Food Problems

sa09

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I just got a 4 year old cat about 2 weeks ago. The home he used to be in had been feeding him Iams Multicat dry food. After doing a lot of reading on this site, I decided I would switch him to a healthier dry food so I began to feed him Nutro Indoor dry food. I only had a little of the Iams (from the previous owner) that I mixed in with the Nutro, but really he mainly ate the new food as he seemed to really like the taste. He had an upset stomach just a little in the beginning (threw up once and a bit of diarrhea), but seemed to settle down from what I could see. Then, after almost a week, I noticed he was scratching behind his ears and under his neck frequently. I also noticed quite a bit of dandruff when I brushed him that I didn't think was there before. I read on here that could mean allergies so I researched a bit more and decided to give him Natural Balance food (dry) as it didn't have any corn or soy which I read could cause allergies. Now here I am a week later and he has been having frequent diarrhea and a few episodes of throwing up. I don't know what to do - not sure if it's allergies or just still getting used to the food. Does anybody have any ideas? He is fine otherwise and eats a lot, just doesn't appear that these foods agree with his stomach. I don't want to have to keep switching around foods so I could really use some advice.
 

gizmocat

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I would read the ingredient list really carefully. Your cat definitely seems to have a food allergy.

You did not mention which type of cat food you were feeding him--chicken? fish?
My cat had terribly allergies til I switched her to rabbit. She still scratches a bit, but her acne, wheezing, and dandruff are now much reduced.

You might try a wet food, but I'd try something like Nature's Variety Rabbit, and get him off chicken, beef, and/or fish.

Good luck.
 
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sa09

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Thanks for your reply. I am feeding him Natural Balance Ultra Premium dry food (pink bag) - I think it has mainly chicken in it, with some fish. Before that, Nutro Natural for Indoor Cats. With this food, it seems he is not having as much dandruff and he is not scratching as much (I don't think?). Definitely has an upset stomach though. How long does it take to get used to a new food? I didn't want to mix this food with the Nutro as I though he was allergic to that. It has been a week since he's been eating this new one - shouldn't his stomach be used to it by now? Also, before I got him he had been eating Iams multicat and wasn't allergic to that apparently (and that has chicken/salmon in it). I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just start him on that again?
 

gizmocat

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I'd at least try a bit of an alternate protein first. He is allergic to something in the food and it's good to first eliminate the obvious allergens such as corn and wheat. Iams is loaded with corn products.
If you can spare the time and a few bucks California Natural is a very good value for money, and only has five ingredients. If he still has allergic reactions afterward (as my cat did) the allergy is to chicken (protein).
Good luck.
 

ocicat_steph

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when was the last time he was wormed and what worm and flea treatment do you use? might also be too rich for him maybe try one of the royal canin diets the sensitive diet they have works a treat. not too rich but still very healthy.
 

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Your switching too fast .... Your kitty may have an allergy but each food change should be whether kitty likes it or not at least a week of mixing with the old ... Your scratching troubles are likely old hair starting to come out and a more complex formula ...

You likely need to stay away from soy....

The food your feeding is very complex try a simplier formula
 

jen

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If you are already feeding Natural Balance, try the vennison and peas. I have just been helping someone with a cat allergy problem, who's cat is allergic to almost everything and this one worked well. Expect diarrhea at the beginning if you do a quick switch. But this woman's cat threw up after every meal for a year and after talking to her, I told her to try Natural Balance Vennison and Peas and even with an immediate switch the cat didn't throw up at all.
 
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sa09

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I just got him a little over 2 weeks ago so I have not de-wormed him. I don't think he needs it though (he is a devon rex and has never been outside)...

I know that I am switching him too fast since I haven't been mixing in the old food, but since he was sick from the old food I didn't think it would be such a help to make a change quickly. i think you are right, the foods I tried (especially Natural Balance) are too rich. I don't think he ever used to have any vegetables at all in Iams he ate and that might be what is upsetting his stomach. I will go to the store and look at the Vennison and Peas and Royal Canin. Thank you!
 
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sa09

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Question about the scratching - you say it could be because of the old hair coming out? I have noticed he is shedding a lot. Is it normal for a cat to scratch and lose hair like this? Or are you saying it is b/c of the food change that this happens?
 

sharky

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Yes it can be when you give better food and one that has more fatty acids or less fatty acids /// Plus with winter coming some cats are planning for winter thus sheeding summer coats
 

ocicat_steph

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Originally Posted by sa09

I just got him a little over 2 weeks ago so I have not de-wormed him. I don't think he needs it though (he is a devon rex and has never been outside)...

I know that I am switching him too fast since I haven't been mixing in the old food, but since he was sick from the old food I didn't think it would be such a help to make a change quickly. i think you are right, the foods I tried (especially Natural Balance) are too rich. I don't think he ever used to have any vegetables at all in Iams he ate and that might be what is upsetting his stomach. I will go to the store and look at the Vennison and Peas and Royal Canin. Thank you!
even so i would recommend deworming and flea treating him. Advocate/Revolution/Stronghold are all great products for worm/flea/mite prevention and should be used on indoor and outdoor cats. you never know what YOU or others could be bringing into the house. You also can always trust where they come from and the envirnment. best to be on the safe side getting him some Drontal wormer or like it from the vets (NOT THE PET STORE) will be cheap and completely harmless if he's already worm free. Just covers all your bases and that's one thing you can rule out in your search to find what's going on with the little guy!
 
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