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Limited ingredient diets come with one major benefit - pet parents are able to identify exactly what goes into their dog's body and avoid any specific ingredients. While a suitable diet for many dogs, LID diets can also be great for dogs with food sensitivities.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
A cat’s overall well-being can quickly become compromised when their urinary system is not at optimum health. Because your cat’s diet impacts what they eliminate, nutrition can play a critical role.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Explore more about identifying and managing food and skin allergies in cats to help ease itching and other symptoms in your feline friend.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
Vet authorized diets are typically needed only when a pet has specific health issues, but learning about how they're different from "normal" foods can help you be a more well-rounded pet parent.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Learn how to care for your cat, recommended diet and grooming care. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
I am sorry to hear about Kitty, that sounds so frustrating! So unfortunately the over the counter diets with limited ingredients are not as good as the prescription diets. The reason for this is that the over the counter foods are processed in the same facitilities and sometimes the same equipment as other foods, so some cross contamination does occur. In some pets the small contamination might not be a big deal, in others is can. Think of people with a severe peanut allergy that can't eat anything that says "processed in a plant that also processes peanuts". When they have done studies checking the foods, they can detect other ingredients in those foods. I would let your vet know that Kitty doesn't like the Royal Canin diet. There may be other prescription diet options available from your vet, or your vet may feel comfortable trying the Natural Balance diet in her situation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
This could be a novel protein diet if Trixie has never had tuna or pumpkin before, but most cats have had tuna in food at some point in their lives. Natural Balance also does not have a boarded nutritionist on staff and I believe Royal Canin has more quality control measures in place to ensure there is no contamination. Ultimately it comes down to what works best for Trixie - check in with your vet, but I’d guess that it’s fine to try this food and see if she has a flare up of her symptoms.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Frankly, I do not care for Blue Buffalo products because they have a history of lying about their ingredients in their diets. Hills and Royal Canin are my preferred brands. There are other limited protein food brands out there, such as Natural Balance, which has formulas with a single protein source and a single carbohydrate source, making it less likely for your cat to develop an allergy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
The ingredients do look similar however the protein sources are different so if Ethel has a reaction to certain proteins as a cause of her IBD, it could cause issues. IBD diets usually also utilize hydrolyzed proteins in addition to novel (different) protein sources to avoid the body's immune response to the protein thus eliminating symptoms. If the food is out of your price range, I would let your vet know, and that you are interested in this other food. They may recommend a trial period of the new food to see if Ethel remains symptom-free or may be able to point you to online retailers that carry prescription diets at a lower cost that are still safe for Ethel to eat.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Liver issues can be tricky to treat, and cats with liver issues may be more picky about what they eat. The first suggestion to try is if your cat had a dry (or wet) version of a prescription diet is to try the opposite dry or wet version. (IE if you try Hill's l/d dry, try a can of the l/d wet). Some cats may find the change in consistency and flavor more palatable and may begin to eat without having to completely change foods. If your cat was on a dry diet, a wet food may also be easier for your cat's liver to process. Another suggestion to try is to add a few kibbles of a food or a teaspoon of wet food your cat really likes to his prescription food. While some cats may figure out and pick out the good bits, many cats will begin to eat the whole meal and thus get the nutritional benefit from it. Your vet can let you know if it's safe to try this method depending on the severity of your cat's condition. For over the counter foods, a diet that has a similar nutrient makeup to prescription foods (you can check the nutrition label of l/d or NF if you have a bag handy) may help your cat with his liver issues while still being palatable. This is usually higher protein, contains L-carnitine to promote fat metabolism are low in sodium and have vitamins E and C to support the immune system and liver function. Your vet may also wish to recommend a supplement such as milk thistle which can also help promote liver function without a major change in food.
Updated on September 24th, 2025