High-fiber cat food contains fiber-rich ingredients, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, to support your cat’s digestive system and provide additional nutrients. As cats are carnivores, their diet should consist predominately of high-quality meats and animal fats. Still, certain health conditions could benefit from a high-fiber diet.
Cats living exclusively indoors tend to become less active, sleep more, and groom more. These life factors affect their nutritional needs. The diet of cats in the wild would naturally include fur and bones, which are indigestible and function as fiber in the cat’s digestive system. Without this, you may need fiber in your cat’s diet to support their digestive health.
Dietary fiber is the portion of plant food that the body’s digestive enzymes cannot break down. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water—creating a gel—while insoluble fiber remains more or less unchanged as it moves through the digestive tract. Many plants contain soluble and insoluble fiber, supporting gut health.
Best High-Fiber Cat Food At A Glance:
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Is Fiber Good For Cats?
Yes, fiber can be good for cats. Here are the top five ways fiber can benefit your cat:
- Constipation: Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your cat’s stool to move it through the digestive system and improve digestion.
- Digestion: Soluble fiber attracts water and breaks down into a gel-like consistency. It improves digestion and regulates blood sugar. Some types of insoluble fiber are considered prebiotics, which feed gut bacteria and helps the microbiome thrive.
- Hairball Control: Increasing fiber content helps move hair through the digestive tract to reduce the chance of vomiting up hairballs.
- Regularity: Fiber can improve regularity and stool consistency. Soluble fiber absorbs water to reduce incidents of diarrhea, while insoluble fiber softens the stool and makes it easier to pass.
- Weight Management: High-fiber foods increase the feeling of fullness, which is perfect for a cat on a vet-imposed diet.
Best Freeze-Dried Raw High-Fiber Cat Food
Primal Pet Foods Freeze-Dried Nuggets Review
- Beef & salmon, chicken & salmon, duck, pork, rabbit, turkey, and venison recipes
- USDA Organic
- Third-party tested
- Antibiotic and hormone-free meats
- No synthetic ingredients
- Probiotics for digestive support
Primal Pet Foods offers seven recipes in its freeze-dried raw line: Beef & salmon, chicken & salmon, duck, pork, rabbit, turkey, and venison. Each recipe contains USDA Organic produce and ethically-raised USDA meat. These grain-free recipes have a healthy mix of organic vegetables and fruits, which contain high fiber. The formulas also contain organic apple cider vinegar—great for gut health—and probiotic strains to support digestion and immunity. This formula is ideal for felines with sensitive stomachs or gastrointestinal issues.
Standout ingredients include:
- Fiber sourced from organic kale, organic squash, organic carrots, organic apples, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic parsley, organic broccoli, organic blueberries, and organic cranberries
- Cage-free/wild-caught meats with ground bone
- Food-based vitamins and minerals from organic alfalfa leaf powder, dried yeast, cod liver oil, and montmorillonite clay
- Four probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Bifidobacterium animalis
For those choosing a raw diet for their cats, it’s great to see that Primal uses third-party lab testing on every lot to ensure all products are safe for sale and use high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate salmonella and other food-borne pathogens without cooking the meat.
Best Wet High-Fiber Cat Food
Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Review
- Chicken, chicken & chicken liver, and turkey recipes
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Antibiotic and hormone-free meats
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Extra fiber for hairball control
Conscious consumers will love Castor & Pollux grain-free, USDA Organic cat food. Its ORGANIX wet food comes in three recipes: chicken & chicken liver, chicken, and turkey. All ingredients are certified organic, meaning no chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, artificial preservatives, growth hormones, or antibiotics were used to create this cat food. Each recipe uses a blend of high-fiber superfoods and is recommended for cats who need extra hairball control.
Each recipe contains:
- Fiber from peas, flaxseeds, coconut flour, carrots, and cranberries
- USDA-certified Organic, free-range chicken and turkey
- Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids to support skin and fur
- Dehydrated alfalfa meal, plus added vitamins and minerals
Castor & Pollux gets points for using quality fiber sources that offer additional benefits for your pet. For example, the proanthocyanidins found in cranberries help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, and the polyphenols in flaxseeds provide antioxidant support.
Best Dry High-Fiber Cat Food
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Review
- Chicken & brown rice recipe
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Formulated for weight management and hairball control
- Free of by-products, artificial flavors, and preservatives
- Prebiotics and probiotics for digestive support
- 8% crude fiber
This chicken-flavored, grain-friendly formula contains a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber to keep your cat full while supporting digestion and hairball control. According to Blue Buffalo, this formula was formulated for indoor cats to support weight management. The formula is made without by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy. It’s free of artificial flavors and preservatives but does contain caramel color. The recipe blends LifeSource Bits—small, dark kibble featuring vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—along with the standard kibble.
Each bag of Tastefuls Adult Cat Weight & Hairball Control contains the following:
- Fiber sourced from whole-grain barley, whole-grain brown rice, peas, powdered cellulose, dried tomato pomace, flaxseeds, psyllium seed husks, sweet potato, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, apples, blackberries, spinach, pumpkin, barley grass, and parsley
- De-boned chicken
- Extra antioxidants from pomegranate, turmeric, and dried kelp
- Yucca extract, prebiotics, and probiotics for digestive support
To prevent any adverse effects when transitioning to this high-fiber kibble, Blue Buffalo recommends mixing 25 percent of Tastefuls with your cat’s old food, gradually increasing the proportion over 14 days. Feed your feline this recipe dry, or add to water and mix thoroughly for extra hydration. (Because fiber absorbs water, it is essential that your cat gets plenty of fluids. Not enough water could lead to dehydration, abdominal discomfort, and constipation.)
Other High-Fiber Cat Foods
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Review
- Chicken, turkey, salmon, and whitefish recipes
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Formulated to support digestion
- Includes prebiotic fiber
- Pumpkin and papaya for digestive health
- Peppermint and fennel to soothe the GI tract
If you’re looking for high-fiber cat food specifically for digestive support, consider Wellness CORE Digestive Health pates. This highly-digestible wet food is formulated with high-quality protein, prebiotic fiber, and superfoods like pumpkin and papaya for improved digestion. Wellness offers four recipes: chicken, turkey, salmon, and whitefish.
Other ingredients include:
- Fiber sourced from ground flaxseeds, apple powder, cranberry powder, pumpkin powder, and inulin
- Omega-3 fatty acids support skin and coat
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Digestive aids papaya, peppermint, and fennel
These recipes contain cassia gum and xanthan gum, so steer clear if you’re trying to avoid these additives. (Both are used for thickening, stabilizing, and retaining moisture; however, kitties with sensitive tummies might not like these ingredients.)
Solid Gold Fit As A Fiddle Weight Control Review
- Alaskan pollock recipe
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Formulated for weight control
- Prebiotic fiber
- Probiotics
- 9% crude fiber
Do you want high-fiber cat food for weight management? Solid Gold’s grain and gluten-free weight control recipe contains plenty of fiber to keep your cat full while shedding pounds. This recipe is made with wild-caught Alaskan pollock and a blend of superfoods for added support.
Standout ingredients include:
- Fiber from peas, tapioca, chickpeas, pea fiber, potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, cranberries, and dried chicory root
- Prebiotics and Bacillus coagulans—a probiotic strain studied in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, gas, and respiratory tract infections
- Omega-3 fatty acids that benefit skin and coat
- Added vitamins and minerals
Solid Gold recommends transitioning to this pet food over seven to 10 days to reduce digestive upset during a diet change. Replace 25 percent of your feline’s current food with Solid Gold for the first three days, 50 percent from days four to six, and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Add Fiber To My Cat’s Diet?
If you want to stick with your furry friend’s regular food, there are other ways to add fiber. Adding applesauce, beet pulp, broccoli, pumpkin puree, spinach, or other fiber-heavy human foods to their regular meal is an excellent way to introduce fiber into their diet. A cat-friendly, fiber-rich meal topper is another good option (such as this grain-free, freeze-dried raw digestive topper from Instinct). Finally, look for supplements that include fiber. Typically, those labeled as hairball control or digestive support will include some form of fiber. Quality choices include:
- Vet’s Best Hairball Relief Digestive Aid
- NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Pre & Probiotic
- Native Pet Organic Pumpkin Fiber
How Much Fiber Should I Feed My Cat?
While no nutritional requirements for dietary fiber have been set for cats, meals should not exceed 10 percent fiber.
Are There Drawbacks To A High-Fiber Diet?
Excessive fiber may lead to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. Consult with your veterinarian before switching to a high-fiber diet to ensure it’s the best choice for your cat. Your vet can also better guide you on a daily dose for your feline.
Final Thoughts
Nutrition is vital to your cat’s well-being, and fiber can play an important role. Still concerned about what fiber is best for your cat? Consult your veterinarian. Tell your vet about your cat’s health issues to get the best recommendation for high-fiber food or supplemental support.
