Big Time Food Dillema!

We went to Petsmart to get kitty food, and they were out. We get Authority's Lamb and Rice because it's the ONLY food that isn't primarily made of Chicken and Corn, both of which Trent appears to have sensitivity to. He's never been formally tested, but trial and error and experience and the vet said it's mostly likely both of those things when we discussed it with him.

We spoke to a manager there (who we've known outside of there for years), who told us that he's pretty sure Authority is discontinuing that flavor. NNNOOOOOOO!!!! We all poured over the other brands, regardless of price, and even the other Lamb and Rice formulas have Chicken as the first ingredient, as do the Sensitive Stomach formulas.

We got a small bag of Royal Canin Special 33 and are going to try that. Thankfully we still have enough of our last bag to start the mixing in process.

I'm not 100% sold on any particular food, and would definitely be open to any suggestions. Since we haven't done any formal allergy testing on Trent, I can't say for sure if there is a type of chicken product he's sensitive to (I know chicken liver is an issue, but not sure about meal, roasted chicken (Nutro had that), or whatever else they do to chickens to make cat food).

I understand your dilemma.
Recently...my cats had to change brands of wet food.
Sadie has a sensitive tummy.
Finding a different food that does not upset her is a challenge.

I have no suggestions about which food might agree with Trent.
I am sending lots positive vibes and will follow your progress.
Happy hunting Heidi.

Lamb only dry cat is hard to find... I beleive Natures recipe makes one ... If you have a petco I would suggest looking into natural balence s venison and pea

Is there a particular reason you're looking at lamb, other than because Trent's used to it? If you're open to other foods without chicken or corn, Merrick has a few varities (Cowboy Cookout and Surf & Turf). California Natural has two--Deep Water Fish or Venison and Rice.

In my support of Natura products, I second the California Natural. In addition to their Chicken and Rice Canned and Dry, they offer Deep Water Fish & Rice Canned, Herring & Sweet Potato Dry, and Venison & Rice Canned.

I also always strongly recomment Innova Canned and/or Dry if Trent is able to tolerate the chicken as a primary protein source along with turkey, eggs, and herring.

Not thinking about prices, just what's out there, a new to the US from New Zealand food is ZiwiPeak - they have two formulas, one is a venison and fish, the other a lamb - neither contains any chicken or corn, but they are raw ingredients air dried, texture is like sl. soft small rectangles of jerky. Just being picked up and sold in the US, I would hope/think some store in Denver would carry it or pick it up for you.

For canned - try any of the icelandpet - comes in cod, salmon and trout - these are nothing added but the fish and carregeenan.
Evangers has a holistic pheasant..no corn or chicken, but some interesting fruits and veggies and their Gourmet Classic Cat food in Beef and Liver.

For another dry, how about Lick Your Chops - Lamb Meal, Rice and Egg, a dry maintenance food, here is a link to the ingredients: http://cats.about.com/library/catfoo...ps_lambdry.htm

Here most of the organic/all natural food stores for humans, with a pet section, will carry the Lick Your Chops brand.

Solid Gold Katz n Flocken is lamb, rice and barley. It used to be completley chicken free, but they did recently start using chicken fat. I'd look into this if you can get it in your area, as it's an excellent food!

Originally Posted by vanillasugar

Solid Gold Katz n Flocken is lamb, rice and barley. It used to be completley chicken free, but they did recently start using chicken fat. I'd look into this if you can get it in your area, as it's an excellent food!

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It isnt chn fat as SOlid gold doesnt use animal fat ... it is chn meal and high amounts of it

Chicken fat doesn't contain any protein so it will not effect a cat w/ a sensitivity to chicken since the peptides are what cause allergies.

Originally Posted by jlphilli

Chicken fat doesn't contain any protein so it will not effect a cat w/ a sensitivity to chicken since the peptides are what cause allergies.

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True only to a point as I am finding out ...

Heidi, there's a little store here at the corner of 6th & Heritage Rd., that's called Golden Paws - it looks like a "dog" store, but they have all sorts of cat food. And very premium at that. The first thing the lady asked me was "what do you feed your animal?" And she gave me a sample of food that my puppy just loved! They also have a whole repertoire of holistic oils and treatments for things such as "new pet" or "new food", etc. I thought that part was very interesting. Anyway, it's a neat little store, if you want to check it out.

Thank you all for the suggestions so far! We're going to try the Royal Canin and see if Trent will tolerate it with a higher quality chicken as the base. When I opened the bag to mix it with the Authority, I gave them both a little bit to see if they would eat it. Ophelia devoured it! She just loved it, and Trent seemed to really like it as well. If this doesn't work out with the chicken, I'll definitely look into some of the suggestions posted. Thank you, Kim, for telling me about the local store too.

Earl isn't thrilled about going with a brand that he hasn't heard of which is why we are trying the Royal Canin. He's heard good things about that one too. I looked at the Natura and Merrick sites and found another local store in Lakewood that carries both, so I have something to go on as well as Golden Paws.

Spot did well on the Royal Canin Special 33. He had some bowel issues, and it really helped him with those.

My sensitive one Remy has done exceptionally well on the wet and dry from http://www.healthypetnet.com
I dont know if they have people that sell it locally. I just have it shipped to me ever six to eight weeks.

Originally Posted by valanhb

Earl isn't thrilled about going with a brand that he hasn't heard of

which is why we are trying the Royal Canin.

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He's missing out on a lot of great foods that way Heidi. Nakita is currently on Natural Balance Venison and Pea Dry.