best food for sensitive tummies?

krickette

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
79
Purraise
0
Location
Louisiana
OK, I have 2 girls, Zoot Suit and Riot. Both were strays, I got Riot at around 8 weeks and Zoot around 6 months. I've had Riot for 2 years, and Zoot for 1.
Zoot is overweight, she weighs around 12 lbs. So she's not morbidly obese, but is obviously chunky.
Riot is very lean. She's a bit taller than Zoot and weighs around 9 lbs.
Riot throws up constantly. Its mostly regurgitation. She leaves me lots of surprises. I've swapped to more and more expensive foods and so far nothing has fixed it for long. Just switched to iams sensitive systems and she wolfed some down, turned around, And vomited. She hasn't thrown up since but I am not getting my hopes up.
the other problem is that the two cats have different needs. I can't figure out how to feed separately. I put Riots food on the entertainment center, since Zoot we think has CH and has trouble getting up there. But Riot can get to Zoots no matter where we put it. I dunno what to do.
is there a food that will be good for Riot and not make Zoot megafat?
 

minka

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
2,437
Purraise
49
Location
Denton, Texas
Feeding separately is as easy as closing a door.


Iams isn't a great food in general or for sensitive tummies, so don't bother with it.

There are several things that could be causing the throwing up:
Hairballs - easy fix, brush more often and give hairball helper
Meat allergy - use non-typical meats, quail, duck, venison, etc
Grain allergy - grain-free foods are made by many brands, just check the label to make sure there is no maze, oatmeal or barley as well
Difficulties digesting carbs - least likely, but either a raw diet or low carb diet (no grains, veggies, fruits, nothing besides meat in the food) will fix it


First I want to commend you for addressing your cat's weight.
A lot of cat owners (and pet owners in general) are in denial about their cats weight and ignore that it is unhealthy for them, so I am happy you are worried about Zoot's well-being.

I don't know if you free-feed, but if you do, that is a huge factor. No matter what food you buy, free-feeding promotes weight gain because the food is always there, able to be eaten even when the cat is not hungry. Secondly, I would switch to canned food. It is great in three ways:
Low in carbs - cats can't use them properly and they are basically just turned straight into fat
High in moisture - especially good for keeping overweight cats properly hydrated, preventing kidney and other urinary issues (which = $$$)
Reduced portions - canned food leaves cats fuller and eating smaller meals, actually saves money for you

You should be able to find a canned food that will actually work for both cats, so you don't have to worry about keeping track of two different ones: example - Natural Balance LID foods are low-carb, canned, grain-free And non-typical meats


Good luck and the names you gave your cats are awesome. ;D
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

krickette

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
79
Purraise
0
Location
Louisiana
Thanks SO much! That's very helpful, I think they sell that at the olde wheat barn.
Out of curiosity, if I were to take her to a vet would They be able to determine what in particular she might be allergic to? I am a poor college kid, and while I do keep money aside for vet calls, its just for emergencies. Once I get a real job I'll be able to take her in for things like this.... just not yet, haha.
 

minka

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
2,437
Purraise
49
Location
Denton, Texas
Originally Posted by Krickette

Thanks SO much! That's very helpful, I think they sell that at the olde wheat barn.
Out of curiosity, if I were to take her to a vet would They be able to determine what in particular she might be allergic to? I am a poor college kid, and while I do keep money aside for vet calls, its just for emergencies. Once I get a real job I'll be able to take her in for things like this.... just not yet, haha.
I understand, I too am a 'poor college kid'. XP

I don't know for sure if vets can tell, but I assume its similar to how they would test for allergies in humans. I know they can't tell by symptoms, but I assume they have a feeding test or something similar.
 

followedbydolls

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
504
Purraise
1
Location
Where the fur flies
My youngest indoor cat is quite sensitive in the tummy as well. I have pretty much found a trial and error approach in which feeds he tolerates best.

If you have allergy concerns that is something i would dicuss with a vet. It is hard in a multiple cat household to address each cats indiviual needs, but this is what i do....

For my 3 indoor i actually offer several dry options, i notice certain feeds appeal to some more than others.. i am a free choice feeder here, i am of the mindset that cats are 'grazers' eating many small meals per day and i have witnessed this style of eating with all the cats i have owned over the decades. I do not have any weight concerns here though, i would suggest a search on the topic as i am sure there are others who have had to address this issue before.

I do offer wet food here as well, i also find when it comes to that certain cats prefer different styles to others ie; chunky or loaf(pate) etc.. so even then i have offered different types to different cats


It is possible to get everyone what they need but it definitely takes a bit more juggling and tweaking to get down what works best for the multi-cat household.

Good luck!
 

misstorri

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2005
Messages
429
Purraise
10
Location
nj
Im having the same problem with one of my cats. He's fine with his dry food but he gets sick immediatley after eatting wet. He'll actually take a few bites and get sick on his plate. At 1st I stopped giving him anything seafood, then the vet said to sick to 1 protein so I tried chicken (he can eat boiled chicken) and thats still not working. Its almost like its a texture thing for him. I want him to eat more wet food b/c its better for them but Im at a total loss. If you find something let me know. I havent found a wet food for sensitive tummys yet.
 

wendi dawn

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
May 16, 2011
Messages
1
Purraise
0
Location
Ontario, Canada
I understand your problem with different cats with different eating issues. I have 2 cats that don't handle food well. I also have one over weight cat, a piglet of a kitten and 2 that eat normally. LOL!! I feed them all together in the morning (and alot of the time I have to clean up vomit from my one cat right after). Then I keep a container of food upstairs in my room so that everytime I go up there I give the 2 cats that don't eat enough--small amounts of food. They seem to be able to stomach that ok. Just don't give in and feed any of the others there or they will follow you to that spot everytime. They are smart little things. If you can't get them alone...close the door of the room that you feed them in....in my case...the bedroom. Just try to figure how much each will eat at a meal and only put that on their plate so hopefully the other cat doesn't get any left overs..and when ever possible..beat him to it and put it away.Good luck. Wendi
 
Top