How often to feed?

[Deena and Malby]

Hello,
My cat was diagnosed around thanksgiving and I still do not have him regulated or on the correct dose. I am currently working on that now.

My question is, do most people only feed 2 times a day or several small meals? Some people have said to feed as much as the cat wants if he is hungry and if I am trying to also put weight on him BUT I have also heard it is better to keep to 2 meals a day when trying to regulate a cat. He is also screaming for food non-stop (he has always been food obsessed- he's just worse now that he's diabetic).
He currently is on FF Classics/Turkey at receives 1.75cans per meal...so 3.5 cans a day. He weights 11lbs so the recommended amount for him is 3 cans and I'm already giving him more.

Another kind member, who's cat went into remission raved about Young Again Zero dry food which has less than 1% carbs. Now I know most people don't recommend dry but she partly attributes that the food got her cat to go into remission and I'm open to giving anything a try. I will 100% CONTINUE feeding him wet but I would like to try and incorporate this into his diet. If anything, I can always use it as healthy treats after taking his BG. I have ordered samples of this and was thinking:
1) I could continue just feeding him 2X day but I could lower his wet food amount and mix some of this in there.
OR
2) Feed less FF in the AM/PM and snack him on the YAZ a few times a day.
How many meals do you usually feed your cat a day and would you suggest feeding more meals throughout the day even if a cat is not regulated but hungry?
I am aware not to feed at least 2hrs before pre-shot BG test as to not tamper with results. I also cannot free feed this cat.

Thank you,

Deena

 

[Just-As-Appy]

Generally diabetics (humans and cats) do best on several small meals rather than a few large. It looks like you are using Vetsulin which has a pretty steep onset and I would say that several small meals is particularly important in this instance. Do you have a spreadsheet or do you know how long the insulin is lasting? You might want to think about feeding more early in the cycle and then less in the later part. My thinking here is that giving him a few meals during the steep drop might slow the drop so that he doesn't fall so low and then shoot up again. Vetsulin is a difficult insulin to regulate a cat with due to its short duration and the drop and rise effect of the insulin. I wouldn't add any dry food, but perhaps to help him feel more full you could add some warm water to his food. I like to use a timed feeder so that the cat gets the meals on a regular schedule. And yes, while the bg is too high (or fluctuating) the cat will be hungry because the body is o able to use the food tha is being eaten.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Deena,

Because Vetsulin can drop BG quite hard and fast early in the cycle you need to make sure Malachai has a substantial feed before each dose then wait 20-30 minutes before administering the dose to make sure there is something 'on board' ready for the insulin to work on.

There is some advice on feeding in the FDMB Vetsulin/Caninsulin Guide.

When Saoirse was being treated with Caninsulin, the diagnosing vet insisted she only be fed twice a day prior to insulin administration but this led to my girl having very painful vomiting bouts and that was utterly unaceptable. Therefore I fed Saoirse a substantial preshot meal, two small meals at +3 and +6 and a small snack at +9. (She also needed to regain weight.)

A timed feeder can get over any problems with free feeding.

Deena, do you have an FDMB spreadsheet set up to record your BG readings? If you have and you can link it into your signature it may help members to give you useful feedback and possible suggestions on ways to improve Malachai's regulation.

Regardless of whether or not you have a spreadsheet set up, I suggest you look at the number of hours each day when Malachai is in higher numbers. Vetsulin's duration of effect is generally too short for cats and this may be why you are having difficulties regulating him. It may be advisable to speak with your vet about the possibility of switching Malachai to a longer-acting insulin such as Levemir or Lantus.


Mogs
.

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

My kitty is also eating like mad since he is unregulated. I bought the 5-compartment pet feeder recommended here to use when I am at work or for overnight. It has helped him off what he was used to, which was 3 large meals each day. I also try to mix as much water as he will tolerate in the food to keep ketones away & hopefully make him feel fuller until the next meal. I do let him nibble a little on the Young Again, but keep that to a minimum. When I do see him go for the Young Again, I will put out a little more wet with added water and have him eat that instead.

 

[Deena and Malby]

Generally diabetics (humans and cats) do best on several small meals rather than a few large. It looks like you are using Vetsulin which has a pretty steep onset and I would say that several small meals is particularly important in this instance. Do you have a spreadsheet or do you know how long the insulin is lasting? You might want to think about feeding more early in the cycle and then less in the later part. My thinking here is that giving him a few meals during the steep drop might slow the drop so that he doesn't fall so low and then shoot up again. Vetsulin is a difficult insulin to regulate a cat with due to its short duration and the drop and rise effect of the insulin. I wouldn't add any dry food, but perhaps to help him feel more full you could add some warm water to his food. I like to use a timed feeder so that the cat gets the meals on a regular schedule. And yes, while the bg is too high (or fluctuating) the cat will be hungry because the body is o able to use the food tha is being eaten.

Hi Deena,

Because Vetsulin can drop BG quite hard and fast early in the cycle you need to make sure Malachai has a substantial feed before each dose then wait 20-30 minutes before administering the dose to make sure there is something 'on board' ready for the insulin to work on.

There is some advice on feeding in the FDMB Vetsulin/Caninsulin Guide.

When Saoirse was being treated with Caninsulin, the diagnosing vet insisted she only be fed twice a day prior to insulin administration but this led to my girl having very painful vomiting bouts and that was utterly unaceptable. Therefore I fed Saoirse a substantial preshot meal, two small meals at +3 and +6 and a small snack at +9. (She also needed to regain weight.)

A timed feeder can get over any problems with free feeding.

Deena, do you have an FDMB spreadsheet set up to record your BG readings? If you have and you can link it into your signature it may help members to give you useful feedback and possible suggestions on ways to improve Malachai's regulation.

Regardless of whether or not you have a spreadsheet set up, I suggest you look at the number of hours each day when Malachai is in higher numbers. Vetsulin's duration of effect is generally too short for cats and this may be why you are having difficulties regulating him. It may be advisable to speak with your vet about the possibility of switching Malachai to a longer-acting insulin such as Levemir or Lantus.


Mogs
.

Hi Mogs,
Malby oddly has his lowest BG numbers 7hrs after his shot so his numbers don't drop rapidly like most cats on Vetsulin do. I have another cat who has kidney issues and is on a different food so even though I do have timed feeders, I don't want them eating each other's food. I work from home so I can give meal throughout the day if needed. I already mix his wet food with warm water to keep him hydrated.
While I don't have a plead sheet up yet, I am working on that! I will have something up soon

 

[Deena and Malby]

Hi Deena,

Because Vetsulin can drop BG quite hard and fast early in the cycle you need to make sure Malachai has a substantial feed before each dose then wait 20-30 minutes before administering the dose to make sure there is something 'on board' ready for the insulin to work on.

There is some advice on feeding in the FDMB Vetsulin/Caninsulin Guide.

When Saoirse was being treated with Caninsulin, the diagnosing vet insisted she only be fed twice a day prior to insulin administration but this led to my girl having very painful vomiting bouts and that was utterly unaceptable. Therefore I fed Saoirse a substantial preshot meal, two small meals at +3 and +6 and a small snack at +9. (She also needed to regain weight.)

A timed feeder can get over any problems with free feeding.

Deena, do you have an FDMB spreadsheet set up to record your BG readings? If you have and you can link it into your signature it may help members to give you useful feedback and possible suggestions on ways to improve Malachai's regulation.

Regardless of whether or not you have a spreadsheet set up, I suggest you look at the number of hours each day when Malachai is in higher numbers. Vetsulin's duration of effect is generally too short for cats and this may be why you are having difficulties regulating him. It may be advisable to speak with your vet about the possibility of switching Malachai to a longer-acting insulin such as Levemir or Lantus.


Mogs
.

Also, I do notice that when his numbers are down, they aren't down for that long. Switching insulins might be an option but I'm gonna Vetsulin a chance just for a bit longer. Still trying to get his numbers down and am playing with doses to find his sweet spot.

 

[JanetNJ]

Hi Mogs,
Malby oddly has his lowest BG numbers 7hrs after his shot so his numbers don't drop rapidly like most cats on Vetsulin do. I have another cat who has kidney issues and is on a different food so even though I do have timed feeders, I don't want them eating each other's food. I work from home so I can give meal throughout the day if needed. I already mix his wet food with warm water to keep him hydrated.
While I don't have a plead sheet up yet, I am working on that! I will have something up soon

My cat usually hit her low around +6.

 

[JanetNJ]

Also, I do notice that when his numbers are down, they aren't down for that long. Switching insulins might be an option but I'm gonna Vetsulin a chance just for a bit longer. Still trying to get his numbers down and am playing with doses to find his sweet spot.

How are things going?