Your vet sounds like a great person. I'm so glad she agreed with changing his diet and didn't give you a hard time. I don't know about the pricing where you live, but Wellness makes a grain free that many members here feed their cats. I've been feeding mine Innova, Merrick and Evanger. Yes they are all a bit pricey, but in the long run it's so much better for them than dry.
Ford and Scarlett are just lovely. I love those pictures of them together.
