Well as you all know I've been battling diarrhea with these foster kittens in my care. I knew it was a food issue due to how quick their mom got over her diarrhea with raw food. I didn't want it to be a food issue, really I didn't. As much as I like standing on my proverbial soap box and talking the talk and walking the walk about how important food is*, I know that they might linger at the shelter too long if they have too many restrictions on what they can eat.
Well, I surmised it was a chicken issue. So I bought some raw food in beef and buffalo. The kittens had been randomly getting one or the other at each meal. I don't like the beef as much because it seems to be geared towards dogs and seems to have more veggies in it (at least the carrots are very obvious in it) but then again I don't know if it actually has more or not. *shrug* But I wasn't worried about veggies, I was concerned with 'not chicken' The first day they were still dealing with unhappy colons.. but last night we got several nice looking tootsies. I scooped the boxes and proceeded to interact with the kittens.
I then saw Petra (who has had it the worst) head to the litter box. I held my breath waiting for her 'deposit' and I was 'blessed' with a beautiful tootsie!! I praised the living daylights out of her, and I could just hear her say "well duh! you feed me food that doesn't irritate me and this is what happens you silly person you"
Next step, non chicken canned food. I'm a little afraid to give it a shot because I so hate diarrhea and I can only guess at how much they hate diarrhea, but it would be nice to know what they can handle before sending them off. I'm going to wait a while though.. let things heal up from that last explosion.
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And just because I know you'll love the visual, the kittens have start to throw themselves out the kitten room door. I put up a baby gate, because they so want out and would just run when I opened the door. So now they sit on the edge of the couch and hurl themselves at the top of the gate once the door opens. It really is quite funny once you get over the "WHAT THE HECK!!" moment.. cause kitties flying at you is something to behold..
*(I'm still trying to perfect the non preachy 'this is the only way and if you don't do it my way you aren't a good pet owner' way of preaching, cause I don't believe that in the least.. I know it is a thin line between "did you know" and someone taking it as I think they are wrong.. and I know I still need to work on that)
I don't think you've ever come across as preachy regarding nutrition. In fact, people could learn a lot from you if they read your posts. I'm glad things are moving in the right direction litter box wise.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did Miera get spayed and how is she doing?
Interestingly enough, CHICKEN is one of THE most popular choices of protein that cats are allergic to.... happened to one of mine! Definitely avoid the chicken!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that things are moving in the right direction, food-wise. I love the visual of the kittens hurling themselves at you.
ReplyDeleteAw, we would love to see their hurling & "What the" moments. Do you think the chicken issue is age related & they will out grow it?
ReplyDeleteWhile anything is possible, I doubt she'll outgrow an allergy to chicken. I'm not even sure if it is an actual allergy and not IBD that is flairs by eating chicken..
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