Can Wet Cat Food Cause Diarrhea? How to Prevent It · Kinship

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Can Wet Cat Food Cause Diarrhea?

And when should you offer them another option?

by Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS
February 20, 2025
Pet owner feeding their cat some wet food at home.
Jaromír Chalabala / Alamy Stock Photo

In This Article:

Does Wet Cat Food Cause Diarrhea? What Is Wet Cat Food Made Of? What Causes Diarrhea in Cats? Sensitive Stomach Cat Food

Wet cat food can be a great divider of both cats and cat parents. Some cat parents love it, but others can’t stand the smell and the inconvenience of hauling cans of cat food every time they go grocery shopping. Some cats go crazy for it, while others won’t touch the stuff with a 10-foot pole. 

But what do you do if your cat loves wet food, but maybe their gut doesn’t? Does wet cat food cause diarrhea? Yeah, sometimes.

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Does wet cat food cause diarrhea?

We love to spoil our cats with the best life has to offer, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. A conversation I’ve had with more than a few cat parents: “My cat is very food motivated and loves treats, so I thought I’d treat him to some canned food. He loved it! But then he had the runs for two days. Did I just give my cat diarrhea?”

Wet cat food can be both the cure and cause of diarrhea in cats. Many times, we recommend wet food to entice cats with a poor appetite to eat. Diarrhea in cats causes dehydration, and feeding canned food can be an easy way to help replace some of the water that they poop out.

However, any change in diet can cause a cat to have diarrhea, and some cats just don’t tolerate wet food well. Canned cat food can cause diarrhea in cats if:

  • The cat is not used to eating the food.

  • The cat overindulges and eats too much.

  • The cat has an allergy or intolerance to specific ingredients in the food.

  • The food is spoiled.

  • The food is contaminated.

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Hand holding food bowl peeks into frame as a cat looks up expectantly

The Ultimate Puzzle: Picking the Right Cat Food

Four veterinary nutritionists pick apart the claims so that you can choose the right food for your kitty.

What is wet cat food made of?

Commercial wet food often comes in a can, pouch, or tray. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to eat animal protein to survive. Wet cat food is made of a combination of animal protein, fiber, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Jelly, gravy, or other flavor enhancers may be added. These ingredients are ground up and mixed in proper proportions. The mixture is packaged, sealed, cooked, and cooled.

Water aids the mixing process and helps give wet food its texture. Some wet foods have more water than others; for example, canned cat food tends to have more water than food that comes in a pouch. Wet cat food has significantly more water than dry kibble, which can be a great benefit for finicky drinkers or cats with conditions where water intake can impact their health, like chronic kidney disease or lower urinary tract disease. 

What to look for when choosing wet cat food

If you want to offer your kitty wet food (or any food), make sure it meets these criteria:

  • It’s life-stage appropriate: Kittens have different nutritional requirements that adult and senior cats. Eating a food for the wrong life stage can lead to nutritional imbalance and GI upset. 

  • It has an AAFCO statement: The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an organization that sets minimum nutritional standards for pet food. Any wet cat food you choose should have an AAFCO statement saying that the food is “balanced” and “complete” for your cat’s life stage. 

  • Your cat eats it: Some cats hate the smell and texture of wet food, while others act like they just hit the culinary jackpot. If your cat hates it, don’t force the issue unless it’s medically necessary. Introducing kittens to an assortment of food textures when they transition from milk to solid food can help make them more open to variety. 

  • Your cat tolerates it: If your cat gets the squirts every time they eat wet food, that may not be the right food for them. They may not tolerate a specific ingredient in their diet.

What causes diarrhea in cats?

Diarrhea can range from loose to watery stool, but one thing remains constant — cat diarrhea causes cat parents to dread litter box duty while looking for the cause and a quick solution. Causes of diarrhea in cats include: 

Intestinal parasites

Intestinal worms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, poor coat quality, and poor body condition in cats. Deworming is an important part of kitten care, and the practice should continue into a cat’s adulthood. Even indoor cats are susceptible to intestinal parasites and can be exposed through fleas, other pets, eating infected raw meat, and gunk you track inside on your shoes.

Inflammatory bowel disease 

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which a cat’s intestinal walls are chronically inflamed and irritated, leading to recurrent vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Cats with IBD are often managed with a combination of medication and diet. Many cats go through food trials to determine the best cat food for their sensitive stomach. Diets that are easily digested are preferred, and they may come in dry or wet formulation. 

Food allergies 

Cats with food allergies have an immune response to specific proteins in their diet. Common culprits are animal proteins like beef and fish. Symptoms of food allergies in cats are normally limited to the skin and involve redness and itchiness; however, cats can develop vomiting and diarrhea when they’re allergic to their food as well. 

Food intolerance

Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance does not involve the immune system, but rather an unpleasant response when eating certain foods. It’s possible for some cats to simply not tolerate wet food well. For example, many cats are lactose intolerant, so those cute little saucers of milk people like to give in the movies are really just a recipe for diarrhea in real life. 

Dietary indiscretion

We like to think of cats as graceful, discerning creatures, but the truth is that some cats will eat things they shouldn’t. Dietary indiscretion in cats can cause diarrhea, and common culprits include non-food items, plants, bugs, human foods, and the foods of other pets.  

Diet change

A sudden change in diet can result in temporary loose stool, even if switching from one high-quality cat food to another. If a cat’s diet is abruptly changed to wet food, a bout of diarrhea is not surprising. That’s why we recommend transitioning to a new diet slowly unless there’s a medical reason for a rapid switch.

Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis is the combination of an imbalance of microflora in the gut along with a change in function. The population of “good” bacteria in the gut can get out of whack due to medication, stress, illness, and diet, leading to diarrhea.

Infection

Bacterial and viral infections can cause cat diarrhea. Bacterial infections can occur from eating contaminated food; both wet and dry cat food can spoil. Raw food carries a higher risk of being contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and Clostridium; all of which can cause diarrhea in cats (and their parents).

Sensitive stomach cat food

If you think your cat has a sensitive stomach and have already tried different foods, talk to your veterinarian. Your vet may recommend a specific dry or wet cat food for sensitive stomach depending on your cat’s symptoms and preferences. There are both prescription and over-the-counter options that are low in fat, high in fiber, and have easily digestible protein and carbohydrates. 

Some conditions can’t be managed with diet alone, so your vet may recommend blood work or imaging like a radiographs (x-rays) or an abdominal ultrasound to rule out systemic disease or issues stemming from the intestines. 

It often takes a bit of trial and error, but once the right diet is found, cats can thrive despite their finicky tummy.

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Cat looking at bowl of food and not wanting to eat it.

How Long Can Wet Cat Food Sit Out?

Your new cat certainly isn’t going to have the answer.

When to seek expert help

Not every bout of diarrhea requires a trip to the vet, but excessive or persistent diarrhea requires treatment. Signs your cat should be seen by a vet for diarrhea treatment include:

  • Persistent diarrhea (lasting more than a few days)

  • Large amounts of watery diarrhea

  • Bloody diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Poor appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Pain

  • Straining to defecate

Bottom line

Wet cat food can cause diarrhea, especially if a cat is not used to eating it, eats too much of it, is allergic to or intolerant of any of the ingredients, or if there’s an issue with the food.

There are many possible causes of diarrhea in cats, and canned food can be the part of the cause or the cure. If you want to offer your cat wet food, make the transition slowly. If your cat has persistent diarrhea, talk to your vet.

References

alycia washington, dvm

Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS

Alycia Washington, DVM, is a small animal emergency veterinarian based in North Carolina. She works as a relief veterinarian and provides services to numerous emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington is also a children’s book author and freelance writer with a focus on veterinary medicine. She has a special fondness for turtles, honey bees, and penguins — none of which she treats. In her free time, Dr. Washington enjoys travel, good food, and good enough coffee. 

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