Opinions on Nature's Variety Instinct?

Was pondering trying Nature's Variety Instinct Lamb Formula Canned Cat Food as part of new elimination suspected allergy trail. It lists eggs and peas though, was kinda wishing to avoid that. Done NB chicken to turkey to duck LID to a year of Venison LID, running out of new protein sources.

Ingredients
Lamb, Lamb Liver, Lamb Broth, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Eggs, Tricalcium Phosphate, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

Are you sure you are dealing with true allergies? sounds like intolerances and you may be able to try an old source again/...

I avoid lamb as it can cause inflammation do to how it digests ....

otherwise this is a solid formula but I found NV instict to be dry and crumbly thus many kitties stop eating about 1/2 way thru the bag

This would be wet, he does not like dry. He licks, scratches, has nonstop ear infections, his ears turn red now after eating. Yet his stool and overall skin is fine, does not usually vomit so I believe that is allergy instead of intolerance. Blue Buffalo Wilderness I believe is all poultry and one fish, otherwise I would try that more easily. Royal Canin I suppose is an option.

Have you had the ear stuff checked for yeast and bacteria?

The last culture in May was Yeast, bacteria and fungus. A little bit of everything they said. I bought the rabbit formula today to slowly mix in and change over. If he still has issues after 60 days I know its not the protein. No way I am going to believe he is allergic to chicken, turkey,duck, venison and rabbit. It has to be something mixed in, like the carbs or non food related. I have to do something. Ear inflammation and redness, nonstop black gunk every 48hrs has really increased the last six weeks with cleaning making it more sore.

Wysong just came out with a NO Starch/ No grain.. IMHO try looking for low starch foods, yeast typically feeds off starch and carbs

also yoet abot zymox . in my house it worked some small mircles

Okay, am I as confused as ever. I cant tell if I am helping my cat transition to this new food or killing him. His left upper lib is red and swollen. I remember him scratching there in the last 24 hours. Could be from that, could be an allergy to this new rabbit food that is even worse then his allergy to Venison and Green Pea NB he has been on for 8 months.
I thought this was working, very early mind you but his regular diet of Venison and Green Pea diet did make his stomach spasm and he would swallow twice fast like trying to avoid vomiting the last two weeks. As the portions for this new rabbit one took over in transition, he scratched less, no stomach upset yet but he also licks his paws and rubs them over his lips.
What do I do, continue to feed him this just as he is about to transition to the new diet fully and watch for it to get worse? Or do I give up on this already and go back to Venison? Its like russian roulette with this cat. Vet is not back till 8th and made a point she will be very booked first few days back from holiday.

Says 95 percent Rabbit/Pork Liver and only 5 percent is all that vegetable stuff. I see the carrots and peas easier with this brand and just take them out.
Rabbit, Pork Liver, Water, Flaxseed, Tricalcium Phosphate, Peas, Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley

this is one for the vet.. Something to think about... not only can the meat cause reaction but what the meat ate... rabbit likely veggies and grass but a pig can eat meat, root veggies, grains

Yeah, that would be the same for his old venison too right? What a deer ate, chicken ate, etc? Sorry be debbie downer I just cant win here. I also wonder if it could be the allegra, he started swallowing alot when we started that a week ago but I was told dry mouth is a symptom. His energy level is amazing on this rabbit brand. I think it needs to get little bit worse before I give up and completely blame it. Knowing the vet its $100 with a well it could be this, it could be that and walking out like usual with no real answers. I need to learn not panic so quickly, thanks for letting me vent.

Nature's Variety Instincts are one of the very few brands of commercially-produced canned products I would feed my cats if I couldn't feed fresh foods.

With all the products you've tried, it does sound as if it might be an additive ingredient rather than a protein source that's causing your kitty's problems, though. Have you tried him on just plain fresh meat? Chicken and turkey are both good starter meats. You can't feed a cat plain meat indefinitely, but a couple of days would at least help you pinpoint if it's really a protein-source issue or if it's something else.

Sounds like you and your poor baby have been through a lot! <<<hugs!>>>

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Chicken and turkey are both good starter meats. You can't feed a cat plain meat indefinitely, but a couple of days would at least help you pinpoint if it's really a protein-source issue or if it's something else.

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I was thinking of a home cooked meat only diet next but I hear I need 8-12 weeks with elimination to be sure. Can a cat just eat cooked chicken that long with nothing else ? So much guessing with supposed allergies makes me feel like its 1910 not 2010 as far as science goes. He was found with very dark bacterial ears 2 years ago when he was likely 6 weeks old, maybe no matter what we do this is how he is.

Originally Posted by madara

I was thinking of a home cooked meat only diet next but I hear I need 8-12 weeks with elimination to be sure. Can a cat just eat cooked chicken that long with nothing else ? So much guessing with supposed allergies makes me feel like its 1910 not 2010 as far as science goes. He was found with very dark bacterial ears 2 years ago when he was likely 6 weeks old, maybe no matter what we do this is how he is.

Click to expand...

Don't feed your kitty cooked anything. Cooking the meat destroys all the wonderful enzymes and nutrients cats thrive on (this is why commercial products have so many additives - they have to replace what the "preparation process" removes).

In any case, no, I wouldn't feed a meat-only diet for more than a couple of days. If your kitty takes to a raw diet, however, there's no reason not to switch him over completely (see this TCS thread for raw-fed info: Natural Diet Info Resources).

I'm curious, why would you need two to three months to figure out if the cat is allergic to something? If a single feeding causes a "flare-up", then it would seem a couple of days should be sufficient to see if there is, or isn't, a reaction?

Don't give up! What might seem insurmountable today may just be waiting on a single piece of info to be thoroughly worked out tomorrow.

BTW - what's the kitty's name?

TCS has a Whole sub forum for homemade( which if supplemented and the meat cooked right is perfectly okay) ... Please consult the vet before venturing into diet change land... According to my vet plain meat is a up to a week diet ( cooked or raw )

The true digestive issues take 2-3 months as that is how long the old food stay s in some regard in the system... Think cellular level ... that is why allergy trials are or should be no less than 6-8 weeks ( some say 45 days for the complete cleanse but the majority say 60-90 days)...

A flare up with one feeding sounds like far more than a simple intolerance or food allergy ... actually sounds similar to a anaphalatic reaction which truely only the vet is qualified to handle ( ie No one here has the expertise for that)....

Do you have access to wysong? I ask as they now have a Starch free formula , as most cats are having protein issues with the starch or grain not the meat

He started on this for the first six months until he was vomiting twice a week and had some recurring ear issues but nothing like how bad it is now.
NB:
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Ground Brown Rice, Eggs, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Guar Gum, Taurine, Dried Cranberries, Carrageenan, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement

Next, scratching head begins and ear issues continue escalate past two months on this:
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Chicken Liver, Poultry Giblets, Carrots, Ground Brown Rice, Salmon Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Dried Cranberries, Carrageenan, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

Finally we move to Limited NB, no grains, etc for six months, wasn't until the end with the relentess ear issue that the Vet thought well avoid all bird products.
Duck, Duck Broth, Duck Liver, Pea Flour, Pea Protein, Salmon Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Sodium Chloride, Flaxseed, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Cranberries, Carrageenan, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

This was the last one that seemed to work the best the longest but three months ago the scratching the face, close to the eyes and under the chin and licking the paws and the ears turning red immediately upon digest happened.
Venison, Venison Broth, Venison Liver, Pea Flour, Venison Meal, Salmon Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Kelp, Flaxseed, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Methionine, Taurine, Parsley, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Chloride, Dried Cranberries, Carrageenan, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

This week I tried as this thread mentioned Rabbit Variety 95 percentage Rabbit and Pork Liver, no grains. I stopped as of yesterday as his upper lip is hot red and swollen and white bumps are inside. Can't really say if it was this or the allegra he has been on for ten days but I stopped both. Heck I even stopped the seafood flavor toothpaste, his teeth tartar looks bad. That is what I hate about all this and I doubt the Vet can tell me which one of those it was be it new food, old diet finally escalating, week of allegra or the toothpaste, always guessing, no solid answers. Back on NB Venison. At least his stool are always very solid, only goes every 48hrs though.


Rabbit, Pork Liver, Water, Ground Flaxseeds, Tricalcium Phosphate, Montmorillonite Clay, Peas, Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

Honestly at this point I dont see how any other wet can brand will offer anything that different from NB limited and NVI. He goes to the vet for the sixth time in 6 weeks on Friday to address the lip and recheck of ears, why the volume of bacteria-yeast-fungus is not as high as in the past yet he cant sleep long without waking to shake head and so much inflammation. Waiting on Zymox that is suppose be side effect free which amazon says will take awhile to ship. He hated and would not eat Wellness or much of Z/D Script food either, he stops eating during any to dry food transition. He just turned 2, way too young for all these issues, if he would start to bleed all over from the skin and still have monthly ear issues thats is my limit and the quality of his life would need addressing besides my limited pocket book.

Wow, Madara, you two have really been through a lot.

I would urge you to try plain raw meats for a few days; maybe quail? Although it might not "clear his system entirely", it might at least give his body a break from fighting off new flare-ups and/or help you narrow down the culprit a bit more.

Fish isn't really good for cats and is a known allergen (I'm surprised your vet didn't pick up on this); I think it's good you stopped with the toothpaste for now.

I really feel for you guys. Major, major kudos to you for all you've done for your little buddy!