Just like people, cats can also suffer from diarrhoea, vomiting or an upset stomach. Some cats have problems with this more often than others, but what can cause a "sensitive stomach", and what can you do?
My cat has a sensitive stomach - what should I do?
To begin with, there is really no diagnosis called sensitive stomach. If the cat often or repeatedly has problems with diarrhoea and vomiting, the cause should always be investigated by a vet. It can be due to a variety of things; allergies, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, parasites or hormonal diseases, among others. Occasional vomiting can sometimes also be because the cat has eaten too much, or needs to get rid of hairballs that are irritating.
And then to cat food for a sensitive stomach - since, as mentioned, there are many causes of the sensitive stomach, different types of food may be relevant, and your vet can recommend what is best for your cat. If the underlying cause is an allergy to a protein source, an allergy food may be suitable. If the cat needs more fibre, there are more fibre-rich foods, as well as supplements of pre- or probiotics that promote a good gut flora.
How does our cat food work for cats with a sensitive stomach?
Insects are a new protein source for most cats, and can therefore be beneficial for cats with an allergy to traditional protein sources like beef, pork, chicken or fish. Our food also does not contain any animal protein source other than insects.
In our insect-based food we have also chosen to use ingredients that contribute to good gut health and can therefore benefit cats that more easily get an imbalance in the gut flora. Recently, more and more research has shown how important the gut's good bacterial flora is for gut health. Including ingredients that nourish the good gut bacteria, i.e. prebiotics, and contribute to the gut's motility, i.e. dietary fibre, promotes a healthy gastrointestinal system.
Dietary fibre
Dietary fibre is a group of indigestible nutrients and can be found in ingredients from the plant kingdom; in our food, beetroot and potato, among others, contribute soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. Dietary fibre comes with several health benefits, where they among other things:
- Nourish the good gut bacteria and thereby contribute to a healthy gut flora
- Nourish the cells in the mucous membrane of the gut wall
- Contribute to the movements of the intestinal tract and the normal transit time of the food
- Give an increased volume and thereby an increased feeling of fullness
Having a food with dietary fibre therefore contributes to a healthy gut system, and this has been confirmed in research. Studies show increased health in the gastrointestinal tract and the bacterial flora in cats that have been given a diet containing dietary fibre.
Prebiotics
Another ingredient that is also part of the dietary fibre group, since it is not absorbed as nutrition for the cat, is prebiotics. Prebiotics provide benefits by stimulating the growth of desirable bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tract. Two types of prebiotics are FOS and MOS. Both of these ingredients contribute to good gut health, but in slightly different ways:
FOS is an abbreviation for fructo-oligosaccharides. FOS is a natural fibre that is favoured by the good gut bacteria, and thereby contributes to their growth. Conversely, harmful and disease-causing bacteria do not use FOS as an energy source. Studies have shown that FOS contributes to an increased amount of good gut bacteria and a reduced occurrence of harmful gut bacteria in both dogs and cats. Our food contains a natural source of FOS: inulin.
MOS is an abbreviation for mannan-oligosaccharides and also contributes to a healthier gut flora, but through a different mechanism. MOS prevents harmful bacteria from attaching to the walls of the gut cells and colonising, and thereby helps them instead be excreted with the faeces. Our cat food contains natural sources of MOS: corn and brewer's yeast.
Vitamins and stable fermentation in the large intestine
To further promote a healthy digestive system, metabolism and stool quality in the cat, we have also chosen to include natural ingredients that contribute vitamins and a stable fermentation process in the large intestine.
B vitamins from seaweed: Seaweed is rich in B vitamins including vitamin B12 and antioxidants. B vitamins fulfil many important functions in the body, especially for the digestive system where they are important factors in metabolism and enzyme activity.
Yucca schidigera: Helps reduce the smell from the faeces via plant saponins that stabilise the fermentation in the large intestine and help reduce ammonia production.
To ensure the best possible nutrition for our cat friends, our chief veterinarian Nicky Sluczanowski has put great care and love into our cat recipe. We base the nutritional content of all our recipes on current recommendations from FEDIAF and the latest research.