Cat chronic diarrhea

[Bizbizani]

Hello there, I rescued a stray Arabian Mau kitten (2 months at the time, now 6 months), I've tried several different brands of dry and wet food and he got diarrhea from pretty much everything I tried
He's now on Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal dry food as per the vet recommendation and is doing fine, but that's all I'm feeding him

My questions here are
1. Can I keep him on a dry food diet only?
2. What foods should I try feeding him other than what he's eating now that won't upset his stomach? and in what amounts?

[BluCrystal]

Cats fed dry food only can live long, happy lives.  I have 6 cats, and they last had wet food when being weaned.  That was several years ago.  You can try chicken broth (about two or three tablespoons) either on her food, or in a seperate bowl (my vet told me to do this with one of my cats who had sick tummy).  MAKE SURE SHE IS DRINKING ENOUGH WATER.  Diarrea can cause dehydration.  The way to check this is by pulling up on the loose skin at the back of her neck, then letting go.  Watch how fast it returns to normal.  Close to immediate is good.  Slow or not at all is not good.  You can give her more water by putting some water in a turkey baster, and using that to squeeze water into her mouth.  Careful not to drown her. :-)  Blessings - Blu

[Bizbizani]

Thanks a lot, you've been a great help
I'll read up some more and talk to my local vet about it because he also mentioned that my kitty might be allergic to chicken
For some time I was feeding him boiled chicken and the diarrhea didn't stop

Will keep you posted!

[opus88]

hi and welcome. I am not a fan of any dry food especially prescription diets and I will send you some reading as to WHY. however that being said it is working for your kitty now and I would not get in a huge hurry to change anything for the time being.....
When a cat has constant diarrhea its usually due to a sensitivity to something in the food and that something is usually GRAINS...and these presc. diets are full of them. I believe what makes them work is the supplements they are adding...ie digestive enzymes and EPA/DHA...also what they claim high fiber.
I can tell you how and what to buy to add these things into a canned food diet....much much cheaper.

this is the site you need to read by a very trusted veterinarian that deals with pet nutrition. but again I will say don't change anything right now, what you are feeding is working....just read alot, inform yourself....you ask some very good questions abt if its a good idea to keep him on a dry food diet long term and you will find out the answer in the site below. if and when you are ready to start him on a canned food diet with NO grains and with the supplements to protect his gut flora let me know and I will help, but this transition will have to be done SLOWLY any fast change of any food leads to a GI upset.

http://www.catinfo.org/#Prescription/Therapeutic_Diets_