Possible IBD, interstitial cystitis, and raw diet

My 5 year old male cat, who has a history of "food sensitivity" and potential IBD, had a case of interstitial cystitis back in February and has been on Royal canin so urinary food since... Vet quality food as we know is basically garbage, and he's been throwing up a lot lately (often with hair balls, sometimes food). I've gone on the hunt for a very high quality dry food and am now trying Acana duck formula. I'm seriously considering the transition to raw though for both my cats. Is a raw diet something that might benefit my boy with health problems? Anyone else have an IBD or interstitial cystitis cat on raw?

A lot of people swear by a raw diet for their IBD kitties.  I hadn't tried it for my IBD kitty.

The main thing diet wise with the cystitis is increasing water consumption which can be done with canned food or a raw diet.  Dry food really isn't good for a kitty prone to cystitis.  It can also be harder to digest which means it can be an issue for IBD kitties as well.

Alternatively, can anyone recommend the best food for interstitial cystitis that is also good for IBD or food sensitivity? I've read some bad hints about Acana and blood in the urine and stool on some forums, but it seems to be from a different manufacturer in the states? I'm in Canada.

I really should make the switch to raw while I'm home for the summer. I don't want to prepare it myself so it would need to be a high quality prepared raw food.... What are the first things I need to know about transitioning and doing it safely?

What about the increased protein for raw diets.... Is that bad for urinary issues?

We have a forum for raw and homecooked http://www.thecatsite.com/f/65/raw-home-cooked-cat-food    I know some people here to feed commercial raw.  There are stickies at the top of the forum with general info in addition to the threads.

Increased protein has no effect on urinary tract issues.  It used to be thought that it was bad for kitties with CKD but that is no longer thought to be true.  It is high phosphorus levels that is hard on kidneys.  

For the type of cystitis that your kitty had an episode of the main thing is increased water intake.  For kitties with issues with crystals then diet is important.  

For IBD it really is unique to the kitty.  Cats have unique sensitivities.

Yeah he had inflammation of the bladder and some blood in the urine, no blockage. He drinks distilled water from a cat fountain.... Lol.