best canned cat food!!
- Thread starter kittycat
- Start date
- Status
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Member Since 2009
There are a TON of choices in all different price ranges and degrees of quality, so the best food is something that is 1. Low in carbs, 2. Something that the cat likes, and 3. You can afford.
Here's a link to the cat food nutrition charts: http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm. There is also this premium food chart, and Hobo's food chart. You just need something less than 10% carbs (but preferably less than 8%).
Grain free Fancy Feast flavors are all low carb and pretty popular here because they are easy to find and most cats love them. Low carb premium foods like Wellness, Merrick's, EVO, and low carb grocery store brands like Special Kitty, Friskies, and Grreat Choice (Petsmart), are also pretty popular.
Here's a link to the cat food nutrition charts: http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm. There is also this premium food chart, and Hobo's food chart. You just need something less than 10% carbs (but preferably less than 8%).
Grain free Fancy Feast flavors are all low carb and pretty popular here because they are easy to find and most cats love them. Low carb premium foods like Wellness, Merrick's, EVO, and low carb grocery store brands like Special Kitty, Friskies, and Grreat Choice (Petsmart), are also pretty popular.
squeem3
Member Since 2009
kittycat said:
Whatever brand your cat will eat, you can afford, and can find in the local stores :smile: There is no "best" brand to feed. Price and quality of the food doesn't make a difference to a cat as long as the carb content is under 10%. A diabetic cat can do well on Fancy Feast just as another cat does well on Innova EVO. Julia has already given you the links to the food charts we use.
Limit seafood to once in awhile meals. Some cats get addicted to eating seafood and won't eat anything else. Seafood is pretty low in protein as well. Anything in gravy/sauce should not be fed because those are too high in carbs. The only time you would need to feed gravy food is if your cat is hypoglycemic.
rhiannon and shadow (GA)
Member Since 2012
Here's my cats favorites with their carb values. Diabetic cats need less than 10% but 5 % is better.
This list is helpful while you search out other food possibilities on the binky, and hobo lists.
They come off of those lists.
Try to choose as many chicken or turkey flavors and limit the seafood and also limit the beef and liver. You can still give them some but
don't let them be the dominant choice.
This list is helpful while you search out other food possibilities on the binky, and hobo lists.
They come off of those lists.
Try to choose as many chicken or turkey flavors and limit the seafood and also limit the beef and liver. You can still give them some but
don't let them be the dominant choice.
Lori&Scout
Member Since 2012
Mine go nuts for Wellness Turkey and Salmon and the Buffalo Blue Duck flavor. Since I have two picky cats, I have tried just about every can of cat food available in 4 different stores just to come up with 7 varieties they will both eat. Can anyone explain to me why cats will happily eat the same dry food every meal for 8 years, but feed them the same wet food 3 meals in a row and they turn their noses up?? confused_cat
Lori
Lori
rhiannon and shadow (GA)
Member Since 2012
it's the powdery coating on the dry. I can't remember what it is exactly but it's something that really entices cats.
probably the equivalent of sugar for beans.
We are addicted to sugar.
I know I am.
Didn't I see a piece of candy over.....?
probably the equivalent of sugar for beans.
We are addicted to sugar.
I know I am.
Didn't I see a piece of candy over.....?
squeem3
Member Since 2009
rhiannon and shadow said:
Most companies use animal digest to coat the kibble with.
I know that Nature's Variety uses something called "bio-coating" which is basically a mix of freeze dried raw and fatty acids to coat their dry foods.
FortiFlora is basically animal digest and is great to use to entice a cat to eat canned food.
Squalliesmom
Member Since 2015
Purina Pro Plan True Nature makes three varieties in "sauce" that are about 6% carbs - Chicken & Salmon in Sauce, Ocean Whitefish & Trout in Sauce, and Salmon & Catfish in Sauce. They also say that their Beef & Liver in Gravy is low carb, but I have never been brave enough to try it, lol.
Rachel Morris
Member Since 2017
My cat was diagnosed yesterday as a diabetic. My vet sold me Hills w/d as her new meal replacement so I bought a few cans for my cat to try. But after coming to this message board to learn everything I can to help my cat, I discovered that the carb intake should be less than 10% and the hills I was prescribed is 24%. Why would my vet recommend something so high in carbs? Should I look for a more knowledgable vet?
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
I am but I can't find that one! lol
Squalliesmom
Member Since 2015
Petco online has it, I think Chewy might, too.
ETA: If you try it, please let me know how it affects Maury's BG!
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
I will
. He usually isn't effected much by the lower medium carb wet foods though, just a heads up 
Nohea's Moses
Member Since 2015
I have been giving Moses Fancy Feast Shrimp and Salmon Flaked and his levels have been better than ever
Squalliesmom
Member Since 2015
Yes, they do, Squallie stopped eating Fancy Feast and ProPlan...I have been using Nutro Soft Loaf lately, Squallie loves it and it's easy for him to eat. There are several flavors that are really low in carbs, and some of the Minced varieties are low, too.
Sharon14
Member Since 2015
@Squalliesmom Lucy, any idea on the phos levels in the Nutro?
Squalliesmom
Member Since 2015
Sharon, I don't know how it translates into actual amounts but the percentages listed in the analyses seem pretty high to me, anywhere between 2.5 to 3.2%. Most come in somewhere around the 3% mark; to me, that seems high. That's the only thing I don't like about the food - but Fancy Feast isn't any lower, so what do you do...?
Sharon14
Member Since 2015
Have you seen the latest food list
http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf
I think there are some low carb flaked foods on it.
http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf
I think there are some low carb flaked foods on it.
Tadd68
Member Since 2018
So this here is not really a good choice? My wife just bought this 30pk
.. now i read on here
"Try to choose as many chicken or turkey flavors and limit the seafood and also limit the beef and liver. You can still give them some but
don't let them bethe dominant choice"
So many variables .. first i was doing what vet said and feeding the Purina Pro Plan DM 1/4 cup twice a day .. then i read here to get him off hard food, too many carbs
So i get Fancy Feast Patē only to find out now that seafood is not the best choice
.. now i read on here
"Try to choose as many chicken or turkey flavors and limit the seafood and also limit the beef and liver. You can still give them some but
don't let them bethe dominant choice"
So many variables .. first i was doing what vet said and feeding the Purina Pro Plan DM 1/4 cup twice a day .. then i read here to get him off hard food, too many carbs
So i get Fancy Feast Patē only to find out now that seafood is not the best choice
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
In the short term you can feed it. Next cat food shopping day buy some meat based FF Classics and give it more and fish based less. Don’t worry about it now - you have the treatment of diabetes to learn to deal with.
Tadd68
Member Since 2018
In the short term you can feed it. Next cat food shopping day buy some meat based FF Classics and give it more and fish based less. Don’t worry about it now - you have the treatment of diabetes to learn to deal with.
Thank-you!
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
Great job on the testing
Tadd68
Member Since 2018
Thanks! I just don't want to be giving him shots of insulin without doing the test to know what his BG level is ... although it's been high every check pre-shot since he started on 3/27 ... i am doing what vet told me and giving him 2-units of ProZinc every 12hrs
TreeburnerCT
Member Since 2018
Unfortunately there's a lot of Vets out there who will prescribe an expensive food (or meds) that is only available through the Vet at a ridiculous markup, and it's often just as bad as what we were feeding before.
That being said, I'm in the same boat, my cat Amber was recently diagnosed with diabetes and I realized the wet and dry food we've been feeding her for her whole life is high in carbs and not good for her. In addition to starting insulin I spent over $100 getting various low carb wet foods, but after a week of trying to feed different low carb wet foods Amber would rather starve than eat them.
On the recommendation of the knowledgeable people here I put her back on the high carb food she'll eat. I bought Young Again Zero Mature low carb dry food, and fortunately she loves that so we'll at least get her eating that then try to switch off the high carb wet later.
Unfortunately Amber's regular Vet gave me a lot of bad information and her partner was a complete tool in response to me doing the initial regulation at home, and I've suddenly realized how much they've been milking us for every dollar throughout the years. Every visit was $80, then she always ends up needing SC fluids which literally takes 10 seconds and $0.0005 worth of saline which is another $75, $60 for a blood glucose strip test, etc.
Good luck with this whole process, hope you find a low carb wet food your cat loves, and although it may be expensive at $8/lb. consider the Young Again Zero if kitty doesn't like the wet food.
-Joe
Tadd68
Member Since 2018
He seems to really like the Fancy Feast classic patē food, i add water to it to give him some extra fluid.
This makes day #5 and i am getting ready to do a +3hr shot reading to see what his level is .. will try and get a few other tests througout the weekend besides my usual AMPS and PMPS
He has pretty much been non active today, he did eat good this morning.
This makes day #5 and i am getting ready to do a +3hr shot reading to see what his level is .. will try and get a few other tests througout the weekend besides my usual AMPS and PMPS
He has pretty much been non active today, he did eat good this morning.
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
I’m not familiar with Prozinc but kitty is going down and as I have been told many many time patience lol lol and finally after I got on here and followed instructions we are finally making progress, I’ve only been on here since I thing feb and he was diagnosed last July and you are doing a great job
Janine & Floyd (GA)
Member Since 2018
I just have to jump in here, because this statement is inaccurate. Regardless of the vet's motives (which, for the majority, is to help your pet and make a living) in other areas, I can assure you that no vet is selling food "at a ridiculous markup". I can agree that the "Rx" foods are not always best, but the markup on food is minuscule. Vets sell food as a convenience to their clients and (usually) because they have been taught the food will help.
I would urge everyone here to try to work with your vet. Bring them the info you've found here if it contradicts what they've told you and see what their response is. Many vets ARE willing to learn from and work with clients on helping pets. If your vet is NOT open after that - then find a new one that is.
-stepping off my soapbox.....
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Janine, I knew you'd be a real asset to FDMB!
Vets can get a bad rap here often and it's great to hear the other side of it. Some people have had bad experiences with close minded vets but many vets (mine is one!) are willing to work with us in a collaborative way. Some ideas fly around here and take on a life of their own ... 
I hope you're willing to be a resource when other issues like this come up.
Janine & Floyd (GA)
Member Since 2018
Thank you! I hope I'm not ruffling feathers.Janine, I knew you'd be a real asset to FDMB!
I hope you're willing to be a resource when other issues like this come up.
In my case, I love when clients come educated, bring ideas to the table and we can have a discussion about what is the best for kitty. What is very frustrating for vets is clients who THINK they are educated because the groomer/breeder/clerk at PetCo told them ABC and now that's gospel truth. I hear them out, give my side, and hopefully, we can still work together. Coming to a place like this is absolutely the opposite because there is so much experience and knowledge here.
krazy4kritters
Member Since 2018
About 3 days before Diamond’s official Dx I had reached my breaking point with my 5 cats. I was sick and tired of them changing their minds on the dry food! I decided to switch to canned. My civvies still change their minds almost daily on what flavor they want. Thankfully Diamond eats well and just about any flavor. I think cats are butt heads by nature. Butt heads we adore.
I feed Sheba pate portions and Fancy Feast Pate.
edenbee
Member Since 2018
Wow I had NOT seen that update chart! Thanks so much! Because Delgado is kinda done with Blue and Wellness chicken. If he can have some fancy feast that is flaked or minced once in a while or a few times a week he will be thrilled. I never even heard of the "naturals." Zero carbs??
My little boy is doing well. He tested at 172 at the vet where he is so so scared and shaking that he usually tests higher there than at home. I had hoped he would go into remission as he is on half a unit.but when he was off ProZ he went up to 440.
My vet is really good. He encouraged home testing and showed me how to do it causing the least pain and stress on the cat. He emails with me several times a week if I have questions. I can text him. He's like if I go to Cape Cod in the summer you can still email or text. I will probably be bored there and I like answering questions haha. He is happy about how easily we are handling this...compared to chemo for a year for our golden Junior this is not that bad. Comparably.
I wish he liked the Pate classics but he is in hate with them all. I heat them up and he's like uh...are you kidding me?
Though he is okay with some of the prescription glucose stuff the vet gives me to test out on him. But that is only if I give it once in a while.
Who can figure these creatures out? I should have named him Grilled Beef not Delgado.
I am going away for several weeks in july and am worried about leaving Delgado of course. My vet gave me the name of a cat sitter who gives shots and has a diabetic cat herself. He said if she can't test his BG as he's scared of most people he will send one of his interns over to our place to test for us once a week or more as we are on the same block. I am very lucky with this!
My little boy is doing well. He tested at 172 at the vet where he is so so scared and shaking that he usually tests higher there than at home. I had hoped he would go into remission as he is on half a unit.but when he was off ProZ he went up to 440.
My vet is really good. He encouraged home testing and showed me how to do it causing the least pain and stress on the cat. He emails with me several times a week if I have questions. I can text him. He's like if I go to Cape Cod in the summer you can still email or text. I will probably be bored there and I like answering questions haha. He is happy about how easily we are handling this...compared to chemo for a year for our golden Junior this is not that bad. Comparably.
I wish he liked the Pate classics but he is in hate with them all. I heat them up and he's like uh...are you kidding me?
Though he is okay with some of the prescription glucose stuff the vet gives me to test out on him. But that is only if I give it once in a while.
Who can figure these creatures out? I should have named him Grilled Beef not Delgado.
I am going away for several weeks in july and am worried about leaving Delgado of course. My vet gave me the name of a cat sitter who gives shots and has a diabetic cat herself. He said if she can't test his BG as he's scared of most people he will send one of his interns over to our place to test for us once a week or more as we are on the same block. I am very lucky with this!
Sharon14
Member Since 2015
No, thank you, it’s great to hear the ‘other’ side!
Kenai_21
Member Since 2017
He's been on fancy feast paté for a while now his sugars are not regulated still. He's been a diabetic for 1yr, 2 months he is now 9yr young. I need more suggestions on trying to regulate his sugars. I also need to get all his numbers on the spreadsheet. He's on 2.75 ProZin every 12hrs. View attachment 35932
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
Love this pic
Bella eats primal raw chicken and salmon, also Stella and chewys rabbit, both are freeze dried raw, I add more water than it says as he thinks he’s getting gravy lol lol both are very very low carb, I don’t know if you have tried raw but I thought I’d tell you about it, it’s quite expensive but he wasn’t thrilled with fancy feast
The store I get mine at has samples not sure if all the stores who carry it do, you may be able to contact them and see if they will send you samples, ziwi airdried raw is also very very low carb, I give that sometimes as treats
Kenai_21
Member Since 2017
@Bellasmom Thank you. I will try anything. I updated his SS. I was slacking some. I also stopped doing his sugars 4 times a day. If his sugars are normal after he eats it goes to the 300's. until i find a better balance with his food or change his food I will go back to taking it 4 times a day doing curves as well....
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
What I do is crumble up the raw add water mash it up and crumble just a little on top as a crunchy for him, the shells and chewys make great LC treats as they are little nuggets, the primal is big big nuggets
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
@Kris & Teasel any advice on getting these numbers lower?
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
Beautiful pic!
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Not really. You've had really nice greens at the 1 u dose and today you have some nice low blues. Bella's body will do what it wants to do in any given cycle and you're just a bystander once you've given a good dose and have done the BG tests.
Bellasmom
Member Since 2018
Lol not mine lol @Rupert_09 post # 39Not really. You've had really nice greens at the 1 u dose and today you have some nice low blues. Bella's body will do what it wants to do in any given cycle and you're just a bystander once you've given a good dose and have done the BG tests.
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Oops!
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
@Rupert_09 : First things first - you need to do a full curve at your current dose to see what it actually does over the whole cycle. It would also be very helpful if you started your own thread on this forum and/or the ProZinc forum.
tobakett
Member Since 2018
So what I have found that works for my gravy addict finicky cat (that does not like pate by itself) is that I make a blended food. I worked with my vet to figure out a calorie goal each day for him and then used the freedom to experiment to find the right blend/ratios. What I found that has him cleaning his bowl 4 times a day (and trying to steal his civvie sisters if she doesn't keep up with hers) is I use a quarter can of Friskies and 1/8 a can BFF by Weruva, 4 times a day. I try to stick to just non fish Friskies since the BFF all have tuna to minimize the fish though given my income if Walmart has the seafood pate 36 pack marked half off because of a damaged box, I grab it because poor.
The nice thing with BFF is even their "pate" are in aspic, which is a gelatinous compound and a few varieties (including the tuna pumpkin which is their fave) are more gravy like. I mix it up with 2 tablespoons of water (hot water if I am pulling cans out of the fridge) and make basically "cat stew". My gravy addict thinks he is getting a bowl of delicious gravy with bits because once you mix it all together. Its gotta be something with his BFF stabilizes their food but the consistency is different that just mixing Friskies with water.
I do keep a 30 pack of non fish Fancy Feast classic on hand because he will still occasionally get a bee in his bonnet and although he eats, it will take him FOREVER to finish and that's my 'heads up' that we are on the train to protest-town. So I mix up a meal or two with FF instead of Friskies and that gets him back to enthusiastic eating.
I also got the sample bags of the carb free dry food, not as food, but to use as "treats" since to him, he has no clue that it's normal food. I also keep purebites handy but for a very good motivated cat it's useful to pull whatever tricks I can to make this smoother for him.
Every cat is different, but I figured I would share what's been working so far with mine in case it proves helpful for someone else
The nice thing with BFF is even their "pate" are in aspic, which is a gelatinous compound and a few varieties (including the tuna pumpkin which is their fave) are more gravy like. I mix it up with 2 tablespoons of water (hot water if I am pulling cans out of the fridge) and make basically "cat stew". My gravy addict thinks he is getting a bowl of delicious gravy with bits because once you mix it all together. Its gotta be something with his BFF stabilizes their food but the consistency is different that just mixing Friskies with water.
I do keep a 30 pack of non fish Fancy Feast classic on hand because he will still occasionally get a bee in his bonnet and although he eats, it will take him FOREVER to finish and that's my 'heads up' that we are on the train to protest-town. So I mix up a meal or two with FF instead of Friskies and that gets him back to enthusiastic eating.
I also got the sample bags of the carb free dry food, not as food, but to use as "treats" since to him, he has no clue that it's normal food. I also keep purebites handy but for a very good motivated cat it's useful to pull whatever tricks I can to make this smoother for him.
Every cat is different, but I figured I would share what's been working so far with mine in case it proves helpful for someone else
- Status