What are OTC alternatives to IAMS Intestine Plus Residue food for cats?
September 26, 2014 5:31 AM Subscribe
I recently got prescription cat food for my pet and it's been working fine at permitting him to have regular bowel movements without any diarrhea. Best of all, he now poops in the litter box like he is supposed to. The food provided to me is IAMS Intestine Plus for cats but it's fairly expensive.
The vet told me to try the food and see what happens and so far things have been good. The concern however is the cost of the food and I am trying to find over-the-counter alternatives to it.
The difficult part of this whole process is understanding precisely what aspect of the cat food has made his diarrhea disappear altogether. Is it the low residue of the food? Is it the combination of foods that are provided in this treatment? Regardless, I'd welcome any advice about foods to try that are available over the counter that would help me to make this an affordable part of my cat's upkeep.
The vet told me to try the food and see what happens and so far things have been good. The concern however is the cost of the food and I am trying to find over-the-counter alternatives to it.
The difficult part of this whole process is understanding precisely what aspect of the cat food has made his diarrhea disappear altogether. Is it the low residue of the food? Is it the combination of foods that are provided in this treatment? Regardless, I'd welcome any advice about foods to try that are available over the counter that would help me to make this an affordable part of my cat's upkeep.
Why not ask your vet? It's probably going to depend on whatever your cat was diagnosed with that caused you to need this food in the first place.
posted by something something at 7:03 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by something something at 7:03 AM on September 26, 2014
Response by poster: I asked the vet but she refused to specify what exactly is in it that makes it so effective. There is also a conflict of interest since I am buying the dog food directly from her. We don't actually know what is wrong with him as well. She suggested I change his food and try this as a replacement for his food. I suspect that he has some irritable bowel syndrome.
posted by caudal at 7:10 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by caudal at 7:10 AM on September 26, 2014
"I am buying the dog food"
For your cat? We're talking cats here, right? They have different nutritional needs than dogs.
posted by travelwithcats at 7:17 AM on September 26, 2014
For your cat? We're talking cats here, right? They have different nutritional needs than dogs.
posted by travelwithcats at 7:17 AM on September 26, 2014
It's a prescription food. Like a prescription for medication. Would you try to substitute an over the counter medication for a doctor prescribed medication? Talk to your vet about an alternative.
posted by Seppaku at 7:20 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by Seppaku at 7:20 AM on September 26, 2014
Response by poster: My "dog food" I meant cat food. The food is for my cat.
And I agree with travelwithcats. There is no real active ingredient in this blend. Part of what makes it prescription is the level of care and regulation that went into producing this particular product as it has been particularly tested and vetted (pardon the pun) by health care practioners. In theory, you should be able to find similar feeds with a mixture of ingredients that are close to what this one provides.
posted by caudal at 7:53 AM on September 26, 2014
And I agree with travelwithcats. There is no real active ingredient in this blend. Part of what makes it prescription is the level of care and regulation that went into producing this particular product as it has been particularly tested and vetted (pardon the pun) by health care practioners. In theory, you should be able to find similar feeds with a mixture of ingredients that are close to what this one provides.
posted by caudal at 7:53 AM on September 26, 2014
You're right that vets selling food is often based on incentives they receive, and you're right to be wary, unless there is a specific medication at work. Prescription pet food isn't really medication, it's just specifically designed food for specific ailments. You can often (not always) get that same balance of nutrition in other brands, especially for things like digestion issues.
What were you feeding your cat before? My guess is another high quality grain-free cat food would work too. You could try small bags of Orijen Cat food, Taste of the Wild, or another brand.
You can also get the Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Dry Cat Food online at Chewy, with free shipping.
posted by barnone at 7:53 AM on September 26, 2014
What were you feeding your cat before? My guess is another high quality grain-free cat food would work too. You could try small bags of Orijen Cat food, Taste of the Wild, or another brand.
You can also get the Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Low-Residue Dry Cat Food online at Chewy, with free shipping.
posted by barnone at 7:53 AM on September 26, 2014
Please point out the active ingredient in this food.
Veterinary prescription diets are so-called not because they contain a magical single ingredient, but because of their overall composition. A diet for a constipated / obstipated / idiopathic megacolon cat is different in composition from a maintenance diet, as is a diet for a dog with a portosystemic shunt, as is a diet for treatment of uroliths in dogs, as is a diet for treatment of uroliths in cats.
For example, a prescription diet for a cat with chronic obstipation (megacolon) is formulated to have a crude fiber content less than 5%, while a diet for a cat with constipation / intermittent obstipation has more than 7%. Characteristics such as protein, fat, and carbohydrate digestibility has been tested and optimized by repeated food trials so as to adhere to a formulation that works best for that condition.
For a cat with obstipation (for example, I don't know what is wrong with this kitty cat), their colonic motility patterns are completely abolished, so a highly digestible food with an increased caloric density provides both adequate nutrition and reduced fecal mass. The food has been formulated so that its energy density and digestibility are inversely related to its fiber content. Reduced fiber content increases caloric density, which helps to meet the cat's nutritional requirements in a smaller volume of food. This can reduce the owner's home management of their pets condition (ie. administering stool softeners and enemas). Often, these prescription diets take the place of surgical intervention in cats with megacolon, such as subtotal colectomy.
You're right that vets selling food is often based on incentives they receive
Most vets sell food that are specifically formulated to treat their patient's medical conditions, as above. If you think we make money off of food, you're wrong.
You can often (not always) get that same balance of nutrition in other brands, especially for things like digestion issues
Sure, if you want to complicate your pet's medical condition. Or you could always ask your vet, who had a clue as to why the food was prescribed in the first place.
posted by Seppaku at 8:11 AM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Veterinary prescription diets are so-called not because they contain a magical single ingredient, but because of their overall composition. A diet for a constipated / obstipated / idiopathic megacolon cat is different in composition from a maintenance diet, as is a diet for a dog with a portosystemic shunt, as is a diet for treatment of uroliths in dogs, as is a diet for treatment of uroliths in cats.
For example, a prescription diet for a cat with chronic obstipation (megacolon) is formulated to have a crude fiber content less than 5%, while a diet for a cat with constipation / intermittent obstipation has more than 7%. Characteristics such as protein, fat, and carbohydrate digestibility has been tested and optimized by repeated food trials so as to adhere to a formulation that works best for that condition.
For a cat with obstipation (for example, I don't know what is wrong with this kitty cat), their colonic motility patterns are completely abolished, so a highly digestible food with an increased caloric density provides both adequate nutrition and reduced fecal mass. The food has been formulated so that its energy density and digestibility are inversely related to its fiber content. Reduced fiber content increases caloric density, which helps to meet the cat's nutritional requirements in a smaller volume of food. This can reduce the owner's home management of their pets condition (ie. administering stool softeners and enemas). Often, these prescription diets take the place of surgical intervention in cats with megacolon, such as subtotal colectomy.
You're right that vets selling food is often based on incentives they receive
Most vets sell food that are specifically formulated to treat their patient's medical conditions, as above. If you think we make money off of food, you're wrong.
You can often (not always) get that same balance of nutrition in other brands, especially for things like digestion issues
Sure, if you want to complicate your pet's medical condition. Or you could always ask your vet, who had a clue as to why the food was prescribed in the first place.
posted by Seppaku at 8:11 AM on September 26, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Seppaku, thank you for your comments and your detailed explanation of the way prescription food is carefully monitored, regulated, and assessed. My difficulty is in taking much of the health care industry seriously along with the advice they promulgate. This is a personal peeve of mine and probably one shared by a great many Americans, regardless of whether they're treating their four-legged pet or their own kin or themselves. I cannot take seriously an industry that is 13 percent of the American economy (1.2 trillion dollars), is notorious for its unscrupulous practices, and exploits the ignorance of many of their patients to offer up high-margin products, goods, and services all the while manipulating the market (rent-seeking) to extract as much possible profit from their patients (read: customers). The incentive system is broken and it applies as much as veterinary medicine as it does to the treatment of human patients. This is obviously not the place to get into a discussion about the economics of health care and judging from your comments, you are enmeshed in it quite well hence your suspicion of anybody who wants to find something more financially manageable to keep their beloved pets healthy.
I'm also fairly sure that finding another non-prescription form of cat food is possible and quite likely. I'll try out some of the recommendations listed here and anymore are welcome.
posted by caudal at 8:39 AM on September 26, 2014
I'm also fairly sure that finding another non-prescription form of cat food is possible and quite likely. I'll try out some of the recommendations listed here and anymore are welcome.
posted by caudal at 8:39 AM on September 26, 2014
I'm not about to wade into that debate, but I will tell you that for my kitty with problematic bowels, the Science Diet Sensitive Stomach formula has worked very well. (I think its name has now changed to Sensitive Stomach and Skin.) I pay about $27 for a 7-lb bag. It's more expensive that I'd like it to be, but it keeps the diarrhea at bay, so there you go.
posted by mudpuppie at 8:49 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by mudpuppie at 8:49 AM on September 26, 2014
Of course they should talk to their vet about the specific reason for the specific prescription food.
It's just not true that vets are always 100% ethical and financially transparent about the food they're selling, and whether food available elsewhere would have the same effect.
After doing research on a prescription food recommended (and sold) by my former vet, I asked whether a similar non-prescription food would have the same effect, and whether they were receiving benefits from selling the recommended brand themselves. The answer was yes, on both counts. This has happened to numerous friends. Sometimes it's for altruistic reasons (the more they sell, the more samples they get, which they give to folks who can't afford pet food). Sometimes it's simply because they don't think the pet owner will take the next step to go purchase the recommended food elsewhere, so it helps them monitor the pet's medical situation properly, based on the owner feeding the recommended food (and not just sticking with the old bag already at home), and it makes it easier on everyone. Sometimes that food is truly an unusual and difficult to find brand, so it would be expedient to start that day and not wait months for your other pet store to get it in stock. Sometimes it's actually *cheaper* to buy it from the vet, because they buy in bulk and pass on the savings to their customers. Sometimes they do it for other reasons. But in a short appointment, with an anxious or sick animal, not all of those reasons are always transmitted to the pet owner, and it's not uncommon to be given a quick recommendation that isn't the most sustainable over the long-term.
This isn't a slam against vets, at all, though I know it sort of reads like one. The vets I know (and frequent) are highly ethical in their treatment of animals and owners, and sensitive to balancing all sorts of complicated competing factors...but like any business that just isn't true across the board.
If you were feeding a crappy grocery-store brand of cat food before, this recommendation was a step up to grain-free cat food, and perhaps that was the thing that solved the problem. Or perhaps there was a protein source (duck, turkey, etc.) that she suspected was the problem, and knew this food to be free of that protein source...in which case others would be too.
Caudal, it's worth asking your vet whether there is a specific medical reason for this pet food, or whether other recipes might be worth trying.
posted by barnone at 8:53 AM on September 26, 2014
It's just not true that vets are always 100% ethical and financially transparent about the food they're selling, and whether food available elsewhere would have the same effect.
After doing research on a prescription food recommended (and sold) by my former vet, I asked whether a similar non-prescription food would have the same effect, and whether they were receiving benefits from selling the recommended brand themselves. The answer was yes, on both counts. This has happened to numerous friends. Sometimes it's for altruistic reasons (the more they sell, the more samples they get, which they give to folks who can't afford pet food). Sometimes it's simply because they don't think the pet owner will take the next step to go purchase the recommended food elsewhere, so it helps them monitor the pet's medical situation properly, based on the owner feeding the recommended food (and not just sticking with the old bag already at home), and it makes it easier on everyone. Sometimes that food is truly an unusual and difficult to find brand, so it would be expedient to start that day and not wait months for your other pet store to get it in stock. Sometimes it's actually *cheaper* to buy it from the vet, because they buy in bulk and pass on the savings to their customers. Sometimes they do it for other reasons. But in a short appointment, with an anxious or sick animal, not all of those reasons are always transmitted to the pet owner, and it's not uncommon to be given a quick recommendation that isn't the most sustainable over the long-term.
This isn't a slam against vets, at all, though I know it sort of reads like one. The vets I know (and frequent) are highly ethical in their treatment of animals and owners, and sensitive to balancing all sorts of complicated competing factors...but like any business that just isn't true across the board.
If you were feeding a crappy grocery-store brand of cat food before, this recommendation was a step up to grain-free cat food, and perhaps that was the thing that solved the problem. Or perhaps there was a protein source (duck, turkey, etc.) that she suspected was the problem, and knew this food to be free of that protein source...in which case others would be too.
Caudal, it's worth asking your vet whether there is a specific medical reason for this pet food, or whether other recipes might be worth trying.
posted by barnone at 8:53 AM on September 26, 2014
Response by poster: Caudal, it's worth asking your vet whether there is a specific medical reason for this pet food, or whether other recipes might be worth trying.
The vet, being prudent, recommended that we start with a simple change in diet instead of going in for expensive procedures to identify the exact cause of the cat's diarrhea. On this count, I praise her. She said we should just change the diet and give her a product that she has used with success much of the time. I tried it and it worked. for that I am grateful. My suspicion is that the cat has some sort of Intestine Bowel Disorder which can ameliorated with a proper balance of nutrition and diet.
posted by caudal at 9:07 AM on September 26, 2014
The vet, being prudent, recommended that we start with a simple change in diet instead of going in for expensive procedures to identify the exact cause of the cat's diarrhea. On this count, I praise her. She said we should just change the diet and give her a product that she has used with success much of the time. I tried it and it worked. for that I am grateful. My suspicion is that the cat has some sort of Intestine Bowel Disorder which can ameliorated with a proper balance of nutrition and diet.
posted by caudal at 9:07 AM on September 26, 2014
Honestly, your distrust of your vet says to me that it might be worth finding a new vet. I have an extremely special needs cat and would not feel comfortable at all putting his health in the hands of someone I suspected of trying to sell me products he doesn't need. A good vet will be honest with you about all the options, even one on which they don't make a few bucks.
posted by something something at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by something something at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2014
There are definitely things I do to keep my pets healthy and costs low, but.. this sounds like a pretty complicated situation that's made worse by the fact that you don't actually know what's wrong. I don't think any of our layman suggestions are really appropriate here.
I think your best options are to spend the cash to find out what's actually wrong and then buy food based on what you know the problem to be, or to be happy you found such a cheap fix (unless the food is CRAZY expensive, it's still cheaper than the labwork).
posted by zug at 10:47 AM on September 26, 2014
I think your best options are to spend the cash to find out what's actually wrong and then buy food based on what you know the problem to be, or to be happy you found such a cheap fix (unless the food is CRAZY expensive, it's still cheaper than the labwork).
posted by zug at 10:47 AM on September 26, 2014
Wow, what a stupid deletion. Now all the comments referring to mine are taken out of context. o_O
Anyway, pet food is the major reason why we have so many sick pets nowadays. And prescription food is not necessarily better, it usually fails to mirror a healthy cat diet.
OP, I also wanted to add that this might be a temporary fix. Symptoms like loose stools and diarrhea may present in cats with serious disorders. One of mine had cancerous growths throughout her intestines, and the first sign that something was wrong was her bowel movements when she was 7 yrs old. The only way to find out was with contrasted radiographical imaging. It is a very serious procedure, my cat was traumatized. At the same time it was a confirmation that her life was nearing the end.
I hope you find a better, trustworthy vet and wish your kitty a speedy recovery.
posted by travelwithcats at 12:07 PM on September 26, 2014
Anyway, pet food is the major reason why we have so many sick pets nowadays. And prescription food is not necessarily better, it usually fails to mirror a healthy cat diet.
OP, I also wanted to add that this might be a temporary fix. Symptoms like loose stools and diarrhea may present in cats with serious disorders. One of mine had cancerous growths throughout her intestines, and the first sign that something was wrong was her bowel movements when she was 7 yrs old. The only way to find out was with contrasted radiographical imaging. It is a very serious procedure, my cat was traumatized. At the same time it was a confirmation that her life was nearing the end.
I hope you find a better, trustworthy vet and wish your kitty a speedy recovery.
posted by travelwithcats at 12:07 PM on September 26, 2014
I'm afraid that nothing I suggest will actually be cheaper to buy than the Iams low residue, but I'm sure that they will be higher quality and might save you a lot in the long run. If it might be cheaper in your area, Hill's i/d is basically the same as that Iams but also requires a prescription.
But neither of these foods, in fact none of the prescription foods are very high quality. Lots of corn, and other things that are not good over a long period of time.
I'd suggest Orijen, Wellness CORE, Nature's Variety Instinct, Canidae, or EVO of the foods that are fairly easy to find (in that order). If you really want a dry food that is the best you can do for your cat, Wysong Epigen 90.
One thing that seems to work for loose stools is a teaspoon of canned pumpkin every day.
What is important is that you take care to notice changes in your cat, and get the cat looked at when something does change. And keep at it until you get an answer. I had to go through a lot of dietary work with my first cat, who developed IBD, and even with medication could only eat a food that makes the vet diets seem cheap (~$30 per week). After he died last July, my second cat who was always very healthy started vomiting more than felt right. Because I was persistant and knew it was wrong, and I was willing to pay for the ultrasound, we caught his abdominal lymphoma early. He's getting chemo now, and because he's stubborn and doesn't consider anything but kibble as being food, he's getting the best dry food I could find (Epigen 90). I'd have him on wet if he'd eat enough to stay alive.
If your cat will eat wet food, Fancy Feast's classic line is the best cheap food. Better than many more expensive brands. Any of the grain free Wellness is also good.
This is a good starting place for feline IBD in general: 2ndchance
More about food, a lot more: catinfo
posted by monopas at 2:40 PM on September 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
But neither of these foods, in fact none of the prescription foods are very high quality. Lots of corn, and other things that are not good over a long period of time.
I'd suggest Orijen, Wellness CORE, Nature's Variety Instinct, Canidae, or EVO of the foods that are fairly easy to find (in that order). If you really want a dry food that is the best you can do for your cat, Wysong Epigen 90.
One thing that seems to work for loose stools is a teaspoon of canned pumpkin every day.
What is important is that you take care to notice changes in your cat, and get the cat looked at when something does change. And keep at it until you get an answer. I had to go through a lot of dietary work with my first cat, who developed IBD, and even with medication could only eat a food that makes the vet diets seem cheap (~$30 per week). After he died last July, my second cat who was always very healthy started vomiting more than felt right. Because I was persistant and knew it was wrong, and I was willing to pay for the ultrasound, we caught his abdominal lymphoma early. He's getting chemo now, and because he's stubborn and doesn't consider anything but kibble as being food, he's getting the best dry food I could find (Epigen 90). I'd have him on wet if he'd eat enough to stay alive.
If your cat will eat wet food, Fancy Feast's classic line is the best cheap food. Better than many more expensive brands. Any of the grain free Wellness is also good.
This is a good starting place for feline IBD in general: 2ndchance
More about food, a lot more: catinfo
posted by monopas at 2:40 PM on September 26, 2014 [2 favorites]
Looking at the ingredients it's the same crapola you'd find in any two dollar kitty chow at the drug store. Chicken feet and corn meal. If your vet won't tell you what's in it or why it works, fire your vet. My vet always answers my questions in full and never tried to sell me any of that garbage. Of course I had to fire a couple of them before I found her. Good luck and hope your cat recovers
posted by mrbigmuscles at 7:18 PM on September 26, 2014
posted by mrbigmuscles at 7:18 PM on September 26, 2014
Looking at the ingredients it's the same crapola
An eyeballametric assessment of a pet food's ingredients is a terrible way to judge a food, especially if the food is the primary treatment for a pet's condition.
This cat had diarrhea. The vet worked with the owner to reduce costs by not performing diagnostics and prescribed a particular food. The food worked; the cat no longer has diarrhea. So I guess the ingredients aren't that bad, eh?
I have a patient, a tiny yorkie, who has terrible proteinuria that is destroying her kidneys. In addition to medication, a low-protein diet was prescribed. I bet Joe Average on the internet wouldn't like the list of ingredients. The dog didn't like the first two diets of this kind; the owner worked with me and we found a variety that the dog liked. 4 months later, the dog is improving. Had the owner gone on the internet and asked Joe Average, he might have said that dogs need protein! That diet is too low in protein! Feed this diet with wolves on the package that works so well for my dog! And it would have exacerbated the dog's medical problems. I want to extend that dog's life, I want to minimize the damage on that dog's kidneys; part of that treatment was a change in diet. But I can only recommend; it is up to the owner to either take the recommendation that they visited an extensively trained medical professional for, or they can discard it in favor of advice from the internet.
I reiterate to the owner of this cat: go work with your vet on this. If you don't like this vet, find one you do. But pursue what works for your pet.
posted by Seppaku at 8:31 AM on September 27, 2014
An eyeballametric assessment of a pet food's ingredients is a terrible way to judge a food, especially if the food is the primary treatment for a pet's condition.
This cat had diarrhea. The vet worked with the owner to reduce costs by not performing diagnostics and prescribed a particular food. The food worked; the cat no longer has diarrhea. So I guess the ingredients aren't that bad, eh?
I have a patient, a tiny yorkie, who has terrible proteinuria that is destroying her kidneys. In addition to medication, a low-protein diet was prescribed. I bet Joe Average on the internet wouldn't like the list of ingredients. The dog didn't like the first two diets of this kind; the owner worked with me and we found a variety that the dog liked. 4 months later, the dog is improving. Had the owner gone on the internet and asked Joe Average, he might have said that dogs need protein! That diet is too low in protein! Feed this diet with wolves on the package that works so well for my dog! And it would have exacerbated the dog's medical problems. I want to extend that dog's life, I want to minimize the damage on that dog's kidneys; part of that treatment was a change in diet. But I can only recommend; it is up to the owner to either take the recommendation that they visited an extensively trained medical professional for, or they can discard it in favor of advice from the internet.
I reiterate to the owner of this cat: go work with your vet on this. If you don't like this vet, find one you do. But pursue what works for your pet.
posted by Seppaku at 8:31 AM on September 27, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you look at the list of ingredients for this product, you'll see that there is no wheat. Many cats don't do well on wheat, but it is used extensively as a filler in pet food. So it could have been wheat in the old food that bothered your cat. Overall this product is not a great food, judging from that list of ingredients, but not awful either.
So if you want to try another commercial cat food pick one that is grain free. The first ingredient listed should be a particular type of meat (same as flavor), not meat meal and not "by-product". The list should be relatively short, contain little to no veggies and absolutely NO sugar or artificial flavors. The shorter the list, the less likely it is that something will bother your cat.
To get some ideas about what is out there, I like the reviews over at petfoodtalk. Hope your kitty will get better soon!
posted by travelwithcats at 6:49 AM on September 26, 2014