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Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Food?
We've just dropped our 2 yr old cat at the vet. He's been lethargic and vomitting over the last day or so, and the final straw was watching him strain to use the litter box.
He's crazy constipated. He is staying at the clinic overnight, possibly until Monday as they try to work the poop out. Do I feel like a horrible cat owner right now? Yes. He went through a period in the spring of vomitting as well, and we had changed his food source to Natural Balance Duck and Pea (both dry and wet formula, along with other canned formulas that didn't contain chicken). It worked well until a month or so ago - the vomitting began again, so we switched to EVO Salmon and Herring formula. Things have been fine until he started vomitting, etc again. That all said - the vet is recommending a hydrolyzed protein type of food for my Mr Miyagi. It's the first I've heard of this. Has anyone ever had to use this for your own cats? Are the ingredients going to be as horrible as I fear (I'm such a strong believer in grain-free, especially for cats). She is also recommending just dry food (it's easier to limit the protein or something?). Again, and I told her - I much prefer a diet that does include canned food. When we pick him up, we'll be discussing food. I want to be prepared so any help would be appreciated. |
#2
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Yes. Here are the ingredients in Hill's Z/D: Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Hydrolyzed Chicken, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Powdered Cellulose, Quote:
The number one cause of constipation in cats IS DRY FOOD!!!!! I personally wouldn't discuss diet with her at all if this is what her recommendation is. Here's my advice, for what it's worth. Ditch ALL kibble. Doesn't matter if it's grain-free or not, it's still dry. Ideally, try a raw diet without too much bone and minimal plant content, but if that's not possible, there are some nice simple novel protein canned foods available, like Innova Evo 95% venison or duck. Nature's Variety also makes so excellent ones like Instinct Rabbit or Lamb. Add an extra tablespoon or 2 of warm water to Mr Miyagi's meals. Some cats develop issues with a protein source after repeat and continuous exposure, so perhaps you need to rotate between a few different varieties to prevent that from happening. I would also stay away from fish, which tends to be high on the allergenic list. You can also add some supplements to Mr. Miyagi's diet, like slippery elm bark, probiotics or digestive enzymes. Not all at once, but see if one of those helps. Here is more info for you on constipation in cats: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...onstipatedcats
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#3
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They are going to give him a couple of enemas to help with the stool - they may also need to put him under if they need to manually go in there and get it out. In any case, it doesn't sound pleasant for my kitty :/
My biggest question is - what's so special about hydrolyzed protein. Is there going to be a benefit to this kind of food (my understanding is its specially treated to be more easily digested?) vs say a limited protein diet (like Natural Balance LID, Instinct Variety, ect). I, too, take pause in the thought of only feeding dry food. Logically, one would think canned food is going to have an easier time passing through the system (don't have to be a vet for that one!) Quote:
The only thing that comes to mind actually is the fact we did recently switch to a fish based dry food - maybe this is what is causing the upheaval? We figured his problems were chicken based, but maybe fish isn't so great either now? If the Natural Balance Duck and Pea canned food worked - would you recommend sticking with just that for a long period of time? He doesn't seem to tolerate chicken either :/ I'm not opposed to raw - it's just not the ideal choice for us right now. |
#4
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Loki Love, sorry to hear about your kitty.
I agree with sugarcatmom and not discuss Mr Miyagi's diet with your vet .....just tell her you're working with a feline nutritionist and not interested in any food made by Hills. Here is what the dogfood analysis site says about the z/d dog food .... http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...uct=1078&cat=7 Two other members here have this same problem with their cats (Chris21711 and quincymycat) and I'm sure they will post what has helped them once they log on. Good luck. |
#5
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We had a dog with inflammatory bowel disease that needed hydrolized protein food--essentially his IBD meant that he was allergic to protein. When you hydrolize protein, it breaks it into small pieces that the body doesn't recognize as protein.
However, the IBD gave Evan diarrhea...it sure didn't constipate him! Don't know how different it might be in cats, but I can't know of any other reason to feed hydrolized protein except for IBD I hope your kitty feels better soon, Loki Love!
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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#6
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Am I to assume that I really am better off using a hydrolized protein in this case and that may be the thing that works for him? As much as I have my beliefs, etc - at the end of the day, I want what is going to work for the kitty so he doesn't have to do another overnighter at the vet and feel such discomfort I appreciate the well wishes - it's so hard having a sick pet. |
#7
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He was on Natural Balance LID Duck and Green Pea formula - and then he started vomiting on that hard food. I didn't clue in then, and simply switched the hard food to a fish based food (while keeping on with the regular canned food - NB Duck and Green Pea, EVO beef, Wellness Core fish something or other). He had been doing well (or so I thought). It's not that I don't care about what I feed my cat - I just want the best chance of success - whether that's a special hydrolyzed protein vet food that is also filled with garbage.. or.. all wet food with limited protein sources. I want to be ready for this discussion with the vet tomorrow. |
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