Diet only and rehoming

[Mini Me]

My cat 8yr old cat Mini Me, was recent diagnosed diabetic. We are a 4 cat household. We are not able to commit to the schedule needed to medicate Mini Me. We are away from home too often.

We believe that Mini Me ended up with diabetes after having to eat Hills C/D food for another cat in the household. A few months after they started with the c/d, we noticed he was losing weight. We had contributed it to his not liking the new food. Well a year past and he was still losing weight. Still very active but losing weight. In 1 1/2 yr he went from 12lbs to 8.

Mini Me's BG was 440 when diagnosed and +1 ketones. After 3 weeks of Fancy Feast Classic, his BG was 330 and no ketones. He has been gaining weight as well. He weighted 8lbs at diagnosis and after the 3 weeks gained 4 oz.

Has anyone been successful with diet change alone?

My brother (god bless him) is willing to take Mini Me and do the insulin. Any thoughts on the stress that rehoming an 8 yr old cat might cause?

 

[KJ & Alfred]

Rehoming (or any other large, sometimes even small change) can indeed cause stress on a cat. Make sure your brother takes it slow with Mini Me. Setting up a sanctuary room for him at first is the best plan. A quiet place, just for him, (no other pets allowed) where he has everything he needs - food, litter, cozy bed, hiding spots, scratching post, toys, etc. I assume you'll be sending some of that stuff along with Mini Me, which is good, because he will have some stuff that is familiar to him, with his scent, etc. There are lots of good sites online to provide information on best ways to introduce a cat to a new home. I can come back in a bit and share some more on ways to mitigate the stress on Mini Me.

Are there other pets in the home? What kind? What about kids?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Rehoming an older cats is not that hard. Just, as KJ said setup the new cat in its own room for some period of time. The amount of time depends upon the new cat and resident cats.
I adopter BunBun in February of this year as an untreated, 13 year old diabetic. He is a set in his ways and I call him a grumpy old cat. It took him over a week to eat regularly, which is a concern for diabetic cats getting insulin. Before that I took in many older cats since some caretakers just do not want to care for them

 

[KJ & Alfred]

...
I adopter BunBun in February of this year as an untreated, 13 year old diabetic...

@Larry and Kitties : you rock! Wish there were more people like YOU in my town (cat adoptions are very slow here and a diabetic? forgetaboutit! ) - well, heck wish more people like you EVERYWHERE.

And as promised, at least one link (for now): I really like Pam Johnson-Bennett and have read several of her books. One is the "textbook" for the HSUS' Cat Behavior Counseling Course. You can search on her site www.catbehaviorassociates.com for info on introducing a new cat and tons of other helpful stuff. I hope the transition for Mini Me and your brother is as smooth as can be. And I'm sorry you have to rehome him, but good for you for recognizing you couldn't provide the level of care he needs and doing something to remedy that. Good Luck!

 

[Mini Me]

Rehoming (or any other large, sometimes even small change) can indeed cause stress on a cat. Make sure your brother takes it slow with Mini Me. Setting up a sanctuary room for him at first is the best plan. A quiet place, just for him, (no other pets allowed) where he has everything he needs - food, litter, cozy bed, hiding spots, scratching post, toys, etc. I assume you'll be sending some of that stuff along with Mini Me, which is good, because he will have some stuff that is familiar to him, with his scent, etc. There are lots of good sites online to provide information on best ways to introduce a cat to a new home. I can come back in a bit and share some more on ways to mitigate the stress on Mini Me.

Are there other pets in the home? What kind? What about kids?

He has 1 female cat who is a little bit younger. No kids, no wife, just him. he lives in a 3 story townhouse (so lots of places to run and hide). Yes, I plan on sending things that have his scent. I'm considering sending one of the litter boxes from my house. The scratching post I'm sending will also have the scent of the other 3 cats, do you think that will confuse him?

 

[Mini Me]

Rehoming an older cats is not that hard. Just, as KJ said setup the new cat in its own room for some period of time. The amount of time depends upon the new cat and resident cats.
I adopter BunBun in February of this year as an untreated, 13 year old diabetic. He is a set in his ways and I call him a grumpy old cat. It took him over a week to eat regularly, which is a concern for diabetic cats getting insulin. Before that I took in many older cats since some caretakers just do not want to care for them

When you adopted BunBun, you say he was an untreated diabetic. did you start him right away on insulin or let him settle in before starting the insulin?

 

[KJ & Alfred]

He has 1 female cat who is a little bit younger. No kids, no wife, just him. he lives in a 3 story townhouse (so lots of places to run and hide). Yes, I plan on sending things that have his scent. I'm considering sending one of the litter boxes from my house. The scratching post I'm sending will also have the scent of the other 3 cats, do you think that will confuse him?

No, I don't think it will confuse him if he was also using it at your home. Make sure your brother understands that cats are territorial and bringing in new cat without a proper introduction CAN be just like getting dropped "behind enemy lines". Some cats have a lot of trouble with this and it can lead to long-term tension amongst the cats in the house, which is no good for anybody. Better to take it slow and let the cats (both new and resident) indicate when they are ready to meet and share space. And ALWAYS have enough resources for both cats. One litter box for each plus one is a good rule (though 2 for my 2-cat house seems just fine). Having one on every story of the house would be a good idea in case there is any tension...you never want a cat to feel like it can't safely access it's litter box....we all know what troubles that can lead to. Sending your litter box and having your brother use the same litter your cat is used to (same food, too) is a good idea. If he wants to change, he has to do it slowly. Again, consult the almighty internet for tips...especially the link I gave above. If your brother has any questions, he (or you) are welcome to contact me. I can give you my number or email if you need it.

 

[Mini Me]

No, I don't think it will confuse him if he was also using it at your home. Make sure your brother understands that cats are territorial and bringing in new cat without a proper introduction CAN be just like getting dropped "behind enemy lines". Some cats have a lot of trouble with this and it can lead to long-term tension amongst the cats in the house, which is no good for anybody. Better to take it slow and let the cats (both new and resident) indicate when they are ready to meet and share space. And ALWAYS have enough resources for both cats. One litter box for each plus one is a good rule (though 2 for my 2-cat house seems just fine). Having one on every story of the house would be a good idea in case there is any tension...you never want a cat to feel like it can't safely access it's litter box....we all know what troubles that can lead to. Sending your litter box and having your brother use the same litter your cat is used to (same food, too) is a good idea. If he wants to change, he has to do it slowly. Again, consult the almighty internet for tips...especially the link I gave above. If your brother has any questions, he (or you) are welcome to contact me. I can give you my number or email if you need it.

thank you so much for the advice. I have emailed my brother my log in info. He did have 2 cats at one time, so this is not unchartered territory. I'm just trying to what's best for my Mini Me.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

did you start him right away on insulin or let him settle in before starting the insulin?

I started Bun Bun the next morning after he arrived. He did not really eat much the day he arrived and he was not that hearty of an eater for about two weeks. Now he scarfs up his food and bites my calves when he is hungry, especially when I am preparing the food.

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

Larry rocks!

 

[AbyResq]

Your brother should be able to start treating Mini Me right away. I've taken in 3 diabetic foster cats this year and started each one as soon as they arrived. 8 isn't that old. One of my diabetic fosters is 13 and the other 2 are 7. Mini Me may as well learn the new routine at the same time he's acclimating to the new environment. I run a small rescue and foster many older cats, you'd be surprised how resilient many of them are. I'm glad you have a family member willing to help you.