Idiopathic Hypercalcemia -- best commercial diet?

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Hello my kitty community 


I had a thread about my cat who was recently diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalcemia. All the results finally came back negative, so I'm pretty certain that was the issue. She is back to eating normally etc.

The vet wanted her on dry Royal Canin gastrointestinal 'prescription diet'. I've decided to go against the vets advice
 because I think that food is filled with bad stuff, and I think she should be eating canned only. 

Through all my research I have found that we need to avoid: dL-methionine, phosphoric acid, and ammonium chloride. 

I'm going to add in psyllium fiber (aka unflavored Metamucil) for the fiber benefit but am really having a hard time navigating what food to feed her.

I've heard good things about Wellness (chicken, beef & chicken, and turkey). I also heard some good things about Wild Calling, but have never heard of it myself. I also tried The Honest Kitchen (prowl) with her and she refused to eat it -- even with tuna and tuna juice in it! Previously I was feeding her Weruva tuna and beef pouches, and Orijen Regional Red. I don't want to make the food myself, I am looking for a commercial diet only. 

Any food advice is definitely appreciated! Thank you! 
 
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red top rescue

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I totally agree with you.  You might want to print the ingredients of the Royal Canin and show it to your vet, along with the ingredients of what you end up feeding your cat.  I dont think most vets pay any attention to the ingredients in the so-called "prescription" foods.  They just take the word of the manufacturer's sales people, and most of them don't have a clue either, they believe in the food too. 

Studies on feral cats eating their natural diet of birds, small rodents, insects and a little grass have shown that a meat-based diet naturally acidifies the urine, and no artificial acidifiers are needed (DL-methionine, phosphoric acid, ammonium chloride).  Those are added to cat food to compensate for the fact that there are too many carbs and too little real meat, in the food (usually dry food, although lately with all the carbs and veggies being added to wet food, it may show up there too). 

You probably have already found the web site devoted to idiopathic hypercalcemia, but if not, check out  http://felineihc.org/manage.html and follow the links referenced there for more detailed information.  Dr. Mark Peterson discusses diet in depth at http://www.endocrinevet.info/2012/11/nutritional-management-of-idiopathic.html.  He recommends the same thing many of us recommend to prevent urinary stones in cats,  "Canned commercial diets with a "natural" macronutrient composition.  Feeding commercial canned diets with a composition similar to what cats would eat in the wild—i.e., 40-60% protein, 30-50% fat, and <15% carbohydrates (17-20)— will also be beneficial in lowering serum calcium concentrations in some cats, particularly those with mild forms of idiopathic hypercalcemia."

There are a few very simple canned foods out there that are not overly expensive and don't have added carbohydrates (i.e. not only grains, but any kind of starch, carrots, potatoes, garbanzo beans and the like).  Tractor Supply has one canned food, 4Health Grain-Free Turkey & Giblets, that is perfect and has 193 calories per can, and Kroger has a brand called Abound Grain-Free Turkey & Giblets that is basically the same thing.  The 4Health costs 69 cents per 5.5 oz. can, and the Abound costs 79 cents per can normally, but about once a month Kroger has a sale on them.
 
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Red Top Rescue said:
 
I totally agree with you.  You might want to print the ingredients of the Royal Canin and show it to your vet, along with the ingredients of what you end up feeding your cat.  I dont think most vets pay any attention to the ingredients in the so-called "prescription" foods.  They just take the word of the manufacturer's sales people, and most of them don't have a clue either, they believe in the food too. 

Studies on feral cats eating their natural diet of birds, small rodents, insects and a little grass have shown that a meat-based diet naturally acidifies the urine, and no artificial acidifiers are needed (DL-methionine, phosphoric acid, ammonium chloride).  Those are added to cat food to compensate for the fact that there are too many carbs and too little real meat, in the food (usually dry food, although lately with all the carbs and veggies being added to wet food, it may show up there too). 

You probably have already found the web site devoted to idiopathic hypercalcemia, but if not, check out  http://felineihc.org/manage.html and follow the links referenced there for more detailed information.  Dr. Mark Peterson discusses diet in depth at http://www.endocrinevet.info/2012/11/nutritional-management-of-idiopathic.html.  He recommends the same thing many of us recommend to prevent urinary stones in cats,  "Canned commercial diets with a "natural" macronutrient composition.  Feeding commercial canned diets with a composition similar to what cats would eat in the wild—i.e., 40-60% protein, 30-50% fat, and <15% carbohydrates (17-20)— will also be beneficial in lowering serum calcium concentrations in some cats, particularly those with mild forms of idiopathic hypercalcemia."

There are a few very simple canned foods out there that are not overly expensive and don't have added carbohydrates (i.e. not only grains, but any kind of starch, carrots, potatoes, garbanzo beans and the like).  Tractor Supply has one canned food, 4Health Grain-Free Turkey & Giblets, that is perfect and has 193 calories per can, and Kroger has a brand called Abound Grain-Free Turkey & Giblets that is basically the same thing.  The 4Health costs 69 cents per 5.5 oz. can, and the Abound costs 79 cents per can normally, but about once a month Kroger has a sale on them.
Click to expand...
Thank's for the link -- I have reviewed this in depth 


I bought a few cans of Wellness Core Chicken+Turkey+Chicken Liver, Wellness Turkey, and Wild Calling Rabbit to try. I also picked up some clear fiber powder to add into them with the hope she will get some benefit...

I'll keep searching, I may hire a nutritionist at this point since its so complicated to help navigate through all the options!
 
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