Question: I have a 10 month old Siamese male kitten that all of a sudden does not want to use the toilet to urinate. He also seems like he has a hard time pooping, he strains. I feed him Eagle Pack Holistic Select Chicken formula for Cats and Kittens. One of my students recommended Halo chicken dry food for indoor cats. I tried wet food but he does not like it much. He seems like he is drinking enough water though the day. Any suggestions?

Answer: Thanks for writing in. The reason your cat may not want to use the litterbox to urinate may be one of a few reasons. Many cats that experience painful defecation or constipation will shy away from the box for urination as well because they recall it as a “bad” or painful place. The Halo dry food can be an excellent choice for pets with constipation as it contains fiber-rich vegetables, prebiotics and probiotics to support intestinal health. See my article about natural remedies for constipation in cats, Natural Remedies for Constipation.

The other very common urinary ailment of cats is a condition called interstitial cystitis. This is a sterile inflammation of the bladder that causes pain and avoidance of the litter box. Increasing water intake (try fountain waterers, etc) and enriching their home environment (see www.indoorcat.org) can help with the condition dramatically. You should see your veterinarian to make sure he doesn’t have issues like stones or other bladder problems.

Good luck.
Dr. Donna Spector

Click here to read about Halo’s philosophy on grains for dogs and cats. Get answers to the following questions and more:

• What grains does Halo use? Are certain grains better than others?

• Are “grain-free” diets better than those with grains?

• My veterinarian says cats shouldn’t eat carbohydrates and should be on grain-free foods. Why does Halo have grains in their cat food?

• Are Halo foods gluten-free?

Short-dated products are on the Halo web site at half price. Of course, these usually sell out extremely quickly, so grab what you can use. Currently available: Liv-a-Littles protein treats, grooming and supplements items, and even some cans of Halo Spot’s Stew. Take a look, and check back often!

Please remember, while these products are wonderful, they are not the same as what you can buy at the store. You’ll find earlier formulas, old labels, or short-dating. Short-dating means that the product will reach its “Best if Used By” date within 1-2 months of purchase.

When this blogger’s kitty was having gas issues, her pet store recommended Halo as a cure– and as you will read, it worked!

Click here to read blog.

Q: I purchased 3 large packages of your dry cat food that says it is for indoor cats, sensitive stomachs etc. I have noticed that my cats throw up more often than when they were on other brands of cat food. Your ingredients seem so much better for them. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jean

A: Hi Jean,
Thanks for trying Halo. Even the highest quality food can cause digestive upset if it is introduced too quickly and cats are notorious for stomach upset with food changes. This happens because the bacteria and enzymes within the digestive system have to adapt to the new food in order to properly digest it. If you have been feeding the new food for less than 2 weeks, be patient, the problem may resolve itself. In general, for patients with sensitive stomachs I recommend the following diet transition:

Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – 75% old food, 25% Halo food
Day 5, 6, 7, 8 – 50% old food, 50% Halo food
Day 9, 10, 11, 12 – 25% old food, 75% Halo food
Day 13 and on – 100% Halo food

The other possibility is binge eating. Often when cats are switched to a superior food, it tastes better than some of the foods they were previously eating and so they binge at the bowl! This over-eating is often a problem with cats that are free fed (have access to food throughout the day) and can definitely lead to vomiting. I recommend placing small portions of food out two to three times daily to cut down on this problem.

If the vomiting persists, please see your veterinarian as there may be another cause.

Hope that helps.
Keep us posted.
Dr. Donna Spector