Grain free for repeated ear infections?

vikinggirl34

vikinggirl34

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Hi,

I've previously posted about my cat Janie having repeated ear infections which have been kept at bay with regular ear cleaning. I'm just wondering if it may be helpful to also put her on a grain free diet -- that is if she'll eat it
  You know how finicky cats can be!!  Has anyone else had success with putting their cat on a grain free diet to prevent ear infections?
 
stephanietx

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Grain-free is good for a lot of things, but I'm not sure that diet would have a lot of effect on recurring ear infections unless it's a chronic yeast infection.  Yeast feeds off of carbs.
 
red top rescue

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I have had great response in cats who have allergies that manifest in the ears when they were put on grain-free diets.  The inflammation and itching goes away quickly and they never have a problem again.  I dont have extensive experience, but did it with two rescue cats and then advised it for a friend whose dog was having ear problems, and his cleared up perfectly as well.  The vet was impressed and said that when food allergy is a problem manifesting in the ears (where it often causes itching and scratching and then secondary infections from the scratching), if the animal is allergic to corn, wheat or soy, the results are amazing and permanent.  If the animal is allergic to something else, then you have to try a food elimination diet.

By all means go with a grain-free food that is free of corn, wheat and soy.  If you dont have dramaatic results by the end of six weeks, then you may have to investigate some other possibilities, but one step at a time, try the simple grain free to start with.  And let us know how it goes.
 
misterwhiskers

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You'd want to get further input from other members who have used it, but might you consider collidial (?) silver? What is causing the infections--yeast?

My picky cat does do better on a corn-free diet. Luckily I just discovered Kroger's is now carrying a corn free brand I used to have to go to Walmart to buy. So yes, going grain free might help, esp if it's a yeast infection. I know people with chronic yeast infections who are told to change or cut carbs--why not cats?
 
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cinqchats

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Red Top Rescue said:
 
I have had great response in cats who have allergies that manifest in the ears when they were put on grain-free diets.  The inflammation and itching goes away quickly and they never have a problem again.  I dont have extensive experience, but did it with two rescue cats and then advised it for a friend whose dog was having ear problems, and his cleared up perfectly as well.  The vet was impressed and said that when food allergy is a problem manifesting in the ears (where it often causes itching and scratching and then secondary infections from the scratching), if the animal is allergic to corn, wheat or soy, the results are amazing and permanent.  If the animal is allergic to something else, then you have to try a food elimination diet.

By all means go with a grain-free food that is free of corn, wheat and soy.  If you dont have dramaatic results by the end of six weeks, then you may have to investigate some other possibilities, but one step at a time, try the simple grain free to start with.  And let us know how it goes.
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I concur with this. Sometimes cats get really cruddy, dirty ears from allergies and you can get ear infections, yeast infections, etc. My Mr. Squiggles had the same problem (only in one ear because he took a car to the face as a stray and is now an oddball) but after I found a food he could tolerate his ear  cleared right up. No problems since. Before that I had to clean it out at least once a week.
 
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vikinggirl34

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Thanks to all that replied!  To answer the question as to whether it was a yeast infection in her ears, the answer is YES.  That is what the vet diagnosed it as. 

I just picked up some Purina Beyond Grain Free White Meat Chicken and Egg recipe today.  Funny, it's like she knew I went to go get her some new food because when I got back from the store and came up the cellar steps and opened the door she was sitting right there in the living room waiting.  Rarely does she sit there waiting 
  I was only gone 20 min.  I gave her some right away and she ate a bunch of it so at least I know she likes it! 


I will wait and see what the results are and keep you all posted.  Hopefully I'll see some results in a month or two.
 
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vikinggirl34

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Ok...so...an update on how things went with the Purina Beyond Grain Free White Meat Chicken and Egg - it didn't help her.  As the matter a fact, it seem to make more gunk (wax and yeast) grow in her ears!  I had her on it well over a month and took her off it.

Over the past 8 months, I've tried many different combos.  And .....the results are in


I have had her on Purina Pro Plan HA (Hypoallergenic) formula (vet prescription required) for a little over a month and her ears (well, left ear, the troubled one) is noticeably better.  And it's only been about a month.  I imagine I'll continue to see improvement.

FINALLY!  Yay, for Janie 
  It's taken a lot of trial and error but I didn't give up and am finally onto something! 

Hopefully this knowledge will help someone else's kitty! 

I'll keep posting updates as I seem more improvement.
 
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vikinggirl34

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ok..another update on the Purina Pro Plan HA -  it seemed to help but she lost weight over the course of 3 or so months..  Not as many calories as her previous food.  She was a normal weight to being with  (9.5 lbs or so) and don't want her to dwindle away to nothing.   I didn't actually weight her but I could see her getting skinnier.   Anyway - back to her previous food.  The "HA" food was helping to a degree but then she must have seasonal allergies also because her ear started acting up even while on the prescription food.  Just like me, I have food and inhaled allergies..generally when you have allergies it's to all sorts of different stuff. 
 
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I've got a bunch of sphynx's. We feed Nature's variety instinct grain free chicken formula. It seems to really keep the oil down. It's really high calorie though so allitle goes a long way. I also dip the q tip in apple cider vinegar.
IMG_20161030_202341833.jpg

IMG_20161030_202341833.jpg

 
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vikinggirl34

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Thanks for the tip.  Your little Sphynx babies are cute
 
 
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mingsmongols

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Their little terrorists in the making. Lol I switched their food originally because their old food seemed to go bad quickly. Oily skin and waxy ears are a given for sphynx so I wasn't trying to improve on it but I've been pleasantly surprised about the lack of wax build up since.
 
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