Cat Food Allergies?

Does anyone have experience with cat food allergies and possibly any tips?

I posted about our cat, Naku, here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240052/vibes-needed-for-naku and the issues we have been having throughout the week. I am now thinking that he could possibly be having food allergies of some sort?

Just to sum up: Starting Christmas day he started having slight diahrea. Throughout the week he was still himself and eating as usual. New Years morning, he started puking and there was blood in the puke. Took him to the ER, they gave him 3 different meds. He did ok for a little bit and then Tuesday night he started puking again (no blood). Wednesday, took him the vet, they switched him off of one med (because they thought it was causing puking) and switched him to Cisapride treats. They gave him an IV drip and anti-nausea medicine in his drip and we has ok, for 24 hours. Now we are back to where we started on Tuesday.

His diet since we got him on November 1: AM he gets wet food (Soulistic, Weruva, and Friskies -- all chicken or turkey flavors) ... PM he gets dry good Before Grain Chicken. He has been an over-groomer since the day we brought him home and he itches, A LOT. We typically don't give them fish, but the day before Christmas Eve, they got a fish flavored food (can't remember which brand) and then around the same time, we figured we would try and see if he would heat Natural Balance Duck and Pea (he nibbled a little).

The vet recommended wet, since he was losing fluids being sick. We have been sticking to wet. We tried some of the Friskies we had on hand and he barely touched it and/or would puke. Same thing with the Weruva now. They were all chicken/duck flavors  -- So, does anyone have any cats with chicken or just plain 'ol poultry allergies?

We gave him one of Weruva's fish flavored foods lastnight (no poultry in it) and he spit up around 7AM (mostly just liquid) and then he just spit up this afternoon (shortly after eating duck).

Anyone who has a cat with food allergies, can you tell me if you experienced anything similar? I am at a loss, and after 2 vet visits and a WHOLE lot of money, it seems we are still sitting at square one.

Update.. we fed him some NB L.I.D Venison and Green Pea and he hasn't vomited.

There are definitely people on this site who have cats with food allergies, and I'm hoping they will be along soon to advise you.  In the meantime, the best thing to do, IMO, is to keep trying different foods until you find something that works, like you have done. 

mrsgreenjeens said:

There are definitely people on this site who have cats with food allergies, and I'm hoping they will be along soon to advise you.  In the meantime, the best thing to do, IMO, is to keep trying different foods until you find something that works, like you have done. 

Click to expand...

Thanks! I wrote down a ton of foods after researching online and went and grabbed some different flavors. My pet store carries Evo 95% Venison 13.2oz cans for only $3.08, which is a tad cheaper than what I usually pay for wet, so hopefully he will like that venison as much as NB's. I also grabbed some beef flavors and fish flavors.

As far as dry goes, that was interesting trying to find one that was grain free (preferably) with no chicken, as similar price to BG Chicken. I ended up getting TOTW Canyon River. Considering Esme was loving up against the bag, I think it will be a hit in the house. Hopefully Naku takes to it eventually, when I start incorporating dry into his diet for half days. (They usually get wet in the AM and dry in the PM)

Still a little baffled...

I fed Naku some Salmon treats lastnight (confirmed no poultry) and he puked within 10 minutes. He had some NB L.I.D Salmon the other night with no reaction (although, he didn't seem real interested in it and barely touched it). He has been barely touching the Venison, but I gave him some Steak Frites by Weruva this morning and no reaction. So.. I at least know that poultry is still a no go, and I guess fish is still questionable at this point.

I'm glad he is back to eating at least!

Cats can become sensitized to different ingredients if fed the same foods for an extended period of time. I would try a couple of things for your boy.

First, I'd get rid of all kibble. There is lots of evidence linking it to numerous problems, including urinary tract diseases and cancer, and it does nothing good for the cat.

Second, I'd drop all fish from your boy's diet. It's a known allergen for many cats and can also contribute to potential urinary tract issues.

Third, I'd start feeding your kitty a rotation of canned foods. Everything he can hold down right now, and slowly expand that as you can (I would try adding Nature's Logic to the list of what you just bought immediately. That food contains *zero* synthetic vitamins, minerals or additives and is a good one, especially for cats suffering from digestive ills). This will keep him from becoming fixated on any one product (a problem if they change or stop producing it) and protect him from potential quality control issues by diluting their impact. Since, as I said, cats can develop hypersensitivity when continually exposed to the same proteins or ingredients for extended periods, it will also help prevent food intolerance issues (and the associated diarrhea and vomiting).

Dr. Hofve has a great article with even more reasons for rotating foods: Switching Foods.

Of course, you could always try switching to raw, either commercial or home-prepared; it has solved a lot of problems for other cat parents.

Best regards.

AC

I haven't heard of vomiting or colon problems coming from allergies, but I could be wrong. My cat just gets itchy and chews all his fur down if he gets the wrong protein. Either way though, I would stick with the LID wet food you found and see how it goes.

Auntie Crazy said:

Cats can become sensitized to different ingredients if fed the same foods for an extended period of time. I would try a couple of things for your boy.

First, I'd get rid of all kibble. There is lots of evidence linking it to numerous problems, including urinary tract diseases and cancer, and it does nothing good for the cat.

Second, I'd drop all fish from your boy's diet. It's a known allergen for many cats and can also contribute to potential urinary tract issues.

Third, I'd start feeding your kitty a rotation of canned foods. Everything he can hold down right now, and slowly expand that as you can (I would try adding Nature's Logic to the list of what you just bought immediately. That food contains *zero* synthetic vitamins, minerals or additives and is a good one, especially for cats suffering from digestive ills). This will keep him from becoming fixated on any one product (a problem if they change or stop producing it) and protect him from potential quality control issues by diluting their impact. Since, as I said, cats can develop hypersensitivity when continually exposed to the same proteins or ingredients for extended periods, it will also help prevent food intolerance issues (and the associated diarrhea and vomiting).

Dr. Hofve has a great article with even more reasons for rotating foods: Switching Foods.

Of course, you could always try switching to raw, either commercial or home-prepared; it has solved a lot of problems for other cat parents.

Best regards.

AC

Click to expand...

Thanks! I was able to find some Nature's Logic food at the pet store I go, so I will start to mix those in. He is back to his normal appetite, no puking, and his stools are back to normal, so I think we are doing alright now. He is on a rotation of venison, beef, lamb, rabbit, and some fish, here and there.