New Member - Diet and Feeding Advice

[Ann and Blackie]

When Blackie was diagnosed, the doctor handed me syringes, Prozinc, and a bag of Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry. After finding Dr. Pierson’s information, especially on dry food, I realized that I had to do a cram course on diet change. I quickly realized that my vet and I would have some disagreement on the best diet for Blackie. That wasn’t the ideal way to start off, but I took on the challenge.

Blackie had been on a dry food with high carbs but was also getting canned Friskies Pate every day and loved it. So cold turkey, I took away all the dry food and fed him only Friskies Pate. That is what he is still on today.

I have posted questions about dosing separately, but this inquiry is mainly about food and timing of feeding. I would appreciate suggestions that you may have. Remember that I’m a newbie and am looking for general guidelines while working my way up to more involved techniques.

1. Is Friskies Pate sufficient for Blackie’s needs as a Diabetic? I’m on a strict budget and Blackie loves this stuff and all the flavors.

2. I know I should always test first, but is it proper to shoot then feed, or the opposite?

3. How long is a feeding session? He eats slowly and has been taking an hour to finish about a can. What is the cut off time for feeding?

4. Can I allow him to eat all he wants at each feeding? He currently weighs 10 pounds and is not overweight. He did lose 3 pounds, without dieting, before he was diagnosed. He’s eating one can in the AM and one in PM., which I believe is adequate for his caloric needs.

5. Can I only feed him concurrent with shots? Are between meal snacks forbidden? 12 hours is too long for him to go without food. He cries a lot and it’s been hard for him to adjust to not snacking on dry food. Would it be ok if I give him his favorite snacks of dehydrated salmon/chicken treats? Nothing in them but protein. If so, when?

6. Is it ever appropriate for me to give him Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry? I think I know the answer to that.

I have read posts from others who have different schedules for feeding. I assume they know their kitty’s tolerance very well from experience. Remember that I’m new to this and am attempting to gain experience while developing a routine schedule that will be effective and make Blackie more comfortable.

Thank you for your help.

 

[JanetNJ]

1. Is Friskies Pate sufficient for Blackie’s needs as a Diabetic? I’m on a strict budget and Blackie loves this stuff and all the flavors.

Yes this is a good low carb choice.

2. I know I should always test first, but is it proper to shoot then feed, or the opposite?

You will want to test (no food at least 2 hours prior) then feed, then shoot. This can all be done one after another.

3. How long is a feeding session? He eats slowly and has been taking an hour to finish about a can. What is the cut off time for feeding?

Great question. You can just leave the food out for him to graze on. All my cats are grazers. You just want to make sure he's willing to eat (not sick) so that if he needs food to boost him up he will eat. I always fed, then just left the food out. Since I've been working home the past year I give another meal at lunchtime. When I was working in person I would put another meal in a timed feeder. Just no food at least 2 hours prior to the next preshot test. At night if feed at dinnertime, then more just before bed.

4. Can I allow him to eat all he wants at each feeding? He currently weighs 10 pounds and is not overweight. He did lose 3 pounds, without dieting, before he was diagnosed. He’s eating one can in the AM and one in PM., which I believe is adequate for his caloric needs.

If he lost weight then yes. Let him eat as much as he wants. The rule of thumb is about 20 calories per pound of ideal weight... But unregulated diabetics often need more food.

5. Can I only feed him concurrent with shots? Are between meal snacks forbidden? 12 hours is too long for him to go without food. He cries a lot and it’s been hard for him to adjust to not snacking on dry food. Would it be ok if I give him his favorite snacks of dehydrated salmon/chicken treats? Nothing in them but protein. If so, when?

Many find several smaller meals are better than two large meals. Yes, give him extra meals and snacks.


6. The dry food is high carb. You can save it for if he goes low and need raise the bg. You should always have some cans of high carb gravy food around too for emergencies.

 

[Ann and Blackie]

Yes this is a good low carb choice.


You will want to test (no food at least 2 hours prior) then feed, then shoot. This can all be done one after another.


Great question. You can just leave the food out for him to graze on. All my cats are grazers. You just want to make sure he's willing to eat (not sick) so that if he needs food to boost him up he will eat. I always fed, then just left the food out. Since I've been working home the past year I give another meal at lunchtime. When I was working in person I would put another meal in a timed feeder. Just no food at least 2 hours prior to the next preshot test. At night if feed at dinnertime, then more just before bed.



If he lost weight then yes. Let him eat as much as he wants. The rule of thumb is about 20 calories per pound of ideal weight... But unregulated diabetics often need more food.


Many find several smaller meals are better than two large meals. Yes, give him extra meals and snacks.


6. The dry food is high carb. You can save it for if he goes low and need raise the bg. You should always have some cans of high carb gravy food around too for emergencies.

This was great news for Blackie! We enjoyed a bowl of Friskies together right away! I'm sure he'll be more content and rest easier when not starving. BTW, his healthy brother Smokey is on the new diet too, so hopefully, he will have a diabetic-free future.

 

[JanetNJ]

This was great news for Blackie! We enjoyed a bowl of Friskies together right away! I'm sure he'll be more content and rest easier when not starving. BTW, his healthy brother Smokey is on the new diet too, so hopefully, he will have a diabetic-free future.

It's always easier to have them on the same food for sure.