Is Your Cat Allergic to His Food? - Ingredients that Can Cause Life Threatening Illnesses

Most people don't think about their house cat having an allergy involving the pet's food but it is possible and it does occur. A Blue Gray Russian kitten was adopted from the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Waterloo, Iowa nearly five years ago and appeared to be the picture of health. After getting the kitten home and starting him on Purina kitten chow he seemed to grow and appear a healthly kitten. With in months his knew owners were living a nightmare. The kitten began losing weight and vomiting any food he ate. They took him to the veterinarian and were told to change his cat food and make sure he drank plenty of water. The kitten was given a shot and a prescription for an antibiotic. The kitten soon began gaining weight and seemed to be better when they came home one afternoon to find blood on the carpet and the kitten had lost weight again over just days. The kitten was returned to the veterinarian clinic again and this time they were told that he had a parasite problem in his intestines and that he was probably born with them. He was treated again and sent home but didn't get better this time. He was taken back to the clinic and this time test were ran for feline leukemia, diabetes and allergies. To his owners surprise their kitten was severely allergic to wheat and beef products that were in most cat foods. He was switched immediately to Purina ZD for a month to help build up his immunity and restore vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B's to rebuild his system. The kitten's health was fully restored and is now a heathly twenty-two pound adult neutered cat.

Shopping for cat food or treats that do not contain wheat or beef products can be a challenge but it is available at your pet supply stores, HyVee and even Walmart. Pet food companies are becoming aware of the now evident allergic problem involving small pets like cats and dogs. Most pet supply stores like Petsmart and Petco will explain to you the benefit of buying a quality pet food that offers your pet a better balanced ingredient list that is complete with vitamins and minerals. Try to stay away from pet foods that contain corn as the first ingredient as the product doesn't stay in your pet's digestive system long enough for your pet to absorb enough nutrients. The best advice is to use an indoor cat formula that does not contain wheat or beef products but contains vegetables, rice, poultry or lamb. HyVee carries it's own house brand of indoor formula for cats that digest very well and contains no wheat or beef product and Purina also carries an indoor formula and can be food at nearly any store that carries Purina products.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/409164/is_your_cat_allergic_to_his_food_ingredients.html