Best Cat Food For Older Cats That Vomit: Top 18 Choices (2023)

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Even though I’m sure we all want our kitties to stay young forever, the sad truth is that they will grow older and there is nothing we can do about it. While we cannot prevent them from aging, we can definitely make the transition from adult cats to senior cats much easier!

Our cats becoming senior cats does not mean just a change in their age, but also a gradual decline in their overall health. There are many health problems which senior cats are likely to experience, and one of them, although rare, is vomiting.

Vomiting is not something that should be taken lightly – if your cat is vomiting often, it cannot be simply due to a hairball every time.

It could mean your kitty’s diet needs to change as they’re unable to digest food like they did before – maybe your cat has simply developed a sensitive stomach. Or, it could mean your cat is battling with a more sinister health issue that needs veterinary care.

If you’ve determined (maybe with the help of your vet) that your cat’s diet needs to be adapted to be more suitable for senior cats, then (with the help of this article), this is an easy way to reduce any suffering your cat is experiencing.

What’s the Best Cat Food For Older Cats That Vomit? An Overview

The main characteristics of senior cat food is that it is easy to digest, doesn’t contain a lot of ingredients and is as natural as possible (no artificial flavorings, minimal amount of preservatives, etc.)

Among the many choices of cat food for older cats that vomit, my personal top picks are:

Product	Rating
1. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food	4.8/ 5
2. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach & Skin	4.7/ 5
3. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food	4.7/ 5
4. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Urinary & Hairball Control	4.7/ 5
5. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH HEALTHY SENIOR Dry Mature Cat Food	4.7/ 5

Top 18 Food Choices For Older Cats That Vomit

Without any further ado, let’s get to reviewing the Top 20 best cat food options for older cats that vomit!

All of these cat food products can easily be bought directly from Amazon, making it as convenient as possible to stock up.

1. Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Contains no artificial flavoring or coloring

✅ Boosts immune system by four antioxidants sources

✅ Filled with vitamins and minerals

✅ Promotes healthy heart, teeth, and muscles

Cons

❌ Contains chicken by-product

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Purina ONE comes in turkey flavor and, you guessed it, the main ingredient is high-quality turkey. These kibbles are formulated to suit senior cats that have issues with their digestive system.

Being unable to properly digest their food is one of the main issues senior cats have to contend with, leading to vomiting up the undigested food.

Considering how easily digestible this formula is, I’m sure your cat’s vomiting issues will stop soon after using this cat food.

This formula contains 36 grams of protein in each cup, which is amazing for cats as they need a lot of meat-derived protein in their diets. Protein ensures cats are strong and healthy, which makes it the most important part of every meal!

2. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Pros

✅ You can choose between two flavors – chicken or salmon

✅ Contains no meat by-products

✅ Promotes healthy stool

✅ Nourishes the cat’s skin and fur too

Cons

❌Some cat owners report their cats liked the older formula of this product better

A Little Bit About The Product

This cat food product from Hill’s Science Diet comes in two flavors you can choose from: chicken & rice or salmon & yellow pea. So if you have a picky cat, I’m sure they will love at least one of these choices.

This dry cat food formula is very easy to digest, which is essential for cats that vomit due to not being able to properly digest their food. Prebiotic fibers help by promoting growth of the “good gut bacteria”, which leads to easier nutrient absorption and better food digestion.

High-quality protein sources such as real chicken and salmon are the first ingredients, and we all know how vital proteins are for a healthy cat’s diet.

This food product is made with all-natural ingredient, and contains vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids your cat needs.

3. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Contains prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants

✅ Designed to boost your cat’s immune system

✅ Does not contain artificial flavors or preservatives

✅ Contains absolutely no chicken by-products

Cons

❌ It does contain whole grains which some cats might not digest easily

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Blue Buffalo has a flavor that every cat loves – chicken and brown rice! Chicken is the perfect source of high-quality protein that is crucial to every healthy cat’s diet. Additionally, this chicken recipe contains vegetables and fruit that will help your cat be healthy and strong.

This cat food product also contains prebiotics, which are compounds that support a healthy digestive system microbiome. They encourage efficient absorption of all the nutrients the food has to offer.

Antioxidants are another great feature of this cat food. They are extremely important for a senior cat because as the cat ages, their antioxidative ability decreases, so these additional antioxidants are an additional boost that your older cat really needs.

Every ingredient is chosen by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists with the goal of providing your cat with only the best!

4. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Urinary & Hairball Control

Pros

✅ Contains highly digestible proteins

✅ Contains no meat by-products

✅ Made with completely natural ingredients

✅ Supports a cat’s urinary tract

Cons

❌ Kittens should not eat it, nor pregnant or nursing cats

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Hill’s Science comes in a classic chicken flavor which is usually popular with all cats. It’s especially formulated to reduce hairball formation, which is perfect for cats prone to vomiting due to hairballs.

It will provide your cat with magnesium, a mineral vital for a healthy urinary system. Omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E help ensure your cat has a healthy coat and skin.

It’s made with natural ingredients, and natural fibers that prevent hairball production.

5. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH HEALTHY SENIOR Dry Mature Cat Food

Pros

✅ The main ingredient is high-quality chicken

✅ Contains essential minerals

✅ Maintains a cat’s overall health

Cons

❌Contains chicken by-product

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from IAMS has chicken as its main ingredient. It contains all the most important nutrients an old cat needs, such as calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are vital for strong muscles and to meet the energy needs of a senior cat.

L-carnitine, which aids cats in maintaining a healthy weight, is also present in this food because elderly cats often struggle with weight gain.

6. Purina ONE Natural Cat Food for Hairball Control

Pros

✅ Contains a high percentage of protein

✅ Contains no artificial flavors or preservatives

✅ Rich in fiber

✅ Boosts the cat’s immune system

Cons

❌ Contains chicken by-product

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Purina ONE comes in the chicken flavor most cats love and high quality chicken is the main ingredient. It is especially designed for hairball control as it’s rich in fiber.

It contains a number of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that will boost your cat’s overall health. It is made of only high-quality ingredients, with as much as four antioxidant sources to boost your cats’ immune system.

The crunchy texture of this food is something the majority of cats enjoy, so I’m sure your cat will love this product!

7. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach & Skin

Pros

✅ It’s completely grain-free

✅ Contains omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E

✅ Ensures easy stool clean-up

✅ Perfect for cats with digestive tract issues

Cons

❌ Some cat owners complain it lacks moisture

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product made by Hill’s Science Diet has a chicken and vegetable flavor that senior cats love. It is a wet cat food formula, meaning that any elderly cats with dental issues will have no trouble eating it. Also, it provides your cat with hydration, which is vital for a healthy cat.

It’s grain free, which is always a benefit. Considering some elderly cats do not digest grains easily, causing an upset stomach and subsequent vomiting. Prebiotic fiber is great for easy food break-down, which helps give relief to cats with digestive issues.

Omega-6 fatty acids are great for cats suffering from allergies due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

8. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ It has one high-quality animal protein source

✅ Contains ingredients that ensure gentle digestion

✅ Has no preservatives or artificial coloring

✅ Contains vitamins E and C which boost the immune system

Cons

❌ Fairly expensive

A Little Bit About The Product

You can find this food product from Blue Buffalo in three flavors – Duck & Potato, Fish & Potato and Turkey & Potato. Your cat is sure to love at least one of these choices!

This delicious, limited-ingredient food product is created from carefully chosen sources to provide various benefits for cats that have food sensitivities. It contains actual meat from a single animal, as well as pumpkin and other easily digested carbs.

This cat food helps satisfy the special requirements of indoor cats and contains natural fiber sources to support good digestion. It is an excellent choice for cats with dietary sensitivities because it is free of chicken, meat, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs.

This adult dry cat food is produced with the best natural ingredients supplemented with vitamins and minerals to boost the immune system.

9. Halo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Ingredients come from sustainable sources

✅ Contains no artificial coloring or flavorings

✅ Easily digestible

✅ Absolutely no meat by-products

Cons

❌ Fairly expensive

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Halo has a tasty seafood flavor that cats crave!

One feature of this product that I’m sure many people will appreciate is that every ingredient is sustainably sourced. All fruit and vegetables are non-GMO and the fish used comes from sustainable fisheries.

This food is especially designed for adult and older cats, so I’m sure your senior cat will love it. It contains absolutely no preservatives or animal by-products.

10. Purina Pro Plan Pate High Protein Senior Wet Cat Food

Pros

✅ Contains 25 essential vitamins

✅ Wet cat food is a good source of hydration

✅ Contains taurine (an essential amino acid)

✅ Contains no preservatives

Cons

❌ Contains meat by-products and artificial flavors

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Purina has a fishy flavor that cats love – salmon and tuna. This pet food is formulated to boost a senior cat’s health and promote healthy digestion.

It’s a pate cat food, which is highly digestible and great for cats that have intestinal issues. It contains antioxidants that promote immune system health and contains 25 essential vitamins, minerals, and an amino acid named taurine which is great for heart health.

A cat throwing up frequently is often the result of a chronic loss of hydration, so this wet cat food helps to replace some of the lost liquid.

11. NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Adult Hairball Control Natural Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Great for cats prone to vomiting after a meal

✅ Rich in omega fatty acids which promote fur and skin health

✅ Contains no artificial flavors or colors

✅ Contains no corn, wheat, or soy

Cons

❌ Contains preservatives

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Nutro comes in one flavor – chicken. Its main ingredient is real chicken, providing your cat with essential high-quality proteins. It is also packed with lots of the vitamins and minerals essential for your kitty’s health.

This food is formulated with the aim of minimizing hairball formation, so if your kitty is prone to vomiting due to hairballs, this is a great adult cat food option.

All the ingredients are non-GMO and the product contains no corn, wheat, or soy. This is extremely important for cats with sensitive stomachs that are prone to vomiting after a meal, so this food product might be great for your cat.

12. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Adult Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Great for cats with sensitive stomachs

✅ Made with all-natural ingredients

✅ Contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin

✅ Contains no wheat, soy, or corn

Cons

❌ Has a long ingredient list

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Blue Buffalo has one flavor – chicken. Its first ingredient is high-quality real chicken which is a great source of protein for cats.

It’s made with all-natural, highly digestible ingredients that are easy on cats with sensitive stomachs. Digestive system care is the ultimate goal of this food, which I’m sure many cat parents will find appealing.

Antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, minerals, vitamin E, and vitamin C also feature on the ingredient list, and these will boost your cat’s overall health. It contains no wheat, soy, or corn, as well as no artificial flavors or preservatives.

13. Halo Indoor Cat Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Has a crunchy texture adored by cats

✅ Contains only whole meat

✅ Very low fat content

✅ High protein content

Cons

❌ Cats with dental issues might not like the crunchy texture

A Little Bit About The Product

Halo Indoor cat food is more digestible than many other cat food products because it only contains real whole meat.

This cat food contains meat that has been raised cage-free and without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. Additionally, every ingredient is non-GMO.

This holistic dry cat food contains absolutely no artificial ingredients or preservatives. It is low in fat content, which is perfect for all cats, especially seniors struggling with weight gain.

Taurine, an important amino acid that supports the function of the heart and eyes, has been added to this formulation specifically for elderly cats.

14. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Wet Cat Food

Pros

✅ 3 possible flavor choices

✅ Contains no thickening agents or preservatives

✅ Contains no corn, soy, dairy, or meat by-products

✅ It’s completely grain-free

Cons

❌ Contains some ingredients cats don’t necessarily need

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Blue Buffalo can be found in three different flavors – duck, fish, or turkey.

To fulfill the energy requirements of adult cats, this grain-free cat food only contains real meat as an animal protein source, no chicken or beef. This is great news for cat owners whose cats don’t like chicken. Chicken is the most common ingredient of cat food, so this food product is great for those few chicken-hating cats.

Potatoes and pumpkin are important ingredients due to their ability to aid gentle digestion. Easy digestion is important for cats that vomit due to their inability to properly digest and absorb food.

Additionally, wet cat food replenishes the cat’s hydration if it has been vomiting; it is important to take into consideration the fact that a vomiting cat loses a lot of fluids when throwing up.

15. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Adult And Senior Cats

Pros

✅ Made from easy-to-digest ingredients

✅ Formulated with senior cats in mind

✅ Boosts heart, kidney, and bladder health

✅ Great flavor

Cons

❌ Does contain wheat and corn which some cats have trouble digesting

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Hill’s Science Diet has chicken as its main ingredient, which most cats enjoy. One of the best traits of this cat food is that it contains taurine – an amino acid vital for heart and eye health. Additionally, it contains minerals that support bladder and kidney health.

As most senior cat food, this product contains easily digestible ingredients. Older cats are prone to vomiting due to inability to digest food properly, so easily digestible food hopefully means no more vomiting.

16. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Helps replenish nutrients lost by vomiting

✅ Improves digestion and ensures digestive system health

✅ Promotes healthy stool

✅ Boosts the immune system

Cons

❌ On the pricier side

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from Hill’s Prescription Diet is especially developed to assist in calming gastrointestinal problems. Electrolytes and B vitamins are added to promote nutrient absorption and replenish missing nutrients caused by vomiting.

This food product is enhanced with clinically proven antioxidants and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to maintain a healthy immune system. Additionally, it contains our S+OX Shield, which lowers the danger of calcium oxalate crystals and struvite.

It’s important to mention that using this food product needs to be approved by your veterinarian; do not decide to use it without first getting advice from your veterinarian.

17. Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care Dry Cat Food

Pros

✅ Is high in fiber

✅ Developed to support a cat’s gastrointestinal system

✅ Boosts the cat’s microbiome

✅ Contains omega-3 fatty acids

Cons

❌ Fairly expensive

A Little Bit About The Product

This food product from Hill’s Prescription Diet has one flavor – chicken. It is especially formulated to support the cat’s digestive system and promote a healthy gut microbiome.

It has been proven that this dry cat food encourages regular bowel movements and promotes a healthy stool. To be more specific, prebiotic fiber within this food is designed to improve all aspects of digestion.

It supports a healthy microbiome within the gastrointestinal tract, which is extremely important for proper nutrient absorption.

18. GO! SOLUTIONS SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Cat Food to Support Sensitive Stomachs

Pros

✅ No wheat, corn, soy, or gluten

✅ Contains added taurine (an essential amino acid)

✅ Does not contain a lot of ingredients

✅ Contains no by-products

Cons

❌ Fairly expensive

A Little Bit About The Product

This product from GO! SOLUTIONS comes in duck flavor and its main ingredient is real high-quality duck meat.

It is made with natural ingredients with the goal of helping cats with stomach sensitivity and food allergies. It has a limited ingredient list, so it doesn’t contain a bunch of ingredients that might cause digestive issues and subsequent vomiting.

This food does not contain any grains, gluten, soy, corn, or wheat; it is focused on delivering quality protein and not carbohydrates to your cat, just as it needs.

Characteristics Of Food For A Cat Prone To Vomiting

If you have a cat that is throwing up because of a sensitive stomach, you need to find cat food that will suit them and not cause an upset stomach. You might be a little bit intimidated at first, but don’t worry. Once you learn which ingredients to look for and which you need to stay away from, I’m sure you’ll find your cat the food they need.

Ingredients You Need To Look For

First of all, the most basic rule is: the food should have a short ingredient list. A shorter ingredient list means less additives will be found in the food, and it likely contains only what your cat needs most, with no unnecessary chemicals added in.

You need to find food products that are:

• Made with natural ingredients

• Made with high-quality ingredients

• High in animal-sourced proteins

• High in fiber

• Grain-free (if possible)

• Lactose-free

• Low in carbohydrates and fat

• Contain little to no grains

• Contain no fillers or by-products

• Contain no artificial flavorings

• Contains no artificial colors

• Contain minimal to no preservatives

Additionally, you need to look for food products that have every ingredient clearly written in the ingredient list, and not vaguely named. If your cat has any food allergies, be on the lookout for food allergens as well.

What Could Cause An Older Cat To Vomit?

There are numerous causes for an older cat to vomit. In some cases, the reason is completely harmless, while other times, vomiting is a reason for concern.

Some common, harmless reasons for a cat vomiting include having eaten too much or eaten a meal too quickly. It could also be that the cat vomited mostly hairs, suggesting that hairballs caused the vomiting. When it comes to senior cats vomiting, they might need a diet adjustment as their metabolism is not the same as when they were young.

Sometimes a cat has eaten something they shouldn’t have and vomiting is their body’s way of trying to get rid of something dangerous like a toxin. For example, a cat might have ingested a foreign object, some type of a household cleaning chemical, or even some spoiled food.

Some cats simply have sensitive stomachs and not every type of food will suit them. Some cats may have had sensitive stomachs since they were young, while other cats can develop sensitive stomachs over time. It can happen that your senior cat develops a sensitive stomach which is related to their aging.

On the other hand, frequent vomiting of food is not considered normal. Chronic vomiting usually means a cat is battling with an underlying disease and vomiting is a symptom of that disease. Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and feline cancer are just a few of many diseases that cause vomiting in cats.

If your cat is experiencing chronic vomiting, I highly suggest visiting the veterinarian’s office, as it is not normal for a cat to throw up often, especially if it’s not due to hairballs.

How Can I Help My Vomiting Cat? How Do I Prevent My Cat From Vomiting?

If your cat is vomiting due to stomach sensitivity, don’t worry – it can often be solved. Below are some tips on how to help a cat prone to vomiting and how to prevent vomiting in the first place.

First of all, you need to make sure your cat is hydrated. Dehydration is a potential cause of vomiting in cats, so making sure your cat drinks enough water is crucial. Also, if your cat is vomiting, it means they’re losing fluids and drinking water will make up for the lost hydration.

The second valuable tip is to transition to stomach-sensitive cat food. Scientists from many cat food companies have worked hard to develop food products that are suitable for cats prone to having upset stomachs and subsequently throwing up.

And lastly, I highly suggest visiting the vet. Having an upset stomach and vomiting takes its toll on a cat, and sometimes it’s even a symptom of an underlying disease. The best thing you can do, especially if you think that stomach-sensitive food is not delivering positive results, is to visit the vet.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best cat food for older cats that vomit, there are several options for you to choose from.

My number one choice would definitely be Purina ONE Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Cat Food, with second best being Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food For Sensitive Stomach & Skin, while Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food takes the third spot.

Before devoting yourself to buying your senior cat food that might help their vomiting issue, you first need to find what’s causing your cat’s vomiting.

The most common causes of vomiting in older cats include hairballs and an inability to properly digest and absorb food. These issues need to be solved as they pose a threat to the cat’s health. Proper cat food is one of the potential solutions.

I hope you found this article helpful and that your kitty’s issues will soon be resolved!

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