Spike Won't Eat Today! Please Help!

Lee Renfro

Member Since 2022
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...tle-of-prozinc-yesterday.270260/#post-3040124
Thanks for the food chart @FrostD. It's so hard to thread this needle of diabetes AND ckd. I bought Spike 2 cans of Royal Canin Aging 12+ loaf with sauce to get him off the ProPlan UTH. Hopefully, it isn't too bad for him (he LOVES it) and the prescription food will be in at the vets Monday as they promised. I made the vet swear that the one she ordered would be fine as far as carbs went, wouldn't contribute to bladder stones by having too much magnesium, and was of course gentle on his kidneys and did the job. Now my little buddy better love it when it arrives or I'm screwed. Spike isn't normally very finiky, but it'll help if he loves it like he seems to love the royal canin senior aging 12+ stuff I gave him today.

Thank you so much for the list of foods.

I've got more questions about things like using phosphorus binders too.

Spike has taken to staying pretty close to me lately. He probably senses that I'm worried about him and he's getting extra attention.
 
Well, you have options for phosphorus binders. First you can try just using the ultra low phosphorus food from the vet (the K/D) and then rechecking bloods in about a month and see where you are with phosphorus. Second, you can add in a phosphorus binder like Epakitin (which is a weaker phosphorus binder) as long as his blood calcium is within normal limits. The stronger phosphorus binder is Aluminum Hydroxide powder and it is mixed into EVERY single meal. You want his phosphorus level to be at approximately 4.
From the felinecrf.org page:

"The first line of phosphorus control is to feed foods low in phosphorus, ideally a therapeutic kidney diet. Survival of cats with naturally occurring chronic renal failure: effect of dietary management (2000) Elliott J, Rawlings JM, Markwell PJ, Barber PJ Journal of Small Animal Practice 41(6) pp235-242 found that feeding a reduced phosphorus therapeutic kidney diet provided effective phosphorus control in two thirds of the cats in Stage 2 and 3 CKD. In addition, the cats eating the therapeutic kidney diet lived more than twice as long as the cats in the study who ate normal food with no phosphorus binder."
 
So they go on to say that if your cat is eating a therapeutic kidney diet and still has phosphorus that is too high, it's time to start the binders. I would start with the therapeutic diet. When did your vet want to see Spike again?
 
So they go on to say that if your cat is eating a therapeutic kidney diet and still has phosphorus that is too high, it's time to start the binders. I would start with the therapeutic diet. When did your vet want to see Spike again?
I was at vets as they were unloading and checking in their shipment today! Wish us luck on the Hills Science Diet K/D with chicken that she got for us. There are better options out there on the list of prescription foods such as the Waruva WX. Seems to be much better numbers.

She wants to do more bloodwork in 5 more weeks from today per our last visit on the 21st. I couldn't speak with her today because she was in with a patient while I was there. I wanted to ask her about phosphorus binders, but you basically answered my question...wait and see what the diet food does first.

The great news is that Spike seems to love his new food and had already knocked out almost 1/2 a can just since 6:30pm. That's how he eats his favorite foods, so thats a relief for me.

He seems to be happy and comfortable today, as always. He can tell that I'm worried about him and has been sticking close to my side, sleeping next to me, and generally just being a good boy.

I'm thinking about getting a cat water fountain, if you think that would be a good idea for hydration purposes.

You and @FrostD are a true blessing for Spike and me. Thank y'all so very much for helping us.
 
Anything that you can do to get them to drink more water is a good idea. I’m really happy to hear that Spike likes the new food.
I spoke too soon. He was nauseated ALL NIGHT, his bg shot up to the 500's and I'm certain that the food I got from the vet is WAY too high in carbs. I've got a call in to her as I type this.

I think I've found that the hills science diet k/d chicken pate is 32% carbs. I SPECIFICALLY asked the vet to ensure that the ckd diet would be compatible with the diabetic condition and be low carbs. I feel like ripping them a new ass right now!!!
 
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I spoke too soon. He was nauseated ALL NIGHT, his bg shot up to the 500's and I'm certain that the food I got from the vet is WAY too high in carbs. I've got a call in to her as I type this.
Hi Lee if this is what you're feeding
https://www.chewy.com/hills-prescription-diet-kd-kidney/dp/54567
It's too high in carbs
I did a search
The nutrition of Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Chicken Canned Cat Food is clinically shown to sustain kidney function and healthy body condition in cats with early kidney disease. It contains approximately 0.59% Phosphorous, 34.5% Carbohydrates and 34.1% Protein on a Dry Matter Basis.


Bring back what you bought from the vet tell her or him he won't eat it. You should get a refund

BTW Spike is gorgeous

@Lee Renfro
 
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I see you mentioned the Weruva WX
Check this out about the weruva WX food
https://www.amazon.com/Weruva-Focused-Chicken-Formula-Gravy/dp/B0B5YJH28R?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
Directions


This food is not complete and balanced and should not be fed as the only meal to cats on an everyday basis. Consult your veterinarian about how to fit this food into your cat's diet. Feed according to the age, size, and activity level of you rcat. If fed alone, feed 1 OZ for each pound of bodyweight daily, best fed in multiple feedings throughout the day. Your cat shoudl have access to clean, fresh water. Refrigerate after opening.

Also 2 members have commented on the Weruva WX
Here is the link
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...d-not-meant-as-main-food.273361/#post-3038119

@Lee Renfro
 
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Here is a list that one of our members did She wrote down the protein carbs & phosphorus #s in a notebook.
BFF play chicken Checkmate
Protein 31%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 129%
BFF play chicken & turkey topsy turvy
Protein 32%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 129%
BFF play chicken cherish
Protein 31%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 135%
BFF chicken & turkey tiptoe
Protein 31%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 136%
BFF chicken duck & turkey take a chance
Protein 32%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 149%
BFF play chicken & lamb laugh out loud
Protein 31%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 154%
BFF play chicken & duck destiny
Protein 32%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 165%
BFF play chicken & beef best buds
Protein 33%
Carbs 5%
Phosphorus 171%

@Lee Renfro
 
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Hi Lee @Lee Renfro .
So sorry to hear of Spike's CKD diagnosis but how sweet of him to take care of you with snuggles and purrs :cat:.

Does Spike need a 'therapeutic' diet?
Here is the link to the CKD food chart. https://felinecrf.org/canned_food_usa.htm
It has the dry matter basis for the prescription CKD foods and also the non prescription ones.
The website itself is an overwhelming wealth of information also.

This is a link to foods with moderate phosphorus and low carb for diabetics. It was updated earlier this month and has metabolizing energy basis. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FgeL2qBuKaiBwsF1EQ7TzkhxQnbLb4_-/view

Stay well!

Angela

I'm not great at reading labs. Hope you can find something on these links to help and that Spike likes.
 
Hi Lee if this is what you're feeding
https://www.chewy.com/hills-prescription-diet-kd-kidney/dp/54567
It's too high in carbs
I did a search
The nutrition of Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Early Support Chicken Canned Cat Food is clinically shown to sustain kidney function and healthy body condition in cats with early kidney disease. It contains approximately 0.59% Phosphorous, 34.5% Carbohydrates and 34.1% Protein on a Dry Matter Basis.


Bring back what you bought from the vet tell her or him he won't eat it. You should get a refund

BTW Spike is gorgeous

@Lee Renfro
Yes, this is the exact food that I waited all week to come in at vets. And was promised that it was OK for his bg and all was researched and checked out....lol
 
Yes, this is the exact food that I waited all week to come in at vets. And was promised that it was OK for his bg and all was researched and checked out....lol
Yeah, Lee, I was afraid that he might be nauseated or get diarrhea, but that was more from switching his food too rapidly. With cats, it is always a good idea to make food changes very gradually, in order not to cause G.I. upset. I also know that the KD foods, because I’ve used them before, are high in carbs, depending on which flavor you get, but most of them are all quite high carb. I thought you would see that on the first food list that I sent. I’m sorry about that.
 
Yeah, Lee, I was afraid that he might be nauseated or get diarrhea, but that was more from switching his food too rapidly. With cats, it is always a good idea to make food changes very gradually, in order not to cause G.I. upset. I also know that the KD foods, because I’ve used them before, are high in carbs, depending on which flavor you get, but most of them are all quite high carb. I thought you would see that on the first food list that I sent. I’m sorry about that.
I took the case of kd food back yesterday and got refund. Then 8 went to PetSmart and got several pouches and a small box of tikicat that shows on the CKD/Diabetic list as lower phosphorus & lower carb foods for him. This evening I'll be ordering some low carb (lower carb) CKD food for Spike and using the list that was sent from the Tanya's page.

The good news is that Spike pretty much likes ALL FOOD and 8snt a picky eater...the boy just loves to eat...lol

He seems to be feeling better today and hasn't been sick since that night. His BG has returned to its usual levels as those carbs worked their way through him.
 
Okay, keep us posted. Sorry again about all the food troubles. It sounds like you are on the right track. I had to stop feeding some of the Tiki Cat stuff to Darcy because of phosphorus, but it was maybe the After Dark ones... he loved the one with Quail Eggs on top... but it was too high in phosphorus ... sigh.
 
Hey, @Suzanne & Darcy & @FrostD , is that low sodium chicken broth in the cartons at Walmart a good treat for Spike? I'm about to head to PetCo and get some of the Waruva BFF Chicken flavors that are shown on the CKD/Diabetic food list. Those have green dots saying they meet all criteria and are .69 phosphorous. The Hill's prescriotion food was .49 phosphorous, so hopefully this Waruva BFF will be acceptable...It seems to check all the boxes percentage wise.

The bad news is that his BG was 584 this am and I retested the same blood droplet and was "HI" ie; over 600. I've never seen it that high b4 and couldn't ascertain whether he'd gotten into some unknown contraband or what. Regardless, I'm going to do all that I can do for him for as long as it makes sense to do so.

Hopefully, I can hear back from y'all soon as I'm about to to make the 1 hour drive to Longview Texas and the PetCo.
 
Hey, @Suzanne & Darcy & @FrostD , is that low sodium chicken broth in the cartons at Walmart a good treat for Spike? I'm about to head to PetCo and get some of the Waruva BFF Chicken flavors that are shown on the CKD/Diabetic food list. Those have green dots saying they meet all criteria and are .69 phosphorous. The Hill's prescriotion food was .49 phosphorous, so hopefully this Waruva BFF will be acceptable...It seems to check all the boxes percentage wise.

The bad news is that his BG was 584 this am and I retested the same blood droplet and was "HI" ie; over 600. I've never seen it that high b4 and couldn't ascertain whether he'd gotten into some unknown contraband or what. Regardless, I'm going to do all that I can do for him for as long as it makes sense to do so.

Hopefully, I can hear back from y'all soon as I'm about to to make the 1 hour drive to Longview Texas and the PetCo.
I feed my cats the BFF PLAY (pate lovers) foods because they are low in phosphorus. Some favorite flavors are Chicken Duck and Turkey take a chance and Chicken and Lamb Laugh Out Loud. They also eat figure itChicken and turkey topsy turvey and chicken checkmate.
 
I am not sure about the low sodium chicken broth. Do you have any idea how much phosphorus is in it? I imagine it would depend upon whether they have a lot of bone broth in there since it’s mostly in the bones where the phosphorus is found.
 
A really good treat is Gerber’s ham baby food. All these meat baby foods are low phosphorus. I can send you a chart later. I’m running out the door but saw your message. All are under .5 phosphorus they come in chicken, ham, beef and turkey. They’re all palatable but ham is usually the favorite.
 
Here are the Gerber Baby Foods Sitter 2nd Food ,any supermarket should have them
  • 91zJbBjmfgL._AC_SX425_PIbundle-12,TopRight,0,0_SH20_.jpg
 
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Exactly. That’s it. I hope your shopping trip was successful.
I scored the BFF Chicken Checkmate and the BFF Topsfield Turvy. He didn't seem to appreciate the change last night, but this am did eat a little, so I could give him his insulin. He was at 339 bg level.

The Waruva website has this analysis of their canned foods.https://weruva.com/nutrition-landing/bff-play-ni/
I hope that this will be OK. I was looking at the dry matter analysis numbers. Also curious if the potassium levels are enough for Spike.

I know that all these sudden food changes are bothering him, but like I said, he did eat a few bites this morning and I left some out for him while I'm at work. I'll pick up some ham Gerber on the way home and hopefully he will chow down on it and his new food.
 
I scored the BFF Chicken Checkmate and the BFF Topsfield Turvy. He didn't seem to appreciate the change last night, but this am did eat a little, so I could give him his insulin. He was at 339 bg level.

The Waruva website has this analysis of their canned foods.https://weruva.com/nutrition-landing/bff-play-ni/
I hope that this will be OK. I was looking at the dry matter analysis numbers. Also curious if the potassium levels are enough for Spike.

I know that all these sudden food changes are bothering him, but like I said, he did eat a few bites this morning and I left some out for him while I'm at work. I'll pick up some ham Gerber on the way home and hopefully he will chow down on it and his new food.
Are they low in potassium, Lee? It’s interesting that you mention this because my cats eat a lot of it and some have low potassium. That’s not good for my cat Ginger who is on lasix for her heart disease and so she pees out a lot of potassium- just like a cat with CKD will too. My cat Marcus has neither heart disease nor CKD and his potassium was just a little low. I thirot dropped from 3.4 which is the bottom end of the reference range to 3.3 so “officially” low but just barely. I give both of these cats extra potassium via Renal K powder that you mix into their food. They don’t mind it at all.
 
I scored the BFF Chicken Checkmate and the BFF Topsfield Turvy. He didn't seem to appreciate the change last night, but this am did eat a little, so I could give him his insulin. He was at 339 bg level.

The Waruva website has this analysis of their canned foods.https://weruva.com/nutrition-landing/bff-play-ni/
I hope that this will be OK. I was looking at the dry matter analysis numbers. Also curious if the potassium levels are enough for Spike.

I know that all these sudden food changes are bothering him, but like I said, he did eat a few bites this morning and I left some out for him while I'm at work. I'll pick up some ham Gerber on the way home and hopefully he will chow down on it and his new food.

With weruva foods
You want the metabolizable energy profile percentage of carbs to be less than 10%, and the phosphorus which Weruva lists in Minerals to be less than 250 mg per 100 cals. So you have to look at two different places in the Weruva charts.
https://weruva.com




When you go to the weruva site and click on one of the pics of the food , click on Detailed Nutrition information that is under guaranteed analysis to the left
YOU WANT CARBS UNDER 10% AND PHOSPHORUS IDEALLY LOW 200's OR LESS
I was told this by members when I used to feed Weruva

@Lee Renfro
 
With weruva foods
You want the metabolizable energy profile percentage of carbs to be less than 10%, and the phosphorus which Weruva lists in Minerals to be less than 250 mg per 100 cals. So you have to look at two different places in the Weruva charts.
https://weruva.com




When you go to the weruva site and click on one of the pics of the food , click on Detailed Nutrition information that is under guaranteed analysis to the left
YOU WANT CARBS UNDER 10% AND PHOSPHORUS IDEALLY LOW 200's OR LESS
I was told this by members when I used to feed Weruva

@Lee Renfro
I THINK the BFF Chicken foods are OK, but I've read so much that I now know nothing about everything...lol

I hope the gerber ham is low enough in carbs for him, but I see the beechnut doesn't have starch as an ingredient and although they don't have ham flavor, it mite be better on carbs.
 
If you're worried about the 2% carbs you can try the beechnut chicken
Beech-Nut Stage 1, Chicken & Chicken Broth Baby Food, 2.5 oz Jar ; Saturated Fat1g ; Trans Fat0g ; Cholesterol 20.00mg ; Sodium 20mg ; Total Carbohydrate 0g ...
Lifestage: Stage 1, Infant
Protein: 7g. Or the turkey
Beech-Nut Stage 1 Baby Food, Turkey & Turkey Broth, 2.5 oz Jar, 10 Pack - Walmart.com
www.walmart.com › Beech-Nut-Stage-1-...


Rating 4.4 (123) · $11.80 · In stock
Beech-Nut Stage 1 Baby Food, Turkey & Turkey Broth, 2.5 oz Jar, 10 Pack ; Cholesterol 30.0mg ; Sodium 40mg ; Total Carbohydrate 0g ; Dietary Fiber0g ; Sugars0g.
Protein: 6g
Vitamin B12: 8%


Or the beef
Beech-Nut Stage 1 Baby Food, Beef & Beef Broth, 2.5 oz Jar, 10 Pack - Walmart.com
www.walmart.com › Beech-Nut-Stage-1-...

https://www.google.com/url?q=https:...qa4BegQIChAD&usg=AOvVaw1QmNa66bA-rs9-Bzby28Nm
Rating 4.3 (103) · $11.80 · In stock
Beech-Nut Stage 1 Baby Food, Beef & Beef Broth, 2.5 oz Jar, 10 Pack ; Trans Fat0g ; Cholesterol 40.0mg ; Sodium 40mg ; Total Carbohydrate 0g ; Dietary Fiber0g.
Protein: 8g
Sodium: 40mg
 
Ack! I hope you can see that, Lee. I don't think Beech Nut sells ham unfortunately. The ham is a little high in carbs, but you're not feeding a whole lot. I can't tell if the carbs are a percentage or what? Is it for a whole jar? I don't know. I usually saved the ham as the "big guns" when my cats didn't want to eat. They always ate it.
 
Ack! I hope you can see that, Lee. I don't think Beech Nut sells ham unfortunately. The ham is a little high in carbs, but you're not feeding a whole lot. I can't tell if the carbs are a percentage or what? Is it for a whole jar? I don't know. I usually saved the ham as the "big guns" when my cats didn't want to eat. They always ate it.
Hi Suzanne probably the whole jar I googles it and found it's 2% carbs
Gerber ham
ngredients Fresh Ham, Water, Cornstarch. ... Gerber 2nd Foods Ham and Gravy.
Carbs are 2%
Total Fat
4g
13%
Potassium
0
20%
Total Carbohydrate
2g
2%
Protein
8g
55%

Never raised Tyler's BG at all
 
Sometimes just a little bit of it on top of some other food that you want them to eat will get them started. I hope you and all the kitties have a good weekend, Lee.
 
@Suzanne & Darcy , @Diane Tyler's Mom , @FrostD

Spike never regained his appetite back after throwing up earlier this week and today has stopped eating. I got some gerbers ham into him and gave him his am shot, but he hasn't been letting me bribe him at all this afternoon. I can't give him his PM Shot because he refuses all treats etc. I'm taking him to the vet for an emergency visit 1st thing in the am, but I'm out of ideas for what to do tonite.

He ate two little licks of the friskies chicken and tuna filets gravy that I opened for him just trying to get anything into him even if it's terrible for him. Now he won't even eat a temptations catnip treat that he's always begged for.

Right now 7:30pm cst his BG is 368 on an empty stomach.
 
I am hesitant to skip the PM shot...

How is he acting otherwise? Is it possibly DKA? If so that cannot wait until morning...

Push fluids and food as best you can. Are you able to assist feed the Gerber foods?

I'd at least consider a small dose, perhaps 0.25U.
 
I am hesitant to skip the PM shot...

How is he acting otherwise? Is it possibly DKA? If so that cannot wait until morning...

Push fluids and food as best you can. Are you able to assist feed the Gerber foods?

I'd at least consider a small dose, perhaps 0.25U.
I haven't checked his ketones but will try. He does still drink water when offered. He doesn't seem to be in distress or pain. More listless than usual. When he vomited on the 23rd after I fed him the vet k/d food, his appetite was way off and decreased until today. I attributed it to the abrupt change in diet these past few days.

I can try to syringe feed him but I'll wear more than he eats. I also have 2 cans of hills science diet A/D Urgent Care with Chicken from another cat that was on it for a few days. But if he's turning his nose up at temptations catnip treats ITS BAD.
 
I am hesitant to skip the PM shot...

How is he acting otherwise? Is it possibly DKA? If so that cannot wait until morning...

Push fluids and food as best you can. Are you able to assist feed the Gerber foods?

I'd at least consider a small dose, perhaps 0.25U.
No pain or distress, not vomiting since nite of the 23rd, had a good solid BM in the front yard when I let him lay in the sun this afternoon, no heavy breathing or signs of confusion etc....JUST STRSIGHT UP SIMPLY WONT EAT....but I'm going to get a test strip ready for when he needs to pee again. I poured water in the bowl and he got a big drink then sat here watching me.
 
I am hesitant to skip the PM shot...

How is he acting otherwise? Is it possibly DKA? If so that cannot wait until morning...

Push fluids and food as best you can. Are you able to assist feed the Gerber foods?

I'd at least consider a small dose, perhaps 0.25U.
I was just now able to get him to drink a tablespoon of the HSD k/d high carb junk by turning it into runny soup...seems to be the only think he would accept.

9:30pm cst BG is now 331 and 357 from same droplet.

Gave .30u at 9:40pm cst. I'll get a +4 hopefully.
 
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I’m worried about him. Test ketones if you can. Usually my sick cats will eat some of the A/D if they’re sick. I don’t suppose you have Forti-Flora packets to sprinkle on his food? That sometimes works. I understand that if he won’t eat temptation treats that is a bad sign. Hopefully it’s just a temporary virus. We have had that here recently and a few cats stopped eating for a couple of days. Just when they were going be taken to the vet - they started eating again. Of course they weren’t in as delicate of a state as Spike is (age, diabetic, CKD) so I could afford to wait it out as long as they drank water. I really do think you need to get him to the vet as soon as you can. Let us know how it goes in the morning. I am going to say a prayer for Spike right now.
 
Do you have any Cerenia or Ondansetron on hand that you could give for nausea? I’m guessing no, but I am grasping at straws. It could be nausea from the BUN.
 
I’m worried about him. Test ketones if you can. Usually my sick cats will eat some of the A/D if they’re sick. I don’t suppose you have Forti-Flora packets to sprinkle on his food? That sometimes works. I understand that if he won’t eat temptation treats that is a bad sign. Hopefully it’s just a temporary virus. We have had that here recently and a few cats stopped eating for a couple of days. Just when they were going be taken to the vet - they started eating again. Of course they weren’t in as delicate of a state as Spike is (age, diabetic, CKD) so I could afford to wait it out as long as they drank water. I really do think you need to get him to the vet as soon as you can. Let us know how it goes in the morning. I am going to say a prayer for Spike right now.
He had another teaspoon of the last of the open can of Hills k/d mixed with a lot of water. He ate one temptation catnip but wouldn't do anything but snif at the rest I offered. The vet opens at 8am and I plan on being there soon thereafter. It's my prayer that a round of sub-q fluids and maybe some mirtazapine ointment will fix him.

I'm trying to get him to pee but he's not having it.
 
He had another teaspoon of the last of the open can of Hills k/d mixed with a lot of water. He ate one temptation catnip but wouldn't do anything but snif at the rest I offered. The vet opens at 8am and I plan on being there soon thereafter. It's my prayer that a round of sub-q fluids and maybe some mirtazapine ointment will fix him.

I'm trying to get him to pee but he's not having it.
Sounds like he may be nauseated. I was going to ask if you had any Mirataz to put on his ear. But if he is perhaps nauseated then it won’t be good to stimulate his appetite until nausea is corrected. Kind of sickening to feel hungry and yet sick to your stomach all at the same time.
 
Do you have any Cerenia or Ondansetron on hand that you could give for nausea? I’m guessing no, but I am grasping at straws. It could be nausea from the BUN.
This all started when I got him the Hills from the vet. He ate 1/2 a can of it (scarf & barfed), and he just can't seem to recover from that night. He hasn't been nauseated since Monday night. Doesn't seem to b in any pain or distress of any kind....just flat out isn't eating. He'll snif everything I offer him then walk away. The friskies gravy naturally seems to interest him enuf to licks sum gravy.
 
Sounds like he may be nauseated. I was going to ask if you had any Mirataz to put on his ear. But if he is perhaps nauseated then it won’t be good to stimulate his appetite until nausea is corrected. Kind of sickening to feel hungry and yet sick to your stomach all at the same time.
I actually do have a tube of mirataz but it was opened in 2021 and it says to discard and do not use if opened for more than 30 days.
 
I actually do have a tube of mirataz but it was opened in 2021 and it says to discard and do not use if opened for more than 30 days.
It’s probably okay, but I would not give it unless possible nausea is addressed first. Poor Spike. I am thinking of you both this morning. Let us know what happens at the vet.
 
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