Need help with food allergies

I got the Chicken and Pea dry formula, and all three of my kids LOVE IT!!! I was soooooooo excited, I was ready to do the transition trick with the ProPlan dry but didn't have to. It is impossible for me not to give them all the same dry as free feeding while I am at work, so you all have been a LIFE SAVER, thanks so much again. As far as the variety, the pet shop near my work only had the chicken and the salmon formula. I honestly don't think he is allergic to chicken, he had never had any chicken before until about 2-3 weeks ago, and this problem has been going on since August. The new wet I got him (called Wholesome Goodness) is Chicken broth, chicken, carrots, a few other vegetables, and some vitamins. I tried to find the ingredients on line to post here, but it is so new, they don't have it on-line yet, but it has no grains of any kind. I feel very positive of the changes, thanks to all of you all! I know it is my imagination that it is already working, but he only scratched himself two times this morning in the 1 1/2 hours I was home with him.
Thanks again
Bobby (and CJ says thanks too

Originally Posted by bfish29

I got the Chicken and Pea dry formula, and all three of my kids LOVE IT!!! I was soooooooo excited,

I was ready to do the transition trick with the ProPlan dry but didn't have to. It is impossible for me not to give them all the same dry as free feeding while I am at work, so you all have been a LIFE SAVER, thanks so much again. As far as the variety, the pet shop near my work only had the chicken and the salmon formula. I honestly don't think he is allergic to chicken, he had never had any chicken before until about 2-3 weeks ago, and this problem has been going on since August. The new wet I got him (called Wholesome Goodness) is Chicken broth, chicken, carrots, a few other vegetables, and some vitamins. I tried to find the ingredients on line to post here, but it is so new, they don't have it on-line yet, but it has no grains of any kind. I feel very positive of the changes, thanks to all of you all! I know it is my imagination that it is already working, but he only scratched himself two times this morning in the 1 1/2 hours I was home with him.
Thanks again
Bobby (and CJ says thanks too

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Good for you!! Good Luck!
Just one thing if this doesn't work out, for you to think about it: Most of the cat foods, even if they are not chicken flavor, have chicken in it. I have a cat who is allergic to chicken, so I know how HARD it is to find a food that is chicken free... Most fish flavored foods have chicken in it, turkey flavored food have it too... Beef flavored foods have it... You only find it out when you read the ingredients list, not the Flavor. So, chances are, he has had chicken before, especially if he ate a diversity of wet foods.
Good luck to you

Thanks for that info., I will definately read and re-read the labels! What do you feed that has no chicken, just in case I will need to do that?

Originally Posted by bfish29

Thanks for that info., I will definately read and re-read the labels! What do you feed that has no chicken, just in case I will need to do that?

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she feeds orijen dry the six fish one... and Ziwi peak wet ( venison and fish if memory serves

Once I figured it out that it was the chicken (by doing an elimination diet like the one I described on my post above), the dry became fish based - first Orijen 6-fish, which in my opinion is THE BEST dry food out there... Now, because Bugsy needs to lose some weight, I put him on EVO Salmon and Herring, which is VERY low carbs, less that 10%, and high protein, over 51%. If you don't want a fish based, then Acana has a great one, that is the ACANA Grasslands. Nature's Variety Prairie Lamb and Oatmeal (I prefer grain free, but... this is not a bad food IMO)

For wet, they LOVE NB venison and fish... Ziwipeak, some of Merrics are also chicken free, california natural Salmon and sweet potatoes, the new wellness core salmon variety, Nature's Variety Instinct Rabbit is a BIG hit here, but it is too $$$$, so it is only a treat... Nature's Variety Prairie, Salmon and rice and Lamb and oatmeal... Some of Fancy Feast are also chicken free, the fish variety, but I personally don't like it, too much junk in it. Tiki Cat, Solid Gold Tuna, NB duck and green pea, salmon and green pea...

All of the Wellness, even the fish flavored, have chicken in it, aside from wellness core.

Having a cat with chicken allergies means that I can never buy a food without reading the ingredients list... It almost makes me want to open my own company of "ingredients free food"...

Thanks so much, I am going to keep this info in case I have to go to a chicken free, I hope not though! The fancy feast has wheat gluten as the third ingredient in ALL flavors, so I definately won't go to that. When it comes to my four legged kids, I will spend what ever it takes to keep them healthy and happy... they are my

Originally Posted by bfish29

Thanks so much, I am going to keep this info in case I have to go to a chicken free, I hope not though! The fancy feast has wheat gluten as the third ingredient in ALL flavors, so I definately won't go to that. When it comes to my four legged kids, I will spend what ever it takes to keep them healthy and happy... they are my

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if by products do not bother you... meat is beef, pork, lamb and one other meat mixed in... I suggest checking your store brands or the "name" brand store brand ... I found many are low to NO grain and in pate none have wheat ,corn or soy..PM if you want names

Well, it has been 4 whole days now that CJ has been on his new diet, and likes it fine, but he is really licking A LOT. His front legs and belly are about bare (he has very fine fur anyway), but no bleeding or anything, just skin showing. He isn't scratching much, just a lot of licking. I know this diet will take awhile to show relief, and I do not want to get another cortisone shot for him. He has had three since Sept., and it really scares me to do another (after the last, he was real sluggish acting, not running, playing, etc. like his normal self for a few days). So, my question is does anyone know of something I could do to help give him some relief? He is a super sweet, loving kitty, and he does get scared of new things, so I just don't think I could put a cone or Eliz. collar on him. Any input would be appreciated it!
Bobby
and the Gang

Originally Posted by bfish29

Well, it has been 4 whole days now that CJ has been on his new diet, and likes it fine, but he is really licking A LOT. His front legs and belly are about bare (he has very fine fur anyway), but no bleeding or anything, just skin showing. He isn't scratching much, just a lot of licking. I know this diet will take awhile to show relief, and I do not want to get another cortisone shot for him. He has had three since Sept., and it really scares me to do another (after the last, he was real sluggish acting, not running, playing, etc. like his normal self for a few days). So, my question is does anyone know of something I could do to help give him some relief? He is a super sweet, loving kitty, and he does get scared of new things, so I just don't think I could put a cone or Eliz. collar on him. Any input would be appreciated it!
Bobby
and the Gang

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Is this an improvement from how he was before?
You can ask your vet for antihistamine pills, to use it for a while, until her body gets rid of the problem food/toxins from before.

Yes, this is an improvement from before. Other times, he was biting and pulling his hair out, now he is just licking. Before it would be bacially none stop, now I would say he stops maybe twice an hour and licks for a few seconds. This time, he is still running, playing etc. I feel like I want his own body to take over and adjust, but I don't know if that is rational of me.

Originally Posted by bfish29

Yes, this is an improvement from before. Other times, he was biting and pulling his hair out, now he is just licking. Before it would be bacially none stop, now I would say he stops maybe twice an hour and licks for a few seconds. This time, he is still running, playing etc. I feel like I want his own body to take over and adjust, but I don't know if that is rational of me.

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The problem with that is that the more he licks, the more it itches... and so on... (kind of when we have an itch.. we don't really want to scratch it; it makes it worst). I would ask for antihistamines from your vet... Even if to use for a week or two, until his skin heals, I think it would help him a lot.

Thank you sooo much. I will get them for him tomorrow. My vet is very familiar with his case of course, so she will just have me pick them up tomorrow.
Thanks again

Hi there, just following up on your kitty... How is he doing?

I have a cat that does that due to flea allergies. I hope the new diet worked. If not I would start trying just one food at a time, it sounds like you are trying several foods all at once. Good luck!

Good Morning,
The vet gave me "chlor-histamine" 1/2 tablet, twice a day. My vet recommended this because it is one of the mildest ones, and it won't make him sleep, anything stronger would make him sleepy she says. He is still running, playing with his brother as normal now. It is working to prevent so much licking, but he does start licking some right before it is time for his pill, and then it subsides within 20-30 minutes. Between pills, he may lick/scratch 3-4 times, which is a big improvement! He hasn't eaten anything except the wholesome goodeness chicken (wet) twice a day, and free feed the NB allergey formula dry (chicken) since 02/12, so it is too soon to see if this diet is working, I am thinking there should be a change around March 1st. (?). We also had a beautiful weekend here in Myrtle Beach ( temp 65), so he spent a lot of time on the screened-in porch, and when he is out there, he is so busy watching the birds, etc., he doesn't lick/scratch AT ALL. Thanks again for your concerns!
Bobby
and the Gang

I have seen improvement in a few days to a few weeks ...

I must say, that if it weren't for the histamine pills, he would be the same, if not worse! I was under the impression I wouldn't see any change due to the diet for at least 4 weeks or so??? Should I continue with this same diet change?

Originally Posted by bfish29

I must say, that if it weren't for the histamine pills, he would be the same, if not worse! I was under the impression I wouldn't see any change due to the diet for at least 4 weeks or so???

Should I continue with this same diet change?

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yes ... I usually saw some changes within a week, slight but still there..

allergy food trials are 6-12 weeks to GET all the old food out of the system which takes 30-90 days depending who you believe and how severe the issue is

I would say that I have seen changes over the past week, even without the histamine pills, his licking/scratching was much less severe then before I changed his diet. Like I said, licking/scratching is very minimium now, except for an hour or so before time for his pill, and he does do some "belly licking". I do feel stubble on his sides and front legs, which I think is hair coming back . I only hope it is the diet and not the pills causing this change. I will continue with this diet, which March 12 will be four weeks.

I am glad that he is doing better, that is great!