4.6(1,100)Amazon rating$17.981,000+ bought last month
Our verdict
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Sensitive Stomach is a chicken, rice, and pea recipe built with limited ingredients for cats prone to stomach upset, and its 4.6 star rating shows it's a reliable, gentler option at a reasonable price.
Best for Immune Support, Sensitive Stomach, Skin And Coat Health
Breed size All
Weight 5 Pounds
Priced 34% below the category median ($27.08 across 139 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.6/5overall
Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 1,100 owner ratings
Popularity1.1/5
1,100 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog and cat food, health, gear and grooming we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This 5 lb bag of Nutro Wholesome Essentials is built around real chicken, rice, and peas, formulated as a limited-ingredient diet for adult cats with sensitive stomachs. Nutro highlights omega-6 fatty acids and essential antioxidants as part of the recipe's support for skin, coat, and immune health.", "The formula is labeled non-GMO and low sodium, with no artificial additives, positioning it as a gentler, natural option for cats that don't tolerate richer or more complex recipes well. It's suited to all breed sizes.", 'At $17.98 for 5 lb, this is a moderately priced option for a limited-ingredient formula, and with 1,100 reviews at a 4.6 star average plus roughly 1,000 units bought in the past month, it has built a steady following among owners managing sensitive stomachs.']
Pros
Limited-ingredient formula built around real chicken, rice, and peas
Non-GMO and low sodium with no artificial additives
Includes omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat support
Solid 4.6 star rating across 1,100 reviews
Reasonably priced for a targeted sensitive stomach formula
Cons
Contains rice, so it's not an option for owners seeking a grain-free diet
Smaller 5 lb bag size compared to some bulkier formulas
Chicken-based recipe won't work for cats with a poultry sensitivity
Immune Support, Sensitive Stomach, Skin And Coat Health
Breed size
All
Weight
5 Pounds
Performance notes
The limited-ingredient approach pairs chicken with rice and peas, aiming to reduce the number of potential trigger ingredients for cats with sensitive digestion. The added omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants are positioned to support skin and coat health alongside the core digestive-friendly formulation, while the non-GMO, low sodium labeling reinforces its natural, gentle positioning.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across 1,100 reviews and roughly 1,000 units bought in the past month point to a consistent, satisfied customer base among owners specifically seeking sensitive stomach support.
No, this recipe includes rice as part of its limited-ingredient approach, so it's not grain-free, though it is designed to be gentle on sensitive stomachs.
What ingredients make this good for sensitive stomachs?
The formula uses a limited ingredient list centered on chicken, rice, and peas, which is intended to reduce potential triggers for cats prone to digestive upset.
Does this food contain artificial additives?
No, Nutro lists this formula as free of artificial additives and labels it non-GMO and low sodium.
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