Need NON-pate wet food suggestions

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Emily'smom

Member Since 2017
Hello everyone! Trying to entice our tiny (6.5 lb) Emily to eat more wet food and she is not always fond of Pate, and has always been somewhat of a picky eater. I have viewed the excellent list (many times) of foods with their carb content, etc., but I am wondering if anyone has any specific experience with NON-pate wet foods that their cats enjoy. Most recently I have been giving her Fancy Feast Naturals. These look like actual shredded pieces of chicken/tuna. She ate this for about 3 days and then got turned off to it. Plus, they are tiny containers and quite expensive. Pre-diagnosis she was eating Friskies Mixed Grill I believe, which had chunky pieces. Does something "chunky" exist for diabetic cats???
 
Hi. I have been going through so many different wet foods, some very expensive, but the girls turn their noses up at most. Within the criteria I use when searching for food, I have not come across any that are chunks (I think those tend to be in gravy). All have been either shreds or pate (I do not think any of the shreds were cheaper than FF Naturals). Some they would eat once like they loved it then never touch it again. Also, I have to say, even if they like something, they tire of it after a couple of days, so I have to have a few different options on hand and change it up a bit. I also have to doctor the food up pretty often - add a little shredded chicken on top, mix in extra water, etc.

Sorry that I cannot recommend a chunky low-carb food, but I at least wanted you to know that you are not alone in the ongoing food struggle. :bighug:
 
Emily'smom said:
Hello everyone! Trying to entice our tiny (6.5 lb) Emily to eat more wet food and she is not always fond of Pate, and has always been somewhat of a picky eater. I have viewed the excellent list (many times) of foods with their carb content, etc., but I am wondering if anyone has any specific experience with NON-pate wet foods that their cats enjoy. Most recently I have been giving her Fancy Feast Naturals. These look like actual shredded pieces of chicken/tuna. She ate this for about 3 days and then got turned off to it. Plus, they are tiny containers and quite expensive. Pre-diagnosis she was eating Friskies Mixed Grill I believe, which had chunky pieces. Does something "chunky" exist for diabetic cats???
Click to expand...

I feel your pain, my kitty hates pate food and will eat a few bites then refuse. I buy low carb in jelly for her, I'm sure there's something on DR Lisa's list that would suit. I'm in the UK so what I get is different.
 
Emily'smom said:
Hello everyone! Trying to entice our tiny (6.5 lb) Emily to eat more wet food and she is not always fond of Pate, and has always been somewhat of a picky eater. I have viewed the excellent list (many times) of foods with their carb content, etc., but I am wondering if anyone has any specific experience with NON-pate wet foods that their cats enjoy. Most recently I have been giving her Fancy Feast Naturals. These look like actual shredded pieces of chicken/tuna. She ate this for about 3 days and then got turned off to it. Plus, they are tiny containers and quite expensive. Pre-diagnosis she was eating Friskies Mixed Grill I believe, which had chunky pieces. Does something "chunky" exist for diabetic cats???
Click to expand...
Good morning :)
My Tigger will eat pate but he most definitely likes chunky better. His current favorites are Fancy Feast Flaked trout, flaked chicken and tuna, chunky chicken and grilled beef feast. The grilled beef feast is technically too high in carbs but he loves it and I was having problems with his eating so I'm thrilled he eats the whole can! I usually give him that when his pre-show numbers are on the lower side.

Go on Chewy.com and search for chunky FF and flaked FF. Good luck! Eat Emily, eat!
Stephanie
 
Hello Mary an Emily,

have you tried Friskies Flaked series? Certainly non pate type, gravy-ish and smells enticing.

Ducia, my cat, liked Friskies Flaked Tuna flavor - it is 51% protein(good), 45 fat(acceptable) and 4% carbs (acceptable) however it is low in calories - only 172 per 5.5 oz can and a bit high-ish in phosphorous (bad for kidneys). When Ducia was 6.5 lb and was working on gaining up to 8.5-9 lb we fed her one and a half 5.5 oz can of Friskies to make up to over 220 Kcal/24 hours. She gained nicely on Friskies! The the main advantage of Friskies (Flaked or Pates) is that it is only $0.48 @Walmart!

I am very satisfied with Tiki Cat Koolina Luau and Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau (yes, it is real name:joyful:). Downside: expensive! Texture: pulled chicken breasts in consomme (smells very appetizing even for humans).

Ducia, my kitty, requires around 185-205 Kcal/24 hours, so it is 2 2.8 oz cans of Tiki Cat x $1.89 each +tax = you do the sad math...:(
I mix Tiki with either Friskies or FF Pates. It helps the budget. Ducia enjoys it.

Maybe give it a try for Emily?
 
FurBabiesMama said:
Hi. I have been going through so many different wet foods, some very expensive, but the girls turn their noses up at most. Within the criteria I use when searching for food, I have not come across any that are chunks (I think those tend to be in gravy). All have been either shreds or pate (I do not think any of the shreds were cheaper than FF Naturals). Some they would eat once like they loved it then never touch it again. Also, I have to say, even if they like something, they tire of it after a couple of days, so I have to have a few different options on hand and change it up a bit. I also have to doctor the food up pretty often - add a little shredded chicken on top, mix in extra water, etc.

Sorry that I cannot recommend a chunky low-carb food, but I at least wanted you to know that you are not alone in the ongoing food struggle. :bighug:
Click to expand...
UGH! I feel your pain! This is exactly what I am going through. She will LOVE something for a few days, so I invest in quite a bit of it, and then she won't eat it. I mean, she.will.not.eat.it. Got home today, and the FF that she devoured last night, sat in her dish all day today. So, I ditched it and went back to the FF Naturals, which she walked away from. Barely touching her DM dry either. This is confusing me. I assume her numbers are high (vet is coming on Friday, home test kit arriving from Walmart on the same day) and her appetite should be ravenous, based on her pee amount. Hoping there is no other issue going on I finally opened a can of tuna and mixed with the FF and she ate quite a bit. Brat! LOL!!
 
vbc2000 said:
Good morning :)
My Tigger will eat pate but he most definitely likes chunky better. His current favorites are Fancy Feast Flaked trout, flaked chicken and tuna, chunky chicken and grilled beef feast. The grilled beef feast is technically too high in carbs but he loves it and I was having problems with his eating so I'm thrilled he eats the whole can! I usually give him that when his pre-show numbers are on the lower side.

Go on Chewy.com and search for chunky FF and flaked FF. Good luck! Eat Emily, eat!
Stephanie
Click to expand...
Thank you, Stephanie! I will check out these flaked varieties of FF. Our local Stop and Shop carries just about everything, so I will see if they have it. UGH! So frustrating!! Hoping there is not some other issue going on here. I assume her numbers are high (she is currently off insulin) and is peeing a lot. I would think she would be ravenous, but instead is being picky. Reminding me of our Cassie who passed away before Emily, from renal failure. Hoping that is not the case. :(
 
Tanya and Ducia said:
Hello Mary an Emily,

have you tried Friskies Flaked series? Certainly non pate type, gravy-ish and smells enticing.

Ducia, my cat, liked Friskies Flaked Tuna flavor - it is 51% protein(good), 45 fat(acceptable) and 4% carbs (acceptable) however it is low in calories - only 172 per 5.5 oz can and a bit high-ish in phosphorous (bad for kidneys). When Ducia was 6.5 lb and was working on gaining up to 8.5-9 lb we fed her one and a half 5.5 oz can of Friskies to make up to over 220 Kcal/24 hours. She gained nicely on Friskies! The the main advantage of Friskies (Flaked or Pates) is that it is only $0.48 @Walmart!

I am very satisfied with Tiki Cat Koolina Luau and Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau (yes, it is real name:joyful:). Downside: expensive! Texture: pulled chicken breasts in consomme (smells very appetizing even for humans).

Ducia, my kitty, requires around 185-205 Kcal/24 hours, so it is 2 2.8 oz cans of Tiki Cat x $1.89 each +tax = you do the sad math...:(
I mix Tiki with either Friskies or FF Pates. It helps the budget. Ducia enjoys it.

Maybe give it a try for Emily?
Click to expand...
Hi Tanya and Ducia! Thanks for the information on the Friskies flaked series. I will take a look at the list and see what else might be acceptable in addition to the Flaked Tuna. If she wasn't naturally so tiny, I wouldn't be so concerned. She has ALWAYS been this little...ever since we adopted her 4 years ago. So, even if she loses a few ounces, you can feel it. I am not certain why she is peeing so much, and does not have a ravenous appetite as she originally did, pre-diagnosis. She is not currently on the insulin. Vet is coming to the house on Friday and will do a blood test, and the home test items I ordered from Walmart will also arrive Friday. I am hoping there is not another issue going on, such as kidney failure. I went the Sub-Q route with our previous cat because of kidney failure and I vowed I would never do that again. Hoping for the best here.
 
Tiki Cat is shredded chicken or fish. It has juice so it might work for you. It's also a bit expensive. I just got Vital essentials dehydrated raw. You can give dry or add water to soften it up. I must say the texture (dry) turns me off. However, my dry food addict (been trying for 3 yrs to convert) is loving it wet. Who would have thought!!!!! It's also expensive. If she continues to eat it though, I will try another flavor.
 
Emily'smom said:
Thank you, Stephanie! I will check out these flaked varieties of FF. Our local Stop and Shop carries just about everything, so I will see if they have it. UGH! So frustrating!! Hoping there is not some other issue going on here. I assume her numbers are high (she is currently off insulin) and is peeing a lot. I would think she would be ravenous, but instead is being picky. Reminding me of our Cassie who passed away before Emily, from renal failure. Hoping that is not the case. :(
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I hope so too, but make sure you tell your vet everything. I have been hyper focused on Tigger and misread his appetite decrease, but we're supposed to be looking out for that stuff! Has a complete blood count been done?
 
vbc2000 said:
I hope so too, but make sure you tell your vet everything. I have been hyper focused on Tigger and misread his appetite decrease, but we're supposed to be looking out for that stuff! Has a complete blood count been done?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure at this point what has been done. I have been quite unhappy (for a number of reasons) with our current vet. I know her kidney function was tested earlier this year (months before the diabetes diagnosis) and it was excellent. But, like in humans, things can change. I have a new vet coming to the house on Friday. I will ask for a full work up at that time and we will go from there.
 
Emily'smom said:
I'm not sure at this point what has been done. I have been quite unhappy (for a number of reasons) with our current vet. I know her kidney function was tested earlier this year (months before the diabetes diagnosis) and it was excellent. But, like in humans, things can change. I have a new vet coming to the house on Friday. I will ask for a full work up at that time and we will go from there.
Click to expand...
So glad you found a new vet. It's such an important relationship when our babies' lives are on the line. You're a great cat mom!
 
FurBabiesMama said:
Hi. I have been going through so many different wet foods, some very expensive, but the girls turn their noses up at most. Within the criteria I use when searching for food, I have not come across any that are chunks (I think those tend to be in gravy). All have been either shreds or pate (I do not think any of the shreds were cheaper than FF Naturals). Some they would eat once like they loved it then never touch it again. Also, I have to say, even if they like something, they tire of it after a couple of days, so I have to have a few different options on hand and change it up a bit. I also have to doctor the food up pretty often - add a little shredded chicken on top, mix in extra water, etc.

Sorry that I cannot recommend a chunky low-carb food, but I at least wanted you to know that you are not alone in the ongoing food struggle. :bighug:
Click to expand...
FurBabiesMama, I bought the FF chunky series today (the chicken, turkey and mixed grill...all were low carb) and Emily INHALED the chunky chicken. It is not what I would consider "chunky", but not quite a pate. Of course we home tested her before feeding her (for the first time) and she was at 298, so I know she most likely will be eating a lot, but she has been VERY picky for the last week and a half, so I take this as a good sign actually. In any case, if you have not given it a try, it might be an option for your finicky eaters!
 
vbc2000 said:
Good morning :)
My Tigger will eat pate but he most definitely likes chunky better. His current favorites are Fancy Feast Flaked trout, flaked chicken and tuna, chunky chicken and grilled beef feast. The grilled beef feast is technically too high in carbs but he loves it and I was having problems with his eating so I'm thrilled he eats the whole can! I usually give him that when his pre-show numbers are on the lower side.

Go on Chewy.com and search for chunky FF and flaked FF. Good luck! Eat Emily, eat!
Stephanie
Click to expand...
Hi Stephanie...grabbed some FF chunky chicken, turkey and mixed grill today. Emily INHALED the chunky chicken...so glad she is eating...last week and a half has been tough and very frustrating. Thanks again for the suggestion...she seems to like it so much better than any pate I have been feeding her!
 
Emily'smom said:
Hi Stephanie...grabbed some FF chunky chicken, turkey and mixed grill today. Emily INHALED the chunky chicken...so glad she is eating...last week and a half has been tough and very frustrating. Thanks again for the suggestion...she seems to like it so much better than any pate I have been feeding her!
Click to expand...
Oh that's great! My boy is really enjoying the chuny flavors today too!
 
There's a lot of purina pro plan that are gravy or broth that are 10% or less. Also alot of the fancy feast medleys are super low (5% or less). Two that I'm giving my girl right now are 6% or under. Both gravy/broth non pate.
 
Emily'smom said:
FurBabiesMama, I bought the FF chunky series today (the chicken, turkey and mixed grill...all were low carb) and Emily INHALED the chunky chicken. It is not what I would consider "chunky", but not quite a pate. Of course we home tested her before feeding her (for the first time) and she was at 298, so I know she most likely will be eating a lot, but she has been VERY picky for the last week and a half, so I take this as a good sign actually. In any case, if you have not given it a try, it might be an option for your finicky eaters!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I am glad you found something she likes!
 
I had been having trouble finding suitable foods for Myrtle as well since Weruva tried to poison the cats of Australia (and succeeded on multiple occassions). I've ended up feeding her Royal Canin Ultra Light which she seems to be doing very well on and staying in remission. The only thing is she doesn't love it that much so I mix in some Tuna flavoured cat food so that she will eat it. The interesting thing I have found is that many cat foods have in the teeniest tiniest writing on the side of the can something like "only for complementary or supplemental feeding" which means that it's not a complete diet and you need to feed your cat better stuff also. I didn't know this before - not sure if it's the same in the rest of the world....
 
There's some repeats but here's my list too :). My boy isn't very fond of pate either :p. Last number is phosphorus.
Friskies
5.5% | 6% - Friskies Flaked with Tuna & Egg in sauce 263
5.5% | 4% - Friskies Flaked Tuna in Sauce 301

IAMS
2% - Winner, Winner with Chicken Dinner 229

Fancy Feast
6% - Roasted Chicken Feast 284
6% - Roasted Turkey Feast 265
5% - Flaked Chicken and Tuna Feast 325
4% - Chunky Chopped Grill Feast / Chicken Feast 466
5% - Chunky Turkey Feast 477
0% - FF Natural White Meat Chicken in Broth 315

ProPlan True Nature
6% - Chicken & Turkey in gravy 262
6% - Beef & Liver in Gravy 297

Nature's Recipe
6% - Chicken Grain free in Broth 194
2% - Indoor Grain free in Broth 237

Weruva
3% - Paw Lickin' Chicken 196
Truluxe
0% - Quick 'N Quirky (chick & turkey in gravy) 259
9% - Peking Ducken 195
Cats in the Kitchen
4% - Fowl Ball 180
 
I think , I'll check tomorrow at my store, that
I and love and you chicken was a shredded one....
and there's also one by nutrisca...

when you get one that's too difficult, you can always cut it up smaller with a knife....

yeah, I know, gotta cut your meat for you.... just like a kid or a dh
 
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