Expert: KC - 8/15/2007

Question
I have a Bengal kitten (14 weeks old) that has a very soft stool problem (diarrhea). I was told that Bengals have very sensitive stomach. do you know of the best dry food that have the potential to fix this problem?

Answer
Hi.  First off, I'm assuming that you've had a vet do an exam to rule out parasites, bacterial infection, etc?  Even if you purchase a kitten from a reputable breeder they can still have intestinal parasites such as coccidia which causes severe diarrhea.  In addition, I'm guessing that he/she appears healthy other than the diarrhea and has had initial vaccinations.  If not, I'd highly suggest a veterinary exam just to make sure that the diarrhea is in fact diet-related.

I have also heard that Bengal's can have sensitive stomachs.  I have heard of one breeder who feeds exclusively raw food, although it is difficult to prepare and the proper supplements must be added...as you cannot feed raw alone that is not supplemented or they will have health issues.  For cats with sensitive stomachs, feeding exclusively dry isn't really the way to go.  Most do better on only canned or else canned with a small amount of dry.  The extra moisture content in canned is exceptionally good for cats because as carnivores they are meant to obtain a high amount of moisture content from meals and tend to not drink enough immediately after eating.  With a sensitive stomach, the canned food tends to digest better and be easier on the digestive tract.  Rabbit is typically the food of choice for both dogs and cats that have very sensitive stomachs.  However, a lot are picky and don't like it, or it can take a little time and patience to get them to eat it.  The only super premium rabbit food that I am aware of now is the rabbit canned food made by Nature's Variety.    http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1462&-session=naturesvariety:4B...
Hopefully you can get that link to work.  They also sell frozen raw foods that contain excellent nutrients which can be fed solely.  The frozen raw also comes in rabbit if your cat likes it.  I feed only the Nature's Variety and Wellness brands of food to all of my cats and dogs.  They contain no by-products, grains, or fillers such as wood pulp, artificial colors, etc. that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, etc.  If your cat has a sensitive stomach, pay particular attention to labels when buying food.  Only choose the ones that say by-product free, have no artificial colors, etc.  

Several of my cats had sensitive stomachs prior to changing foods, which I did several years ago when one of my cats was diagnosed with diabetes.  Diet alone cured him of feline diabetes and I have been feeding the same types of foods ever since...and all of my cats with sensitive stomachs, amazingly, no longer have problems with vomiting or diarrhea.  In addition, shedding decreased, all of them started getting super shiny coats, none of them had dry skin any longer, and all are at perfect weights now.

I only feed twice a day, as cats aren't meant to 'graze' all day and night.  Feeding twice a day will help to prevent obesity and will definitely help keep his/her stomach from getting upset.  However, you can certainly feed treats (such as a very small amount of premium dry food, raw, grilled, or baked chicken, ham, tuna, etc.) a couple of times in between meals.  Feeding canned twice a day, followed immediately by dry (if your cat likes it) just to help remove tarter from his/her teeth, is what I would recommend.  Offer him/her canned such as the rabbit type.  When they are finished eating that, put down dry for just a few minutes, then pick up all remaining food until dinner time.  For a 14 week old kitten, I would feed 1/4 of a can and when that is gone, offer a bowl of dry, only leaving it down for 10 minutes or so.  When they are done eating, pick it all up.  

Here is a link to a store that only sells high end premium foods, meaning they have NO by-products or additives:  http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/ If you find a brand/type that your cat likes it should be easy to get locally, as for me, my local pet store started ordering the Wellness and Nature's Variety brands and stocking them.  It's become very popular in my area especially after the recent pet food scare due to contaminated grains.  None of the foods listed with the Natural Pet Store contain any harmful or potentially harmful products and NONE were brands that were listed in that huge recall several weeks ago...as they are only high end, super premium foods.

I hope this helps.  If you have more questions, just ask.