Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal High Energy Food

misty8723 · Jun 22, 2011

The vet says this is a "bland" diet good for tummy issues

Chicken meal, chicken fat, brown rice, corn gluten meal, rice, wheat gluten, powdered cellulose, natural flavors, dried egg product, dried beet pulp, potassium chloride, fish oil, sodium silico aluminate, calcium sulfate, brewers dried yeast, sodium bisulfate, psyllium seed husk, DL-methionine, fructooligosaccharides, monosodium phosphate, monocalcium
phosphate, vegetable oil, L-lysine, hydrolyzed yeast, taurine, choline chloride, vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], magnesium oxide, marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), trace minerals [zinc oxide, zinc
proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite] , rosemary extract, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols and citric acid.

I don't like the fact that it has corn gluten and wheat gluten, which I've been going out of my way to avoid since the recall.

Is that really better for him than the stuff I'm giving him now? Is it really good for him to eat this?

stephanietx · Jun 22, 2011

We had to put Tumbles on this several months ago for uncontrolled diarrhea. His little tummy couldn't handle the Taste of the Wild dry we were feeding him. It was a god-send! He only gets about 1/4 C or so a day now, though. Most of his nourishment is wet food, EVO and Wellness, both grain free. Also, we now mix the Gastro HE with some TOTW dry and he's tolerating it very well.

alicatjoy · Jun 22, 2011

I'm sorry you're having to go through some tummy issues with your kitty. I have been there and it can be a very frustrating and upsetting time for all involved -- cat and owner alike. But, I do think you and your vet are on the right track when considering introducing a bland diet to assist with gastrointestinal distress (whether it be vomiting, diarrhea, or the like).

The Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy diet your vet is suggesting is, in my experience, a solid option when dealing with a cat with stomach and intestinal issues. Veterinary diets, often times, do have ingredients that, for the most part, many try to avoid. However, the diet itself serves a purpose that overshadows the "less savory" ingredients. In many cases, the veterinary diet's benefit overshadows its risk. And, risk, in this case, is the addition of corn gluten and wheat gluten products in the food.

I work in a veterinary clinic and the vets that I work for very frequently suggest this Royal Canin food as well as the Hill's I/D food for cats that are suffering from gastrointestinal issues. Many of our clients question the food -- just as you're doing here. And, in almost all instances, the vet does state that the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. I am the first to agree that the ingredients are not the best. But, while I don't have a cat on this particular food at this time, I have used it and I also have a cat with allergies on the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic diet. I don't love the ingredients, but my cat no longer has painful, itchy lesions all over his body. So, for him, I don't care so much about the ingredients as I do that he is happy and healthy.

Since you do have concerns, I would suggest discussing things with your veterinarian. There may be other options out there. And, perhaps, this may not be the best option for you. But, I would urge you to set aside your preconceived notions about this food in favor of looking at what it can bring to the table -- for both you and your kitty. I'm not gung ho on veterinary diets and think that there are times where they are overused. However, if it is something that can help, even for a short time, then I do believe that prescription diets serve a very important purpose. I know having my cats on these diets, when necessary, has been a God-send. And, I've seen the same improvement in many other pets through my work. But, please, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with your vet. And, most importantly, don't be afraid to ask questions.

I know switching from a high quality food to a prescription diet can be off-putting in the sense that many veterinary diets do contain items that we, as a general rule, may try to avoid. But, remember, these foods are available for a reason and they do offer benefits. So, in that end, I would remind you to keep an open mind and begin a dialogue with your vet. Regardless of the end result, good luck and please keep us updated on how both you and your kitty are doing.

misty8723 · Jun 22, 2011

Thank you for the good advice. I do intend on trying this diet on Swanie to see if his tummy issues clear up. Basically, what is going on right now is that he is having very soft poos. Its not really diarrhea, but its definitely not what I'm used to seeing from him.

Both cats were doing really well on California Natural, but I got worried when P&G bought them and - once I got low on the bags I'd bought to stock up when I first heard it - started switching them to Natural Balance Ultra. That seemed like it might be close in formula to Cal Natural. Anyway, I'm sure his current problems are in relation to that switch. I've considered going back to Cal Natural and hoping for the best, but I'll see how it goes with this Royal Canin first, and hopefully he will eat it.

I definitely want to do what's best for him - but I freak out when I see wheat gluten, knowing that it was wheat gluten that killed all those cats a few years ago.

stephanietx · Jun 22, 2011

That's what Tumbles was having, soft poops. Not runny or diarrhea, just soft and stinky!

sweetpea24 · Jun 22, 2011

U

Alison Joy;3079759 said:
I'm sorry you're having to go through some tummy issues with your kitty. I have been there and it can be a very frustrating and upsetting time for all involved -- cat and owner alike. But, I do think you and your vet are on the right track when considering introducing a bland diet to assist with gastrointestinal distress (whether it be vomiting, diarrhea, or the like).

The Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy diet your vet is suggesting is, in my experience, a solid option when dealing with a cat with stomach and intestinal issues. Veterinary diets, often times, do have ingredients that, for the most part, many try to avoid. However, the diet itself serves a purpose that overshadows the "less savory" ingredients. In many cases, the veterinary diet's benefit overshadows its risk. And, risk, in this case, is the addition of corn gluten and wheat gluten products in the food.

I work in a veterinary clinic and the vets that I work for very frequently suggest this Royal Canin food as well as the Hill's I/D food for cats that are suffering from gastrointestinal issues. Many of our clients question the food -- just as you're doing here. And, in almost all instances, the vet does state that the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. I am the first to agree that the ingredients are not the best. But, while I don't have a cat on this particular food at this time, I have used it and I also have a cat with allergies on the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic diet. I don't love the ingredients, but my cat no longer has painful, itchy lesions all over his body. So, for him, I don't care so much about the ingredients as I do that he is happy and healthy.

Since you do have concerns, I would suggest discussing things with your veterinarian. There may be other options out there. And, perhaps, this may not be the best option for you. But, I would urge you to set aside your preconceived notions about this food in favor of looking at what it can bring to the table -- for both you and your kitty. I'm not gung ho on veterinary diets and think that there are times where they are overused. However, if it is something that can help, even for a short time, then I do believe that prescription diets serve a very important purpose. I know having my cats on these diets, when necessary, has been a God-send. And, I've seen the same improvement in many other pets through my work. But, please, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with your vet. And, most importantly, don't be afraid to ask questions.

I know switching from a high quality food to a prescription diet can be off-putting in the sense that many veterinary diets do contain items that we, as a general rule, may try to avoid. But, remember, these foods are available for a reason and they do offer benefits. So, in that end, I would remind you to keep an open mind and begin a dialogue with your vet. Regardless of the end result, good luck and please keep us updated on how both you and your kitty are doing

I second this opinion. Im not a huge fan of rx foods but feed it until the problem resolves and meanwhile, find a food that agrees with your cat's tummy. It may result in a lot of trial and error and you might end up feeding an rx food anyway but if you are adamant about not feeding rx foods, this is what you'll have to do. Talk to your vet though.

Alison Joy, maybe you can provide some insight on something I've been wondering about with respect to the new gastro foods. I don't understand why there is no canned formulas for cats in the moderate calorie or low fat types. Also there is no moderate calorie canned for dogs. Would you know why this is? No one knows at my clinic. I would bet that the majority of indoor cats that we see are overweight and seeing as canned is the preferred diet for cats, why wouldn't they make the two varieties in canned?

Click to expand...

rhinelander wi · May 1, 2012

My cat started to have diarrhea after taking meds for a bad ear infection 2 yrs ago. The vet tried shots, diets and predisone....if it worked it was for a couple of days. The only thing that seemed to help was canned pumpkin so that put us on the high fiber track. So far this is the only food to work. So I am overlooking the warnings from the organic food people not to feed chicken meal. My cat is happy and not crappy. I limit it to 1/4 cup a day spread out. I don't allow my other cats to eat it as it will constipate them. Yes it is expensive ...ours was $36 for 8.8lb bag....but it will last a long time if you don't overfeed. Hope you try it. Remember to keep plenty of fresh water available.

patmerkel · Feb 11, 2014

I recently bought a bag of this stuff and it appears to create a HUGE amount of cat feces! If I just feed him Whiskas, as I have been doing for the past 17 years WITHOUT INCIDENT (my Vet tells me that me cat is in fantastic shape and my Vet can hardly believe that I don't feed my cat other than the Whiskas dry cat food). My cat eats and "poops" regularly - and he is not sick, does not have any pain in his joints, etc. In other words, he is in perfect shape for ANY age cat, not to mention that he is 18-years old.

Now when I gave him 4 only pieces (yes - that is right - only 4 pieces) of the Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Feline dry cat food and the very next day his feces has expanded like it was blown up by a balloon - nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but it does create a problem in that, as a result of this new cat food, his stool is so big - my cat does not even attempt to bury it in the litter box. I tell you, I can hardly believe the difference in size! His stool becomes the size of a dog's - a very large dog at that.

So I have gone back to the Whiskas and, sure enough, his stool - although regular enough - have returned to the normal "cat-size." He does bury that size of feces. It is important that he bury the feces because he "poops" near the front of the litter box and he runs the risk of stepping in it when he next uses the box. He usually does his "business" when we are asleep, so we can't remove it from the box right away. But if he buries it nicely, there is no problem.

Interestingly enough, when I feed him the Medi-Cal Low Calorie dry cat food - this expansion of the feces does not occur.

I think that I will just give him 3 or 4 pieces of the Low-Calorie dry cat food if he ever gets constipated, as sometimes he does on just the Whiskas. This loosens up his stool enough.

thanks for listening.

Pat Merkel

chasetheblue · Feb 11, 2014

My kittens were really sick when I first brought them home and this food was an absolute life saver for us!!! After a couple of weeks I was able to wean them onto food of my choice. I still have a couple of cans hanging around just in case lol.

As for moderate calorie gi food canned, it does exist. My vet first put my girls on this one, but it was impossible to find anywhere else (my vet is in a different town so hard to just run down to them) so I ended up changing to the high energy.

Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal High Energy Food

misty8723

TCS Member

Thread starter

stephanietx

TCS Member

alicatjoy

TCS Member

misty8723

TCS Member

Thread starter

stephanietx

TCS Member

sweetpea24

TCS Member

rhinelander wi

TCS Member

patmerkel

TCS Member

chasetheblue

TCS Member

Latest Posts

Connect with us