Telle's digestive issues

telle

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Telle is 2 years old. About a year ago she started having digestive issues--having to poop right after eating and loose stools. I cut out all dairy and switched her food (we were living with several roommates and another cat, so she was eating lots of things I wasn't giving her). She saw the vet several times and after lots of tests he declared her completely healthy. I trust my vet very much. The issue got a lot better after cutting out non-cat food and it didn't seem to be causing her pain, so I haven't been thinking about it much. She spends most of her daytime outside in the summer, so I haven't been able to monitor her poops (she got dewormed at the vet, and while she catches rodents, never eats them). Recently it's been cold, so she's been inside much of the time. She lost some weight this summer and I started to worry and research, and about a week ago switched her to a meat-based premium canned food with very little carbohydrate content. She's been having very loose stool, but not what I would term diarrhea. I hear this is normal with a switch to canned food, but I don't know when it's not okay.

What else can I do for poor Telle?? She is perfectly healthy and normal in terms of behavior, activity, and love. Am I right to wean out dry food? She LOVES canned food, so I'm wondering if she's eating too much at a time. The can suggests 1/2 a can per 6-8 lbs. She is 9lbs and has been getting 1/3 to 1/2 a can per day, spread over 2-3 feedings.

Thank you!!
 

carolina

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Telle is 2 years old. About a year ago she started having digestive issues--having to poop right after eating and loose stools. I cut out all dairy and switched her food (we were living with several roommates and another cat, so she was eating lots of things I wasn't giving her). She saw the vet several times and after lots of tests he declared her completely healthy. I trust my vet very much. The issue got a lot better after cutting out non-cat food and it didn't seem to be causing her pain, so I haven't been thinking about it much. She spends most of her daytime outside in the summer, so I haven't been able to monitor her poops (she got dewormed at the vet, and while she catches rodents, never eats them). Recently it's been cold, so she's been inside much of the time. She lost some weight this summer and I started to worry and research, and about a week ago switched her to a meat-based premium canned food with very little carbohydrate content. She's been having very loose stool, but not what I would term diarrhea. I hear this is normal with a switch to canned food, but I don't know when it's not okay.

What else can I do for poor Telle?? She is perfectly healthy and normal in terms of behavior, activity, and love. Am I right to wean out dry food? She LOVES canned food, so I'm wondering if she's eating too much at a time. The can suggests 1/2 a can per 6-8 lbs. She is 9lbs and has been getting 1/3 to 1/2 a can per day, spread over 2-3 feedings.

Thank you!!
Hi, I am sorry you are going through these troubles with your little one :hugs:

You are ever so lucky she loves canned food! It is SO much healthier for her! I would definitely cut the kibbles and go 100% wet.... :bigthumb:
Have you tried a completely grain free diet? Such as EVO? Or an limited ingredients diet.... such as Natural Balance?

Also, a good probiotic will help her greatly! Here is the one I use for my kitties, it works great: Natural Factors Probiotic
:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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matts mom

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Matt is 14lbs and 6oz is enough for him....the feeding guidelines are very generous, as i learned the hard way. matt is supposed to be 12lbs, and i fattened him up feeding according to the can's instructions. the 2-3 feedings sounds about right, that  is what works for matt's sensitive digestive system(which is also perfectly healthy) 

i finally figured out how much to feed him by calling my vets office.....i told them my food, and they figured out exactly what i needed to give him for his size, and activity level.
 

kittylover23

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Hi there! :wavey:

You are absolutely right to wean dry food - it contains too much plant matter (cats do not need this, anyways) and carbohydrates, and has low moisture content which is not good because cats have a low thirst drive (meaning they get most of their water intake from the food they eat). Canned food is much, much better for cats than dry food because it has a lower carbohydrate load and contains much more moisture.

You were right to eliminate dairy altogether - it is known for causing intestinal issues with cats, and it is simply a myth that cats drink milk. Most cats are in fact, lactose intolerant. One big issue with canned food is looking for a good brand; one without grains and not containing carrageenan. This is pretty hard to find, but I have narrowed it down to a few Weruva flavors that do not have carrageenan (gotta read the package to make sure) and Nature's Variety Instinct 95%.

But I have never heard of soft stools with a switch to canned food...and I have not experienced this with any of my cats when I switched over. What brand have you been feeding her (the dry food you have been previously feeding and the canned you are now feeding)?

:vibes::vibes::vibes: Great to meet you and welcome to TCS!
 

stephanietx

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Is it possible she has worms?  Do you give her anything like Advantage or Revolution?  Also, you might want to consider having a fecal exam done to see if she's got worms or some other intestinal thing going on.  She might have picked up something outside.
 
 
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telle

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Thanks all! I am feeding her EVO Cat & Kitten cans now. She was getting a natural kibble from the tack & feed store before. She's had a fecal done and ruled out worms, giardia, and other things I can't remember at the moment. She gets Advantage in the warm months.
 

kittylover23

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EVO is a great choice!
I agree with stephanietx, as well. I didn't think of it at the time but this does sound exactly like a case of intestinal parasites. Definitely sounds like it is time for a trip to the vet and a fecal exam!

for kitty!
 

breyn

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A wet food comment- when I switched my cats to wet food I found the wet food with gravy tended to give them soft stools. I like minced wet food much better (not sure if EVO has this option, I use Science Diet)
 
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