How much go your cats eat?

[vbc2000]

Ok, so it just cost us $1000 because basically I panicked over Tigger's decreased appetite. We though something was seriously wrong in his abdomen, and thankfully that's not the case.

I am guilty of comparing his current appetite to his pre-insulin appetite. He started eating less we are assuming because his BG has gotten more controlled.

He's currently 12lbs, 12oz and is eating initially about half a can of Fancy Feast at once, and if offered again, has been eating a little more...so not even a full can for breakfast and the same for dinner. The internist today said for his body weight, he should be getting about 250 calories per day. He isn't but apparently his appetite is not as bad as I thought it was. I'm so curious what your kitties eat.

One good thing that came out of all this is we're starting again at 2 units of Vetsulin twice per day at mealtime. He had been up to 5 and heading toward 6 but I was concerned because some of his numbers were very low. I was also told to test less often. I guess my records and his poor ears told a tale of too much testing by the cooky cat mom. I'm OK with that as long as we are at 2 units. Higher doses without testing would make me nervous. As always, thanks for your input.
Stephanie and Tigger

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Was an ultra sound done and that's how the vet knows he's OK? I really like the plan to start over at 2 u twice a day.

 

[vbc2000]

Yes, that's what cost so much, the ultraspund. Plus x-rays yesterday and full bloodwork. My husband is not thrilled but he's glad Tigger is ok. The ultrasound didn't show IBD which is what I was wondering an out too.

We need to get him back on his Prozac (because of anxiety and litter box problems) so we are going to opt out of Mirtazapine and see how his appetite is.

How much does your Teasel eat?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Yes, that's what cost so much, the ultraspund. Plus x-rays yesterday and full bloodwork. My husband is not thrilled but he's glad Tigger is ok. The ultrasound didn't show IBD which is what I was wondering an out too.

We need to get him back on his Prozac (because of anxiety and litter box problems) so we are going to opt out of Mirtazapine and see how his appetite is.

How much does your Teasel eat?

Teasel is at a good weight for him, about 13 lbs. He eats about 1.75 to two 5.5 oz cans of low carb wet food per day. He's not a well-regulated diabetic so his food intake is likely a bit higher because of that.

 

[vbc2000]

Teasel is at a good weight for him, about 13 lbs. He eats about 1.75 to two 5.5 oz cans of low carb wet food per day. He's not a well-regulated diabetic so his food intake is likely a bit higher because of that.

Thank you for the info. The vet had previously said one can of 5.5ozs per day is enough. Tigger had been overweight before losing weight from the diabetes. So two Fancy Feast cans are about what they said was good. But it isn't 250 calories. He has steadily gained weight since his diagnosis in April despite his lessened appetite.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Thank you for the info. The vet had previously said one can of 5.5ozs per day is enough. Tigger had been overweight before losing weight from the diabetes. So two Fancy Feast cans are about what they said was good. But it isn't 250 calories. He has steadily gained weight since his diagnosis in April despite his lessened appetite.

I think only two cans of FF is not enough food at this point. If he's at a good weight right now you can experiment with different daily food rations by weighing him weekly. You can either buy a digital baby scale or hold him while you stand on a human scale.

 

[vbc2000]

I think only two cans of FF is not enough food at this point. If he's at a good weight right now you can experiment with different daily food rations by weighing him weekly. You can either buy a digital baby scale or hold him while you stand on a human scale.

I don't think it's enough either but right now, I'm thrilled he's almost eating 2 cans.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I don't think it's enough either but right now, I'm thrilled he's almost eating 2 cans.

Have you tried different flavours of FF to see if he prefers certain ones? Maybe try Friskies too. I mix Friskies into Teasel's prescription low carb wet food to make it more interesting for him.

 

[vbc2000]

He was eating Friskies when his food/skin allergies started so I'm trying to stay away from it. I'm trying to stick to 2 meals for better regulation. But he has been getting the whole can down with a bit of grazing. The vet said that's OK for now.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

He was eating Friskies when his food/skin allergies started so I'm trying to stay away from it. I'm trying to stick to 2 meals for better regulation. But he has been getting the whole can down with a bit of grazing. The vet said that's OK for now.

Most of us find that the two meals thing often recommended by vets doesn't work very well. Many kitties do better on several small meals a day, just like human diabetics.

 

[vbc2000]

Was an ultra sound done and that's how the vet knows he's OK? I really like the plan to start over at 2 u twice a day.

3I like trying to go back to 2 units. We'll see what happens.