10 Best Cat Foods for Smelly Poop in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

If you’re being chased out of the room every time your cat uses the litter box, it may not be their cat litter to blame—but their food. What your cat eats has a direct effect on what their stool smells like. After all, what goes in must come out. Some cats have iron stomachs and don’t seem to be bothered by anything. Other cats have digestive problems with an even small number of fillers.

These cats may need higher-quality cat food or one that is made explicitly for smelly poop. While most cat foods aren’t advertised to fix this problem directly, there are quite a few options on the market that can help. We’ve already done all the hard work for you by finding and reviewing the best cat food for smelly poop on the market. Let’s take a look.

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The 10 Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop

1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Cat Food Subscription Service – Best Overall

Smalls is a subscription-based cat food company that offers not only convenience but also high-quality food to keep your kitty healthy. One excellent side effect of the nutrient-dense foods offered by Smalls is that your cat’s poops will start to be less stinky over time. That’s not to say that the unpleasant odor of your cat’s poops will be permanently eliminated, but this food will help decrease the unpleasant odor, as well as decrease the amount of waste your cat produces. As a nutrient-dense food option that’s free of fillers, your kitty will be able to get maximum nutrition from the food without an increase in litter box usage.

This food is available in a variety of protein options, as well as in multiple wet food textures, freeze-dried raw food, and wholesome kibble. All the recipes and textures are limited ingredient recipes, which can make these foods a good option for cats with food sensitivities, which may be making their poop smell worse.

Smalls offers a variety of extras you can add to your subscription, which can be updated at any time. They even offer cat litter, making it even easier to control unpleasant litter box odors. This food retails for a premium price.

2. Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Dry Cat Food – Best Value

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Dry Cat Food is the best cat food for smelly poop for the money. It includes chicken as the first ingredient. As long as your feline isn’t sensitive to chicken, this is a solid option. While this food isn’t as high-protein as other options, it does include 34% protein, which is still pretty high.

While the first ingredient is whole chicken, the other ingredients are a bit sub-par. For instance, rice flour is the second ingredient, with corn gluten meal as the third. This makes the formula a bit lower-quality than other options. However, it also helps keep the cost down, which is one reason it is so much cheaper than the other options out there.

Omega fatty acids are included to help support your cat’s skin and coat. All Purina foods are made in the USA. It is also reported to be tastier than other options, so it may be particularly suitable for picky cats.

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

For most felines, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a good option. It is a high-protein diet and completely grain-free. In other words, it matches what your feline would eat naturally in the wild, which tends to make it easier on a cat’s stomach. If your cat is having digestive issues like smelly poop, this food may be the saving grace you’ve been looking for.

The first ingredient is deboned chicken, with the second ingredient is chicken meal. Both of these are high-quality options. The third ingredient is pea protein. This increases the protein content of this food substantially. However, this protein is lower-quality than animal-based protein. That’s something to keep in mind when looking at the protein content of this food.

This food is free from by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavor, and preservatives. It includes high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help protect your cat’s coat and skin. A blend of antioxidants is included as well, though it appears that are from artificial sources.

If you’re looking for a great pick, we think this is one of the best cat foods to avoid stinky poop out there.

4. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food

For felines with severe digestive issues, it may be in your cat’s best interest to choose food like Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food. This limited-ingredient food contains very few ingredients, so there are fewer things for your feline to have a problem with. This food is mainly made out of duck, so it will also be suitable for cats with chicken allergies. Duck is considered a “novel” protein because it is not found in many cat foods. For this reason, cats are rarely allergic to it.

This food is 100% grain-free and does not include corn, wheat, or soy. These things can directly affect a cat’s digestive system, which is mainly made to digest protein. For this reason, food that doesn’t include these things may be gentler on a cat’s stomach.

This food does include things like omega fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants. It is a complete diet that includes everything your feline needs. Most of the ingredients are high-quality. However, peas are included. While these aren’t necessarily bad ingredients, they artificially raise the food’s protein content.

5. Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is a solid option for many felines. It includes fish as the first few ingredients, including trout and ocean fish meal. Smoked salmon is also included, but it is much lower on the ingredient list. Peas and pea protein are included, which signals that much of the included protein may not come from animal sources.

This formula is grain-free, so it may be gentler on your feline’s stomach. This can lead to less digestive upset and less foul-smelling excrement. Vitamins and antioxidants are added, including omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These help support healthy skin and coat. This food includes absolutely no grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives—perfect for sensitive felines. It is nutrient-dense and quite digestible, so it should fix that stinky poop issue. Plus, it’s made in the USA in facilities that follow strict safety protocols.

This food isn’t for picky cats. There are many reports of pickier cats not liking the flavor and refusing to eat it. If your cat is a bit picky, you may want to look elsewhere.

6. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is another great option on the market. It is very high in protein (40%). Much of this protein comes from meat products and not pea protein like many other cat foods out there. The first few ingredients are duck and chicken products. Eggs are included as the fifth ingredient, which is a high-quality option.

This food does include pea protein. However, it is further down on the list and surrounded by meat. Therefore, very little protein is likely from a veggie source.

This food is completely grain-free and is also free from corn, wheat, and soy. This makes it easier on felines’ stomachs and may prevent some of the stink that comes from their litter box. This food is also made in the USA, though it uses ingredients from around the world. Many essential amino acids are added—just in case your cat needs more. This also helps offset the use of peas.

7. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Cat Food

While this is a newer cat food brand, Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Cat Food has gained traction. It is pretty inexpensive compared to some other brands, which is one reason for its fast popularity. Farm-raised chicken is used as the first ingredient, which chicken meal as the second. However, after that, the ingredients get a bit low-quality. The third ingredient is corn gluten meal, followed by brown rice and brewer’s rice.

This food doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, or artificial flavors. For this reason, it may be a bit gentler on your feline’s stomach. The yeast included is a natural source of B vitamins, proteins, biotin, and zinc. Omega fatty acids are included as well. Beet pulp is included, which is a source of fiber. Fiber is essential for your cat’s digestive system.

The main problem with this cat food is that not all of the ingredients are high-quality. It isn’t grain-free, which may be a problem for some cats. Felines with chicken sensitives can’t eat this food either. If your cat is fine with grains and chicken, then this food may be a suitable option.

8. FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is rated low due to its expensive cost. It is about double what you’ll pay for other foods. Some pet parents may find it worth it, especially if their felines are sensitive to a variety of different ingredients. However, many won’t find the added cost worth the benefit. You can likely choose a food that is just as good for your feline for a much smaller cost.

Chicken meal is the first ingredient. Overall, this food only has four natural ingredients before it shifts over to added vitamins and minerals. Pea protein is not included, though potatoes are the second ingredient. Chicken fat and whole blueberries take up the rest of the ingredient list. This food is at about 36% protein, which is decently high. It doesn’t include any veggie protein concentrates, so much of this protein is from animal products.

The food is grain and gluten-free. The limited ingredient diet is helpful for felines with digestive problems. Blueberries work as an antioxidant and a source of fiber, which is very important for digestive health. Free-range chicken is the only protein source.

9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

There isn’t anything blatantly wrong with FirstMate Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. It has limited ingredients, which is perfect for cats with sensitivities. It is also free from grain, corn, wheat, and soy. The formula is designed to support a healthy weight, so it may be particularly suitable for cats that have weight problems. Prebiotic fiber is included to support your feline’s digestion. Like most formulas, omega fatty acids are included as well.

All good things aside, this cat food that reduces the poop smell is surprisingly low in protein and fat. This makes some sense since it is designed for weight management. However, that means it is pretty high in carbohydrates, which will only make your feline gain weight. We would have rather seen a moderate amount of fat and plenty of protein. This isn’t the best weight management food out there.

Peas and pea protein are included as well. Much of the protein content likely isn’t from the included salmon, especially considering the chickpeas are the second ingredient. There are a few other sub-par ingredients as well, including potatoes and brewer’s dried yeast.

10. Royal Canin Feline Digestive Care Dry Cat Food

Royal Canin Feline Digestive Care Dry Cat Food is specifically designed for digestive problems. This can prevent smelly stools, as well as frequent vomiting. It includes plenty of prebiotics, which are essential for your feline’s gut. The ring-shaped kibble is designed to slow down your cat’s feasting and encourage complete chewing.

However, this food is one of the lower-quality options on the market. The first ingredient is not a meat product but brewer’s rice—with the second ingredient being wheat gluten. Chicken meal shows up as the third ingredient, but that’s the only animal product in the whole food besides fish oil, which is mainly included for omega fatty acids.

Plus, this cat food for low odor feces is exceedingly expensive. You’re better off purchasing a cheaper food that is higher-quality.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Food for Smelly Poop

When your cat is having digestive problems, it is essential to ensure that you choose the perfect food. These felines can’t thrive on just any food. They need one made with the right ingredients so that their digestive system isn’t irritated even more than it already is. Typically, these cats are sensitive to specific ingredients. It can be challenging to figure out the exact things they’re sensitive to, so you will likely need to try multiple different foods.

We recommend sticking with a particular food for about 3 months before deciding if you need to switch again. A new food may take a little bit to calm down your feline’s digestive tract, so don’t give up after only a week or two.

Ingredients

When it comes to cats with digestive problems, the ingredients are the essential thing to consider. You should preferably choose a food that contains high-quality animal products. You may want to avoid chicken, as this is one of the ingredients that cats are more likely to be sensitive to. However, just because your cat has smelly stools doesn’t mean they’re sensitive to chicken.

You may want to avoid foods that contain grains, corn, wheat, and soy. These ingredients can cause issues in cats with sensitive stomachs. Some felines may be sensitive to one particular ingredient or sensitive to all of these ingredients. Luckily, foods that are made explicitly without one often don’t include the others either.

Next, you may want to consider ingredients that can help your feline’s digestive system. This includes things like probiotics and prebiotics, which are essential for your feline’s gut biome.

While veggies aren’t necessarily bad, you need to remember that certain veggies are quite high in protein. These foods can raise the protein content of the overall food, which can decrease the percentage of the protein that comes from meat. Just because a food contains a high protein percentage doesn’t mean all that protein comes from meat. Check the ingredient list for veggies like peas and potatoes.

Some formulas even include things like pea protein, which are even more concentrated forms of veggie protein.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates. All food is made out of these three components. Cats need food that is exceptionally high in protein and fat. They’re obligate carnivores, which means that they were designed to live on meat—which is made up of protein and fat.

Preferably, any food you purchase should be made out of mostly these ingredients. A bit of carbohydrates is okay, but you should aim for lots of protein.

As we previously stated, you need to be careful about choosing cat foods with ingredients like pea protein. These foods may seem like they contain a lot of protein, but much of it will be veggie protein. It may be low in certain amino acids, which are essential for your feline’s health.

FAQ

What can I give my cat so his poop doesn’t smell so bad?

A cat’s feces will smell based on what the cat eats. Indigestible ingredients and sensitivities may cause the stool to smell particularly bad. If a cat has digestive problems, then it may cause the stool to become smelly. Sometimes, smelly stool is a sign of an underlying problem, like an allergy.

Luckily, much of this problem can be fixed by choosing the correct food. This will likely involve selecting one that is free from common allergens and fillers.

What foods make cats’ poop stink?

This often depends on the cat. Foods that your cat doesn’t digest all the way can make their stool stinky. If your cat has allergies, they may be unable to digest certain foods all the way. Sensitivities to wheat, corn, and soy can also cause problems. Cats are often sensitive to these ingredients, as they didn’t evolve to consume them.

Your first step should be to cut out these common problems. Cats can also become sensitive to proteins, like chicken. If your feline’s feces continue to stink, then you may want to switch to a food with a different protein source. For example, if your feline is currently eating chicken, we recommend switching to fish or some other protein source.

Be sure to actually check the ingredient list. Some foods will be labeled as fish flavor, but will actually have plenty of chicken in them.

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Want to see more cat food reviews? Check out our review page here!

Final Thoughts

There are many options out there for felines that have sensitive stomachs and stinky stools. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Food is the best option on the market. It is made with novel proteins, so your feline is less likely to have a reaction.

As a cheaper option, we also recommend Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Dry Cat Food. It is much cheaper than some other options but still includes chicken as the first ingredient. It is tasty, so it may be suitable for picky cats.

Hopefully, this article made choosing the best food for your feline a bit easier. Our reviews should make it easier to choose which food would be best for you, while our buyer’s guide should help you navigate the sea of features.

Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock