Since cats can be very discreet about hiding pain or illnesses, cat owners have to rely on other external factors to detect when something is wrong. One of the main ways you can tell if your cat is sick is by observing their stool. If you have an indoor cat, you probably already do this regularly when you clean their litter box. When looking at your cat’s stool, there are two key components you should closely observe: consistency and content.
What should a healthy cat’s stool look like?
A healthy cat’s stool should be in the shape of a small cylinder. The stool should be firm and stuck together, but not rock solid. If the stool is in the form of small little balls, it is usually a sign that your cat is constipated or suffering from some other digestion issue. Stools that are too soft usually indicate your cat is not getting enough fiber.
You should also look closely at the stool to make sure there are no food objects. If there is food present, your cat is probably suffering from a digestion deficiency. You should also look for the presence of blood or small spots which could indicate fleas or worms.
Best Cat Food For Firm Stool
The best cat food for firm stool is typically high in fiber as well as protein. In particular, you should look for food that contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You should also avoid artificial preservatives and flavoring.
Here is our list of the best cat food for firm stool:
Iams Proactive Health Sensitive Stomach Adult Cat Food
IAMs contains high quality protein with real turkey as the main ingredient. This food is great for cats with sensitive stomachs, as it contains prebiotics and beet pulp which help your cat absorb and digest nutrients. It also has omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids which promote digestion as well as a healthy coat of fur. IAMs proactive also contains prebiotics and antioxidants which help keep your cat’s immune system healthy.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food
Hill’s is another trusted food brand, especially when it comes to aiding your cat’s digestion. This products contains prebiotic fiber which helps create beneficial gut bacteria which promotes firm stools. Hill’s also contains omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E which improves digestion and your cat’s skin. The food comes in a delicious chicken and rice flavor that your cat will surely love.
Royal Canin Digestive Care Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin is one of the most popular cat food brands on the market. Their line for digestive care is very effective, as it contains the perfect combination of prebiotics and dietary fibers to promote healthy and firm stools. This food is particularly good for cats that are going poop frequently, and either let out small hard stools or diarrhea. The food also comes in small kibbles, which forces your cat to eat slower. This is very important, as a frequent cause of diarrhea and unhealthy stools in cats is because they eat their food too fast.
How to switch your cat’s food?
When transition cat food, it is important to switch the foods slowly. If you make a complete switch, your cat’s digestive system might have a hard time adjusting. Therefore, we recommend substituting only 25% of the new food in the beginning. After a day or two, insert around 50% of the new food. After a week or so, you should be able to feed your cat 100% of the new food. This process might take longer if you are switching your cat from solid food to wet food or vice versa.
Lastly, if your cat is suffering diarrhea, it is extremely important that you give your cat plenty of water. This is because diarrhea can cause serious dehydration in cats, and lead to more serious medical conditions.
