While some cats may have been exposed to duck or pork most cats have never eaten rabbit in their lives.
Hypoallergenic diet for cats with ibd.
It is easy to digest for cats and has antioxidants that boost the cat s immune system.
And according to expert elizabeth hodgkins dvm these foods don t always work either at least not for long.
Switching diets doesn t mean overnight results.
Mainstream vet medicine often puts cats with ibs ibd symptoms on manufactured hypoallergenic foods like hill s z d but these foods are often high in carbohydrates fattening and low in quality protein.
Cats with ibd can restore their gut health with a raw diet the result of processed food is poorly controlled protein grains fillers toxic additives and preservatives that line the shelves of our local market pet store or easily purchased online.
Feeding a high moisture diet is the easiest way to combat the dehydration that is so common among cats with ibd.
Dry kibble is high in starchy carbs which can cause indigestion.
Rabbit is well tolerated and many would argue that rabbit is the closest available protein to what cats have evolved to eat.
Simplicity is key for ibd.
Hypoallergenic diets for cats contain restricted amounts of ingredients that are thought not to harm the digestion and not cause bowel irritation.
Instead of feeding kibble opt for a canned freshly cooked raw or rehydrated diet.
If your cat also suffers from diabetes the high protein low carb diet is the way to go.
It is made from egg and rice recipes that are designed to provide a balanced diet.
Make sure that your cat s food is rich in moisture.
The vet may introduce a food ingredient every second week and monitor the cat s reactions.
This makes rabbit a novel protein to most cats.
Choose foods that control inflammation.
If that doesn t work your vet might suggest a low fat high fiber diet.
Rabbit is a popular choice for hypoallergenic cat food.
Cats with ibd should not eat grains which are often found in prescription diets.
There is no one perfect ibd in cats best food diet that works for every cat.
Cats may also have food allergies or intolerances which further the inflammation.
Though research on protein digestibility in cats is limited this appears to rule out most animal by products and rendered animal feed ingredients along with most plant sourced protein sources like corn gluten meal and pea protein.
This specific food is designed for adult felines with sensitive skin and stomachs.
It s recommended that cats with ibd have a diet with at least 87 protein digestibility.
The cat has to be on the new diet for at least 2 weeks before the ibd symptoms will disappear.
Another possibility is the high protein low carbohydrate diet perhaps most similar to what cats eat in nature.