New to this - need food and serving size help!

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Chele22

Member Since 2020
Hi everyone,

My cat Chachi has just diagnosed with diabetes a little back story he will be 14 years old this year and he has been a free-range feeder all his life. I use to feed him a grain-free diet for many years until about four years ago when he had a urinary blockage and the vet at that time switched him to prescription hills urinary care kibble food which he liked as a free-range feeding. As a treat, I always give him a scoop of can food in the morning and at dinner time so he is used to set feeding times and stuck with the grain-free can food and give him TikiCat or Cats in the Kitchen. So we went to the vet last week for excessive thirst and urination and low and behold he is diabetic he lost 2lbs (was 15lbs and is now 13lbs)

His level was a little over 400 and I was given vetsulin 2 units a day and prescribed Hills prescription Glucose M/D kibble and can food. the vet recommended a quarter cup of kibble with a spoon of can food mixed in twice a day. Well, my cat refused to eat it all together - not even the can food! So I had a follow-up visit with vet yesterday and yes his levels did drop to 320 but I found out I was only giving him 1 unit of vetsulin because the vet tech did not explain the syringe's markings correctly so now I am on track. I explained to the vet that Chachi refused to eat the food he prescribed and I took the food I was currently giving him which was Tiki Cat and Cats in the Kitchen food to ask if this was acceptable to give him? if so I needed to know how much of the 3 az can should he have to aid in the weight loss. The vet did not even want to look at my food and said lets try another food before we look at yours. so he prescribed Prescription hills metabolic and urinary care kibble and can food and said he can have a half cup and a spoon of the can at each meal twice a day.

So today my cat still will not eat the hard food as this is his was his free-range food and will not eat it on demand. the can food he is hesitant but mainly drinks to juices and leaves the meaty parts so I had to mix it with the TikiCat to get him to eat enough so I could give him his shot.

I keep reading cats should not eat kibble at all but my vet is persistent about this prescription hills diet to help get his levels in check and help him lose weight.

Is TikiCat and Weruva can food good for diabetic cats (they are around 60 calories and zero to low carbs)
if so how much is recommended per feeding?
 
Good glad you started your own thread! While I'm no expert, one thing I DO know is you vet is wrong about dry food. So many times Ive had to type those words!!! IF your cat has elimination issues or motility issues he does NOT need dry food. ALL dry food is packed with carbs and actually work against the insulin. there are 2 that I know of that some people here need to use and they are "Dr Easleys" (I'm sure I butchered that name) and "Young Again". Both have carbs but not as much as all other dry food does.
I dont take calling a vet wrong, lightly. I WISH I didnt have to say it at all. :( but the fact is most vets arent up on this disease. They MAY be for dogs but NOT cats.
Personally I would dump that prescription food and feed Fancy Feast Pates. Most are 10% carbs or lower. I would start there and test test test.. Its the only way to truly know just what that food and insulin is doing to Chachi.


I can see you are trying hard to keep Chachi healthy. Lets see what others have to say ok?
Hang in there for more replies!;)
j.
 
Chele22 said:
Hi everyone,

My cat Chachi has just diagnosed with diabetes a little back story he will be 14 years old this year and he has been a free-range feeder all his life. I use to feed him a grain-free diet for many years until about four years ago when he had a urinary blockage and the vet at that time switched him to prescription hills urinary care kibble food which he liked as a free-range feeding. As a treat, I always give him a scoop of can food in the morning and at dinner time so he is used to set feeding times and stuck with the grain-free can food and give him TikiCat or Cats in the Kitchen. So we went to the vet last week for excessive thirst and urination and low and behold he is diabetic he lost 2lbs (was 15lbs and is now 13lbs)

His level was a little over 400 and I was given vetsulin 2 units a day and prescribed Hills prescription Glucose M/D kibble and can food. the vet recommended a quarter cup of kibble with a spoon of can food mixed in twice a day. Well, my cat refused to eat it all together - not even the can food! So I had a follow-up visit with vet yesterday and yes his levels did drop to 320 but I found out I was only giving him 1 unit of vetsulin because the vet tech did not explain the syringe's markings correctly so now I am on track. I explained to the vet that Chachi refused to eat the food he prescribed and I took the food I was currently giving him which was Tiki Cat and Cats in the Kitchen food to ask if this was acceptable to give him? if so I needed to know how much of the 3 az can should he have to aid in the weight loss. The vet did not even want to look at my food and said lets try another food before we look at yours. so he prescribed Prescription hills metabolic and urinary care kibble and can food and said he can have a half cup and a spoon of the can at each meal twice a day.

So today my cat still will not eat the hard food as this is his was his free-range food and will not eat it on demand. the can food he is hesitant but mainly drinks to juices and leaves the meaty parts so I had to mix it with the TikiCat to get him to eat enough so I could give him his shot.

I keep reading cats should not eat kibble at all but my vet is persistent about this prescription hills diet to help get his levels in check and help him lose weight.

Is TikiCat and Weruva can food good for diabetic cats (they are around 60 calories and zero to low carbs)
if so how much is recommended per feeding?
Click to expand...
You know I Always found it so strange that the Vets that recommends these Hills diets and prescription foods also sell them right in their office but if you look at the ingredients they are not anything I would feed my cat . I personally do not like foods that have been recalled and Hills has . With that being said the fact that your Vet would not even look at the food you showed him is strange to me . I fed my cat Tiki Cat and Weruva after researching food they were both human grade ingredients never recalled . My cat did not like pate but would sometimes eat Fancy Feast .... Let’s see what the more experienced members have to say
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Good glad you started your own thread! While I'm no expert, one thing I DO know is you vet is wrong about dry food. So many times Ive had to type those words!!! IF your cat has elimination issues or motility issues he does NOT need dry food. ALL dry food is packed with carbs and actually work against the insulin. there are 2 that I know of that some people here need to use and they are "Dr Easleys" (I'm sure I butchered that name) and "Young Again". Both have carbs but not as much as all other dry food does.
I dont take calling a vet wrong, lightly. I WISH I didnt have to say it at all. :( but the fact is most vets arent up on this disease. They MAY be for dogs but NOT cats.
Personally I would dump that prescription food and feed Fancy Feast Pates. Most are 10% carbs or lower. I would start there and test test test.. Its the only way to truly know just what that food and insulin is doing to Chachi.


I can see you are trying hard to keep Chachi healthy. Lets see what others have to say ok?
Hang in there for more replies!;)
j.
Click to expand...


Thank you!!

He is my baby and we have been through a lot together so it is my plan to get him through this the best way possible and not stress him out any more than I need to!
 
Dusty & Roe said:
You know I Always found it so strange that the Vets that recommends these Hills diets and prescription foods also sell them right in their office but if you look at the ingredients they are not anything I would feed my cat . I personally do not like foods that have been recalled and Hills has . With that being said the fact that your Vet would not even look at the food you showed him is strange to me . I fed my cat Tiki Cat and Weruva after researching food they were both human grade ingredients never recalled . My cat did not like pate but would sometimes eat Fancy Feast .... Let’s see what the more experienced members have to say
Click to expand...


Thank you!!

I really appreciate this site and all the information!!
 
Chele22 said:
Thank you!!

He is my baby and we have been through a lot together so it is my plan to get him through this the best way possible and not stress him out any more than I need to!
Click to expand...
Youre on your way now. ;) I think Chachi is one lucky kitty to have you!

While I'm here are you open to setting up a signature and spreadsheet?you can find how to do that here:
Suggestions, Tech Support & Testing Area

The signature will let helpers know at a glance your name, insulin type, and food you feed ect.
the spreadsheet, so helpers can look at trends and the general overlook of how dosage is working for Chachi. It really helps US help YOU! ;):coffee:
 
Ha! this is from Janet NJ.(found it while looking at another thread. :D

The rule of thumb is ABOUT 20 calories per pound of ideal weight. So if his ideal weight is 11 pounds then it would be about 220 calories worth of food a day.
 
Chele22 said:
Hi everyone,

My cat Chachi has just diagnosed with diabetes a little back story he will be 14 years old this year and he has been a free-range feeder all his life. I use to feed him a grain-free diet for many years until about four years ago when he had a urinary blockage and the vet at that time switched him to prescription hills urinary care kibble food which he liked as a free-range feeding. As a treat, I always give him a scoop of can food in the morning and at dinner time so he is used to set feeding times and stuck with the grain-free can food and give him TikiCat or Cats in the Kitchen. So we went to the vet last week for excessive thirst and urination and low and behold he is diabetic he lost 2lbs (was 15lbs and is now 13lbs)

His level was a little over 400 and I was given vetsulin 2 units a day and prescribed Hills prescription Glucose M/D kibble and can food. the vet recommended a quarter cup of kibble with a spoon of can food mixed in twice a day. Well, my cat refused to eat it all together - not even the can food! So I had a follow-up visit with vet yesterday and yes his levels did drop to 320 but I found out I was only giving him 1 unit of vetsulin because the vet tech did not explain the syringe's markings correctly so now I am on track. I explained to the vet that Chachi refused to eat the food he prescribed and I took the food I was currently giving him which was Tiki Cat and Cats in the Kitchen food to ask if this was acceptable to give him? if so I needed to know how much of the 3 az can should he have to aid in the weight loss. The vet did not even want to look at my food and said lets try another food before we look at yours. so he prescribed Prescription hills metabolic and urinary care kibble and can food and said he can have a half cup and a spoon of the can at each meal twice a day.

So today my cat still will not eat the hard food as this is his was his free-range food and will not eat it on demand. the can food he is hesitant but mainly drinks to juices and leaves the meaty parts so I had to mix it with the TikiCat to get him to eat enough so I could give him his shot.

I keep reading cats should not eat kibble at all but my vet is persistent about this prescription hills diet to help get his levels in check and help him lose weight.

Is TikiCat and Weruva can food good for diabetic cats (they are around 60 calories and zero to low carbs)
if so how much is recommended per feeding?
Click to expand...

HI! Welcome! So glad you found this group.
TikiCat and Weruva are great foods for diabetic cats. https://catinfo.org/chart/index.php There are a few flavors that are too high in carb, you want to keep it under 10% carb. Here is a list showing some of the foods, although the list is three years old so some of the newer weruva flavors aren't on there. fortunately weruva is very transparent about their nutritien facts. https://weruva.com/nutrition-landing/ My cat LOVES the weruva BFF Play line! ESpl Laugh out loud, best buds, cherish, and destiny. The rule of thumb for feeding is ABOUT 20 calories per pound of ideal weight, but unregulated cats sometimes need more as their bodies don't properly utilize the nutrients. 2 units is a high starting dose. 1 unit twice a day is the recommended starting dose, so your "mistake" was correct. Maybe the universe was telling you something. hahaha. Those prescription kibbles are AWFUL for cats, and super high in carbs. Even the ones they claim are for diabetics are too high in carb. the one your vet was trying to get you to feed is 28% carb. COmpletely inappropriate diet for a diabetic cat. I would also recommend you get a meter and start testing at home to make sure he's safe. It's fine to feed several small meals of the tiki/weruva throughout the day, just no food at least two hours before the preshot test once you start testing. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
 
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