Any question asking for “the best” option when it comes to food for any pet, let alone one with a sensitive stomach, will result in the answer of “it depends” if the answer is given with the best interest of the cat in mind. That said, in our discussion today we will define what a sensitive stomach actually is and explore the factors that go into finding healthy recipes for such a feline. So without further ado, let’s nourish that cat with touchy digestion!
What is a Sensitive Stomach?
The term “sensitive stomach” is often used when it comes to our feline companions. To be sure that we’re on the same page, the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of “sensitive” seems like a great starting point: quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences. I can hear the intelligent RAWZ readers’ skeptical murmurs as they say, “Thank you, Captain Obvious! We know our cats can be finicky and resistant to changes in diet.”
Trust me, it is not that I doubt the intelligence of our readers. I just want to make certain that by “sensitive stomach”, we refer to the responses of a feline’s GI tract to dietary inputs. Whether it’s coughing, hairballs, changes in weight and appetite, or even vomiting, any of these occurrences can be symptoms of a sensitive stomach.
What About Allergies?
A logical question to ask when observing adverse responses to food is whether a food allergy is the culprit. One of our past blogs offers a deep dive on the topic of food allergies in cats, but to summarize: while the symptoms of food allergies, intolerances, or sensitive stomachs can look similar, a true food allergy will trigger an immune response. Although there are many tests on the market that purportedly diagnose food allergies in cats, studies show that these tests are often inconclusive and inaccurate. Other than expensive veterinarian-run allergy panels which identify true allergens, elimination diets remain a tried-and-true method of identifying foods that cause sensitivity.
The key word in the definition of “sensitive” is change.
Perhaps the most common objection I hear to suggesting a change in diet in all my discussions with cat parents goes something like this: “I’m sure RAWZ is great, probably even better than his or her current food, but changing food is always messy.” As a pet parent, boy do I empathize. Like all living organisms, cats' gastrointestinal tracts become conditioned and reactive to change. Combined with the routineized/consistent feeding in both food type and schedule of modern-day pets, it isn’t surprising to see big responses to changes. But transitioning between wet recipes, containing nearly 80% moisture, is generally a smoother and quicker process. This sensitivity to change is why we always suggest a gradual transition to our meat-centric dry recipes. To transition, gradually mix in the new food over a 5-7 day period, increasing the amount of RAWZ® each day, so that you are feeding 100% RAWZ® by day 7. When transitioning to a new food, it is important to pay attention to your pet’s stool. A healthy diet and good digestion should result in a stool that is formed but soft.
What to Keep in Mind When Selecting a New Food
1) Get a Clean Bill of Health - Facing GI issues with a cat can be alarming. While often these problems arise from a change in diet or unusual stressor, chalking such troubles up to stomach sensitivity can result in ignoring signs of bigger health issues. It’s always wise to rule out more serious health problems via vet consultation before addressing any unexplained GI disturbances at home.
2) Control Variables - Hopefully our discussion has made clear that it is change that primarily triggers stomach sensitivity. With this in mind, to make a change in your cat’s diet as smooth as possible, keep as many variables consistent to avoid digestive disturbances. Keeping things like protein, texture, and form (moisture content) the same or in tighter ranges can help make transitions smoother!
3) Carefully Select Your Proteins - Being true obligate carnivores, our feline companions have evolved to thrive on meat-based, high-protein diets. Although meat is the best and most biologically appropriate food for cats, protein is often the main culprit in food sensitivities. An offending protein commonly triggers an immune response in an allergic reaction, and can also be responsible for digestive upset.
Ideal Diets for Sensitive Stomachs
Three types of diets tend to be veterinarian recommended and focus on protein’s effect on a cat’s stomach:
Novel Protein - The topic of novel proteins often arises when discussing how to nourish a cat with allergies. Novel proteins, or protein sources from animals which a cat hasn’t been previously exposed to (ie., rabbit, venison, rabbit), tend to be less disruptive and minimize the chance of digestive upset. RAWZ offers a wide variety of recipes made with novel proteins, including our new 96% Rabbit with Goat’s Milk and 94% Venison with Green Mussels cat food recipes.
Limited Ingredient - With the protein source being the common trigger of sensitivity, limited ingredient diets typically feature a single animal protein source. If you’re looking for a limited ingredient dry food that’s easily digestible for your cat, consider our Real Rabbit Dry Food Recipe.
Hydrolyzed Protein Diets - Due to proteins causing digestive sensitivity and upset, food scientists discovered a way to break them down into smaller, less triggering sizes. These hydrolyzed protein diets are generally costly and vet prescribed, but can offer relief to cats with IBD, allergies, or severe sensitivities.
RAWZ to the Rescue!
Although not in the prescription diet business, RAWZ’s minimally processed recipes featuring carefully sourced ingredients offer bountiful protein options in various forms to nourish your finicky feline. Of course, vet consultation is always advisable to rule out any underlying conditions. Browse our cat recipes, or better yet locate your closest independent retail partner where you can join us to improve the lives of people and your pet!
