Sensitive stomach dry food... ToTW prey? Instinct? Or Farmina...

[Harborlily]

So I have 3 cats. Gambit, 11, is an allergy cat with IBD. Bailey, 3, eats anything. And Zoe, 3 months.

My issue is this- they eat canned twice a day together (Zoe gets 4 wet meals), FirstMate turkey or salmon&rice, or instinct LID turkey (the kitten does not get this one). My vet wants me to leave some dry out (I have the catit digger) to see if Gambit needs to snack to help with his loose stool situation. (He’s having a b12 test run in two weeks when he goes in for dental to see if he needs b12 shots to also help with this). Since he’s also a high strung anxious cat she is thinking maybe his stomach is just getting super irritated.

So now I’m looking at food options and thinking Instinct original rabbit flavor, Totw prey turkey, or Farmina N&D lamb.

Gambits allergies seem to be all with chicken and the gum binders. There’s a chance it’s not actually chicken and is just the gums but we don’t want to test that theory right now.

I can’t do a limited ingredient dry because of Zoe. She loves playing with the catit digger

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Dry food is terrible for IBD. I just can't imagine a Vet recommending it for a cat with that condition. Also, how would snacking help with lose stool? Sorry, I just don't understand. Maybe we need more of an explanation here.

If there is really a valid reason why Gambit need to snack on something dry, I would highly recommend going to something like freeze-dried raw food, just don't rehydrate it. that way it's better for him, certainly, and even Zoe can snack on it. I'm thinking something like Feline Naturals Freeze dried or Meat Mates because of the size of the pieces. Almost like kibble. Or maybe even Nulo although some of those pieces might need to be broken in two.

Just in case you haven't seen this, here's a great site regarding IBD: Feline Nutrition – IBDKitties

 

[Harborlily]

Dry food is terrible for IBD. I just can't imagine a Vet recommending it for a cat with that condition. Also, how would snacking help with lose stool? Sorry, I just don't understand. Maybe we need more of an explanation here.

If there is really a valid reason why Gambit need to snack on something dry, I would highly recommend going to something like freeze-dried raw food, just don't rehydrate it. that way it's better for him, certainly, and even Zoe can snack on it. I'm thinking something like Feline Naturals Freeze dried or Meat Mates because of the size of the pieces. Almost like kibble. Or maybe even Nulo although some of those pieces might need to be broken in two.

Just in case you haven't seen this, here's a great site regarding IBD: Feline Nutrition – IBDKitties

Her theory, which I’ll certainly try at least a few months, is that his diarrhea might be related to eating frequency. While ideally I would do wet multiple times I’m simply not available for that, but the majority of his diet is still going to be wet.

I can’t leave out raw... he gets diarrhea from it, and Bailey will gorge himself on it unfortunately.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm guessing Bailey will gorge himself on anything that is left out, true? What freeze dried raw have you tried that caused diarrhea in Gambit? What brand and flavor? Since you are looking at a rabbit dry food, I would still recommend a rabbit freeze dried. BUT, since your Vet is the one recommending you go with kibble for an IBD cat, I would ask your VET which kibble. I can tell from your comments that he is not currently on B12 shots, but is he on steroids? Did you have a chance to look at that link I provided?

 

[maggie101]

So I have 3 cats. Gambit, 11, is an allergy cat with IBD. Bailey, 3, eats anything. And Zoe, 3 months.

My issue is this- they eat canned twice a day together (Zoe gets 4 wet meals), FirstMate turkey or salmon&rice, or instinct LID turkey (the kitten does not get this one). My vet wants me to leave some dry out (I have the catit digger) to see if Gambit needs to snack to help with his loose stool situation. (He’s having a b12 test run in two weeks when he goes in for dental to see if he needs b12 shots to also help with this). Since he’s also a high strung anxious cat she is thinking maybe his stomach is just getting super irritated.

So now I’m looking at food options and thinking Instinct original rabbit flavor, Totw prey turkey, or Farmina N&D lamb.

Gambits allergies seem to be all with chicken and the gum binders. There’s a chance it’s not actually chicken and is just the gums but we don’t want to test that theory right now.

I can’t do a limited ingredient dry because of Zoe. She loves playing with the catit digger

I had an IBD cat. Her diarrhea was taken care of with a b12 shot. Her specialist wanted her to eat only wet. Some cats fortiflora helps. Ask your vet. For a cat with allergies, I would not give her dry. Too many fillers. Check the ingredients. Fish is more likely to be an allergin

 

[LTS3]

Probiotics may help IBD cats with tummy and diarrhea issues. Give this a read: Prebiotics & Probiotics for Cats: Healing Inflammation and gut dysbiosis

If you feed the kitten a kitten specific food, the occasional snacking of adult LID dry food won't do any harm. A microchip feeder for the IBD cat may keep the other cats from eating the food.

 

[Harborlily]

I’ll try to type this and get all the questions answered before a kid or a cat interrupts..

Bailey will restrain himself if the food is in the catit digger. We went on vacation for 2 days and my sister in law was surprised that they actually left some of the LID in there. He is a food stealer and I swear he just likes to be a bully sometimes.

Zoe and Bailey eat FF classic right now with some Sheba and some FF gourmet naturals (only pates) and a little tiki that I still had from our previous boy. Once they use those up though everyone is eating the same because it seriously cuts down on the 3 ring circus act of the mornings trying to keep Gam and B eating their own food.

Gam is on probiotics now. They made a HUGE difference. He went from nightly squirts to every 4th/5th night. He started on the straight saccharomyces and also takes nexabiotic for cats.

When we are home all day I just feed wet and he asks for it whenever he is hungry, so the dry is really just to keep in the catit on days we aren’t home with him. The microchip feeder is in the plan for the future, we just have a huge dental bill for him next week so can’t handle that yet. (He has 2 extractions next week, plus b12 bloodwork, we just did his Chem, CBC, and t4). We will do the b12 shots if warranted. Not gonna lie having some dry would cut down on cost too, since Zoe has to be spayed next month.

I really think this last bout of stomach issues was from stress after losing his buddy in March and then finding Zoe, with the added in food stealing and just not following his diet as well as I should have. He had a super down and grumpy period which he is coming out of. On top of him having anxiety from previous abuse.

 

[Harborlily]

I'm guessing Bailey will gorge himself on anything that is left out, true? What freeze dried raw have you tried that caused diarrhea in Gambit? What brand and flavor? Since you are looking at a rabbit dry food, I would still recommend a rabbit freeze dried. BUT, since your Vet is the one recommending you go with kibble for an IBD cat, I would ask your VET which kibble. I can tell from your comments that he is not currently on B12 shots, but is he on steroids? Did you have a chance to look at that link I provided?

I'm guessing Bailey will gorge himself on anything that is left out, true? What freeze dried raw have you tried that caused diarrhea in Gambit? What brand and flavor? Since you are looking at a rabbit dry food, I would still recommend a rabbit freeze dried. BUT, since your Vet is the one recommending you go with kibble for an IBD cat, I would ask your VET which kibble. I can tell from your comments that he is not currently on B12 shots, but is he on steroids? Did you have a chance to look at that link I provided?

The vet suggested the Farmina lamb. But told me other options would be fine. She seems really good with raw and healthy canned but the dry did throw me for a loop. She just suggested against certain brands and against an RX dry

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Lots going on. And I'm so sorry about the one you lost back in March Yes, with that loss, plus the addition of a new kitten, that's enough to cause even a healthy cat much stress. But an elderly cat, well I think you've pegged it. You've definitely got him on good probiotics, and I'm thinking the addition of B12 might be the ticket. You'll find out soon. Hope his dental goes well. One of my 11 year olds just had a couple extractions and I was a basketcase until it was over.

I'd probably just go with a small bag of the Farmina, since that's what the Vet recommended first. Isn't it interesting that Bailey doesn't pull kibble out of the Catit . Cats are so strange! Gotta love 'em though.

Keep us posted on everything please.

 

[Harborlily]

Lots going on. And I'm so sorry about the one you lost back in March Yes, with that loss, plus the addition of a new kitten, that's enough to cause even a healthy cat much stress. But an elderly cat, well I think you've pegged it. You've definitely got him on good probiotics, and I'm thinking the addition of B12 might be the ticket. You'll find out soon. Hope his dental goes well. One of my 11 year olds just had a couple extractions and I was a basketcase until it was over.

I'd probably just go with a small bag of the Farmina, since that's what the Vet recommended first. Isn't it interesting that Bailey doesn't pull kibble out of the Catit . Cats are so strange! Gotta love 'em though.

Keep us posted on everything please.

I’m definitely losing my mind over his teeth. He’s my baby! Gonna try a little Farmina and cross my fingers. He always seems to do well with lamb, and I have to order his firstmate now-ish anyway. Seriously the amount of $ I spend on these guys... (he’s allergic to most litter too!)- I wish I didn’t know what I know and I could just feed crap dry like my mother feeds her flock.

This is what I deal with on the daily when I say he is anxious btw- the carpet patch is from when I was in the bathroom and didn’t let him in... the bathtub is from when I was sleeping and he desperately needed me to sit with him while he drinks from the tub...

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Have you talked to your Vet about anti-anxiety meds? Not necessarily prescription medications, but calming items, like Rescue Remedy or CBD Oil for Pets, or things like that? With allergies and IBD, not sure what would be ok and what wouldn't. And, of course, there ARE prescriptions meds for anxiety, just like for people, as a last ditch effort. Unless he is this way only when under stress, as in "new kitten".

I do give one of my guys CBD Oil for Pets once a day for what I perceive as anxiety. He doesn't pull his fur out, but does attack his brother and runs around howling if he doesn't get it. (and yes, he has had a full blood work up checking for EVERYTHING...i insisted on it even though it cost me both arms and legs instead of just one of each )

 

[Harborlily]

Have you talked to your Vet about anti-anxiety meds? Not necessarily prescription medications, but calming items, like Rescue Remedy or CBD Oil for Pets, or things like that? With allergies and IBD, not sure what would be ok and what wouldn't. And, of course, there ARE prescriptions meds for anxiety, just like for people, as a last ditch effort. Unless he is this way only when under stress, as in "new kitten".

I do give one of my guys CBD Oil for Pets once a day for what I perceive as anxiety. He doesn't pull his fur out, but does attack his brother and runs around howling if he doesn't get it. (and yes, he has had a full blood work up checking for EVERYTHING...i insisted on it even though it cost me both arms and legs instead of just one of each )

He’s just ridiculous. It’s constant. He hates not seeing me. We talked about cbd but are holding off until we get b levels and the dental etc. Today we finally had soft poo but FORMED, which is eons better than the pudding consistency and the pure liquid of before. So hopefully that means the combo of food plus probiotics is helping!