Hey I was looking for a grain-free food for my cat who has problems with her eyes and cat acne (see my other thread about it).  Problem is I live in France and no one in the pet store has ever heard of grain-free pet food.  They said to try the vet.  The vet has never heard of it either and said that animals having allergy to grain is very rare.   They did have a bag of prescription science diet for allergies.  I don't know all whats in it because apparently they don't have to list all the ingredients on anything in France.  It lists "cereals" first but doesnt say which cereals.  Farther down it says "carbohydrate source- rice"  so I know theres rice in it, maybe thats the only grain?  Anyway if she is allergic to grains (I don't know if she is or not) Will this food help her?  Or do I need to order grain-free food online, and if so any links the most inexpensive price and lowest shipping rates would be appreciated.

We have a couple of members here from France. I'll bump this up in hopes that they see this, and will also try to contact them to help you with your question.

Take a look at zooplus.fr. They have a couple of grain-free foods, for instance Grau Menu gourmand sans céréales, Carny or Bozita wet, as well as Orijen and Acana dry.

Dinah, I have pm'd you. I would also suggest ordering from zooplus France. They have a choice. Or get Royal Canin hypo-allergenic from the vet, but it is very expensive. If you do not know whether your cat is allergic to grain, can the vet test her? I had my Wellington tested a few months ago with a skin biopsy which was a simple procedure. It might be worth doing before you start out on an expensive diet that might or might not work. Has feline herpes been ruled out as a cause of eye infections? L-lysine can help with that. Good luck, and pm me again if I can help.

The "generic" zooplus site (zooplus.com) has the ingredients listed in English, if that helps.

Grau Gourmet Grain-Free
Animonda Carny
Bozita Chunks in Jelly
Orijen Cat Food
Acana Cat Food
Taste of the Wild

Almo nature and Applaws also have grain-free wet, but are very pricey.

There's free shipping for orders of >€29. I've been ordering from the German site for over a decade, and delivery is usually within 2 - 3 days, sometimes sooner.

Jamie had a problem with feline hyperethesia and rodent ulcers till he was switched to grain-free, but many of the wet varieties are supplemental, not complete foods. We had him tested for food allergies when he was a kitten, so >12 years ago, and the blood samples were sent to a lab in France IIRC, so you should ask about that. It was extremely expensive at the time because it was a relatively new procedure. He's allergic to soy and beet pulp, which many foods contain.

Unless your cat has an allergy to grain, grain is NOT the problem.  It's the freshness of the grain that's the question.  Grain that is spoiled can be a huge problem, but high-quality food with fresh high-quality grain is no problem for most cats.  Cats in the wild eat almost all of the prey they catch, including the, uh, stomach contents, most of which will be grains in rodents, their preferred prey.  If you absolutely can't feed your cat anything containing grain, you'll probably have to prepare your own cat food at home, but be sure you obtain and include in correct proportion, the vitamins, minerals and other elements a cat needs for good health (you can research this online).

Momofmany said:

We have a couple of members here from France. I'll bump this up in hopes that they see this, and will also try to contact them to help you with your question.
 

Click to expand...

jcat said:

Take a look at zooplus.fr. They have a couple of grain-free foods, for instance Grau Menu gourmand sans céréales, Carny or Bozita wet, as well as Orijen and Acana dry.

Click to expand...

Awesome will definately look there.  Thanks so much
 

jennyranson said:

Dinah, I have pm'd you. I would also suggest ordering from zooplus France. They have a choice. Or get Royal Canin hypo-allergenic from the vet, but it is very expensive. If you do not know whether your cat is allergic to grain, can the vet test her? I had my Wellington tested a few months ago with a skin biopsy which was a simple procedure. It might be worth doing before you start out on an expensive diet that might or might not work. Has feline herpes been ruled out as a cause of eye infections? L-lysine can help with that. Good luck, and pm me again if I can help.

Click to expand...

Thanks Jenny you have been a huge help.  As far as allergy testing, wouldn't it be just as effective (to find out whether or not shes allergic to grain) to feed her a bag of grain-free food and see if her symptoms improve?  I will ask my hubby to call and check on how much testing would cost.  Feline herpes has not been ruled out but we've already tried the lysine and it doesn't help
 

jcat said:

The "generic" zooplus site (zooplus.com) has the ingredients listed in English, if that helps.
Grau Gourmet Grain-Free
Animonda Carny
Bozita Chunks in Jelly
Orijen Cat Food
Acana Cat Food
Taste of the Wild
Almo nature and Applaws also have grain-free wet, but are very pricey.
There's free shipping for orders of >€29. I've been ordering from the German site for over a decade, and delivery is usually within 2 - 3 days, sometimes sooner.
Jamie had a problem with feline hyperethesia and rodent ulcers till he was switched to grain-free, but many of the wet varieties are supplemental, not complete foods. We had him tested for food allergies when he was a kitten, so >12 years ago, and the blood samples were sent to a lab in France IIRC, so you should ask about that. It was extremely expensive at the time because it was a relatively new procedure. He's allergic to soy and beet pulp, which many foods contain.

Click to expand...

This is great info, thanks so much   

p.s. I didn't know they could even do allergy testing on animals until a few days ago.  Thats cool, hopefully not so expensive anymore
 

Tarasgirl06 said:

Unless your cat has an allergy to grain, grain is NOT the problem.  It's the freshness of the grain that's the question.  Grain that is spoiled can be a huge problem, but high-quality food with fresh high-quality grain is no problem for most cats.  Cats in the wild eat almost all of the prey they catch, including the, uh, stomach contents, most of which will be grains in rodents, their preferred prey.  If you absolutely can't feed your cat anything containing grain, you'll probably have to prepare your own cat food at home, but be sure you obtain and include in correct proportion, the vitamins, minerals and other elements a cat needs for good health (you can research this online).

Click to expand...

We do not know if she has an allergy to grain or not that is why I want to try out a grain free food and see if it makes a difference.  Her vet in the U.S. had told us to switch her to grain-free, he thinks it will help her I guess.  Your point about the stomach contents of prey is a very good one. 

 

I found the ingredients of the food we got from the vet, what do you guys think?  This stuff is extremely expensive! 26 euros for 2 kg.  I want to order taste of the wild from that site you guys mentioned but it says they are out of stock until November

Prescription Diet[emoji]174[/emoji]
z/d[emoji]174[/emoji] Feline Low Allergen

Adverse reaction to food

Food allergy and intolerance are potentially serious problems that can result in sensitive or irritated skin, coat and ear conditions or even gastrointestinal upset. Cats that have a food allergy or intolerance, also called adverse reactions to food, typically experience an abnormal response to the protein in the food. If your cat suffers from adverse reactions to food, it is even more important to feed the right food.

At Hill's, nutritionists and veterinarians have developed clinical nutrition especially formulated to help manage your cat's dietary sensitivity and help reduce the possibility of adverse reactions to food.

Ingredients

Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Hydrolyzed Chicken, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Powdered Cellulose, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, Iodized Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

Thanks.  Sure do hope you're able to find a good diet that's easy on your cat!!!

Be aware that Hills Z/D Dry is LOW allergen, and not hypoallergenic - note the very first ingredient: Brewers Rice, not only a grain, but a known allergen - not the worst, but nonetheless, an allergen. The wet is hypoallergenic and should do a better job, if they carry it.

Now, you can also try a raw diet - that means feeding raw meat......... if it is allergy, you will beat it. IMHO the best diet for the kitty. However - not an easy diet.... it requires time, research and care. I am having wonderful results on my cats from it..... One of my kitties is giving me a run for my money :lol3: but we will get there.
More information here, if you have the curiosity: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240809/raw-feeding-resource-thread

But yes, if you decide to do Z/D, go with the wet - it will be your best bet

If you really want to try out with the allergy route go for Royal Canin Hyperallergenic - made in France and all vets carry it. But I would get a test done.

jennyranson said:

If you really want to try out with the allergy route go for Royal Canin Hyperallergenic - made in France and all vets carry it. But I would get a test done.

Click to expand...

Hmm, the vet we go to doesn't carry it.

Any vet can order it, if they want to.