topic Re: Recommendations for special cat food in Pet Lovers

Recommendations for special cat food

Witchy Woman — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:45:47 GMT

As I've posted, my kitty is recovering from a bad ear infection and the vet recommended Hill's Prescription Diet z/d Original Skin/Food Sensitivities. He said that 85% of the cats with similar conditions are allergic/sensitive to the proteins in most food.

Kitty will eat the kibble, but the canned food is one lick and enough. It is a strange texture, rather like jello. I tried mushing it around, but no go.

The vet suggested Royal Canin or Purina products for food sensitivity (all prescription), but I'm wondering if anyone has any other recommendations. I'm willing to try anything he might eat.

Seems the protein in these foods is hydrolyized and that's what makes it acceptable for food sensitivities. However, I'm thinking it's also what makes it a strange texture.

I have 3 other boys who seem to feel the same way about the food, so I'm likely going to have to donate it to our local shelter. It's expensive, and I don't want to waste it if they just turn away.

Any help from someone who has walked this path would be appreciated.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

lolakimono — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:05:04 GMT

@Witchy Woman

Your vet should take the unopened cans back. I assume that you had to buy a case?

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

NickNack — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:27:49 GMT

I agree with lolakimono. Your Vet will take the cans back. I've returned prescription food to my Vet.

If it's the protein that your cat is sensitive to, I would just switch to a food with a different protein. My dog was having frequent diarrhea last year, and I switched from a food with chicken to Fromm Duck and Sweet Potato. I don't know if it was a coincidence, or if it really was the chicken, but she hasn't had diarrhea since.

Also, lots of brands have Limited Ingredient foods. Wellness and Blue Buffalo are two that I can think of right now, as well as Fromm. Wellness is an excellent food and easy to find.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Goldengate8361 — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:50:18 GMT

Pro plan is a premium brand that my cats really like and is recommended by my vet. It's probably going to a bit of trial and error for you.Good luck to your cat! Wishing your kitty the best!

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Witchy Woman — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 12:49:14 GMT

Didn't purchase from the vet, but the purchase place will take a return, so I'll pursue that.

My main concern is finding something he will eat that meets the "food sensitivities" requiements.

Evidently it is the hydrolyized protein that changes the nature of the protien.

I will try the Royal Canin and Purina next.

Just curious about anyone's experience with any other brands.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 15:20:02 GMT

For limited ingredients dog/cat food Evangers is an excellent brand. It is made in the USA from ingredients sourced in the USA.

I recommend to friends and family who have both dogs and cats and have NEVER had anyone tell me their pet would not eat it. Only received thanks and blessings for the recommendation.

My super pickey dogs have never turned up their noses to an Evangers food or treat.

I found the company by chance at a dog show.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Scorpio1971 — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 15:20:07 GMT

I do not & never had cats, but I did find this link to a web site (very long web site) which may be of some help to you about explaining cat food. I glanced over it quickly so do not know about any content you may be looking for but perhaps you may find something....good luck!...http://www.catinfo.org

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Witchy Woman — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 15:43:23 GMT

@Scorpio1971 wrote:
I do not & never had cats, but I did find this link to a web site (very long web site) which may be of some help to you about explaining cat food. I glanced over it quickly so do not know about any content you may be looking for but perhaps you may find something....good luck!...http://www.catinfo.org

Thanks for this. I may have seen it some time ago.

Problem with these websites is they trouble me because, apparently, I'm doing everything wrong when feeding my cats.

I've considered making my own food, but it seems an overwhelming task and there is lots of conflicting information.

After a bit, your head is just spinning and you feel as if you are poisoning your pets by feeding them ANY commercial product.

Sigh.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

NickNack — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 16:36:11 GMT

I have never felt guilty about feeding my pets commercial pet food. I've gone to those websites that talk about cooking for your pets or feeding raw, too. I've always just chosen a very high quality pet food and fed that. Right now it's Fromm. Before Fromm it was Wellness. There are some very good ones out there.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Scorpio1971 — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 16:50:32 GMT

l also found this web site which has ratings of cat foods and you can find ingredient listings for each one if you click on that brand....http://www.petfoodratings.org/quick-cat-food-reference-table/

My only experience with pet foods has been with both the Merrick and Fromm brands for dogs and I've contacted both of these companies on several occasions and they are very helpful so you may want to try contacting companies to see if that is any help to you in finding the hydrolyzed protein sources you mentioned.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Still Raining — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 19:38:39 GMT

Not for this exact diagnosis but I have had a couple of animals who did not like the first Rx type diet. In that case my vet would accept the return of unopened cans. In the end he was able to always find a substitute.

The other thing, for my kitties, was to stay away from beef, corn, and wheat or foods with a lot of ingredients. Switched over to duck and tapioca and no more problems. Try a "boutique" type pet food store or look online.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

jaxs mom — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 20:09:59 GMT

If your cat was allergy tested you'd know which exact protein sources he's allergic to, If he even is at all. If it's chicken, then you can feed beef or rabbit or whatever. And you won't need rx food. Have you read the ingredient list of the food the vet recommends?

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 21:29:58 GMT

@Witchy Woman

This is a trial and error thing .... I would buy one can of a few difference acceptable types and see how things go. Feeding cats can sometimes be very tricky!

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 21:39:14 GMT

@Nicknack wrote:
I have never felt guilty about feeding my pets commercial pet food. I've gone to those websites that talk about cooking for your pets or feeding raw, too. I've always just chosen a very high quality pet food and fed that. Right now it's Fromm. Before Fromm it was Wellness. There are some very good ones out there.

@NickNack

Are you feeding Fromm to a dog or cat?

I recently got a sample of Fromm kibble from the store that clips Bogey's nails and he really likes it. I prefer he eat mostly wet food, but he does want a little kibble to go with his wet food, lol. Fromm seems to be highly rated.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

NickNack — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 21:45:36 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Nicknack wrote:
I have never felt guilty about feeding my pets commercial pet food. I've gone to those websites that talk about cooking for your pets or feeding raw, too. I've always just chosen a very high quality pet food and fed that. Right now it's Fromm. Before Fromm it was Wellness. There are some very good ones out there.

@NickNack

Are you feeding Fromm to a dog or cat?

I recently got a sample of Fromm kibble from the store that clips Bogey's nails and he really likes it. I prefer he eat mostly wet food, but he does want a little kibble to go with his wet food, lol. Fromm seems to be highly rated.

@Tinkrbl44 I don't have any cats right now. I just have one dog, and she eats Fromm Duck & Sweet Potato. She really loves it.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Witchy Woman — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:19:36 GMT

The online store where I purchased the food gave me a credit and asked that I donate it to a local shelter, which I will do. I was most appreciative of their help.

Additionally, I had a long discussion about cat foods and the rep suggested I try "limited ingredient" foods. Said that many of the prescription brands will not work for all cats.

In fact, after looking at the ingredient list on the "prescription" brands, I'm not altogether sure they are so great. I get that some cats take to them immediately, but if they won't eat it, you cannot withhold food.

I did not have him tested to see what he might be allergic to, but will continue on with my search of an acceptable food. I know that he's not going to eat the brand I bought, so I'll just have to do trial and error on quality, limited ingredient foods.

Although the vet suggested those with "hydrolyzed protein" that process makes the food a very strange texture, like jello, and that is what the cat appears to hate. I have 4 total cats and none of them would touch this food.

Fromm and a few others were mentioned and I'm looking at them now.

The search continues.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Fona — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:44:46 GMT

Witchy Woman: I really sympathize with your dilemma because in the past few months I have gone along the same path. My cat is 14 years old and has a number of ailments, but the biggie is Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and she has been living with diarrhea for a long time. Apart from medication from the vet, I tried every single type of cat food out there but NOTHING would get rid of her diarrhea. I finally did a big foray into the internet and came across raw, freeze-dried food so, with nothing to lose, I tried it. It was like magic and within a day or two the diarrhea was gone. Because cats are carnivores and because the food is pure freeze-dried chicken (or whatever), this is exactly the diet they need. Within no time, the diarrhea was gone, she had put on a little weight, her coat looked lovely, and she was back to her old self. She likes chicken so that is the only flavor I get for her. There are two really good makes, Primal and Stella & Chewy's. It comes in a bag of little dried blocks and you crumble some into warm water, mix it into a mush (pour off any excess water) and see what happens. Do NOT give it as dry food and don't mix it with other food. One bit of advice - get the excess air out of the bag and keep it tightly closed, otherwise the blocks go hard. I am sorry to say that it is rather expensive, but it has been a godsend for my cat and my peace of mind. Please at least read up on this food, especially users' comments, and maybe give it a try. I really hope you can find some help for your cat. I hope this helps.

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

on the bay — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:48:46 GMT

My older cat had a bad uti and a knowledgeable cat lady at Petco told me older cats can't handle as much protein. My cat was vomiting, blood in stools, dripping blood-she got iv fluids and an antibiotic injected (wasn't going to chance giving it to her by mouth). I thought I was losing her.She got better with all that help and then I changed her food as well.

I tried lower protein wet food and digestive tabs for cats (these are at Petco) but still it would all come up occasionally.

So then I got Science Diet urinary tract/hairball control in chicken and turkey. I also tried their senior cat food.

She really likes it plus it has a soft almost mooselike consistency.

I also tried the beef version but she threw up a lot and I hadn't noticed that it had 8% protein! The chicken(urinary tract) and turkey(senior) only have 6.5 and 7% protein.

It apparently really makes a difference.

One vet also told us when she had the same problem 2 years ago that older cats get uti s when they eat dry food.They can't digest it like they used to. So I stopped that too. Now she just gets wet.

I'm so happy I found a food she likes and that doesn't hurt her. And she is picky.She likes this better than fancy feast I think.

Course every cat is different and I guess what is right for one won't be right for another. I know your cat didn't have the same problem as mine but I thought the advice I got was really good. I never would have known. So best of luck in your trials of cat food!

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

on the bay — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:58:20 GMT

adding to my post re science diet-

I just looked it up on one of the cat food rating sites and it gets a one star because of by products.

However when I look at the cans, both turkey and chicken, the first ingredients are water, turkey,turkey giblets,liver, slamon, rice flour and then lists a lot more probably not so good ones.

So I guess I'll look at those sites again but not sure how accurate they are either!

Re: Recommendations for special cat food

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 20:38:56 GMT

@Witchy Woman

I was told that in an emergency or if my kitty is sick, they will eat Gerber pureed baby food ..... it's high quality enough to feed a human and might be an alternate if you are having trouble with selecting cat food. I give Bogey a jar of pureed turkey every few weeks just because he loves it so much. (Maybe this would help in a jam.)