Eating Issues

[Paula Nowak]

Hi my name is Paula and I have a 13 yr. old black male kitty named Elvis. He was diagnosed s diabetic the ladl day in October of 2018. I was wondering if any of you have had issues with getting your cat to eat enough. He used to eat so much before he was diagnosed a diabetic. I'm really very concerned about this and I'm wondering if anyone else has had the problem with it. Also I was wondering what is enough food for them. He is a 20lb cat and my vet said that he has to eat at least two cans but he can have three cans because they are trying to get him to lose some weight. Now I am talking about not the large cans I'm talking about the little cans. I also give him a multi-vitamin also because of this issue of I don't think that he's eating enough. I have tried putting food on my finger and putting it in his mouth but he doesn't really like that although he does eat the food. I also got a feeding syringe but that was a total disaster! sometimes I do get him to eat his full can and a half in the morning and then it means that he gets another can and a half and his evening feeding. there are a lot of times though that I need to feed him during the day because he does not eat enough and I do not want him to get fatty liver liver disease also known as hepatic LIPA dosis!the emergency vet by me head said that as long as he's eating he's not going to get fatty liver disease. I beg to differ on that because don't they have to eat a certain amount of food not to be able to get fatty liver disease? my regular vet at Hillcrest Animal Hospital said if he eats at least two cans a day that is all right he will not get fatty liver disease. one main reason why my cat is getting a multivitamin is because I am worried about the fatty liver disease and him not getting enough of nutrition! I posted this because I was just wondering if other people have had any issues with something like this I don't want to have to have him have to have a feeding tube put in him that would be devastating and I don't know if him or I could handle that at this time! I guess what might be some what are very little comforting is that I think that if my vet thought that this was an issue that they would have said something.also his numbers have been going down so that is good but I'm still worried about the eating issue. The vet said that he only has one hour after I give him his shot to finish his food. This is not the case with Elvis because Elvis cannot finish his food within the hour afterwards. it is almost totally impossible and that is why I need to feed him after his shot because he will then not get enough food if he's not able to eat his food after his shot. I have to go beyond the hour so he can at least get enough food into his system and that is just the way it has to be done! Any feedback please that may help in any way shape or form, thank you!

 

[Sylvie]

what insulin are you using? if your cat is one to graze throughout the day aka not eat his meals in one sitting, a long lasting insulin like Lantus would be better if the one that you are using is not a long acting one. my Tux was allowed to eat his meals at his leisure and we had no problem regulating him while allowing that. however had he been

and didn't have to worry about him not having food in his tummy after his injections for he pretty much just be sure to pick up food 2hrs before his injections so his blood glucose readings aren't affected by food.

From what i recall reading and what i go by, 180 calories is the least bigger cats over 12lbs should eat to avoid issues so two 3oz small cans of fancy feast pates would be 180 calories. to figure out how much your cat should eat, you take his ideal weight and times it by 15 calories, if not losing after two weeks, minus 10% off that calories total you got 2 wks prior. you don't want him to lose weight too fast though, i believe 2% of current weight per week is the safe weight loss number to avoid issues (i would look that 2% up though for it is late and i am not 100% sure it was 2% i read)..

a lot of diabetic cat do best with small meals throughtout the day instead of two set ones. so try splitting up his 2-3 cans into like 4 meals instead, like maybe 1 can in AM, 1/2 can midday, 1/2 can PM and leave out the last can for him graze on overnight incase he goes low too fast. i am gathering you are testing his Blood glucose before injections so don't forget to pick up any food out 2hrs beforehand, those are the only time your kitty shouldn't be allowed to eat..
need to head off of here so hope info help you some, take a deep breath and try not to worry so much about what you think could happen, your kitty will be fine as long as he eats his 2-3 cans per 'day'.

 

[Paula Nowak]

what insulin are you using? if your cat is one to graze throughout the day aka not eat his meals in one sitting, a long lasting insulin like Lantus would be better if the one that you are using is not a long acting one. my Tux was allowed to eat his meals at his leisure and we had no problem regulating him while allowing that. however had he been

and didn't have to worry about him not having food in his tummy after his injections for he pretty much just be sure to pick up food 2hrs before his injections so his blood glucose readings aren't affected by food.

From what i recall reading and what i go by, 180 calories is the least bigger cats over 12lbs should eat to avoid issues so two 3oz small cans of fancy feast pates would be 180 calories. to figure out how much your cat should eat, you take his ideal weight and times it by 15 calories, if not losing after two weeks, minus 10% off that calories total you got 2 wks prior. you don't want him to lose weight too fast though, i believe 2% of current weight per week is the safe weight loss number to avoid issues (i would look that 2% up though for it is late and i am not 100% sure it was 2% i read)..

a lot of diabetic cat do best with small meals throughtout the day instead of two set ones. so try splitting up his 2-3 cans into like 4 meals instead, like maybe 1 can in AM, 1/2 can midday, 1/2 can PM and leave out the last can for him graze on overnight incase he goes low too fast. i am gathering you are testing his Blood glucose before injections so don't forget to pick up any food out 2hrs beforehand, those are the only time your kitty shouldn't be allowed to eat..
need to head off of here so hope info help you some, take a deep breath and try not to worry so much about what you think could happen, your kitty will be fine as long as he eats his 2-3 cans per 'day'.

Hi Sylvie, Thank you . Elvis is on Lantus. InI so glad I found out about what you said about feeding him and it being ok to ket him eat in between his shots. I noticed early this morning he hadn't eaten that much of his food. It was 4 am and he gets his shots at 8 am and 8 pm. I ley him eat some more at 4 am . I know he had to be hungry. I feel much better knowing he can graze a bit He used to eat dry food but when I thought of him being diabetic, because of him drinking so much and uribsturi so much, I just gave him his wet food which is by the way Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets Pate. I then took him unto the vet a week later. Thank God fir my sister's who have and are helping with the expense if Elvis's care . There would have been no way I could have done it on my own! Your advice has made me feel much better. IrsI strange how different vets and people have different ways of doing things. What my vet said is just not working for Elvis. What you said, I heard from another vet I had talked to but is in a town far from me. So when I got your reply , it was like a confirmation that it's ok to have Elvis eat a midday meal and graze after his shots a bit so he can at least eat enough. Elvis is my baby soul mate. I never want to deprive him of food . That is unthinkable. And like you said, if he isin Lantus, which he is, then he can eat unbeteeen shots, especially if since he just doesn't eat his food at just 2 tines a day which he just can't do! So thank you for replying to my post. If you think of anything else, pleadp let me know. Thank you !

 

[Paula Nowak]

Hi Sylvie, Thank you . Elvis is on Lantus. InI so glad I found out about what you said about feeding him and it being ok to ket him eat in between his shots. I noticed early this morning he hadn't eaten that much of his food. It was 4 am and he gets his shots at 8 am and 8 pm. I ley him eat some more at 4 am . I know he had to be hungry. I feel much better knowing he can graze a bit He used to eat dry food but when I thought of him being diabetic, because of him drinking so much and uribsturi so much, I just gave him his wet food which is by the way Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets Pate. I then took him unto the vet a week later. Thank God fir my sister's who have and are helping with the expense if Elvis's care . There would have been no way I could have done it on my own! Your advice has made me feel much better. IrsI strange how different vets and people have different ways of doing things. What my vet said is just not working for Elvis. What you said, I heard from another vet I had talked to but is in a town far from me. So when I got your reply , it was like a confirmation that it's ok to have Elvis eat a midday meal and graze after his shots a bit so he can at least eat enough. Elvis is my baby soul mate. I never want to deprive him of food . That is unthinkable. And like you said, if he isin Lantus, which he is, then he can eat unbeteeen shots, especially if since he just doesn't eat his food at just 2 tines a day which he just can't do! So thank you for replying to my post. If you think of anything else, pleadp let me know. Thank you !

Sorry for all the errors in spelling. The tiny keyboard on my phone makes it hard at times

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Has he been checked to see if he needs a dental? If his mouth is sore that may be why he doesn't eat much.

 

[Sylvie]

Sorry for all the errors in spelling. The tiny keyboard on my phone makes it hard at times

no problem, apparently my reply to you wasn't so error free either lol, i blame the younger cat though for apparently pawing at my delete key or something without me noticing

 

[Paula Nowak]

Has he been checked to see if he needs a dental? If his mouth is sore that may be why he doesn't eat much.

He does have some gingivitis the vet said but not to be too alarmed. I did though order some Oratene Antiseptic Gel that the vet said would be good for the gingivitis. I just have had a rough tine in getting it directly on his gums. Elvis hates it and it might hurt or bother him when I do try. I stopped for a bit cause it was getting too difficult. I am starting again in a different position. I hope I'll be able to do it . Elvis cant have his teeth cleaned because he is too heavy and giving s him anethesia would be too high a risk for him and given his age and him being diabetic is also why he can't be put under. He will be alright !

 

[Dusty Bones]

Once you get your kitty's diabetes controlled he won't be as hungry as before so it looks like he's eating less but he's really just eating what he needs. Remember when he was ravenous from the diabetes? He's slowly going back to his normal self so don't be worried unless he completely stops eating. Dusty was the same way, I kept thinking he had to eat more but he knew how much to eat. You can also try other Fancy Feast flavors like chicken, beef, liver, and seafood. The pate style ones are all low in carbs and it'll keep his menu exciting.

 

[Paula Nowak]

Once you get your kitty's diabetes controlled he won't be as hungry as before so it looks like he's eating less but he's really just eating what he needs. Remember when he was ravenous from the diabetes? He's slowly going back to his normal self so don't be worried unless he completely stops eating. Dusty was the same way, I kept thinking he had to eat more but he knew how much to eat. You can also try other Fancy Feast flavors like chicken, beef, liver, and seafood. The pate style ones are all low in carbs and it'll keep his menu exciting.

Thank you. I was really really worried. That is a good idea about trying different flavors.