I wasn't sure whether to post this in Cat Nutrition in general, or the Raw & Home-Cooked forum because I'd like input from those folks, as well.
I think Sebastian is prone to food allergies, and this could definitely be a contributing factor to a lot of his issues. He was on a rabbit-only diet for six months, and we think he developed an allergy to the rabbit since I've recently switched him to pork, and he's been doing great. (Actually, he started not to do well after four months on the rabbit, so he may have developed an allergy to rabbit only after four months.) I don't want him to develop an allergy to pork, too, or any other protein for that matter. I would eventually run of things to feed him!
Traditional vets seem to think that they should be on one food until they develop an allergy to it, and then switch them. This doesn't seem very proactive to me. I came across an article on the Mercola website (I can't link to it right now because the site has been down all weekend). I also read an article from Dr. Jean Hofve (http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/knowledgebase/knowledgebasedetail.aspx?articleid=184). It seems they recommend a different protein every 2-4 months for pets prone to developing food allergies. However, some opinions I've read are that it should be different protein every week, or even every day. I'm inclined to meet somewhere in the middle - maybe every two weeks, or every month.
I'm not really sure what direction to take. Sebastian hasn't had any chicken, beef, or fish in six months. I don't think he's ever had lamb or venison. I have no problem rotating in lots of proteins...whatever it takes. But I am nervous about exposing him to every protein I can get my hands on. Then I won't have anything "novel" to fall back on just in case there's a major issue.
The TCM vet I am working with hasn't gotten back to me on this yet. I'm eager to hear her thoughts, but wanted to see what you thought as well. What would you do?
I think Sebastian is prone to food allergies, and this could definitely be a contributing factor to a lot of his issues. He was on a rabbit-only diet for six months, and we think he developed an allergy to the rabbit since I've recently switched him to pork, and he's been doing great. (Actually, he started not to do well after four months on the rabbit, so he may have developed an allergy to rabbit only after four months.) I don't want him to develop an allergy to pork, too, or any other protein for that matter. I would eventually run of things to feed him!
Traditional vets seem to think that they should be on one food until they develop an allergy to it, and then switch them. This doesn't seem very proactive to me. I came across an article on the Mercola website (I can't link to it right now because the site has been down all weekend). I also read an article from Dr. Jean Hofve (http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/knowledgebase/knowledgebasedetail.aspx?articleid=184). It seems they recommend a different protein every 2-4 months for pets prone to developing food allergies. However, some opinions I've read are that it should be different protein every week, or even every day. I'm inclined to meet somewhere in the middle - maybe every two weeks, or every month.
I'm not really sure what direction to take. Sebastian hasn't had any chicken, beef, or fish in six months. I don't think he's ever had lamb or venison. I have no problem rotating in lots of proteins...whatever it takes. But I am nervous about exposing him to every protein I can get my hands on. Then I won't have anything "novel" to fall back on just in case there's a major issue.
The TCM vet I am working with hasn't gotten back to me on this yet. I'm eager to hear her thoughts, but wanted to see what you thought as well. What would you do?