Cat Hot Spots and Dry Food

[AileenB]

Hi,
My cat:

Berli, black cat, short hair, Female, approx 2.5 years old, 12 lbs
B = usually very mellow and sweet
E = on the low side
A = high
M = usually content, currently angry as of yesterday

Food - wet: canned Ziwi brand beef, venison, limited ingredient brand rabbit - Dry: - was Natural Balance Salmon and Pea, then switched to Stella and Chewy rabbit kibble a few weeks ago, until yesterday when I stopped cold turkey

Berli has had chronic ear infections since about 2 months after we got her. We adopted her and grey tabby sister at about 6months old (2 years ago.) Lulu (grey tabby) has NONE of these issues although she has eaten the same food and been on all the same medicines since we got them. Being new cat owners, we did what the vets told us and both were given several medicines right away as the vet claimed they had ear, eye and nose infections on their first well check. They were both also fixed before we got them.

Berli has had chronic ear discharge which causes severe itching - we have tried everything, the vets ran every test and are still puzzled and assume "allergy." We took both cats off of chicken (which Berli LOVED) 10 months ago and went only fish for both cats. The itching did not stop. Recently we have dialed down the fish and tried beef, vension and rabbit. But Berli has continued to develop severe hot spots above both ears and now around her face. The only thing that made her better was daily prednilisone. But she hated the administration of the medicine and after taking her off it it, the itching comes right back. I have kept her off of it but she looks worse and worse. Her hot spots are red and sometimes bleed.

After speaking with @Dr. Jeff I took her off of the dry food completely (Stella and Chewy Rabbit) and ONE day later, our sweet, loving kitty is angry, aggressive, is biting us and scratching at us. I know she LOVES the dry food so much more than the wet and it makes me so sad that we took away another thing she loves. @Dr. Jeff - you and I discussed her happiness as part of the healing process but she is NOT happy and is scratching herself even worse. I have spent more time with her to compensate, petting her, my daughter plays with her but she's clearly not happy or content.

It is so hard to watch her be so bummed and also difficult to be around her because she is aggressive and destructive - which is a brand new issue since we took away the dry food. Very unlike her. I know the dry food is the worst but it also seems like one of the few things she really likes...

Any advice or support will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Aileen

 

[GinnyW]

How about feeding just a bit of dry, in with whatever else she might find attractive? Hunger can be a positive motivation. Raw proteins in tiny amounts could be more attractive. How about feeding more opportunistically, like leaving a bit of something in a unexpected place or time? The dry foods are unnaturally attractive, and/but you may be able to find brands that are simpler, more wholesome.

I know cats are real a**holes when it comes to change, but it can be done if you are appropriately sneaky. You have her whole life to get this straightened out, so go slowly. Definitely get that homeopathic guidance, too. No healthy animal stays self-destructive...

 

[AileenB]

How about feeding just a bit of dry, in with whatever else she might find attractive? Hunger can be a positive motivation. Raw proteins in tiny amounts could be more attractive. How about feeding more opportunistically, like leaving a bit of something in a unexpected place or time? The dry foods are unnaturally attractive, and/but you may be able to find brands that are simpler, more wholesome.

I know cats are real a**holes when it comes to change, but it can be done if you are appropriately sneaky. You have her whole life to get this straightened out, so go slowly. Definitely get that homeopathic guidance, too. No healthy animal stays self-destructive...

Thank you, Ginny, your post was both comforting and humorous with a fabulous dose of perspective. I HAVE been in a hurry to fix this so I really appreciate the reminder to go slowly....

 

[Dr. Christina]

We call dry food kitty crack, and sometimes it is a big challenge to switch.
you may want to get a variety of freeze dried treats and foods to try. There is no one one right answer and often it does take a lot of patience.

You are doing a great thing to interact more and play more.

Possible Switching Foods flower essence could help, or @Dr. Jean Hofve may suggest a Bach remedy for "angry at not getting their way" or one of her combo essences.

You may want to address the underlying energy field is out of balance (causing the ear and skin problems as well as the insistence on dry food) by scheduling an appointment with a homeopathic veterinarian (or a good TCVM or holistic vet). Read more about finding one here.

PATIENCE and watch as many webinars as possible, take the 101 class and keep posting.
Dr. Christina

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Here's every idea I've ever heard of for getting cats off dry food. It can take a long time, be patient but be persistent. Switching Foods | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

Definitely avoid fish, it contains histamine and is a very common allergen.

Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory, I recommend green-lipped mussel oil (not fish!). The one I use is Moxxor. Tiny capsules, easy to give to cats, not nearly as stinky as fish oil, and has strong antioxidants in it too.

Skin Soother or Welcoming Change (Jackson Galaxy Solutions) are two of the formulas that might help her. Safe Space also feels like a good one for her. Take a look and see what you think. At least start with Rescue Remedy, which you can get at any health food store right away, and may make a big difference by itself, since it has Crab Apple (important for allergies) and Impatiens (self-explanatory!).

You've already talked to @Dr. Jeff so you may want to continue to work with him for classical homeopathy, which would be best for her. Skin issues are among the toughest to deal with, so again, patience will be a bonus!

Also, in case it comes up in the near future, she should NOT be vaccinated for anything, it will rile up her already-whacky immune system. Vaccines are labeled "for healthy animals only" and a cat with chronic allergies does not fit that description!

I'm sure your vet already considered this but make absolutely sure there are no fleas anywhere. A single bite can cause a severe weeks-long reaction!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

she LOVES the dry food so much more than the wet and it makes me so sad that we took away another thing she love

Ah yes. Many cats love dry food (like kids love candy).

And as we discussed Aileen, that love, joy and happiness are instrumental to proper healing. Dry cat food can be a big obstacle to that healing.

How about a freeze-dried food or yummy home cooked chicken, turkey, beef, etc? Or Small Batch freeze dried hearts cut up and used as a topper:

https://www.chewy.com/smallbatch-pets-chicken-hearts-grain/dp/1324646

she is aggressive and destructive - which is a brand new issue since we took away the dry food. Very unlike her

Perhaps powder some up and also use it as a topper.

Most important is to do this gradually. It will take time...

Also, if you are not already doing so, strongly consider connecting with a veterinary homeopath. S/he will address Berli's underlying energetic issues that caused both the itching as well as her food preferences and aggression/destructiveness.

BTW-How often do you engage her in play? Does she have any favorite games?

 

[AileenB]

WOW - thank you for all the support. She has been off of the dry food now for 2 weeks. She's less mad and seems to like the homemade meals we are making her. We have not started with any raw yet.

@Dr. Christina & Dr. @Dr. Jean Hofve - I have the Bach Rescue remedy for myself - I will research the pet version and the flower essences - I will look at Jackson Galaxy's products too - nice to know his stuff is HA! approved.

@Dr. Jeff this week I have not played with her too much, her favorite game is the "ping pong ball" chase game. She IS very excited to be fed though. She doesn't like to come too close to us - I think because of all the ear treatments we have given her over the last 2 years. I sing to her every morning and talk to her and attempt to "connect" with her outside of physical touch.

My newest question: Her ears are still so irritated - black discharge comes out and I know that's why she's itching. She has always had this problem. When we had her on the prednilisone, she did itch less and her hair started to grow back. But we have not started her on that again since the last dosage, and her itching has ramped way up. The medical vet said we just need to keep giving it to her - I am not on board with that. HOWEVER, Berli scratches herself terribly. We put aloe gel on the hot spots but not using any medicines per say. IS this the best approach? How long until we start to intervene further?

I am very concerned with the happiness balance but also do not want her to create an infection. I found a holistic vet not too far from here - I am not sure if she is on any of the lists @Dr. Christina - but I will check all the recommended websites before we consult with her. Either way - we can't get in to see anyone for at least a week, if not 2 but I don't know how long we should let this go on....

Thank you for all the help and support.