My vet suggested rice and tuna for 3 months. So many questions...

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pixies ma

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Minou just passed some stools, and it was runny and smellier than ever. I can't even describe it.

How do i transition from tuna and rice to plain roasted turkey? I'm cooking it tomorrow eve and i have just enough rice and tuna left till then. Should i make some more and mix it with a bit of turkey? Or go straight to plain turkey or turkey with a bit of rice?
 

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If you use rice, overcook it so it's mushy; that makes it easier for kitties to digest.

You have to give each food enough time for him to get used to it. Otherwise you won't know if it's the food or the change that's upsetting his tummy. But if one food is disagreeing with him, I don't see any reason to try to transition slowly, since his tummy is already upset it can't really get any worse.
 
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I'm not going to link to it because of rules and spam and all that, but catfooddb.com (full disclosure - my site) has ingredient lists for over 2000 cat foods, as well as a blog article on some highly rated foods with non-traditional proteins (rabbit, alligator, pork, duck, buffalo, venison), including several Nature's Variety formulas (both regular and LID). There's also a couple varieties from Addiction and Wild Calling that are similar. None of them of them have corn, soy or rice. The Z/D  does have soybean oil and rice, so maybe it's one of those ingredients causing problems? 
 

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I just bought two young turkeys. They were 99C a pound. I'll thaw it out for a day or two then oven bake it plain. What do you think of Hillary's blend for supplementing after a few days of plain turkey? I know it's available at the vet's.
I've never heard of Hillary's blend, do you have a link you could provide? The only thing about baking a turkey is that its going to suck a lot of the juices out so it wont be that moist. However the goal at this point is just to get her to eat and try and have normal non-smelly stools, so I think you can work out a better cooking method later. Personally if this was my cat I would just try to feed the turkey and see what happens I wouldn't even bother with mixing it with and tuna or rice at this point, especially since she's not reacting to that well, which i suspect is probably from the rice, but maybe the tuna as well. Can you get ahold of any meat baby food? Like this one? These just contain meat and broth, nothing that would irritate her system and they are very tastey. They are often used for cats that are sick or not eating but they also work well for cats that are having tummy issues. You could try some of these to see if they help too, and/or mix with plain turkey.


Gerber makes one too, just make sure it only contains meat and broth, NO onions or garlic.

Can you get ahold of any of these probiotics on this list? Some should be available in Canada. What about slippery elm powder? Both would help her digestion/stools. 

This link may have some suggestions that will help you

http://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html

http://www.rawfeedingforibdcats.org/probiotics-for-cats---why-and-which-ones.html

http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/slippery-elm/
 
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pixies ma

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If you use rice, overcook it so it's mushy; that makes it easier for kitties to digest.

You have to give each food enough time for him to get used to it. Otherwise you won't know if it's the food or the change that's upsetting his tummy. But if one food is disagreeing with him, I don't see any reason to try to transition slowly, since his tummy is already upset it can't really get any worse.
It is mushy. One thing good about it is that it keeps him hydrated and he pees several times a day.

Would you recommend keeping him on rice a tuna a few more days then to see?
 
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pixies ma

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I'm not going to link to it because of rules and spam and all that, but catfooddb.com (full disclosure - my site) has ingredient lists for over 2000 cat foods, as well as a blog article on some highly rated foods with non-traditional proteins (rabbit, alligator, pork, duck, buffalo, venison), including several Nature's Variety formulas (both regular and LID). There's also a couple varieties from Addiction and Wild Calling that are similar. None of them of them have corn, soy or rice. The Z/D  does have soybean oil and rice, so maybe it's one of those ingredients causing problems? 
Thank you! I'll check it out.
We have Petcurean's GO! products here that contain not corn, soy or ice. He liked the sample i gave him, but it contains fruits and veggies and peas...
 
 
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pixies ma

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http://completeandbalanced.com/supplement.html
However, i just noticed it has no taurine.

Thanks for the amazon link! It should make it more interesting indeed.

What other cooking method is there besides boiling?

 At my vet's, they have Florentero paste (he hates it) and Fortiflora. I'll check the links and see what we have available here.
 

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http://completeandbalanced.com/supplement.html
However, i just noticed it has no taurine.

Thanks for the amazon link! It should make it more interesting indeed.

What other cooking method is there besides boiling?

 At my vet's, they have Florentero paste (he hates it) and Fortiflora. I'll check the links and see what we have available here.
Fortiflora is a good topper for taste (cats seem like the taste) but its a bad probiotic, it's better than nothing tho. If you can get ahold of it S. Boulardii is really the key supplement that will help that diarrhea. It's a type of  probiotic and its safe for cats even though its a human supplement. I've used it on my own cats and it's often recommended for cats with IBD. 

http://ca.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Saccharomyces-Boulardii-MOS-90-Veggie-Caps/372

This link that I gave earlier has directions of what dosage to give, if you can find or order it

http://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html

Slowcooker, or if you roast it just add some water in the pan and cover it with tinfoil to help preserve the juices. 

For supplements I like either Alnutrin, Ezcomplete, or u-stew for cats. It looks like the one you linked is for dogs, which is probably why it doesn't have taurine, which is essential for cats. 
 
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pixies ma

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@missmimz
I''l get into al the links once i'm settled, but i am roasting a turkey right now.
And i just remembered, i have supplements here already! I have taurine powder, bone meal, B complex, and glandular something. I had ordered it from IHerb last year cause i was looking into feeding my other cat home made, but changed my mind. Someone here had told me to get these supplements.
Nothing is expired and i could add to the cooked meat, yes? Would that be enough?
Of course, i have no idea about dosage.
 

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@missmimz
I''l get into al the links once i'm settled, but i am roasting a turkey right now.
And i just remembered, i have supplements here already! I have taurine powder, bone meal, B complex, and glandular something. I had ordered it from IHerb last year cause i was looking into feeding my other cat home made, but changed my mind. Someone here had told me to get these supplements.
Nothing is expired and i could add to the cooked meat, yes? Would that be enough?
Of course, i have no idea about dosage.
Yes you could use those to make your own food complete. However, for right now I wouldn't go with any of that I'd just try and get that diarrhea under control. Like your vet said feeding her an unbalanced diet for a few months wont hurt her, but long term you want to find something that works, so that is def an option. 
 
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pixies ma

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Yes you could use those to make your own food complete. However, for right now I wouldn't go with any of that I'd just try and get that diarrhea under control. Like your vet said feeding her an unbalanced diet for a few months wont hurt her, but long term you want to find something that works, so that is def an option. 
He just had another foul smelling soft stools. He hadn't made one since last evening so once every 12-24 hours is an improvement. But i wonder if it's the fish that makes the stools smell so strong.
I just made another batch of tuna and rice, but less rice. About a 2 tbs cooked rice with one can of tuna and juices. He should have enough till tomorrow evening when i mix the turkey up with some rice water and turkey juices. I'll try and make is as low fat as possible.
I gotta say, the thought of feeding only homemade for months makes me dread having to worry about staying out too long and being unable to leave food out for him. I already miss kibble and being able to give him treats when i need him to come back from outside on the porch.
 
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pixies ma

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By the way, as limited ingredients ready made foods, how about Hound and Gatos? If, after some time on turkey if he tolerates it, i test with chicken and he's ok with it, wouldn't that be an option?
http://houndgatos.com/chicken-catfood.aspx

From what i can see, it's only the one meat and supplements.
 

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Hound and Gatos is great food. Some cats (including ours!) aren't especially keen on it, though, so I'd just suggest being ready with some freeze-dried meat treats or something else that your cat loves that you can use as a topper. Our cats like their lamb best. I think some H&G foods have duck liver but their recipes are pretty simple. And you're right: there aren't any grain or veg fillers.
 
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pixies ma

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Hound and Gatos is great food. Some cats (including ours!) aren't especially keen on it, though, so I'd just suggest being ready with some freeze-dried meat treats or something else that your cat loves that you can use as a topper. Our cats like their lamb best. I think some H&G foods have duck liver but their recipes are pretty simple. And you're right: there aren't any grain or veg fillers.
I have freeze dried chicken, salmon, and duck liver here, but i'll use it on my other cat since i can't with Minou.
Dogs are so much easier...I used to give oven dried sweet potato slices to my dog as treats. He loved it.
Not sure about all recipes, but i like how the H&G chicken has only chicken. And i do so hope he's not intolerant of chicken. Only time will tell.
I checked for Merrick, but we only have the Purrfect Bistro line here for some reason.
 
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pixies ma

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Hound and Gatos is great food. Some cats (including ours!) aren't especially keen on it, though, so I'd just suggest being ready with some freeze-dried meat treats or something else that your cat loves that you can use as a topper. Our cats like their lamb best. I think some H&G foods have duck liver but their recipes are pretty simple. And you're right: there aren't any grain or veg fillers.
I have freeze dried chicken, salmon, and duck liver here, but i'll use it on my other cat since i can't with Minou.
Dogs are so much easier...I used to give oven dried sweet potato slices to my dog as treats. He loved it.
Not sure about all recipes, but i like how the H&G chicken has only chicken. And i do so hope he's not intolerant of chicken. Only time will tell.
I checked for Merrick, but we only have the Purrfect Bistro line here for some reason.
 

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I have freeze dried chicken, salmon, and duck liver here, but i'll use it on my other cat since i can't with Minou.
Dogs are so much easier...I used to give oven dried sweet potato slices to my dog as treats. He loved it.
Not sure about all recipes, but i like how the H&G chicken has only chicken. And i do so hope he's not intolerant of chicken. Only time will tell.
I checked for Merrick, but we only have the Purrfect Bistro line here for some reason.
Other brands that don't have anything weird in them and are basically just meat and vitamins and minerals are Ziwipeak. Feline Naturals new canned line, and some Tikicat varieties. I don't know if you can get those in Canada, tho. 

http://www.k9natural.co.nz/cat-food-range/canned-cat-food/

http://www.ziwipeak.com/catalog/natural-cat-food/moist-cat-food
 
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Other brands that don't have anything weird in them and are basically just meat and vitamins and minerals are Ziwipeak. Feline Naturals new canned line, and some Tikicat varieties. I don't know if you can get those in Canada, tho. 

http://www.k9natural.co.nz/cat-food-range/canned-cat-food/

http://www.ziwipeak.com/catalog/natural-cat-food/moist-cat-food
Thanks for taking the time to attach links and help me help Minou.
But no, we don't have that here...I have examines all the food options at the stores that sell better quality foods (as in no crap like regular pet stores) and have never seen them.

What do you think of Baci+ probiotic line? I ask cause i could easily get some tomorrow and put him on probiotics asap. Not sure if this is better than Fortiflora and Florentero.

http://en.baciplus.com/products-prebiotics-probiotics-for-pets/Natural-Health-products-for-cat/
 

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I only read the first few posts, but wanted to mention something about z/d and other hypoallergenic diets. I went through food trials 4 years ago and started out on Purina HA to Royal Canin Hydrolized to Hills z/d. All were dry foods. Within 2-4 weeks of feeding each diet all cats were having horrible diarrhea. When this happened with the z/d I called our dermatologist and he said to stop these diets immediately that he was getting the same report from all of his feline patience.

My go-to now when doing a food trial is Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient diets.

I too am horrified at the diet that was suggested to you and it appears that you will be doing a home cooked diet? Hopefully this will allow you to figure out if you are dealing with a food allergy!
 
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pixies ma

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I only read the first few posts, but wanted to mention something about z/d and other hypoallergenic diets. I went through food trials 4 years ago and started out on Purina HA to Royal Canin Hydrolized to Hills z/d. All were dry foods. Within 2-4 weeks of feeding each diet all cats were having horrible diarrhea. When this happened with the z/d I called our dermatologist and he said to stop these diets immediately that he was getting the same report from all of his feline patience.

My go-to now when doing a food trial is Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient diets.

I too am horrified at the diet that was suggested to you and it appears that you will be doing a home cooked diet? Hopefully this will allow you to figure out if you are dealing with a food allergy!
I had dogs before and always refused to use the Hills all vets seem to recommend for (ex) dental health, and i never wanted to use the renal one after my dog had renal failure at 12 post surgery.
I simply continued to use raw meat and veggies,minus high phos foods,and he eventually went back to normal values against all odds.
So i was pretty desperate to comply when she insisted i try I\d then Z/d.
For now, he is eating tuna and a little rice, and starting tomorrow, turkey and rice water. If turkey agrees with him, i was very happy just now realizing that we DO have NV here, hopefully the LID line. I'll feed him homemade for a while till he is well settled, but plan on going back to cans at least.
 

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Thanks for taking the time to attach links and help me help Minou.
But no, we don't have that here...I have examines all the food options at the stores that sell better quality foods (as in no crap like regular pet stores) and have never seen them.

What do you think of Baci+ probiotic line? I ask cause i could easily get some tomorrow and put him on probiotics asap. Not sure if this is better than Fortiflora and Florentero.

http://en.baciplus.com/products-prebiotics-probiotics-for-pets/Natural-Health-products-for-cat/
I don't really know anything about that probiotic. Pet probiotics tend to be limited, but it would be better than nothing. 
 
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