Why would a cat need a high fiber diet

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Best High Fiber Cat Food (2024): 9 Wet and Dry Fiber Foods for Cats

If your cat is having digestive issues ranging from diarrhea to constipation, problems with hairballs or even the onset of diabetes, increasing the soluble and insoluble fiber in their diet can make all the difference.

High fiber cat food can be a total game changer for cats with any of these digestive problems. Thats why this high fiber food for cats group test and guide is designed to help you find the perfect food that meets your cat's specific dietary needs.

High fiber diets are beneficial for cats because they assist in digestion, boost overall gut health and even help control feline obesity.

While some cat food with fiberis tailored for some of those specific issues, others offer a much more balanced mixture of nutrients suitable for their overall health.

We've tested and explored a variety of options, from high fiber dry cat food to wet formulas, and even those high fiber cat treats our cats love to beg for - all the time!

This article covers everything you need to know about ahigh fiber diet for cats- its benefits, who and why you should consider it, and those core factors to keep in mind while choosing the right high fiber cat food for your amazing feline friend.

Hills Science Diet High Fiber Cat Food - Urinary & Hairball

Urinary & Hairball control version of the Hills Science is a treasure chest of high-quality fiber, sweeping away hairballs and keeping our kitties tummies working like a well-oiled machine!

But thats not all - its also a guardian angel for urinary health, making litter box visits a breeze. This Hills Science Diet high fiber recipeis full of natural fibers that transform mealtime into a delightful, nutritious carnival, making it our top choice for a best high fiber cat food.

3 Top High Fiber Cat Food Picks Best, Value & Premium

In selecting high fiber cat food that you can trust to deliver the benefits of a high fiber diet in your cat, we have implemented our standard testing process.

Leveraging our substantial social media presence, with over a million followers, we've been able to engage with a range of cat owners who understand the importance of fiber in their cats' diets. Their real-world insights and hands on experience are invaluable in selecting the right products.

Based on their recommendations, and professional advice from our veterinary experts, here are our top three choices in high fiber cat foods.

These high fiber cat food options range from tasty and affordable to high-end premium formulas, all designed to support your cat's digestive health, budget and overall well-being.

Hills Science Diet High Fiber Cat Food - Urinary & Hairball

High in protein and magnesium
Excellent for digestion and hairballs
Supports healthy skin and coat with vitamin E and Omega 6

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free

No grain included
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and other extras
Includes extra fiber and probiotics for good health

Orijen Original Cat High-Protein

Excellent high fiber and high protein option
Made with uncaged animals
90% of animal ingredients

So thats a quick chart showing our best high fiber cat food picks. Now lets take a deeper look at these top picks and some recommended alternatives.To start with, lets look at the top 3 in a little more detail.

1. Hills Science Diet High Fiber Cat Food - Urinary & Hairball - Best Overall

Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control Adult dry cat food is our standout overall choice for cats that require a high-fiber diet.

Why is Hills cat food good? Firstly, it's specially formulated to support the health of the urinary system and to prevent the formation of hairballs.

This Hills Science high fiber food is packed with natural fiber from a variety of vegetables (which a cat would eat naturally as the stomach contents of prey), which lowers the build up of hairballs. Whilst offering this high-quality fiber, it also contains fatty acids, and antioxidants that boost healthy digestion, skin, coat, and bolster your cat's immune system.

Plus, it is specifically formulated with highly digestible, high-quality protein to maintain lean muscle.

What makes Hill's Science Diet so unique is its focus on using only natural ingredients, with chicken as the primary component, and no chicken by-product meal. No fillers!

It also includes clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C and E which also assists the immune system.

Just a word of advice, this high fiber Hills cat food is ideal for adult cats between 1 - 6 years, but not recommended for kittens and pregnant or nursing cats.

It's also worth noting that, Hill's Science Diet also offers a variety of otherhigh fiber dry cat food and high fiber canned foods in delicious flavors, ensuring there's something for every cat's taste...because we all know what fuss-pots they can be.

High in protein and magnesium
Excellent for digestion and hairballs
Supports healthy skin and coat with vitamin E and Omega 6
Vet recommended
Natural ingredients made in the USA

Large kibble, not ideal for smaller cats
Can cause changes in stool, particularly if your cats dont get a lot of water

2. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free - Best Value

Finding a cat food high in fiber shouldnt mean having to compromise on quality.

The last thing you want is tons of grain and fillers in your kittys meals, bulking out what they eat.

Fortunately, the Taste of the Wild high fiber cat food doesnt suffer from this problem.

With the Taste of the Wild, you get a wide selection of fresh meats included within the food, perfect for helping your kitty to stay strong.

Along with extra fiber, you also get probiotics to support your Kitty's gut health and other useful ingredients too, such as fatty acids and antioxidants to support their heart health and support a beautiful coat.

The Taste of the Wild cat food brand stands out for its high-quality protein sources, including chicken meal, roasted venison, smoked salmon, and ocean fish meal, much like the protein-centric approach in diabetic cat foods.

It also manages digestive health through natural fiber and probiotics.

Taste of the Wild also offers ingredient quality and variety, making sure that real meat acts as the first ingredient and then complementing this with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

The balance of quality, nutritionally focussed, and affordability certainly makes Taste of the wild high fiber a strong contender in the market, It offers a budget-friendly yet high-quality option for owners seeking a high-fiber diet for their cats, especially those with sensitive digestive systems.

We did pick up on one problem with this food which is that the quality can be a little unpredictable. You might get a different style of food from one month to the next.

Also the size of the package that you can get seems to change regularly too.

But besides that, it is a veryhigh fiber food for cats solid budget pick.

No grain included
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and other extras
Includes extra fiber and probiotics for good health
Ingredients from trusted sources
Reasonable pricing

Quality levels are a bit inconsistence
Size of the bags can suddenly change

3. Orijen Original Cat High-Protein - Premium Choice

If money is no object and youre wanting to give your cat nothing but the very best, then you might want to try Orijen Original Cat High-Proteindry cat food.

In fact, most of what we detail for this specific recipe, applies to all the formulas available from Orijen, since they follow the same approach to ingredients. What makes this our favorite premium fiber cat food as a dry food also applies to their excellent wet recipes.

This Original Cat recipe high fiber dry cat food comes with everything cats need for a great diet, including fresh free-run chicken and turkey, cage-free eggs, and wild-caught fish. Sounds great already!

Thanks to these fresh and raw animal ingredients, you can rest assured that your cats getting all the nutrition that he or she needs.

The appeal of Orijen lies in its high levels of animal ingredients, with their dry foods containing up to 90% animal meat and wet foods around 95%.

All Orijen foods feature fresh or raw animal ingredients such as chicken, turkey, and eggs, along with a mix of organs, bones, and cartilage. So it's a very mixed ingredient base. And that's for a reason. Their 'whole prey' approach mimics how your cat would eat in the wild with the benefits of that level and diversity of fiber.

While the foods are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates, they also include low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, along with synthetic vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Orijen offers a variety of cat food products. Their entire range is nutritionally balanced with moderate protein and fat levels, and a relatively low carbohydrate content.

Whats more, this food is completely grain-free, so you know that your kittys getting an extra dose of fiber, without unnecessary bulk.

Just keep in mind that this food can cause some pretty stinky poops, so you may need to clean out your litter box more often.

As a high fiber dry cat food this is our premium pick, but, as we have said above, you can get excellent high fiber wet cat food in the same range from Orijen. If your cat prefers wet food, then opt for those recipes or combine them both.

Excellent high fiber and high protein option
Made with uncaged animals
90% of animal ingredients
Made in the US, in Kentucky
Fresh regional ingredients

Causes pretty smelly poops
Your cat might go to the litter tray more often

High Fiber Cat Food - Alternative Options

We chose the three options above to appeal to a wide range of pet parents, but if none of those solutions appeal to your cats, there are still plenty of great alternatives out there.

Here are some other fantastic high fiber kitty picks recommended by our community that are worth considering for your furry friends.

4. Hills Science Diet Dry Kitten Food

If your bundle of fluff is still too small to tackle the Hills Science kibble designed for bigger cats, then it might be a good idea to start them on this instead.

This kitten food comes with DHA from fish oil to help boost eye and brain development in kittens, and is formulated especially for the fiber and digestive needs of kittens.

The kibble is rich in balanced minerals for keeping your young kitten healthy, and its excellent for mixing in with wet food too.

Whats more, this vet-recommended food is made in the USA, with local ingredients that you can trust.

On the downside, this Hill's Science kitten food can smell pretty terrible, and it does contain pea protein, which might be problematic for some cats.

High-quality ingredients
DHA for brain and eye development
Excellent range of balanced minerals
Mixes well with wet foods
Vet recommended

Pea protein included
Smells quite bad

5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Hairball Control & Weight Management

If youre looking for a food that will give your kitty some much-needed extra fibre, without causing him to pack on the pounds, try this high fiber Blue Buffalo kibble.

Made with real, fresh meat to support your cats carnivore side, this food is excellent for both hairball and weight control.

This grain-free weight control and hairball food from Blue Buffalo is one of the top high fiber cat foods on the market for a number of reasons.

First of all, Blue Buffalo has healthy complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes and peas that provide natural fiber and combines these with antioxidant rich berries. It also comes with exclusive lifesource bits, which are basically blends of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Whats more, you can get this product in a range of different sizes.

On the downside, this is quite an expensive option for some households. Additionally, your cat might go to the litter box more often, though their poops could be less smelly.

Packed with real meat
Hairball and weight control in one
Exclusive Blue LifeSource bits
Natural blend of minerals and vitamins
Available in a range of sizes

Quite expensive
May cause more litterbox visits

6. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health

While finding a high fiber cat food can be important to improving your kittys overall wellbeing, its worth noting that there are other health issues to think about too.

Your furball is still going to need plenty of high-quality proteins and other nutritional substances.

This Natural Balance Cat Food Kibble comes with plenty of extras alongside the fiber, such as protein for healthy muscles, and EPA and DHA to support an active brain.

Theres also a balanced selection of omega fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Unfortunately, some cats dont digest this Natural Balance product as well as others since the ingredients changed, so that might be an issue for some customers.

Additionally, this is another high fiber cat food option that may make your litter boxes more smelly.

Excellent DHA and EPA contents
High-quality proteins for healthy muscles
Balanced Omega acids for a healthy coat and skin
Fiber layering system for better digestion
Hairball protection

Can cause sickness in some cats
May make the litterbox more smelly

7. Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food for Senior Cats

Weve looked at the top high fiber dry cat food for kittens, so its only fair that we consider the other end of the spectrum. Your older kitties also deserve a brilliant meal.

This Senior version of the Hills Science dry cat food is designed specifically for cats over the age of 11. It comes with extra taurine for heart health, and minerals for bladder and kidney support.

This easily-digestible Hills dry cat food comes with natural fibers to support the needs of older cats.

Additionally, the smaller kibble size means that this product is a little easier to chew for cats with teeth problems too. You can mix the kibble easily with wet food, and you know that youre getting a vet-recommended product too.

One downside is that it can be hard to find this product in many local shops.

Additionally, you may find that your cat gains a bit of extra weight on this Hills Science Diet food.

Great for senior cats
Excellent levels of vitamin E and omega acids
Fiber is perfect for older stomach
Small enough for easy chewing
Vet recommended

Hard to find in local stores
Can add to your cats weight

8. NUTRO Perfect Portions Grain-Free

Dry kibble can be an excellent source of extra fiber for your cat. However, not all cats are as fond of dry foods as their wet counterparts.

Thats why were including a pate option for your fussy cats. The NUTRO Perfect Portions grain-free food comes in packs of two, so you can deliver the perfect portion to your kitty every day.

This high fiber wet cat food comes with real ingredients from fish, meats, and poultry, and its easy to chew for kittens with tooth problems too.

Theres no soy protein, corn, or chicken by-product meal in this product. Plus, the NUTRO product is 100% made in the USA, which is a nice extra.

The only notable issue with thisbest high fiber cat food wet option is that its very smelly, and it can end up going everywhere when you try to open the packaging.

Be prepared to end up with splashes on your clothes.

Great wet food choice
Easy to chew for all cats
Natural ingredients throughout
No grain or byproducts
Made in the USA

Smells terrible
Very difficult to open and may splash all over

9. Raw Paws Pet Organic Pure Pumpkin for Cats

If your cat is already used to a specific kind of food and you dont want to run the risk of changing their diet, then Raw Paws could be a great alternative.

Instead of a high fiber cat food, why not use a supplement to turn every food into the perfect meal for your kitty?

This organic pumpkin powder works for both dogs and cats. The soluble fiber in pumpkin absorbs excess moisture in your cat's digestive system, so that it helps with both constipation and diarrhea. The fiber can bulk up your cat's poop if it is runny but can also ease the passage through the gut.

You can sprinkle it onto their wet or dry food as an added vitamin supplement, and the results should be a healthier gut.

The Raw Paws pumpkin powder is packed full of soluble fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, beta carotene, magnesium, and potassium, among other things.

One problem with Raw Paws food supplement, however, is that it can go lumpy very easily, particularly when exposed to any kind of moisture. Additionally, the powder does smell pretty intense.

Nonethless, it is an excellent high fiber cat food topper to sprinkle on your cat's food to get that extra fiber into their tummy!

Packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
Works with any kind of cat food
Excellent taste for cats and dugs
Supports gut and colon health
Easy to use

Goes lumpy very easily
Can have a very intense smell

Best High Fiber Cat Food Buyers Guide

Fiber might not seem like a big deal for your cats. In fact, according to animal nutritionists, cats dont have a significantnutritional demand for fiber.

Cats have a shorter digestive tract than a human or even a dog which means that they can rapidly digest meat and other foods.

However, in the wild, cats are also used to eating a very different diet to what they get in their bowl at home.

As much as you might not like to think about it, your little fuzzball was designed to be eating live prey, that means that theyd be chugging down birds, mice, and other creatures, bones, fur, and all.

Though those things arent traditionally what most of us think of when we picture fiber, they are the stuff that generally helps cats to move food through their digestive tract in the wild.

Because those products are indigestible, they help to push things along and keep your cats gut healthy.

Fiber For Cats - The Benefits

Since its becoming increasingly common for kitties to spend more of their time indoors, and less time on the hunt- particularly in the US, its our job as responsible pet parents to ensure that theyre getting the nutritional extras that they dont get from live prey.

Dont worry, that doesnt mean that you need to start feeding Mr. Snowball frozen mice from the pet store.

Instead, you can use a high fiber cat food, to support your cats digestive health (the less gross way).

High Fiber cat food for constipation: If your cat has spent a lot of their time in the litterbox lately, but not much has been happening in there, they may be constipated. If thats a problem, fiber could be a good short-term solution. You may need to increase the amount of moisture that your cat is getting in their diet too.

Lower the chances of diabetes: In an ideal world, your cats diet would be packed full of protein, high in moisture, and low in carbs.

If your cat is at high risk of diabetes, then foods rich in fiber can help to prevent the metabolization of fat and glucose by slowing absorption. This can be an excellent way to help kitties lose weight and manage diabetes.

Preventing hairballs: We do a lot of gross things to look after our kitties, from sifting through litter boxes to flicking away eye boogers.

Hairballs are one of the worst tasks that we need to deal with, but theyre not much fun for your cat either. If the issue causing your cats hairballs is too much ingested hair, extra fiber could help to move things along.

Reducing other stomach problems:The right amount of fiber in your cats diet can also help with a range of other stomach problems, includingcats with diarrhea.

When everything is moving at the right pace in your cats gut, theres less of a chance that theyll end up needing to bolt to the litter tray. It is also sensible to consider high fiber cat food for constipation.

Reduces the risk of obesity: In some cases, because high fiber food helps to move things along faster in your cats stomach, it also means that they absorb less fat, allowing for reduced weight gain.

Understanding Cat Food with Fiber

One important thing to keep in mind when youre looking for a high fiber cat food, is that there are different kinds of fiber available.

Crude fiber refers to the indigestible carbohydrates that just cause stomach upsets and increase your cats chances of weight gain.

What you really need for your furry feline friend is the right kind of dietary fiber.

Insoluble fiber or crude fiber is the bad stuff the things that dont break down easily and just create mass in the intestine, leading to constipation (and bad gas). Some insoluble fiber is not too much of a problem, but it should be minimal.

Soluble fiber is the stuff that you do want the kind that can be broken down reasonably easily in the body while helping the bowel to work properly.

Often, this means checking the labels on your cat food carefully. Some low-cost options try to deliver crude fiber in the form of wheat and corn, rather than something beneficial to your kitty.

The biggest factor to consider in how valuable a certain kind of fiber is for your cat is fermentability.

This refers to how well the fiber can be broken down by the bacteria in the intestine.

Fermentable products like pectin and beet pulp are usually more appropriate for keeping your kitty healthy.

These tools give your cat the bulk they need, without unwanted side effects

Are There Any Problems with High Fiber Cat Foods?

Giving your cat plenty of fiber does have benefits.

However, its worth remembering that plant-based fibers arent the best option for your cat as its not what they would get in nature in any great volume. It's worth remembering that a cat would get a small amount of plant fiber when eating live prey from the contents of the stomachs of its small herbivore prey.

So, a small amount of vegetable or fruit in a recipe can be good for soluble fiber and other nutrients, but too much (especially if it's insoluble) will outweigh the benefits.

Sure, you cant really give them a daily dose of fur, ligaments and bones. However, if possible, its often a good idea to solve the fiber issue without too much of a diet change.

A spoonful of canned pumpkin, or the powder option we discussed above might be better than switching out your cats food entirely. Some foods can:

Cause additional weight gain: The wrong kind of fiber wont move things along in your cats digestive tract. This means that theyll store the food for longer and gain more weight. Weight gain can also be a problem if your kitty starts eating extra food because the fiber in their meal comes at the expense of other nutrients.
Reduce protein intake: If the fiber does work in your cats diet, then theres a risk that it will move things through the digestive tract too quickly. Just as a healthy gut helps to reduce the risk of fat absorption, it can also reduce absorption of essential proteins too. Thats why its so important to follow your vets direction when choosing cat food.
May reduce moisture intake: If you switch your cat to a high fiber cat food thats kibble based, its important to ensure that they get plenty of moisture elsewhere. Remember that your cat still needs water to keep their insides working properly. Kibble doesnt offer this. Using high fiber cat food for diarrhea is also worth considering but if symptoms persist you must go to your vets.

Choosing the Best High Fiber Cat Food

If Mr Mittens has issues with constipation, or even hairballs, then it might be worth switching him to a high fiber diet. Fiber really can make a difference to a cats nutrition particularly if your kitty spends most of his time indoors.

However, you should always get your vets insight on the kind of food to offer. My favourite choice has to be the Hills Science Diet and Urinary Hairball control. I use this product for my Maine Coon, and Ive seen a huge reduction in his hairballs, and less crying in the litter tray too. He also absolutely adores the taste, to the point where I have to keep the bag locked away or hell chew through it.

Hills Science is also recommended by vets (including my vet), so you know that its filled with nutritious content.

FAQs

What types of fibers are commonly found in high-fiber cat foods?

High-fiber cat foods generally contain soluble fibers like carrots beans, oats and peas, whilst also including insoluble fibers like wheat bran and potatoes. Different fibers have various benefits, such as supporting digestive health, reducing constipation and helping with hairball control.

What are the benefits of high-fiber cat foods?

High-fiber cat foods can help manage hairballs, boost digestive health, and are particularly beneficial for older and indoor cats who might not be as active.

How do I choose the best high-fiber cat food?

Look for cat foods that list a high-quality source of protein as the first ingredient, and ensure that the fiber content is at least 3% or higher.

Best High Fiber Cat Food: The Verdict

Weve talked a lot in this article about the different high fiber cat foods that you can choose for your cat.

If your kitty has a tendency to become constipated or has a problem with hairballs then a high fiber cat food diet is very likely to help.

This high fiber approach can really improve your kittys nutrition, especially if they arent getting much other variety in their usual diet - something that is particularly relevant in indoor only cats.

As well as this advice in this article we always recommend that you get the advice of your vet on your cats specific dietary needs as your cat might have additional needs.

But, our pick for most cats isHills Science Diet and Urinary Hairball control. Especially if you have a long-haired kitty who gets a lot of hairballs.

Weve also found that most cats really take to the Hills formulas taste and so you get a happy and healthy cat.

However, if you want some other top drawer options for your cat then our budgetandpremium picks are where it's at for best high fiber cat foods.