In the pet store today and started talking to a befuddled young man who was trying to pick out wet food for his elderly female cat. TWO issues going on - her stools are hard and she has suddenly started presenting with skin allergies. Hmmmm.
His vet told him to start feeding wet food for the stool issue... and they were kind of at a loss re: the allergies. All the bloodwork was normal, etc.
We talked, we looked at foods, I gave him the benefit of knowledge gained here, but prefaced by saying he should talk to his vet about an LID or changing dry food, etc.
He told me the allergic "rash" is on her paws and around her mouth. Hmmmm.
I also suggested that it could be environmental. I asked if he had changed type of litter, chemicals, detergents or cleaners, etc. He told me that they are in a new apt and it still smells of the dog that was there before. So they had been sprinkling a "scented carpet freshener powder" every where. Liberally. Paws... mouth... carpet... perfumey irritants... Hmmmmm..... I thiiiink this may be a problem for your cat.
I suggested that he STOP using that stuff, thoroughly clean the carpet with a pet-friendly product and see if that helps poor kitty's allergic reaction.
He was so pleased that someone bothered to help. He said, "that's more than the vet told me."
So here is to all you guys with your helpful information. I am paying it forward!!!! I hope "Doug" the cat owner and Jazz, the 15 year old kitty, are better for it!
His vet told him to start feeding wet food for the stool issue... and they were kind of at a loss re: the allergies. All the bloodwork was normal, etc.
We talked, we looked at foods, I gave him the benefit of knowledge gained here, but prefaced by saying he should talk to his vet about an LID or changing dry food, etc.
He told me the allergic "rash" is on her paws and around her mouth. Hmmmm.
I also suggested that it could be environmental. I asked if he had changed type of litter, chemicals, detergents or cleaners, etc. He told me that they are in a new apt and it still smells of the dog that was there before. So they had been sprinkling a "scented carpet freshener powder" every where. Liberally. Paws... mouth... carpet... perfumey irritants... Hmmmmm..... I thiiiink this may be a problem for your cat.
I suggested that he STOP using that stuff, thoroughly clean the carpet with a pet-friendly product and see if that helps poor kitty's allergic reaction.
He was so pleased that someone bothered to help. He said, "that's more than the vet told me."
So here is to all you guys with your helpful information. I am paying it forward!!!! I hope "Doug" the cat owner and Jazz, the 15 year old kitty, are better for it!