changing cat food

[Nancy125]

Little Evie was an abandoned cat found wandering the alley where I live.  When she adopted me, she was so emaciated that it rendered her sterile.  Her 1st real food (not from garbage cans) was a quality salmon and rice brand.  Before the first bag was half gone, she had blood in her stools.  The store manager said she was probably alergic to the rice.  Since my previous cat of 16 years was on Hill's i/d his whole life for chronic colitis, I switched Little Evie to the i'd and she has been just fine.  However, this prescription diet has become much more expensive than it was 5 years ago.  A small 4# bag is just over $17.  Is there something similar over-the-counter I could switch Little Evie to?  Thank you.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The best food for a cat is a mouse, fish, or bird.  Cats evolved from desert ancestors, who derived all their liquid from their prey and did not have to drink.  Many of the cats of the present day still don't drink enough, so the best diet for most cat's is an all canned diet or a home-made diet.  Cats do not have any requirement for grains at all!

Good canned brands include: Evo/Innova, Wellness, Nature's Variety, and the equivalent.  Please choose grain-free varieties.  Please switch the diet slowly, to avoid more diarrhea, or stomach problems.  If your cat continues to have digestive issues, please  have a fecal analysis to check for GI parasites and ask your vet for Drontal Plus to empirically deworm your cat.  Additionally, add a good probiotic and Missing Link to the diet.

[daisyfayis]

Hi Nancy-One of the vets on this site will probably comment but my only suggestion is to find a cleaner/healthier brand of food that is grain free. The quality of protein is important since cats are really carnivores with minimal grains and veggies. Raw foods with necessary supplements added is best but challenging for most of us with busy lives or with older kitties addicted to dry food. Some of the "cleaner" better quality foods tend to be more expensive but do your research because some might not be more expensive than prescription. Healthier food sometimes means less vet bills. All of the research I have been doing is saying be sure to give your cat some canned food if not raw since just dry can be hard on kidneys in the long run. Do the best you can with the resources you have. Good luck. Maria