Just like in people, our feline friends can fall prey to digestive and stomach sensitivity issues. Some are easy to identify and treat and others take time and patience.
When I adopted my Jasper, he had chronic diarrhea and horrible gas. He was also having a hard time putting on weight. The poor guy went through six months of testing, medications, and special prescription cat foods. After many vet visits and hours of online research, the vet and I finally identified and solved the issue. Jasper had food allergies!
A large amount of cat food on the market contains fillers, such as potatoes, grains, and other starches that aren’t biologically appropriate for cats. They also tend to contain additives and preservatives. And, some of the most common ingredients in cat food are the biggest contributors to stomach issues. These include beef, seafood, corn, soy, dairy, and wheat gluten. Even some of the prescription cat foods contain these ingredients.
If your kitty has any of these symptoms, he could possibly have a food allergy or intolerance:
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Gas
– Frequent scratching
– Hair loss
– Red, inflamed skin
– Chronic ear problems
Please note, having any of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean there’s an issue with food sensitivity. There are parasites and diseases that can cause some of the same symptoms. Only a veterinarian can tell you for sure.
If your vet decides the issue is indeed food related, you may want to try an elimination diet by giving kitty a source of protein and carbs that he hasn’t eaten before. Some good protein choices include duck, bison, or rabbit. And, some good carb sources include green peas and chick peas. There are many quality specialty cat foods that are grain, additive, and preservative free, and which include these alternative types of proteins and carbs.
In Jasper’s case, we hit the jackpot pretty quickly. In his case, we were able to identify duck and green peas as the ingredients he was able to tolerate. He miraculously responded to his new food immediately! No more diarrhea and no more gas. I can honestly say that in the last two years, the ONLY time he has had diarrhea is when he’s had to take an antibiotic for a respiratory issue. The only cat food Jasper eats is L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Green Pea & Duck Dry Cat Formula from Natural Balance®.
So, if your fur baby is experiencing the symptoms of a food allergy or intolerance, and parasites and diseases have been ruled out, give an alternative or limited ingredient diet a try.
