AboutKC Expertise I can answer questions related to feline and canine diet including questions regarding ingredients, by-products, nutrients, raw diets, brand named products, etc. I can also answer questions related to pet health, behavior, grooming, and general animal management.
***Before asking a question, please read my past answers as they will more than likely answer your question:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cat-Food-3490/indexExp_83830.htm
*****I'm happy to announce a new forum*****
http://petfoods.freeforums.org
Experience I have done research on the relationship between feline diet and feline diabetes due to my personal experience in dealing with one of my own cats. I am a pet lover and always have numerous cats and dogs. I believe in feeding a high quality and by-product free diet. Diet alone cured my diabetic cat as well as either cured or significantly helped many others.
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences and years of
experience working as a Veterinary Technician
Expert: KC Date: 1/5/2008 Subject: food to clear struvites
Question My 5 year old cat Bubbles was recently hospitalised with struvites. This all occurred after the birth of our baby so I have reason to believe some of it to be stress related. She was put on to the royal canin food , I give both her and my other cat the wet and dry food. When reading the back I noticed that it is recommended they stay on this diet for 6 months. My vet said she needs to have this for life. However I then found out she was charging me nearly twice the price, when I said I'd found the food cheaper, she became less helpful. I am now wandering if I should keep them on the wet and dry or if I could mix one of them with a different type of food, as the flavours are limited, and if I can do this what do I use. I have also noticed both cats have put on weight since using this brand.
Answer Hi Donna,
Sadly, in recent years, struvites have become more commonly seen in cats and dogs. I personally believe it to be solely diet related. Your vet was correct to change her diet. However, that was totally unprofessional for her to become less helpful when you were no longer buying food from her...that just isn't right! Any of the by-produt free, grain-free, and human grade foods are find to use. I personally prefer Wellness, Nature's Variety, and Innova EVO. You can safely use all of the brands, mix them, and even feed raw in addition to them. The big name commercial foods (Science Diet, Eukanuba, Purina, 9 Lives, etc.) are the ones which are loaded in grains which are very bad for carnivores, loaded in fillers, preservatives, and many nasty and potentially toxic by-products. I believe these ingredients to contribute to, if not totally cause, feline diabetes, struvites, skin and respiratory allergies, digestive problems, as well as many others. I also feed a combination of wet, dry, and raw. Please see some of my past answers regarding feeding schedule, feeding amount, etc. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cat-Food-3490/indexExp_83830.htm
I would keep the cats on the new diet permanently, as well as any new cats/dogs that you have in the future. The results that I have seen from changing diet have been remarkable. As for the cats gaining weight...please read my past answers on feeding... You should only be feeding twice per day and never leave food down. If after monitoring their feeding times and amounts, if after 2 months you don't notice a slight weight decrease, you can decrease the amount you are feeding even more. There is no sense in a food causing obesity if fed properly. My past answers will describe how to start feeding properly and once you learn how much they eat to become full per meal, you will know how much you can cut it back to reduce thier weight...there is no strict set amount...as cats vary in size and weight...and even slightly in their metabolic rate, as it all depends on age, size, and activity level.
Hope this helps!
