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My cat Jeffrey has had issues since I adopted him. He had dry, brittle fur, itchy skin, oddly-growing nails, digestive issues like bloating, loose stool, and gas, yeasty, waxy ears, and nasty teeth. I did what I could to help him. I added oil to his food, kept his nails groomed, cleaned his ears daily, and tried various additives for his tummy. Nothing seemed to help him. The vet had no suggestions beyond what I was already doing.

Then the wheat scare happened. I switched to completely grain-free food for all my cats. Imagine my surprise a month later when I realized that Jeffrey was looking GOOD. It was a slow change, so it didn’t dawn on me right away. His coat was sleeker and softer, his tummy was way less bloated, and I wasn’t getting all that crap from his ears.

That was how I discovered that Jeffrey has an intolerance to corn and wheat. Corn and wheat are added to dry food for various reasons. Some foods will use corn gluten as a protein source, though it is debatable how much of that protein is bioavailable to cats.

My cats are free-fed, so all of them eat the same food. I was even more surprised to notice that the other 3 cats all showed improvements in energy levels, coat condition, and general health. Among the improvements I’ve seen:

• Far less vomiting
• Nearly no hairballs!
• Firmer stools
• Healthier weight

I have tried various foods with various wheat and corn types and levels. The foods they do best on contain no corn of any kind, including gluten, and no wheat. I read the bags, and I read them in detail, before buying. No matter how expensive and high-end the food, if it has corn or wheat, someone pukes or gets diarrhea. So we just stay away from it now.

Here are a few foods we feed. Give one a shot and see if it helps your cat. Make sure you read the bag – I’m not sure if only certain varieties are corn/wheat free. Also, cats with kidney problems need to watch the protein in their diet, so check the protein levels as well if you have a cat with kidney issues.

• Innova EVO
• Chicken Soup For The Cat Lover’s Soul
• Wellness CORE
• Blue Buffalo (spa select)
• Wysong
• Nature’s Variety Raw Instinct
• Natural Balance Green Pea & Duck Dry Cat Food

Max’s House has a huge page about feline nutrition that is well worth your time to read. Your cat will thank you for it.