Is it the Iams?

Here's the story - 8 year old neutered male - was starting to eat less
and less - had been on Purina One for years (with a treat of canned
food ev. 4th day) but suddenly not liking it - switched to Iams
chicken - he gobbled it down - a few days later, he has a diarr.
problem, and even bloody stools - took to vet - cat was down a pound in
weight - vet said I'd probably switched him too fast - cat had a form
of colitis - gave him pills for 3 days, bland liquids for a few days,
then introduced the Iams again verrrrry gradually -
now, 10 days later, he is fine, regular stools, eating about 3/4 C
Iams a day, drinking 1/2 c water daily.

Do you think it was the rapid change of food, the fact that it was to
Iams, or something else coincidental?

Should I try to make any other dietary changes?

Thanks.

wrote:
Here's the story - 8 year old neutered male - was starting to eat less
and less - had been on Purina One for years (with a treat of canned
food ev. 4th day) but suddenly not liking it - switched to Iams
chicken - he gobbled it down - a few days later, he has a diarr.
problem, and even bloody stools - took to vet - cat was down a pound in
weight - vet said I'd probably switched him too fast - cat had a form
of colitis - gave him pills for 3 days, bland liquids for a few days,
then introduced the Iams again verrrrry gradually -
now, 10 days later, he is fine, regular stools, eating about 3/4 C
Iams a day, drinking 1/2 c water daily.

Do you think it was the rapid change of food, the fact that it was to
Iams, or something else coincidental?

Should I try to make any other dietary changes?

Thanks.

Most times, on the labels of food bags, it will state that you should
introduce new food gradually to your pet. Sudden changes can cause
diarhhea, etc. I don't know about bloody stools and weight loss, but I
would imagine it upsets their digestive system. What I usually do when
I find a new food I want to try (dry) is mix in the new with the old,
like say a 1/4 c. new to 3/4 old, then do that for a short while, then
1/2 and 1/2, then 3/4 new and 1/4 old, until its all new. I don't know
what the "rule" is for doing it though, but that has seemed to work for
me and my two little guys.