drink as much water as they need, which can lead to constipation. This is why canned or wet food tends to be the most recommended food for a constipated kitty, as wet food is typically about 70% water. If your cat only eats dry food, try adding water to it. Also, consider investing in a cat fountain. Cats tend to prefer running water over standing water — this switch alone could increase your cat’s water consumption.

    Fibre

    This is a tricky one. For the most part, a high-fibre diet can help many cats with constipation, but too much fibre can have the opposite effect.

    Insoluble fibres, which include cellulose, oat fibre, and wheat bran, help feces move quickly through the intestinal tract. This works for cats that don’t have GI motility problems.

    Soluble fibres, which are found in oat bran, pectins, and guar gum, feed the cells in the colon, which aids and improves GI tract motility issues. Mixed fibres, such as beet pulp, psyllium, and pumpkin, have the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibres.

    So, look for cat food that states that it’s meant for weight management, indoor cats, or hairball control. These kinds of foods are typically high in fibre, but if your cat is already underweight or normal in weight, make sure the food has the right calorie count.

    Keep in mind, however, that if your cat has megacolon, you should aim for a low-fibre and highly digestible diet. High fibre and megacolon do not do well together.

    How much and what kind of fibre your cat needs should be determined by your vet. But you can start by adding a small amount of fibre to your cat’s diet and slowly increase the amount until you start to see positive results.

    Weight Loss

    red tabby cat in pain walking on grass outdoor
    Image By: lagunabluemolly, Pixabay

    Obesity can also increase the risk of constipation. This is where a diet that’s high in fibre can help some cats lose weight, and there’s the added benefit of increasing the motility of the intestinal tract.

    Conversely, other cats will do well on a low-fibre, low-carbohydrate, and high-protein diet, which more closely resembles your cat’s natural diet. You can also encourage more exercise for your cat through play and cat trees. Speak to your vet for advice on the best ways to help your cat lose weight.

    Digestible Diets

    When shopping for cat food, look for words like “highly digestible.” This can help with GI motility and might help reduce inflammation in the intestines and decrease the amount of stool produced.

    Check the Label

    Other than looking for food that is for indoor cats, weight, and hairballs, you should look for food that is labelled for sensitive stomachs (usually combined with skin) and is low residue, gentle, or meant for digestive and gastrointestinal issues. Speak to your vet so you know what kind of food is right for your cat.

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    Final Verdict

    Blue Buffalo’s Healthy Gourmet Cat Food is our favourite food for constipated cats! It’s high in soluble fibre from flaxseed and guar gum, which can help the motility of a constipated cat. Iams Perfect Portions Healthy Wet Cat Food is well-priced and has a moderate amount of fibre for cats that might become constipated from too much fibre.

    Our premium choice pick is for Weruva’s Best Feline Friend (b.f.f.) Variety Pack, has four recipes to choose from, including pumpkin, which is known to help with constipation. Royal Canin’s Loaf in Sauce Wet Kitten Food contains high-quality prebiotics and fibre for healthy digestion. Finally, Royal Canin’s Feline Care Nutrition Hairball Care is a cat food that includes fibres, psyllium, and anchovy oil that help lubricate the digestive system.

    We hope that these reviews have helped you find a food that will relieve your cat from constipation and that they’ll enjoy eating it too!


    Featured Image Credit: catinrocket, Shutterstock

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