Hill's W4?

Anyone have an opinion on a wet food prescribed by veterinarians?  Hill's Science Diet W4 (think that is full name) was prescribed for Diego after recent surgery, and diarrhea apparently caused by antibiotic.

He went from one problem to another overnight.  My boy will eat most anything I give him.  No problem getting him to eat the wet food.....but major constipation followed.  Have to believe it was the wet food.

It is highly recommended ..one of the techs said his cats are all on it.  My sister feeds her kitty who has feline leukemia the W 2 I think, and it works well for kitty's digestive tract.  

In Diego's case...I was surprised to see the W4 formula is apparently for cats with diabetes?  But high fibre sounded good....now, I am really afraid to give him any wet food other than his Fancy Feast.  I  know, Opus, it is probably not the best food out there..lol...but...budget concerns are major just now.

Oh...need to mention, a great side benefit of Diego's surgery was that he got high marks on his general health...good results blood work/fecal sample....etc.   He weighs about 15 lbs///a portly gentlemen.  My daughter thinks he should be on a diet...but really...haha

[opus88]

oh how these Vet clinics love to flog their products.....they believe what they are told by their distributors and pet foods is a very BIG business. Vets take an average of 1 class on nutrition and therefore are at the mercy of the big name companys.

Hill's Science Diet from what I've read isn't a good diet(very high in carbs)....other than some of the prescription diets when NEEDED for certain conditions like perhaps diabetes.
I don't know why they would recommend a diabetic food for Diego? Just b/c of his weight?...15 lbs is getting up there, but he's not yet overweight, just watch his intake.
And IMO a total waste of your money.....

SG.....I know too that fancy feast isn't a great diet either, but I must confess I too have a fancy feast junkie. I've read that when on a diet of this its almost impossible to get them off again, and I found that out for a fact.
Long story...but my Sami, when dx'd with allergies 2 yrs ago Had to get off chicken, I tried every canned food on the market and my boy wouldn't eat....infact he got so tried of me giving him all these new offerings that he stopped eating period....thats when out of desperation I tried fancy feast and he liked it now I have been struggling for nearly 2 years to get him to eat something better....NO way, he won't and believe me I know alot of tricks, but I've given up..he gets his FF.
So no I don't think its a great food. but it is a wet food, better than feeding dry.
also if you read the labels and buy the PATE or classic varieties...with the first ingredient being a meat or fish and NOT a by-product....than we're doing the best we can.

[29sillygirl]

Oh...thanks so so much.  I have too much time right now and spend alot of it worrying about Diego.  I believe he has a good, experienced vet, but, after his reaction to that wet food, I am on my own once more.  

You have confirmed what the young vet @ clinic told me last year: read the labels, whether dry or wet...the answer is  there.

So...Sami and Diego...confirmed FF junkies...lol.

  Funny...remember when I was so ernest about a Wellness regime?  He gradually stopped eating the wet food altogether..lol.  All of this food is very expensive so if it is not prescribed for a life threatening condition...not worth the money.

You know, Diego  likes the FF classic best.   Will look for Pate and keep getting the classic.  He shows no sign of allergy.  Gets no table food....so we shall see.  I had forgotten the saga of Sami and his allergies.  

Love you and thanks again for the help....

[Jade59]

FF junkie here, too!  Jade loves the Primavera kind, and will not touch the Classic, although we did find ONE she liked yesterday (yesterday meaning, she may not like it next time).  It doesn't say "classic' on it, but it's the "Chicken Feast in Gravy - Marinated Morsels".  She usually will eat nothing but this darn FF Primavera.  Have you noticed FF is kind of expensive itself?  She still eats the dry Wellness but that's only at night as I try to ignore the pleas for a Third can of FF to be opened.  She will NOT touch the Wellness wet, and God knows, I have tried...just recently even.

I could just cry since poor thing would of eaten anything I put in front of her in the beginning since ANYTHING was probably better than that orange, puffed cheese ball looking food she Was being given (food almost bigger than her little mouth).  If I'd only known then, what I know now, I would of started her on a much better food.

SG...sorry D had such a reaction to the Hills.  May of been the fast change affecting him.  Glad to hear he's doing well!  Stitches out, I see.  Will check in with you soon. ♥

[FurballsMom]

Cats are definitely like people.  Lots of people know that the foods they eat aren't as healthy for them as the foods should be, but they WON'T eat the foods that are better for them.  Cats just behave the same way that people do and know what they like and what they won't eat.

[29sillygirl]

Oh..great fun to have more cat 'moms' telling me their furry  darlings culinary leanings:).

Jade, it is funny how they will love one particular  FF.  With Diego, the classic Salmon is his favorite.  He has had the Chicken in Gravy, but isn't wild about it.  Oh...yes...the cost has risen.  I noticed right away when it did.  About the time the newish ones came out I believe.

Fur...they love what smells and tastes good like us.  And once they've had a good thing...will come running when it is about....Jade and I know the effects a rattling Temptations bag has!

I am so glad we are past the surgery drama with stitches removed..life returning to normal here.   hmmm...D is now sitting on a new P.D. James novel...purring and pawing my arm...I know what he wants!