8 Best Cat Foods For Smelly Poop
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Your cat’s litter box is never going to smell pleasant, but if you’re concerned about smelly poop then it could be your cat’s diet that is to blame.
Making changes to your cat’s diet could not only resolve issues with smelly poop, but it could also improve its nutrition as a whole.
The healthier your cat’s food is, the healthier your cat will be and that’s all any cat owner can ask for.
Continue reading to learn more about your cat’s basic nutritional needs and to receive some simple tips for picking the best cat food to prevent smelly poop. You’ll also receive our top 8 picks for the best cat food for smelly poop.
Compare Best Cat Foods For Smelly Poop
|
Best Dry Cat Food
3. Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
Best Affordable
4. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Turkey & Duck Recipe Dry Cat Food |
Best Hypoallergenic Cat Food
6. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Coated |
Best For Kittens
7. Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated |
Best Premium Cat Food
8. Wysong Uretic with Organic Chicken Canned Cat Food |
|||
|
Protein
2.3% Min |
Protein
21.2% Min |
Protein
42% Min |
Protein
35% Min |
Protein
8% Min |
Protein
29% Min |
Protein
43.5% Min |
Protein
10% Min |
|
Fat
0.1% Min |
Fat
8.05% Min |
Fat
18% Min |
Fat
14% Min |
Fat
5.5% Min |
Fat
18% Min |
Fat
20.5% Min |
Fat
7% Min |
|
Fiber
1% Max |
Fiber
0.4% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
1% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
3% Max |
Fiber
2% Max |
|
Moisture
97% Max |
Moisture
66.1% Max |
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
11% Max |
Moisture
78% Max |
Moisture
10% Max |
Moisture
9% Max |
Moisture
75% Max |
|
Caloric Content
160 kcal ME/kg, 2.25 kcal ME/tbsp |
Caloric Content
550 kcal/package |
Caloric Content
390 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
352 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
185 kcal/170g can |
Caloric Content
466 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
552 kcal/cup |
Caloric Content
0.116kcal/100 g |
|
Food Type
Fresh |
Food Type
Fresh |
Food Type
Dry Food |
Food Type
Dry Food |
Food Type
Pate |
Food Type
Dry Food |
Food Type
Dry Food |
Food Type
Pate |
What Causes Smelly Poop?
Your cat’s poop will always smell, but if you notice a change in odor it could be a problem with its diet. Cat foods made with low-quality fillers, thickening agents, dairy products, and allergens are more likely to make your cat’s poop smell.
Smelly poop could also be an indication that your cat’s body is having a hard time digesting the food which may be due to a high concentration of plant ingredients.
Some of the common causes of smelly poop are as follows:
Diet: If your cat is sensitive to a certain ingredient in her diet such as grain, it may cause smelly poop. In such cases, a limited ingredient or hypoallergenic diet may work. You can also try eliminating one ingredient at a time to find the offending ingredient.
Cat food made with low-quality fillers, and dairy products can also make your cat’s poop smell. Thickening agents such as guar gum and agar agar found in canned cat foods can cause litter odors as well. Being natural hunters, cats tend to snack on bugs, reptiles, and rodents, which can cause foul smelling poop. Another surprising culprit is vitamin supplements.
Bacteria: Bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella can cause inflammation and lead to foul smelling gas and diarrhea in cats. Parasites: Intestinal parasites such as Giardia can cause smelly poop, flatulence, and diarrhea in cats. Regular de-worming can protect your cat from a parasitic infection.
Digestive Disorders: Digestive disorders in cats can result in smelly poop. Undigested fats and starches can lead to digestive problem such as rancid smelling stools.
Anal Gland Infection: Cats have anal glands, which can become infected. This can cause smelly poop and can also be painful for your cat. A vet will draw out the infected element and treat the condition with antibiotics.
Medication: Certain medications such as hormone-altering and pain medicines can cause smelly poop in cats. Dr. Mike Paul at Pet’s Health Network has a guide about cats’ smelly poop here.
Here are some things to look for in a cat food for smelly poop:
- Animal Ingredients. As a carnivore, your cat is better able to digest animal than plant ingredients. A diet too high in plant-sourced ingredients can cause smelly poop.
- Digestibility. If your cat’s body is having trouble digesting its food, its poop is more likely to be smelly. Look for animal sources of protein and fat with low levels of carbohydrate.
- No Fillers or Additives. Low-quality fillers like corn and wheat are common causes for smelly poop, as are artificial additives and thickening agents like agar-agar and guar gum.
- Hypoallergenic. Because food allergies are one of the most common causes of smelly poop in cats, you may want to choose a limited ingredient diet or a food made with a novel source of protein to reduce the risk for allergies.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best cat food for smelly poop. Here’s what you need to know:
How To Choose The Best Cat Food For Smelly Poop?
Your cat is an obligate carnivore. What this means is that its body is able to digest and utilize nutrients from animal sources more efficiently than from plant sources.
Protein and fat are the two most important nutrients for your cat, and they should both come from animal sources. Plant sources can sometimes be used for supplemental protein or fat, but they shouldn’t appear at the top of the list.
The best proteins for your cat are meat, poultry, and fish. Animal proteins are complete proteins which means that they contain all of the essential amino acids your cat needs.
Fat provides a concentrated source of energy in the form of calories and it also provides the omega fatty acids your cat needs for healthy skin and coat. Your cat requires a minimum of 26% protein in its diet and 9% fat.
In addition to protein and fat, most cat foods contain some carbohydrate ingredients like grains and vegetables. Unfortunately, plant ingredients are more difficult for your cat’s body to digest which can contribute to smelly poop.
For the best results, choose a grain-free recipe made with limited carbohydrate content and fortified with probiotics to support healthy digestion.
Keep reading to see our top 8 recommendations for the best cat food for smelly poop.
The Top 8 Best Cat Foods For Smelly Poop
The best way to eliminate smelly poop is to increase the quality and digestibility of your cat’s diet.
This means choosing a recipe made with premium animal proteins, healthy animal fats, and low content of digestible carbohydrates. You should also look for chelated minerals and probiotic supplements.
Open Farm Harvest Chicken Bone Broth
Product Info
- Protein: 2.3% Min
- Fat: 0.1% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Moisture: 97% Max
- Caloric Content: 160 kcal ME/kg, 2.25 kcal ME/tbsp
- Food Type: Fresh
- First four ingredients are high-quality animal proteins
- Made with 100% traceable, ethically sourced ingredients
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Fairly expensive
- Doesn’t provide the moisture your cat needs
Open Farm is a fresh food delivery service that offers customized meals catered to your cat’s unique nutritional needs and made with the freshest ingredients available.
Your cat’s food will be prepared and delivered fresh on a monthly basis, sent in perfectly portioned packages that you can refrigerate or freeze.
Simply fill out your pet’s profile online to get started and choose from their recipe collection.
Smalls Fresh Minced Chicken Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 21.2% Min
- Fat: 8.05% Min
- Fiber: 0.4% Max
- Moisture: 66.1% Max
- Caloric Content: 550 kcal/package
- Food Type: Fresh
- Fresh chicken (thigh and breast) as first two ingredients
- High in moisture for digestion and hydration
- Free from grains and fillers
- Low carbohydrate content (estimated under 2%)
- Doesn’t come proportioned in daily meals
- Some cats may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
Choose from a variety of wet food formulas including minced foods and pates, made with real animal proteins like chicken, turkey, and beef. Smalls also offers a selection of freeze-dried food and treats, all of which can be delivered right to your door in convenient monthly shipments.
If you’re looking for a nutritious, highly digestible cat food made with ingredients you can feel good about, Smalls is a brand worth considering.
Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 42% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 390 kcal/cup
- Food Type: Dry Food
- Contains several sources of premium animal protein
- Rich in superfood ingredients for balanced nutrition
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Contains some plant protein (pea and potato protein)
This Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a great option because it is protein-rich, full of healthy fats, designed for optimal digestibility.
It features premium animal proteins like chicken, venison, and salmon with a blend of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. It is supplemented with probiotics and chelated minerals and provides a total of 42% protein and 18% fat.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Real Turkey & Duck Recipe Dry Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 35% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Moisture: 11% Max
- Caloric Content: 352 kcal/cup
- Food Type: Dry Food
- Features several sources of premium animal proteins
- Rich in essential fatty acids from two animal sources (chicken fat and salmon oil)
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
This Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Cat Food is a great option because it is affordable and made with high-quality ingredients.
This recipe features premium animal proteins like turkey meal, chicken meal, and duck with chicken fat and salmon oil to provide a blend of essential fatty acids.
It is supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption as well as dried fermentation products for probiotic support.
Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 8% Min
- Fat: 5.5% Min
- Fiber: 1% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 185 kcal/170g can
- Food Type: Pate
- Contains 93% meat, organs, and New Zealand mussels
- Single source of premium animal protein to reduce allergy risk
- Rich in essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Doesn’t contain probiotic supplements
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet (could be mixed with dry food)
This formula features New Zealand lamb as a rich source of protein with no fillers, additives, or by-products. It contains 93% meat, organs, and New Zealand mussels to further reduce the risk of smelly poop while optimizing your cat’s digestion.
It is also rich in essential fatty acids for healthy skin and it contains a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk of food allergies.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Turkey Freeze-Dried Raw Coated
Product Info
- Protein: 29% Min
- Fat: 18% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 466 kcal/cup
- Food Type: Dry Food
- Features a single source of novel protein and limited number of other ingredients
- Highly digestible to reduce litter box odor
- Supplemented with chelated minerals and freeze-dried raw pieces
- Very expensive to feed as a staple diet
- Does not contain probiotic supplements
This Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Turkey Recipe is a great choice because it contains a single source of premium animal protein with a limited number of other ingredients.
It features turkey meal as a concentrated source of lean protein with no grains, dairy products, potatoes, or soy ingredients which can help reduce feces odor. This recipe is highly digestible and provides 36.5% protein and 18% fat. So if you’re looking for cat food that doesn’t make poop stink, Nature’s Variety Instinct LID Grain-Free Turkey cat food might be a good choice for your cat.
Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated
Product Info
- Protein: 43.5% Min
- Fat: 20.5% Min
- Fiber: 3% Max
- Moisture: 9% Max
- Caloric Content: 552 kcal/cup
- Food Type: Dry Food
- Contains 81% real animal ingredients with 19% fruits, veggies, and supplements
- Real chicken is the main ingredient and a rich source of protein
- Formulated to support healthy growth and development in kittens
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
It contains plenty of energy for growth and play as well as the ideal blend of nutrients to support your kitten’s digestive and immune health. It also contains the right fats for brain and eye development in addition to being loaded with natural flavor. It is also covered in a freeze-dried raw coating for a boost of nutrition and flavor.
Wysong Uretic with Organic Chicken Canned Cat Food
Product Info
- Protein: 10% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 2% Max
- Moisture: 75% Max
- Caloric Content: 0.116kcal/100 g
- Food Type: Pate
- High protein recipe
- Real chicken is the first Ingredient
- Affordable
- Smell is very strong
This canned food employs the same nutritional principles, being high in meat, low in carbohydrate, and fortified with essential micronutrients and nutraceuticals.
The first ingredient is organic chicken, followed by brown rice and blueberry.
You’ll also find other natural ingredients in the lineup like cranberry extract, organic barley grass powder, kelp, and chicory root.
Overall, this recipe provides a dry matter value of 40% crude protein and 28% crude fat with 8% fiber.
The Benefits of Hypoallergenic Cat Food
The term “hypoallergenic” simply means that the product in question has a low risk for triggering an allergic reaction.
Because cats can develop allergies to any food ingredient, this means that the term hypoallergenic applies in a variety of different situations – a cat food that is hypoallergenic for one cat might not be for another cat.
It all depends on the ingredient your cat is allergic to.
In terms of the benefits of hypoallergenic cat food, there are several worth mentioning.
The first is, of course, that the food has a lower risk of triggering your cat’s allergy. Second, most hypoallergenic cat foods are made with high-quality natural ingredients.
Many cat foods in this category are made with uncommon sources of animal protein like venison or lamb to further reduce the risk of triggering an allergy, and they often have beneficial supplements to support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
Hypoallergenic cat foods come in a variety of formulas to suit your cat’s individual needs.
Choosing Cat Food For Allergies And Sensitivities
If you know that your cat has an allergy or sensitivity to a specific ingredient and you suspect that this problem is the cause for its smelly poop, the best thing to do is choose a cat food that doesn’t contain that ingredient.
Look for a limited ingredient diet that has a low number of main ingredients to reduce the risk for triggering your cat’s allergy or sensitivity.
You should also consider a cat food made with a novel source of protein – one it hasn’t eaten before, especially if your cat’s allergy is to a protein like beef, pork, chicken, or fish.
Final Remarks
Though you can’t expect your cat’s poop to ever smell nice, making changes to its diet could resolve issues with particularly smelly poop.
The best cat food for smelly poop is made from high-quality animal proteins, healthy animal fats, with low levels of digestible carbohydrates.
If you’re not sure where to start, try one of our top 8 picks reviewed above!
