Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up: Gentle Recipes for Sensitive Stomachs

Choosing cat food formulated to reduce vomiting is crucial for adult cats (1–7 years) with sensitive stomachs, food sensitivities, or hairballs, focusing on highly digestible ingredients, limited allergens, and gut-soothing formulas. Our top picks best cat food for cats that throw up—Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin (dry), Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric (wet), Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach (dry), Royal Canin Digestive Care (wet), and Natural Balance LID (wet)—emphasize digestibility and gut health. 

Key factors include high protein (8–12% wet, 30–40% dry), low fat (5–10%), high moisture (wet food), and prebiotics/fiber to aid digestion. These selections suit cats with frequent vomiting, often requiring vet consultation.

ALSO READ: Best Cat Food for Cats with Allergies

Why Choose Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up?

Benefits of Specialized Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Specialized cat food reduces vomiting by using highly digestible proteins, low-fat formulas, and prebiotics/fiber to soothe sensitive stomachs, per PetMD. Ideal for cats with chronic vomiting, food intolerances, hairballs, or digestive issues like gastritis or IBD (consult vet), these foods feature high moisture (75–80% in wet food) 

Quality protein (chicken, turkey, duck), fiber (psyllium, pumpkin), and limited ingredients to minimize sensitivities, per The Spruce Pets. Targeted nutrition ($15–$80/bag, $1–$3/can) reduces vomiting and vet visits, per Veterinary Clinics.

ALSO READ: Best Dry Cat Food for Kittens

Top 5 Best Cat Foods for Cats That Throw Up

Below are five top cat foods (mix of dry and wet), compared by protein content, calorie count, price ($15–$80/bag, $1–$3/can), and suitability for reducing vomiting.

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin (Dry) – Best Overall Dry

• Features: 35% protein, 350 kcal/cup, chicken, prebiotics, omega fatty acids.
• Pros: Vet-recommended, supports digestion and coat health, reduces vomiting, per PetMD.
• Cons: Higher price, some cats dislike flavor, per Chewy reviews.
• Best For: Cats with sensitive stomachs prone to vomiting.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric (Wet) – Best Overall Wet

• Features: 10% protein, 25 kcal/oz, chicken, high moisture, low fat, probiotics.
• Pros: Highly digestible, vet-prescribed, reduces vomiting, per Wirecutter.
• Cons: Requires vet approval, premium price, per Amazon reviews.
• Best For: Cats with chronic vomiting or digestive issues.

Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach (Dry) – Best for Natural Ingredients

• Features: 32% protein, 360 kcal/cup, chicken, prebiotics, no artificial additives, ~$38/11 lbs.
• Pros: Natural ingredients, supports digestion, minimizes vomiting, per The Spruce Pets.
• Cons: Pricey, smaller bag size, per Consumer Reports.
• Best For: Cats with vomiting needing natural dry food.

Royal Canin Digestive Care (Wet) – Best for Digestive Health

• Features: 9% protein, 22 kcal/oz, chicken pate, high moisture, fiber.
• Pros: Reduces digestive upset, supports gut health, per Veterinary Clinics.
• Cons: Premium price, lower protein, per Chewy reviews.
• Best For: Cats with vomiting due to sensitive digestion.

Natural Balance LID (Wet) – Best Budget

• Features: 9% protein, 26 kcal/oz, duck & green pea pate, grain-free, limited ingredients.
• Pros: Affordable, reduces vomiting from food sensitivities, per Chewy reviews.
• Cons: Limited flavor variety, smaller can size, per Reddit (r/cats).
• Best For: Budget-conscious owners managing vomiting in cats.

How We Chose the Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Criteria for Selecting Top Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

We evaluated cat food based on:

• Nutrition: High protein (8–12% wet, 30–40% dry), low fat (5–10%), high moisture (wet), per PetMD.
• Ingredients: Digestible protein (chicken, turkey, duck), prebiotics/fiber (psyllium, pumpkin), limited ingredients, per The Spruce Pets.
• Health Benefits: Reduces vomiting, supports gut health, hydration (wet), per Wirecutter.
• AAFCO Compliance: Meets nutritional standards for adult cats, per Veterinary Clinics.
• User Feedback: 4.3–4.8/5 ratings from Amazon, Chewy, Reddit (r/cats), X posts (@PetCareTips).
• Price-to-Value: Balances cost ($15–$80/bag, $1–$3/can) with quality, per Consumer Reports.

Quick Comparison of Best Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Brand	Type	Price	Protein	Calories	Key Features	Best Use
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach	Dry	~$$$$	35%	350 kcal/cup	Prebiotics, Omega Fatty Acids	Overall Dry
Purina Pro Plan EN Gastroenteric	Wet	~$$$$	10%	25 kcal/oz	Low Fat, Probiotics, High Moisture	Overall Wet
Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach	Dry	~$$$$	32%	360 kcal/cup	No Artificial Additives, Prebiotics	Natural Ingredients
Royal Canin Digestive Care	Wet	~$$$$	9%	22 kcal/oz	Fiber, High Moisture	Digestive Health
Natural Balance LID	Wet	~$$$$	9%	26 kcal/oz	Grain-Free, Limited Ingredients	Budget

Benefits of Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Why Choose Specialized Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up?

Specialized cat food offers:

• Reduced Vomiting: Highly digestible proteins and low-fat formulas minimize stomach upset, per PetMD.
• Gut Health: Prebiotics and fiber (psyllium, pumpkin) support digestion, per The Spruce Pets.
• Hydration (Wet): High moisture (75–80%) aids digestive health, per Wirecutter.
• Allergy Reduction: Limited ingredients lower food sensitivity risks, per Veterinary Clinics.

What Users Say About These Cat Foods for Cats That Throw Up

Feedback from Amazon, Chewy, Reddit (r/cats), and X posts (@PetCareTips):

• Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach: “Stopped vomiting, great for sensitive stomachs,” 4.7/5, per PetMD.
• Purina Pro Plan EN Gastroenteric: “Cleared up chronic vomiting,” 4.6/5, per Wirecutter.
• Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach: “Natural, reduced vomiting,” 4.5/5, per The Spruce Pets.
• Royal Canin Digestive Care: “Improved digestion, less vomiting,” 4.4/5, per Veterinary Clinics.
• Natural Balance LID: “Affordable, helped with sensitivities,” 4.3/5, per Chewy.

Concerns include picky eaters (Hill’s, Royal Canin), price (Blue Buffalo, Purina EN), and vet prescription needs (Purina EN), per Reddit (r/cats).

Maximize Your Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Tips for Optimizing Your Cat Food for Cats That Throw Up

Maximize benefits with these tips, per PetMD and The Spruce Pets:

• Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach: Transition over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset; monitor portions (1/2–1 cup daily per 8 lbs).
• Purina Pro Plan EN Gastroenteric: Serve at room temperature for palatability; consult vet for prescription.
• Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach: Mix with wet food for picky eaters to improve acceptance.
• Royal Canin Digestive Care: Store in fridge and use within 3 days after opening; monitor portions (1–1.5 cans/day per 8 lbs).
• Natural Balance LID: Add water to enhance hydration and palatability for sensitive cats.
• General Feeding: Follow AAFCO guidelines (1/2–1 cup dry or 1–2 cans wet daily per 8 lbs), consult vet for vomiting-specific plans, per Wirecutter.

Conclusion

The Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin excels for overall dry nutrition, Purina Pro Plan EN Gastroenteric for overall wet nutrition, Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach for natural ingredients, Royal Canin Digestive Care for digestive health, and Natural Balance LID for budget-conscious owners.

Consult a vet for persistent vomiting and match food to your cat’s needs. Shop now on Amazon or Chewy to support your cat’s digestive health!