What to Feed a Cat With an Upset Stomach

If your cat has an upset stomach, it's vital you support them. One of the best ways to do so is through their diet.

Key Takeaways

Upset stomach is fairly common among cats, and can be caused by many different things.
Common symptoms include loose stool, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
In some cases, stomach upset is mild and will resolve fairly quickly.
Make sure your cat has access to clean, fresh water, and small portions of bland food.
If your cat's symptoms are severe or don't resolve within 24 hours, consult with your vet.

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Supporting A Cat With Digestive Issues

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"Experts often recommend feeding cats plain, bland food that is easy on the stomach, like boiled chicken and white rice. In the longer term, supplements like bovine colostrum can support digestive tract health."

You might not think of cats as being prone to stomach upset. But actually, it's quite common.¹

However, that doesn't mean it's nothing to worry about. Your cat relies on you to figure out what's wrong and to help them with their stomach issues.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can support your pet. One of the most common strategies is to adjust their diet.

There are also ways you can support your cat's digestive tract health in the long term.

We'll discuss all of that to help you help your furry friend. Before you get to that, though, you need to know the signs of an upset stomach in cats.

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Signs Your Cat Might Have an Upset Stomach

The signs of stomach upset in cats are often similar to those you might demonstrate when your stomach is unhappy.

However, cats are naturally stoic creatures. They often tend to hide their troubles, which makes it all the more important for you to pay close attention when something might be wrong.

Vomiting

Vomiting is one of the most common signs of an upset stomach in cats.²

However, cats don't always vomit because of an upset stomach. For example, stress can cause vomiting and loose stool in cats.³

Still, vomiting is often a sign of an upset stomach. It's an involuntary reflex that your cat can't control, which the body engages to try to rid itself of harmful substances.⁴

If your cat's vomit contains blood, seek veterinary care immediately.

Unlike humans, cats also engage in another behavior very similar to vomiting: Regurgitation. That's when they eject undigested matter, possibly because they ate too quickly or have a hairball.⁵

If you've never seen a cat eject a hairball, it might seem problematic. At the very least, it can be disgusting. But it's not necessarily a sign of an upset stomach, in the same way that vomiting might be.

Cats groom themselves. That means they might ingest hair, particularly if they are hairy. If their body isn't able to process that hair correctly, or they are ingesting too much hair, it can clump up in a hairball, which they vomit out.

Hairballs may be distinct from vomiting, but they can still be a sign something is wrong. Generally, a healthy cat shouldn't be producing hairballs. Your vet should be able to help you get to the bottom of why it's happening.⁶

Loose Stool

Loose stool is another common sign of an upset stomach in cats. It's caused when fecal matter moves through your cat's intestines faster than normal. As a result, stools come out looser and in larger volumes than normal.⁷

You might think of loose stool as nothing to worry about. While it can self-resolve, it's never normal, and it can be dangerous, especially for old or young cats. If your cat's loose stool doesn't resolve within 24 hours, contact your vet.⁸

Decreased Appetite

Lethargy and a loss of appetite are also common signs your cat has an upset stomach.⁹

If your cat is refusing water and food altogether, contact your vet immediately.

Bonus: 6 Ways to Soothe & Calm Down Your Cat

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Potential Causes of Upset Stomach

Plenty of things can upset your cat's stomach.

Often, it was something they ate.

For example, certain plants, like lilies, can cause stomach upset in cats.¹⁰ Spoiled food can also upset a cat's stomach. In rare cases, your cat may be allergic to something in their food, or might have ingested a foreign object.¹¹

But in other cases, your cat's stomach upset might be caused by something as simple as switching to a new food.

What You Can Do to Support Your Furry Friend

Fortunately, there are several ways you can support your cat.

In some cases, such as when a cat is vomiting a lot, experts recommend withholding food for a few hours.¹² However, your cat also needs nutrients, so in many cases experts recommend continuing to feed them.¹³

Try a Bland Diet

One of the most common strategies is a bland diet. An example might be boiled chicken and plain white rice. The idea is to give your cat food without further irritating its already upset stomach.

Experts often recommend giving your cat food in frequent, small portions. That can help avoid overwhelming your cat's upset stomach.

Another food that is sometimes included in bland diets is pumpkin. It's rich in fiber, which can help firm up loose stool. Fiber is generally helpful for supporting digestive tract health, too.

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Alternatively, you could use a veterinary diet that is specifically formulated to be digestible.

If your cat's symptoms are severe, make sure to check with your vet before changing their diet.

Prioritize Hydration

Hydration is crucial, especially for cats with an upset stomach. Vomiting or loose stool can lead to dehydration.

Make sure your cat has easy access to clean, fresh water, especially if you change their diet. Experts often recommend keeping your cat's food and water bowls separate.¹⁴

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How You Can Help Support Healthy Digestion

Bland diets aren't a permanent solution for an upset stomach. However, there are ways you can help support a healthy gut in the long-term.

Avoid Feeding Human Foods

One easy strategy is to keep your cat's diet consistent. Avoid feeding them things that might upset their stomach, like human foods.

Supplements

Another easy strategy is to add a High-Quality Supplement to your cat's diet.

Bovine colostrum is a fantastic option. It's the nutrient-dense milk cows produce right after giving birth.

Colostrum is packed with antibodies, immunoglobulins, proteins, minerals, and vitamins, which are all fantastic for supporting the growth and development of young animals.¹⁵

Research has found that Supplementation With Bovine Colostrum can help cats maintain proper gut flora.¹⁶

Earth Buddy's Gut Health for Cats contains grass-fed bovine colostrum to support a healthy gut. It's blended with other potent ingredients, like whole plant hemp extract and organic blueberry powder.

Conclusion

Experts often recommend giving cats bland foods, like boiled chicken and white rice, or a special veterinary diet, when they have an upset stomach. Supplements like bovine colostrum can support digestive tract health in the longer term. If you're unsure, or your cat's upset stomach doesn't resolve within a day or so, make sure to check with your vet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can You Give a Cat to Settle Their Stomach?

Experts often recommend giving cats small, frequent portions of plain food, like boiled chicken and white rice. Alternatively, ask your vet about a specialized cat food.

What to Feed a Cat That is Throwing Up?

Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water. Experts often recommend feeding cats plain food, like boiled chicken. If your cat's vomiting is intense, experts sometimes recommend withholding food for several hours to help their stomach settle.

Are Scrambled Eggs Good for Cats With an Upset Stomach?

Scrambled eggs can be a good example of plain, bland food for cats with an upset stomach. But you have to ensure they are really plain, meaning no seasonings, butter, oils, or any other additives you might normally use when making them.

Keep Reading: Why Is My Dog Panting So Much?

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What to Feed a Cat With an Upset Stomach

Key Takeaways

Supporting A Cat With Digestive Issues