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Our 8-month-old cats get diarrhea from wet food. Best dry kibble?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hi! I am looking to find the best food for our 8 month old cats. What are the best things to look for in a dry kibble? I know wet food is best but it gives our babies awful diarrhea and upsets their tummies. They are currently on Grain Free Blue Buffalo because I heard that a high protein content is important and that has a 40% minimum protein content. Please HELP

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Kevin Sanada, DVM

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 17th, 2018

This last decade has brought an incredible amount of new products to the shelves and I know it must be daunting and very confusing to consumers. Unfortunately, most information about these foods comes from the pet store employee or an equally unqualified source on the internet. It's very wise of you to ask an expert.

The truth about most of these foods is that their claims usually amount to nothing more than that of a fad diet (i.e. paleo or atkins) and are not supported by sufficient evidence (even though they will make it sound like it is). As scientifically trained practitioners, us vets prefer to offer evidenced based treatment and the same goes for feeding suggestions.

Wet food will encourage water intake and may make the stools more soft, but does not cause diarrhea. Lightly cooked, grain-free, natural, etc. are really just marketing gimmicks meant to increase sales. They mean essentially nothing and normally do not have any good evidence to back their claims.

The most important thing on that bag is a tiny bit of writing under the guaranteed analysis called the AAFCO statement. This statement tells you what actual research went into making the product. Below is a link to an article that will help explain this more and give some other info about feeding your cats:

https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-your-pet-s-food/

High protein is nice and all of the foods with an AAFCO statement have the minimum necessary amount of protein (around 30%) in the diet. More importantly, they will have ensured the necessary amino acids are in the correct quantity.

I know the answer may still be somewhat vague, but if you stick to the basic principles of choosing the right food, then you should be successful in feeding a good and nutritious food to your cats. Below is a link to another helpful resource with good information about pet foods.

https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/ucm047113.htm

I hope that helps and all is well for your cats.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 12th, 2018

    Hi there. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. So sorry that Smudge is having this issue.

    Any abrupt changes in diet can cause diarrhea. Do you just feed it to her once in a while? If you feed it everyday her intestinal system may eventually get used to it.

    My guess is that there is an ingredient in the food that is causing some intestinal upset for Smudge. What that is, we will likely never know. If you try a few different canned cat foods you may eventually find one that agrees with her. If you get a canned food that is the same brand/flavor as her dry food you probably would have a greater chance of success.

    Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 17th, 2017

    Yes that would be counted as a change in diet. Any sudden change in diet could precipitate diarrhea. I recommend returning to his normal diet and then gradually over a week transition to any new diet including wet food. If his diarrhea becomes bloody, increases in amount or he becomes weak or lethargic he needs to be checked out by your veterinarian.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 14th, 2018

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Skye. She may not be tolerating her new diet well and experiencing diarrhea as a result. If the diarrhea continues into tomorrow, she will need to see her veterinarian. Being so young, it is easy for her to become dehydrated. Of course, there are other causes of diarrhea that could have appeared at the same time as the diet change. Her veterinarian may perform fecal testing and will likey prescribe a medication. In the meantime, encourage her to drink plenty of water. I hope this information helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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