diarhea and food quality

I was originally feeding my cat Iam's dry adult cat food (chicken and rice) and Performatrin Ultra dry food. He developed pretty bad diarhea.

My vet recommended I try some prescription food or Science Diet. I tried the prescription food and my cat got better.

Problem is, that food is fairly expensive... and the first three ingredients are rice, chicken by-product meal and corn. Seems like overpriced junk to me. Call me crazy but I prefer to feed my cat something made mostly of meat.
Science Diet doesn't seem much better.

Is there really something about those vet brands that make them easier to digest?
Can anyone suggest other foods I can try?

one more question... when I took him to the vet after finding some blood in his diarrhea, all the vet did was take his temperature and suggest that I try switching food.
I'm surprised he didn't even ask for a stool sample.
opinions?
(should I try another vet next time?)

Consider Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care line, or Natural Balance Vension and Green Pea (yes, it's a dry food!).

Originally Posted by marie-p

one more question... when I took him to the vet after finding some blood in his diarrhea, all the vet did was take his temperature and suggest that I try switching food.
I'm surprised he didn't even ask for a stool sample.
opinions?
(should I try another vet next time?)

Click to expand...

If you have a relationship with this vet and would prefer to keep them, I'd simply call them back up and say you'd like a stool sample checked. They should agree..and if not, then yes, I'd find a second vet. It never hurts to be sure you are not dealing with any parasites etc., so I am surprised they did not do one. Did they put your cat on any meds such as flagyl?

My kitten (5 months) is eating Hill's Prescription Diet P/D and she is doing well. I tried to give her Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul because I read that it is better for her and she got HORRIBLE diarrhea with blood in it. After multiple stools test, agressive deworming and an anti-inflammatory for her GI tract and putting her back on the Prescription diet, she is back to normal. It took weeks. I even tried a Canadian brand of food called Medi-Cal and that gave her diarrhea as well, though not as bad. My vet told me that some cats are very sensitive and if you find a particular food that works for your cat, stick to it.

ps. I do agree you should have a stool sample done as well... Better safe than sorry.

Originally Posted by marie-p

I was originally feeding my cat Iam's dry adult cat food (chicken and rice) and Performatrin Ultra dry food. He developed pretty bad diarhea.

My vet recommended I try some prescription food or Science Diet. I tried the prescription food and my cat got better.

Problem is, that food is fairly expensive... and the first three ingredients are rice, chicken by-product meal and corn. Seems like overpriced junk to me. Call me crazy but I prefer to feed my cat something made mostly of meat.
Science Diet doesn't seem much better.

Is there really something about those vet brands that make them easier to digest?
Can anyone suggest other foods I can try?

Click to expand...

I am not sure about whats in those vet diets that make it better...I myself feed a Pro Plan diet, here is what they have for senstive systems...first ingrident is lamb..


Pro PlanÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula is designed for cats that have stomach, digestibility and skin & coat concerns. It is made with real lamb for excellent palatability, and it is specially formulated to bolster your cat's key protective systems - the immune system, digestive system and skin & coat system - while it meets the energy and nutritional needs of a healthy adult cat.


Real lamb is the #1 ingredient
Gently nourishes digestive cells to help promote a healthy digestive tract
Highly digestible formula
Easily absorbed minerals for your cat's sensitive digestive system
Rich in skin-nourishing nutrients to help avoid dry, flaky skin





Daily Feeding Guide
It is important that you feed Pro PlanÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] to your adult cat "free choice" throughout the day, rather than as just a single feeding only at mealtime. Food intake required to maintain ideal body condition will vary, depending on age, activity and environment. Watch your cat's weight and adjust food amounts accordingly. If you have a kitten, pregnant or nursing cat you should continue feeding Pro Plan Chicken & Rice Formula for Kittens.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (Min) 40.0%
Crude Fat (Min) 17.0%
Crude Fiber (Max) 4.0%
Moisture (Max) 12.0%
Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.6%
Vitamin A (Min) 10,000 IU/kg
Taurine (Min) 0.15%
Omega-6 Fatty Acids* (Min) 2.3%
Glutamine* (Min) 1.25%

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient
Profiles


Ingredients:
Lamb, brewers rice, chicken meal, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, egg product, soybean meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), oat meal, fish meal, animal digest, soybean oil, potassium chloride, phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate, salt, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, Vitamin E supplement, taurine, manganese proteinate, ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of Vitamin C), niacin, copper proteinate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite. B-4617

QUESTIONS? Call our Pet Nutrition Consultants weekdays, 7 AM to 7 PM CT at 1-800-PRO PLAN (1-800-776-7526).

i've gone through several dry foods as well but nutro natural choice fixed the problem for me.