Wet Food Guidance

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LestatsDad

LestatsDad

Member Since 2018
Hi all,

I'm sure there are a million posts on this here, but somehow I'm missing the information I am looking for.

Long story short is my diabetic cat (Lestat) seems to be getting extra finicky with his food. Stuff he used to eat he now only picks at/licks the gravy...so I'm back to square one in looking for a diabetic friendly food that hopefully won't break the bank while appealing to him (and hopefully his siblings won't revolt).

I have looked at Dr. Lisa's wet food chart (and downloaded it), but there is a bit of info I can't find, and would to help me out. What are the minimum/max percentages I should be looking for? My instinct says:
Protein - Min. 40%
Fat - Max. 65% (Weight isn't an issue, but guessing I don't want something that has a lot of fat in it)
Carbs - Max 10%
Phosphorus - Max 200mg

Also, for those that do use the OTC foods, which brands do you use. I know all cats are different, but if one cat likes it, maybe mine will. For a while, Lestat was happy with Purina Pro Plan. Then he seemed to get tired of it, so we switched to Friskies Pate. But that seems to be losing its appeal to him as well.

Thanks in advance!
 
LestatsDad said:
Long story short is my diabetic cat (Lestat) seems to be getting extra finicky with his food. Stuff he used to eat he now only picks at/licks the gravy...
Click to expand...
Is Lestat showing any clinical signs of nausea:

Nausea symptom checker and treatments [ETA: Link repaired 28 Jan 2018]

If yes, then generic ondansetron and Cerenia (maropitant) can both help a kitty with nausea issues to eat more comfortably and reliably.


Mogs
.
 
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Hi, I saw your post and my cat is doing the exact same thing. He just started licking the juice/gravy and leaving the rest. I was very well into my story/post and all of a sudden it disappeared. I'm not sure if I will have time right now to start all over again. I was asking a question about rehydrating the left over food with a bit of olive oil, to kinda mimic what it comes in. How long has Lestat been doing that? My cat just started doing it a few days ago.
 
LestatsDad said:
Hi all,

I'm sure there are a million posts on this here, but somehow I'm missing the information I am looking for.

Long story short is my diabetic cat (Lestat) seems to be getting extra finicky with his food. Stuff he used to eat he now only picks at/licks the gravy...so I'm back to square one in looking for a diabetic friendly food that hopefully won't break the bank while appealing to him (and hopefully his siblings won't revolt).

I have looked at Dr. Lisa's wet food chart (and downloaded it), but there is a bit of info I can't find, and would to help me out. What are the minimum/max percentages I should be looking for? My instinct says:
Protein - Min. 40%
Fat - Max. 65% (Weight isn't an issue, but guessing I don't want something that has a lot of fat in it)
Carbs - Max 10%
Phosphorus - Max 200mg

Also, for those that do use the OTC foods, which brands do you use. I know all cats are different, but if one cat likes it, maybe mine will. For a while, Lestat was happy with Purina Pro Plan. Then he seemed to get tired of it, so we switched to Friskies Pate. But that seems to be losing its appeal to him as well.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Have you tried Fancy Feast?? The CLASSIC line is in line with Dr. Lisa's nutrition recommendations and a lot of cats love it.
 
Critter Mom said:
I've just noticed that you've also got a cat called Buffy ... :eek:

:D

On a more serious note, has Lestat's appetite improved at all?

BTW, I see that the link in my previous post gave a 404 error, so I'm posting the link again here:

http://www.felinecrf.org/appetite_loss_nausea_vomiting.htm


Mogs
.
Click to expand...

Is your Buffy also named for the Vampire Slayer? :D

And thank you - I'd noticed the 404 error also, but figured it was something to do with the site being down, or trouble on the information highway.

As for Lestat, his appetite is good when the food appeals to him. He loves the Purina DM kibble from the vet. In a worst case scenario, I can switch his diet to all that, but the drawbacks are cost and the fact it is dry food. I prefer using the kibble as an overnight snack for them, and having wet food for main meals. I just got back from the store, and picked up a few of the Diabetic Friendly (and low phosphorus) wet foods - a large variety so hopefully something will appeal.

My vet also recommended a site called BalanceIT.com, which assists in creating diet-specific homemade recipes for cats (and dogs as well). I haven't had much of a chance to investigate them, so I don't know about cost. They have some available for free, and with veterinary consent, I think you can get an actual vet-nutritionist to work with you.

I had him at the Vet on Wednesday, and his blood sugar (just before dinner, so at the end of the curve cycle) was 204... much better than the 24 he went to the emergency vet with the other day... She was happy with that given his history.
 
Ashley A Catlover said:
Hi, I saw your post and my cat is doing the exact same thing. He just started licking the juice/gravy and leaving the rest. I was very well into my story/post and all of a sudden it disappeared. I'm not sure if I will have time right now to start all over again. I was asking a question about rehydrating the left over food with a bit of olive oil, to kinda mimic what it comes in. How long has Lestat been doing that? My cat just started doing it a few days ago.
Click to expand...
Hi Ashley - He's been finicky on and off for a bit. All I can guess is that, like us humans, their tastes change every now and then. Or perhaps the food they used to like changed a bit, and it tastes/smells different to them. I've never tried rehydrating. I'll have to look for that post and keep up with it.

Good luck with Lahomay. Hope it goes well, and there are plenty of kind, knowledgeable people here that will help with any questions you have.
 
Karen Mulholland said:
Have you tried Fancy Feast?? The CLASSIC line is in line with Dr. Lisa's nutrition recommendations and a lot of cats love it.
Click to expand...

I ended up skipping on Fancy Feast because of the Carb Levels (many on the list are 13% or above) and the Phosphorus. While my Vet hasn't said he has pancreatitis (and he doesn't show symptoms of it), they have said his pancreas is enlarged, so I figure it is better to err on the side of caution, and stick with the low phosphorus foods as well.
 
Critter Mom said:
I meant 'also' in the context of your having a vampire kitteh in residence alongside Buffy! (Sorry for any confusion.) The thought of the two of them under the same roof really tickled my sense of humour (and not much does these days ...). ;)


Mogs
.
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Gotcha and lol. She got her name for standing up to him when she first came to live with us. Back then, Lestat was a good 14+ pounds (he's down to about 12), and she was maybe 7. He was also taller than her - his legs/hips were taller than her back. But despite the size disadvantage, she just stared him in the eye as if to say "Hi, I'm Buffy, I'm not scared of you. We are gonna be friends..." and he backed down. lol
 
Cats are VERY good at hiding discomfort. My only signs that Max was nauseous was inappetence and licking the water away from the food without eating.
 
LestatsDad said:
Hi Ashley - He's been finicky on and off for a bit. All I can guess is that, like us humans, their tastes change every now and then. Or perhaps the food they used to like changed a bit, and it tastes/smells different to them. I've never tried rehydrating. I'll have to look for that post and keep up with it.

Good luck with Lahomay. Hope it goes well, and there are plenty of kind, knowledgeable people here that will help with any questions you have.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Your words are encouraging. I tried to rehydrate using chicken broth, he was having no part of it. I'm afraid he's pretty much stopped eating altogether at this point. He won't even eat tuna now. Tuna! I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow. I'm so frustrated with this whole situation. I have not been able to test his BG. I'm at my wits end. Hopefully tomorrow the vet can get us back on track. I feel like a terrible pet parent.
 
Please ask for an RX for ondansetron, a human nausea medication and for Cerenia, a veterinary nausea medication. If cats go too long without eating they can develop hepatic lipidosis, fatty liver which is very serious. Those two medicaywork in different ways. Some cats respond to one or the other and some need both. Good luck tomorrow.
 
Ashley A Catlover said:
Thank you. Your words are encouraging. I tried to rehydrate using chicken broth, he was having no part of it. I'm afraid he's pretty much stopped eating altogether at this point. He won't even eat tuna now. Tuna! I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow. I'm so frustrated with this whole situation. I have not been able to test his BG. I'm at my wits end. Hopefully tomorrow the vet can get us back on track. I feel like a terrible pet parent.
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My guy started doing this is August. Still don't know what exactly is going on, but Rufus has pancreatitis now and possible teeth issues. That could be what's going with your guy.
 
Ashley A Catlover said:
Thank you. Your words are encouraging. I tried to rehydrate using chicken broth, he was having no part of it. I'm afraid he's pretty much stopped eating altogether at this point. He won't even eat tuna now. Tuna! I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow. I'm so frustrated with this whole situation. I have not been able to test his BG. I'm at my wits end. Hopefully tomorrow the vet can get us back on track. I feel like a terrible pet parent.
Click to expand...

As an odd thought, have you tried baby foods? As long as it contains no veggies, they can be safe for cats. I've used the Gerber Phase 2 (or maybe Gerber 2nd foods - whatever they call it) before when ours (usually Lestat or his brother) are being extra stubborn. The key thing is checking the ingredients. Make sure there is no onion or garlic. If you want to err on the side of caution, avoid all veggies as well.

Glad you are getting back to the vet. A cat not eating is a not a good thing. One thing to tell the vet would be - does he at least show an interest in food in general? It is one thing if they go up, sniff, and walk away. It is something completely different if they don't even investigate their bowl. And I hear you on the being unable to test. I still haven't gotten a test on Lestat. But whatever you do, don't feel bad. Maybe you are planning on this, but since you'll be at the Vet, take your BG kit, and see if they (or more likely a nurse/tech) can assist you with getting the test. Maybe you getting one or two successful tests at the vet will translate to better luck at home.

Hope the appointment goes well tomorrow!
 
Just an FYI. Ondansetron is only $10 at Sams Club if you have plus memebership. Rufus was needing that and gabapentin and between the 2, most pharmacies wanted close to $200 for both. Got them both for $17 at Sams.
 
LestatsDad said:
As an odd thought, have you tried baby foods? As long as it contains no veggies, they can be safe for cats. I've used the Gerber Phase 2 (or maybe Gerber 2nd foods - whatever they call it) before when ours (usually Lestat or his brother) are being extra stubborn. The key thing is checking the ingredients. Make sure there is no onion or garlic. If you want to err on the side of caution, avoid all veggies as well.

Glad you are getting back to the vet. A cat not eating is a not a good thing. One thing to tell the vet would be - does he at least show an interest in food in general? It is one thing if they go up, sniff, and walk away. It is something completely different if they don't even investigate their bowl. And I hear you on the being unable to test. I still haven't gotten a test on Lestat. But whatever you do, don't feel bad. Maybe you are planning on this, but since you'll be at the Vet, take your BG kit, and see if they (or more likely a nurse/tech) can assist you with getting the test. Maybe you getting one or two successful tests at the vet will translate to better luck at home.

Hope the appointment goes well tomorrow!
Click to expand...


Thanks! Baby Food! No, but what a great idea! Here is the latest update on Lahomey: Had one of his teeth pulled Thursday. It was in bad shape, practically came out on its own. He is now on liquid antibiotics twice a day. HOWEVER, he is still not eating like he should. He does act interested, like you mentioned above. He goes to his bowl, sniffs around and walks away. If I am in the kitchen, he is in there. I have been giving him cooked chicken. He is eating that, but he doesn't finish it. He still turns his nose up to tuna. I thought it was the tooth issue, but now that the tooth is gone I thought he would go back to normal. Nope. Not yet anyway. Also, the antibiotic says give with food. Kinda hard to do when he's not eating. For now, I am staying the course. Thanks for the baby food idea! It never crossed my mind!!
 
Ashley A Catlover said:
Thanks! Baby Food! No, but what a great idea! Here is the latest update on Lahomey: Had one of his teeth pulled Thursday. It was in bad shape, practically came out on its own. He is now on liquid antibiotics twice a day. HOWEVER, he is still not eating like he should. He does act interested, like you mentioned above. He goes to his bowl, sniffs around and walks away. If I am in the kitchen, he is in there. I have been giving him cooked chicken. He is eating that, but he doesn't finish it. He still turns his nose up to tuna. I thought it was the tooth issue, but now that the tooth is gone I thought he would go back to normal. Nope. Not yet anyway. Also, the antibiotic says give with food. Kinda hard to do when he's not eating. For now, I am staying the course. Thanks for the baby food idea! It never crossed my mind!!
Click to expand...
It's easy to syringe feed baby food if you add a little water to it. If he'll eat it own his own so much the better.
 
My diabetic kitty eats Holistic Select Grain Free Turkey, Fancy Feast Classics & Nulo & I add a bit of real meat on top as a treat & he also likes parmesan cheese sprinkled on top :) The Fancy Feast Classics are less than 3% carbs (I noticed you wrote they are above 13% but the Classics are low carb, other varieties of Fancy Feast are higher & those are the ones we keep on hand in case of Hypoglycemic episodes to help raise their BG).
 
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