Need help - confused about Carbs

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Av & Luna

Av & Luna

Member Since 2018
I have been told my many NOT to feed my diabetic cat on Whiskas in Gravy because the carbs are too high. I have worked out the carbs using a calculator and they only come to 1.3%.

  • Protein:8
  • Fat content:4.7
  • Inorganic matter:1.7
  • Crude fibres:0.3
  • Moisture:84
I have also rang Whiskas and they have confirmed the carbs are below 2%.
I am very confused - Can anyone please help me understand why everyone is saying not to feed her on this as the carbs are too high?

https://www.whiskas.co.uk/our-produ...-pouches-poultry-selection-in-gravy-12-x-100g
 
If I calculate the % of calories from carbs based on that info, I come up with 6.28% (38.62% protein; 55.10% fat)
https://catinfo.org/commercial-cat-foods/#Calculating__Percentage_of_Carbohydrates:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...rient-content-of-commercial-cat-foods.194921/

Dr. Pierson recommends at least a minimum of 40% protein, a maximum of 50% fat and a maximum of 10% carbs.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/food-chart-update.176833/

A lot of 'gravy' foods are much higher in carbs than this one, so maybe that is why some people assumed it would be high. It is a little weak on protein and high on fat, but the carbs are not terrible. :)
 
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FurBabiesMama said:
If I calculate the % of calories from carbs based on that info, I come up with 6.28% (38.62% protein; 55.10% fat)
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...rient-content-of-commercial-cat-foods.194921/

Dr. Pierson recommends at least a minimum of 40% protein, a maximum of 50% fat and a maximum of 10% carbs.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/food-chart-update.176833/

A lot of 'gravy' foods are much higher in carbs than this one, so maybe that is why some people assumed it would be high. It is a little weak on protein and high on fat, but the carbs are not terrible. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help - but you can't get 40% protein from wet food can you? It's usually around 8-10%?
I must be doing something wrong with carbs calculation because I still see 1.3% carbs - can you see what it is please from below screenshot?

upload_2018-6-8_17-11-9.png
 
Av & Luna said:
Thanks for your help - but you can't get 40% protein from wet food can you?
Click to expand...
Hi,
my cat eats Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau and Koolina Luau canned - per Dr. Pierson food chart they are >70% proteins, <30% fat and no carbs.
There are other high protein food brands as well.
 
HI thanks for that. Unfortunately we live on an island and the choices are extremely limited and definitely none of that to be had here. We have Whiskas and Sheba but not a lot else.
 
Av & Luna said:
Thanks for your help - but you can't get 40% protein from wet food can you? It's usually around 8-10%?
I must be doing something wrong with carbs calculation because I still see 1.3% carbs - can you see what it is please from below screenshot?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get more protein and less fat from wet food. I do not know what is available in your area though. The highest protein I have seen is a Tiki Cat food that is 84% protein, but my cats would not eat it.

Look at the bottom item in the screenshot you attached. It shows the dry matter carbs to be 8% carbs. For determining dry matter %s, Dr. P. says to subtract out the moisture. In this case, that leaves just 16% of this food that is dry matter. Then, you take your protein, fat and carb %s and divide them by the 16%.
Protein : 8 / 16 = 50%
Fat: 4.7 / 16 = 29.38%
Carbs: 1.3 / 16 = 8.13%

What I was providing before was the percentage of calories from carbs using the percentages you provided. For determining that, Dr. P. says to multiply the protein and carb percentages by 3.5 calories and the fat by 8.5 calories. Then, divide each by the total number of calories.
Protein: 8% = 28 calories (8 x 3.5)
Fat: 4.7% = 39.95 calories (4.7 x 8.5)
Carbs: 1.3% = 4.55 calories (1.3 x 3.5)
Total calories = 72.5

% of calories:
Protein: 38.62%
Fat: 55.10%
Carbs: 6.28%
 
Av & Luna said:
HI thanks for that. Unfortunately we live on an island and the choices are extremely limited and definitely none of that to be had here. We have Whiskas and Sheba but not a lot else.
Click to expand...
Have you get a chance to review Dr. Pierson Food Chart - link posted in post #2?

It lists Sheba Perfect Portions Pate as 42% proteins, 56% fat and only 3% carbs - sounds very acceptable for diabetics. Do they carry it in your local stores?

Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy - isn't good at all - every flavor is above 10% carbs and better to be avoided.
 
Tanya and Ducia said:
Have you get a chance to review Dr. Pierson Food Chart - link posted in post #2?

It lists Sheba Perfect Portions Pate as 42% proteins, 56% fat and only 3% carbs - sounds very acceptable for diabetics. Do they carry it in your local stores?

Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts in Gravy - isn't good at all - every flavor is above 10% carbs and better to be avoided.
Click to expand...

Yes looked at the chart - they don't sell any of that here. Luna wont' eat any wet food unless it is in gravy. She desperately needs to put on weight so I will just have to continue with the Royal Canin Diabetic dry and Whiskas until I can get the maths sorted and find anything else I can buy here with lower carbs that she will eat. Got some Thrive dry food on order but it takes almost 3 weeks to arrive and still waiting. ...and that's hoping that she will eat it!

I thought you just put in the details into the calculator and it showed you the carbs ( at 1.3% fo Whiskas) but I see that's not correct and it seems I have to do some maths. Right now I can't even get my head round the answer Furbabiesmum has provided so that will be fun!
 
Some gravy addict cats could be tricked to eat by adding extra water to the wet canned food - they think it is "gravy" and eat.
I completely understand and agree that if a cat needs to put on weight feed her whatever is available or whatever she'll eat.
The insulin dose can be increased to balance the higher carbs food.
I am sorry they don't sell any other foods where you at...such an inconvenience...

I personally have never ordered from Chewy.com
https://www.chewy.com/b/food-treats...MIlszA0M_E2wIVErbACh3ZnQImEAAYASABEgLuRvD_BwE

but many on this Board do.

If Chewy will ship over to your place - perhaps you can order what you need from them? They carry most of what listed in Dr.P chart.
I am sorry you have such trouble buying cat food. Finding something decent for reasonable price seems to be almost impossible nowadays.
 
Av, that food is fine. It is below the recommended 10% carbs. So, if Luna likes it, let her have it! Especially if you have difficulty finding appropriate foods.
 
I use Sheba quite often- usually Beyond pâté but Gretchen seems to like the Sheba more. Just make sure you get the pâté. I mix about 3 tablespoons of warm water and blend it to a soup with a hand blender. I’ve spoiled her with that, she won’t eat it any other way :)
 
Av & Luna said:
Yes looked at the chart - they don't sell any of that here. Luna wont' eat any wet food unless it is in gravy. She desperately needs to put on weight so I will just have to continue with the Royal Canin Diabetic dry and Whiskas until I can get the maths sorted and find anything else I can buy here with lower carbs that she will eat. Got some Thrive dry food on order but it takes almost 3 weeks to arrive and still waiting. ...and that's hoping that she will eat it!

I thought you just put in the details into the calculator and it showed you the carbs ( at 1.3% fo Whiskas) but I see that's not correct and it seems I have to do some maths. Right now I can't even get my head round the answer Furbabiesmum has provided so that will be fun!
Click to expand...

don't make it harder on yourself, the calculator you are using is good enough (my fav) IF you use the 'dry matter' carbs as your guide. your gravy food is under 10% dry carbs so it is fine to feed overall.

btw sometimes you will see food brands listed on lots of sites with higher wet or dry carbs than the totals on calculator or on other sites, often it is because some for whatever reason don't include the ASH percentage into their calculations, which can make both wet/dry carbs higher than they actually are.
 
Mango loves Sheba. If you have to feed dry I would try Dr. Elsey's. I just bought that for Mango and he loves it. Dry food is what caused Mango's diabetes. As soon as I took him off of dry food, within two and a half months he was in remission. Dry food is not good. Try Dr. Elsey's instead of what you're using if your cat has to have dry food. I bought it for mango because sometimes he needs a little bit of crunchy on top of his wet food and that has very low to no carbs and also I'm going on vacation and the people that are staying here it will make it easier for them to feed him when they're not here during the day.
 
All very helpful and appreciated thanks. ..and I will see if I can find anyone on the internet who will deliver Dr Elsey's to Canary Islands.
 
Gill has already been amazing and really helpful re food and suggested Zooplus.es who will deliver to here and I am still awaiting delivery of Thrive and some other food she suggested.

Takes almost 3 weeks from ordering to delivery here and nothing of any use to be found in local shops here at all so I am seriously hoping Luna will eat it when it eventually arrives!

I haven't yet checked to see if they sell Dr Elsey's but will do later
 
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