How a Bland Diet Can Aid Your Cat’s Digestion-Catpedia

Has your cat been experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, or both? Digestive upsets are common among cats and often resolve quickly on their own, but a temporary bland diet can help speed up recovery. But what exactly is a bland diet for cats, and when should you consider using it?

What is a Bland Diet for Cats?

While the word “bland” may suggest something dull or tasteless, a bland diet for cats is far from uninteresting. It is a therapeutic diet designed to support cats with gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. The goal is to provide easily digestible food that helps settle the stomach and allows for better nutrient absorption.

A bland diet does not imply that the food lacks flavor or appeal; in fact, it should be palatable to ensure your cat eats it. Key characteristics of a bland diet include:

Limited ingredients
Highly digestible
Palatable
Low in insoluble fiber
Low to moderate in fat

Homemade bland diets often include simple ingredients like boiled chicken breast and white rice, though other alternatives exist. You can also use specially formulated commercial diets aimed at addressing digestive issues.

When Should You Feed Your Cat a Bland Diet?

A bland diet is intended for short-term use, especially when a cat has had a temporary episode of vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing digestive issues, your veterinarian may suggest testing to determine the cause.

Common causes of gastrointestinal upset in cats include:

Intestinal parasites
Ingesting inappropriate foods (like table scraps, spoiled food, or foreign objects)
Stress
New treats
Changes in diet

In many cases, the cause of the upset may remain unknown, but the primary goal is to resolve the issue quickly—typically within a few days or up to a week. Along with other treatments, your vet might recommend a bland diet to help your cat recover.

A bland diet can also be useful in other scenarios, such as:

Post-surgery recovery
Elimination diets to identify food sensitivities
Transitioning between different types of food

How Long Should a Bland Diet Be Fed?

A bland diet should only be fed for a short period, as it is not nutritionally balanced for long-term use. Some drawbacks include:

Homemade diets may lack nutritional balance
Your cat may develop preferences for human food
Measuring proper portions can be difficult
Calorie content may vary significantly

Typically, a bland diet is fed for 3-5 days, with a maximum of 7 days recommended by nutritionist Emma Passman. Afterward, you should gradually transition back to your cat’s regular balanced diet. For more advice, speak with your veterinarian if symptoms continue.

Commercial diets specifically designed for digestive issues can be fed for longer periods if necessary. These are nutritionally balanced, and their calorie content is more consistent.

Examples of Bland Diets

Bland diets for cats can be either commercial or homemade, offering gentle, easily digestible options for cats with sensitive stomachs. Commercial diets are often formulated by veterinarians to meet specific digestive needs, while homemade diets allow for greater control over ingredients.

Commercial Diets

Nutritionist Emma Passman recommends commercial diets because they provide consistent nutritional profiles, unlike homemade meals where ingredients can vary. These diets often include beneficial components like prebiotics, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and easily digestible proteins.

Prescription diets like Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, Hill’s i/d, Purina EN, and Blue Gastrointestinal Support are commonly recommended by veterinarians for digestive upset, as they are formulated to address specific medical needs.

Homemade Bland Diets

Although homemade bland diets can be easy to follow and reasonably priced, they are only appropriate for temporary usage because they do not provide a complete nutritional balance. Passman advises minimizing, but not completely avoiding, carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and rice, and utilizing highly digestible protein sources.

Common ingredients for homemade bland diets include:

White chicken breast
Turkey breast
Plain cooked white fish (e.g., tilapia)
Scrambled eggs
White rice
Brown rice
Sweet potatoes
Low-sodium bone broth

How Much and How Often Should You Feed a Bland Diet?

The amount and frequency of a bland diet will depend on your cat’s specific needs. On average, a 10 lb cat requires about 200 kilocalories per day. To calculate how much to feed, know the calorie content of the food you’re providing and adjust to meet your cat's daily needs.

It’s recommended to divide the total daily portion into smaller meals, feeding your cat 3-4 times a day. Consult your veterinarian for precise guidance, especially if you’re feeding a homemade diet, as fat and protein levels may vary.

In cases of vomiting, fasting for 4-6 hours after an episode may help, but prolonged fasting is not ideal for cats.

Is a Bland Diet Always the Best Option?

A bland diet is most effective for self-limiting digestive issues. If vomiting and diarrhea persist for longer than a few days, or if weight loss occurs, it may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Some potential causes for chronic digestive upset include:

Inflammatory bowel disease
Dietary intolerance
Cancer
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Chronic pancreatitis

For these conditions, a balanced prescription diet is often necessary. If your cat has a chronic or recurrent digestive issue, consult your vet for appropriate dietary recommendations.

Signs That a Bland Diet Is Working

The goal of a bland diet is to resolve short-term vomiting or diarrhea. Signs that the diet is effective include:

Ceasing of vomiting
Gradual reduction in diarrhea, with bowel movements returning to normal

If your cat hasn’t had a bowel movement after 3-4 days or if they develop new symptoms, contact your veterinarian. A successful bland diet should allow for a smooth transition back to your cat’s regular food without further digestive upset.

How to Reintroduce Regular Food

Once your cat’s digestive issues have resolved, gradually reintroduce their regular diet over 3-4 days, following this schedule:

Day 1: ¼ regular food, ¾ bland food
Day 2: ½ regular food, ½ bland food
Day 3: ¾ regular food, ¼ bland food
Day 4: full regular food

If your cat’s transition needs more time, you can extend each stage of the transition to two days.

What if My Cat Stops Eating?

Loss of appetite can indicate a worsening condition, so if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours, consult your veterinarian immediately. Cats are at risk of developing hepatic lipidosis (a liver condition) if they don’t eat for an extended period.

By working with your veterinarian, you can ensure your cat receives the right diet to support their recovery and overall health.