Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Dry Cat Food
A veterinary-formulated, highly digestible dry diet designed to support cats with digestive upsets, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dry is often chosen for its targeted fiber blend and precise nutrient profile that promote stool quality and nutrient absorption. It holds a best-in-class reputation for clinical formulation and consistent palatability, although it is commonly priced higher than some competitors; compared with Hill's i/d and Purina EN it emphasizes a specific kibble design and prebiotic mix, and it differs from Hill's z/d by focusing on GI support rather than hypoallergenic hydrolyzed protein.
Highly digestible purr
Gentle fiber blend
Highly digestible purr
Gentle fiber blend
Review Summary
"Users report this Royal Canin gastrointestinal dry formula reliably improves stool quality and reduces digestive upset, with many cats accepting the kibble; common complaints are cost and occasional availability issues. Overall reviewers praise effectiveness for short- and long-term GI management."
Vet-formulated kibble
Formulated for acute and chronic digestive upset with highly digestible proteins and controlled fat.
Vet-formulated kibble
Formulated for acute and chronic digestive upset with highly digestible proteins and controlled fat.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
A veterinary-formulated, highly digestible dry diet designed to support cats with digestive upsets, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dry is often chosen for its targeted fiber blend and precise nutrient profile that promote stool quality and nutrient absorption. It holds a best-in-class reputation for clinical formulation and consistent palatability, although it is commonly priced higher than some competitors; compared with Hill's i/d and Purina EN it emphasizes a specific kibble design and prebiotic mix, and it differs from Hill's z/d by focusing on GI support rather than hypoallergenic hydrolyzed protein.
Highly digestible purr
Gentle fiber blend
Vet-formulated kibble
Formulated for acute and chronic digestive upset with highly digestible proteins and controlled fat.
Contains a targeted fiber blend to support stool quality and healthy gut transit.
Highly digestible purr
Gentle fiber blend
Vet-formulated kibble
Formulated for acute and chronic digestive upset with highly digestible proteins and controlled fat.
Contains a targeted fiber blend to support stool quality and healthy gut transit.
$60-120 CAD
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Cat Food
Hill's i/d is a widely used digestive-care formula focused on maximized digestibility and stomach-friendly nutrients, available in both wet and dry formats which enhances flexibility and palatability for finicky patients. It is often viewed as cost-effective and broadly accessible in clinical settings compared with premium-priced Royal Canin formulas, while offering a different technical approach than Purina EN (which balances fiber differently) and not providing the hypoallergenic hydrolyzed-protein strategy found in Hill's z/d.
Soothing formula meow
Quick stool support
Soothing formula meow
Quick stool support
Review Summary
"Owners frequently say Hill's i/d quickly settles upset stomachs and is highly palatable for most cats, leading to consistent improvements in stool and appetite; some note strong smell and higher price. Reviewers commonly recommend it when prescribed by a vet."
Clinically proven care
Clinically proven i/d formula designed to soothe and restore digestive function quickly.
Clinically proven care
Clinically proven i/d formula designed to soothe and restore digestive function quickly.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Hill's i/d is a widely used digestive-care formula focused on maximized digestibility and stomach-friendly nutrients, available in both wet and dry formats which enhances flexibility and palatability for finicky patients. It is often viewed as cost-effective and broadly accessible in clinical settings compared with premium-priced Royal Canin formulas, while offering a different technical approach than Purina EN (which balances fiber differently) and not providing the hypoallergenic hydrolyzed-protein strategy found in Hill's z/d.
Soothing formula meow
Quick stool support
Clinically proven care
Clinically proven i/d formula designed to soothe and restore digestive function quickly.
Includes prebiotic fibers to support beneficial gut bacteria and digestive balance.
Soothing formula meow
Quick stool support
Clinically proven care
Clinically proven i/d formula designed to soothe and restore digestive function quickly.
Includes prebiotic fibers to support beneficial gut bacteria and digestive balance.
$55-110 CAD
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Cat Food
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric is formulated to support acute and chronic gastrointestinal conditions with a focus on highly digestible ingredients and balanced soluble/insoluble fiber to normalize gut transit. It competes strongly on value and wide availability, often offering a mid-market price point versus Royal Canin’s premium positioning and Hill's clinical lines, and technically distinguishes itself through its specific fiber ratios and electrolyte balance for rehydration support.
Energy-dense meals zoom
Easy to digest
Energy-dense meals zoom
Easy to digest
Review Summary
"Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN is praised for being gentle on sensitive stomachs and improving digestion, with many cats eating it readily; a minority report issues with texture or temporary loose stools. Overall feedback is positive for GI recovery and maintenance."
Highly palatable snack
EN (enteric) formula offers very high digestibility and concentrated energy for recuperating cats.
Highly palatable snack
EN (enteric) formula offers very high digestibility and concentrated energy for recuperating cats.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric is formulated to support acute and chronic gastrointestinal conditions with a focus on highly digestible ingredients and balanced soluble/insoluble fiber to normalize gut transit. It competes strongly on value and wide availability, often offering a mid-market price point versus Royal Canin’s premium positioning and Hill's clinical lines, and technically distinguishes itself through its specific fiber ratios and electrolyte balance for rehydration support.
Energy-dense meals zoom
Easy to digest
Highly palatable snack
EN (enteric) formula offers very high digestibility and concentrated energy for recuperating cats.
Formulated to support nutrient absorption during gastrointestinal illness.
Energy-dense meals zoom
Easy to digest
Highly palatable snack
EN (enteric) formula offers very high digestibility and concentrated energy for recuperating cats.
Formulated to support nutrient absorption during gastrointestinal illness.
$50-100 CAD
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie Cat Food
This moderate-calorie variant of Royal Canin's gastrointestinal line is tailored for cats that need digestive support while avoiding excessive calorie intake, making it a go-to for overweight patients with GI sensitivity. It retains the brand's clinical formulation strengths but is unique among the listed options for combining GI-targeted nutrition with calorie control; compared with the standard Royal Canin Gastrointestinal formula it reduces energy density, and versus Hill's or Purina alternatives it offers a specific solution for weight-managed gastrointestinal care.
Moderate-calorie control
Weight-management aid
Moderate-calorie control
Weight-management aid
Review Summary
"Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Moderate Calorie is appreciated for managing GI problems in less active or weight-sensitive cats, often improving stool consistency and digestion; some buyers find it expensive and say not every cat loves the taste. Reviews reflect solid effectiveness with occasional palatability concerns."
Gentle digestion snooze
Provides gastrointestinal support with a moderate-calorie profile for weight management.
Gentle digestion snooze
Provides gastrointestinal support with a moderate-calorie profile for weight management.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
This moderate-calorie variant of Royal Canin's gastrointestinal line is tailored for cats that need digestive support while avoiding excessive calorie intake, making it a go-to for overweight patients with GI sensitivity. It retains the brand's clinical formulation strengths but is unique among the listed options for combining GI-targeted nutrition with calorie control; compared with the standard Royal Canin Gastrointestinal formula it reduces energy density, and versus Hill's or Purina alternatives it offers a specific solution for weight-managed gastrointestinal care.
Moderate-calorie control
Weight-management aid
Gentle digestion snooze
Provides gastrointestinal support with a moderate-calorie profile for weight management.
Contains soluble and insoluble fibers to promote healthy digestion and stool quality.
Moderate-calorie control
Weight-management aid
Gentle digestion snooze
Provides gastrointestinal support with a moderate-calorie profile for weight management.
Contains soluble and insoluble fibers to promote healthy digestion and stool quality.
$65-130 CAD
Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Original Cat Food
Hill's z/d Original is a hydrolyzed-protein, hypoallergenic veterinary diet developed for cats with suspected food sensitivities or adverse food reactions, providing an elimination-diet option that many clinicians consider essential for diagnosing and managing food-triggered GI disease. While often priced at a premium relative to general GI formulas like i/d or Purina EN, its technical advantage is the hydrolyzed single-protein approach that other products on this list do not prioritize, making it the market leader for food-allergy–directed gastrointestinal protocols.
Hypoallergenic protein yay
Skin-and-gut calm
Hypoallergenic protein yay
Skin-and-gut calm
Review Summary
"Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Original is widely reported to rapidly resolve food allergy and sensitivity symptoms, with many owners noting dramatic improvements in skin and GI signs; drawbacks include cost and that a few cats reject the flavor. Overall reviewers consider it a reliable hypoallergenic option when needed."
Elimination-diet tested
z/d Original is a hypoallergenic, hydrolyzed-protein diet formulated for food-sensitive cats.
Elimination-diet tested
z/d Original is a hypoallergenic, hydrolyzed-protein diet formulated for food-sensitive cats.
Increased Safety & Security
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Hill's z/d Original is a hydrolyzed-protein, hypoallergenic veterinary diet developed for cats with suspected food sensitivities or adverse food reactions, providing an elimination-diet option that many clinicians consider essential for diagnosing and managing food-triggered GI disease. While often priced at a premium relative to general GI formulas like i/d or Purina EN, its technical advantage is the hydrolyzed single-protein approach that other products on this list do not prioritize, making it the market leader for food-allergy–directed gastrointestinal protocols.
Hypoallergenic protein yay
Skin-and-gut calm
Elimination-diet tested
z/d Original is a hypoallergenic, hydrolyzed-protein diet formulated for food-sensitive cats.
Minimizes antigen exposure to reduce gastrointestinal and dermatologic reactions.
Hypoallergenic protein yay
Skin-and-gut calm
Elimination-diet tested
z/d Original is a hypoallergenic, hydrolyzed-protein diet formulated for food-sensitive cats.
Minimizes antigen exposure to reduce gastrointestinal and dermatologic reactions.