Food Allergy

I know another food question! We're trying to find a food that the Civie, Joy can eat. She gets hot spots and little scabbie sores when she has a food that does not agree with her. Her recent reactions have included a diagnosis of Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex, whew! This is also called "fat chin" or "pouty chin". We tried the Nature's Variety Lamb, Duck and Turkey. We had determined that she has a reaction to pork from another food we tried about a year ago and the Lamb has pork in it. She likes the duck but it makes her break out. She doesn't like the Turkey which is what we are feeding Coral with much success.

Joy was on Hill's z/d dry and we switched her to z/d wet. This is high in carbs 34% from Dr. Lisa's list. She has the least amount of reaction to it, having a hot spot or skin lesion every month or so, it is almost like something builds up and causes a reaction. Because her mom was diagnosed with diabetes in June and is currently on an OTJ trial I'd like to get Joy on a lower carb food. Trying to buy a little insurance. I'm really frustrated so would appreciate some constructive insight and success stories.

I am aware of the large post regarding all the food threads and reviewed them. Thanking you in advance for your input. Kathe and Joy

 

Is the allergy to chicken? Venison and salmon are considered other "novel proteins" for allergies. I know a lot people (myself included) don't love the idea of feeding fish often, but a vet specialist did strongly recommend salmon-based foods to me when we were struggling with cat allergy problems.

Merrick has some limited ingredient foods: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/cats/...e-Canned-Cat-Food-for-Cats-and-Kittens&id=252

There's also Natural Balance Limited Ingredients foods, but I don't know their carb contents (you could email them or use the online calculator):
https://www.petflow.com/product/nat...gclid=CKms6dbRpMgCFVc2aQodVBAEMg&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Natural-Balance-LID-Allergy-Formula-Dry-Cat-Food/158185.aspx

Another dry venison food: http://www.chewy.com/cat/feline-caviar-limited-ingredient/dp/35280

And there's some Weruva foods that might work for her if she has no known fish allergies: http://www.weruva.com/truluxe-meow-me-a-river.php (I'd never heard of this fish before and had to google it, but there's also mixed fish broth in there. The nice thing about this one is that the phosphorus content is reasonable, and it's low carb.) But, anyway, fish is a mixed bag- so I don't know if you want to go there.

 

Thank you, Me for your thoughtful response. We went to Coos Bay today and I checked out what foods may be available for us in this coastal area. I found Merrick which has a lot of promise, am aware of Nature's Variety as that is what Coral eats, I'll check out the other two. Your last suggestion really impressed me. They actually have a chart that gives Carbs without having to go to them to ask. http://www.bestfriendsfoods.com/nutrition.shtml Thanks again for your suggestions. And no, Joy isn't allergic to chicken as the z/d is hydrolyzed chicken. Thanks again, Kathe and Joy

 

Hope one of those work! I haven't fed the Feline Caviar, but I've used Merrick, Weruva, and Natural Balance before. One cat loved all three, and the other only liked the Natural Balance.
Good luck with your kitty!

 

Stella and Chewy's freeze dried rabbit might be an option for another novel protein. You add water to reconstitute it and I think it's about 12% carbs. However it is pretty pricey. A small bag is $25. Also, I couldn't buy that one because I have friends who keep rabbits as pets so the idea of feeding rabbit was hard for me.

Have you looked into raw food? I don't know if it would help but a lot of cats with various conditions seem to do really well on commercially prepared raw.

Also, Royal Canin makes a hypoallergenic food. I don't remember what the ingredients are but I remember I tried it on Marshmallow and her BG stayed good on it even though the carbs were higher than desired.

Good luck Kathe, and congrats on Coral's low numbers during her OTJ trial!

 

Thanks for the input. I decided on Wellness Chicken Grain Free. So far Joy has not shown any ill effects from the new food. It even looks like her pouty chin may be receding. Don't know how long the effects of a previous food try is affecting her but it seems like her little scabies are healing. My gut feeling is that she had an allergic reaction to the wet z/d. She was on the dry z/d and tolerated that with only a few outbreaks. I'm about half way through the transition trying to go slow. So keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome. Kathe and Joy

 

Hope all goes well! Fingers crossed!

 

My allergy, non diabetic, has tried just about all the novel proteins without success. Either he wouldn't eat them ( rabbit, venison) or they made him itchy. Today I started with Mauri's kangaroo. He licked the dish clean so I am hoping he tolerates it. I read that it is low carb but I cannot state as a true fact. Good luck.