- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 145
- Purraise
- 11
Here is a brief back story on Hooligan, for those who don't know his current circumstance:
He was found a stray. Now, 6-7 years old, he was raised for most of his life on Royal Canin kibble. I made the switch to raw about a year ago (10-12 months), and he's been happily eating it for a couple months now. He is fed 2 different proteins, Chicken and Horse. He was a fan of Rabbit, but recently, seems to have turned his nose up to it (I will try again!).
SINCE I made the initial switch to raw food, a couple things have changed:
pros: beautiful, silky and shiny coat, great teeth, no smelly litter box, playful, talkative; he's a kitten again!
cons: He has become incredible picky (DUH!) and, he is balding in spots above his eyebrows, most recently, his whiskers.
(I should probably mention that I have two fur babies, Hooligan and Ruby)
At first, I thought the balding was anxiety issues and, in result, over-gromming. This made sense, I got a new job. hours were different, and I had been leaving town (no more than 4 days). I brought him to a Naturopath and he agreed that this type of stuff (anxiety) always "happens to the nice cats" and that I should watch out if it got worse. I took it upon myself to ease his anxiety. I decided to try out Feliway (didn't work), I have begun using Rescue Remedy in his food, still no luck. Recently, he began losing hair near his whiskers - and now, I have started getting worried. There are scabs that sometimes accompany these bald spots, this time around, they came back again.
I would like to find the root cause of his problems. Be it anxiety, or another issue. I can't help to think that these are simply symptoms to a grander, more serious health problem. But, as I said, NOTHING is different. He is active, talkative, eating well and his stools seem fine.
After speaking to Mama Tracy (aka: Auntie Crazy) I have decided to take the following measures:
1. Change his ceramic plates to glass plates (If it is Feline Acne, the bacteria from the ceramic plates could be to blame)
2. Veto Horse meat (The quality of the living conditions for horses here in Quebec is hardly close to good, I buy the meat because they slaughter "humanely" - compared to others)
3. Ween him off Chicken (The chickens, although free-range and VERY well kept, are grain-fed) only to re-introduce him to Rabbit (grass-fed) and hopefully, Venison (grass-fed)
4. Watch him closely, spend MINIMUM of 1hour a day, one-on-one time with him.
I will address the external issues (ceramic plates) and the internal issues (changing him to grass-fed proteins)
If all else fails, I will bring him to the vet for blood tests.
Sigh, my question is, has ANYONE encountered similar problems/symptoms as this?
- If so, what did you do to better the situation?
- Should I bring him to the vet?
- Is it a serious issue?
Thank-you all for your help and patience.
Signed,
An extremely worried mama.
Attached is a photo of my big baby. Taken a couple weeks ago <3 - Not wanting me to go to work/Use the sink.
I could swear, he is driving me up the wall!
He was found a stray. Now, 6-7 years old, he was raised for most of his life on Royal Canin kibble. I made the switch to raw about a year ago (10-12 months), and he's been happily eating it for a couple months now. He is fed 2 different proteins, Chicken and Horse. He was a fan of Rabbit, but recently, seems to have turned his nose up to it (I will try again!).
SINCE I made the initial switch to raw food, a couple things have changed:
pros: beautiful, silky and shiny coat, great teeth, no smelly litter box, playful, talkative; he's a kitten again!
cons: He has become incredible picky (DUH!) and, he is balding in spots above his eyebrows, most recently, his whiskers.
(I should probably mention that I have two fur babies, Hooligan and Ruby)
At first, I thought the balding was anxiety issues and, in result, over-gromming. This made sense, I got a new job. hours were different, and I had been leaving town (no more than 4 days). I brought him to a Naturopath and he agreed that this type of stuff (anxiety) always "happens to the nice cats" and that I should watch out if it got worse. I took it upon myself to ease his anxiety. I decided to try out Feliway (didn't work), I have begun using Rescue Remedy in his food, still no luck. Recently, he began losing hair near his whiskers - and now, I have started getting worried. There are scabs that sometimes accompany these bald spots, this time around, they came back again.
I would like to find the root cause of his problems. Be it anxiety, or another issue. I can't help to think that these are simply symptoms to a grander, more serious health problem. But, as I said, NOTHING is different. He is active, talkative, eating well and his stools seem fine.
After speaking to Mama Tracy (aka: Auntie Crazy) I have decided to take the following measures:
1. Change his ceramic plates to glass plates (If it is Feline Acne, the bacteria from the ceramic plates could be to blame)
2. Veto Horse meat (The quality of the living conditions for horses here in Quebec is hardly close to good, I buy the meat because they slaughter "humanely" - compared to others)
3. Ween him off Chicken (The chickens, although free-range and VERY well kept, are grain-fed) only to re-introduce him to Rabbit (grass-fed) and hopefully, Venison (grass-fed)
4. Watch him closely, spend MINIMUM of 1hour a day, one-on-one time with him.
I will address the external issues (ceramic plates) and the internal issues (changing him to grass-fed proteins)
If all else fails, I will bring him to the vet for blood tests.
Sigh, my question is, has ANYONE encountered similar problems/symptoms as this?
- If so, what did you do to better the situation?
- Should I bring him to the vet?
- Is it a serious issue?
Thank-you all for your help and patience.
Signed,
An extremely worried mama.
Attached is a photo of my big baby. Taken a couple weeks ago <3 - Not wanting me to go to work/Use the sink.
I could swear, he is driving me up the wall!
