6/14 Lucy PMPS=142;+2=158 // NEW FOOD!

Status
Not open for further replies.

mariko

Member Since 2011
Happy Saturday!

Yesterday's condo

Yesterday
AMPS=94 (0.75u); +1=103; +2=106; +3=121; +8=148
PMPS=176 (0.75u); +2=146; +4=140; +7=133

Today
AMPS=153 (0.75u); +2=115; +3=142; +5=149; +9=124
PMPS=142 (0.75u); +2=158

Lucy's custom diet is finally ready!
It was a long and interesting process since I contacted Rayne in March when I found out that they offer frozen cooked custom diet for cats/dogs with multiple issues.
First there was a consultation.
The Rayne's vet and my vet discussed over Lucy's blood work as well as medical history.
I did get to express what I wanted in Lucy's food - low carbs and low phosphorus.
The next step was the actual formulation of the diet, which involved another vet who does veterinary nutritional consultation.
She came up with 2 formulas, one with Turkey and another with Kangaroo.
When I saw the formulas, I was quite disappointed because the carbs were too high.
So I sent a loooong e-mail to say that I thought that the carbs were too high, and asked tons of questions about why they were formulated the way they were.
She answered all of my questions, and to me her explanations were reasonable, at least enough to give it a try.
These 2 formulas are slightly different in composition, but both diets have about 15% carbs, and 0.5% phosphorus.
The final part was for them to cook the food at their micro-kitchen, which allows them to make very small batches.
I was supposed to pick one diet, but I couldn't, so I ordered a box of both (minimum order was a box of 27 servings).

They were delivered to my vet on Thursday, and I started trying it from this morning.
I wanted to introduce the new food slowly, but didn't want to mix it with the current Wellness and risk ending up with her not eating either of the food.
I knew I wanted to start with Turkey diet since it's the same protein.
What I did this morning was that I fed her just regular Wellness only for the 1st breakfast (1/2 of whole breakfast), and then fed the new food for the 2nd breakfast (1/4 of whole breakfast) by itself.
And I was going to feed her Wellness only for the last 3rd breakfast, but she hasn't eaten that yet.

Good news: Lucy liked it. At least she ate it as well as she eats Wellness on a good day.
Bad news: She had a stinky shaped but soft poo outside box (on bed!) within 30 minutes after eating the new food. :o

So, I'm thinking maybe I didn't go slow enough for her.
Maybe replacing 1/4 of her food without mixing was a bad idea.
I'm also thinking that I'm not seeing a noticeable spike from the higher carbs because she pooped it right out?
She's feeling OK, she's purry and her posture is relaxed, but she didn't want to eat any more after that.

So from tonight, I am going to mix only a tablespoon or so of new diet into her 2nd breakfast/dinner.
And increase the portion slowly from there.
I'm a little discouraged, but I don't want to give up yet.
I like how low the phosphorus is, and I really like the simplicity of the ingredients.

Sorry it's long, but this is a major and exciting change for us, so I wanted to tell you everything!
I hope everyone's having a nice weekend!
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy AMPS=153;+2=115;+3=142;+5=149 // NEW FOOD!

I'm glad Lucy likes the new food. I'm not sure the poo that soon after eating would be from the new food. But I don't know how long it takes for food to go through a cat's system. I hope her body will adjust to it and it works for her. Maybe it won't make her numbers go up.
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy AMPS=153;+2=115;+3=142;+5=149;+9=124 // NEW FO

I don't think the new food would do that so quickly either, but some cats have very delicate systems so it's certainly not definite!

I do agree you probably went a little quickly...instead of feeding only the new food, try mixing the new with the Wellness and gradually decreasing the percentage of Wellness until she's eating only the new Rayne food

For kitties with real sensitive stomachs, it can take 7-10 days to totally switch over to a new food, so maybe try mixing 10% new with the Wellness today, 20% tomorrow, 30% the next day....and just see how Lucy does...if it still seems to be too fast, only raise it 5% at a time.

Hope Lucy continues to eat it well for you! Sure would be one big worry off your mind to find a food she really loved!
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy AMPS=153;+2=115;+3=142;+5=149;+9=124 // NEW FO

Hi Mariko,
The new, custom, diet sounds intriguing. I hope it will work for Lucy. Don't get discouraged if Lucy isn't too thrilled right away. Often it takes a while for a kitty to get used to new foods, creatures of habit as they are. Keep us informed on how the new foods are working. Lucy had a nice, flat cycle today.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy AMPS=153;+2=115;+3=142;+5=149;+9=124 // NEW FO

Great cycle for Lucy today! :-D I hope the new food will work for her. Maybe she'll like kangaroo better and is tired of turkey? I'd be curious why the vets think at 15% carb diet is good for a diabetic cat. But you can always compensate with more insulin.

Sending appy vines and I hope she can keep the food down/in this tonight.
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy AMPS=153;+2=115;+3=142;+5=149;+9=124 // NEW FO

I did my best to argue the 15% carbs.
"Why does she need to eat so much sweet potato or squash!? Too much carbs for a diabetic carnivore!!!!" :lol:

Basically, she said it is because diabetes isn't the only disease in Lucy that we are trying to aid with.
it's not because 15% carbs is good for her diabetes, but I guess it was the best she could do and still balance with the various requirements for her other issues.
The protein ME % isn't bad, ME 36% for Turkey and ME 53% for Kangaroo.
So I don't think they are low protein diet as some of the other vet renal Rx foods are.

What I want to happen is for her tummy to do better on this food.
I thought maybe less processed, more simple food may be better for her sensitive tummy.
If that can be achieved, I'm OK with needing more insulin.
We shall see.
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy PMPS=142 // NEW FOOD!

I think I am going to skip the new food this evening, and start again tomorrow morning.
Because I screwed up this morning... :-|
I want to give her tummy some time to settle.
And I want to give Lucy some time to forget about this morning's poo-on-bed bad experience.
Even if it wasn't caused by the new food, I think that's what she might be blaming.
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy PMPS=142 // NEW FOOD!

I was wondering which food it was that you were getting. I know someone that is using their kangaroo food because her cat has diabetes and pancreatitis. Her cat likes it. I'm going to write her and see if it is still a success. It's been awhile since I've seen her post. She used to post here as well. Good luck with the new food. I do think you need to go extra extra slow with introducing it. I would have given it by itself also to see if she likes it.
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy PMPS=142 // NEW FOOD!

WOW...that is quite a specialized process for the fuds! I hope you're able to transition Lucy. Since she has such a sensitive belly, you are wise to go as slow as possible. I hope she is eating well for you tonight!!
 
Re: 6/14 Lucy PMPS=142 // NEW FOOD!

Awww, poor Lucy's tummy. I hope Lucy's tummy gets used to the new fuds. The new fuds don't seem to be bothering her numbers. Good for both of you! Hope you guys have a lovely evening!
 
I thought this new custom food was interesting when you were talking about it before, but I'm even more intrigued now. I'll definitely be watching to see how it goes.

I also think that the poo had nothing to do with the new food - food does not go through the system that fast. I've seen my kitties throw up food a half hour or more after they eat it, and it looks pretty much the same as when it went in. I looked it up online and got answers of anywhere from an hour to 12 hours. I'm inclined to think it's longer than an hour.

It's good that Lucy seems to like the new food. Once you get her transitioned, I hope she finds that she loves it! Her numbers are looking good right now. I hope that continues.

Sending good poo and appy vines.
 
You might look at the fat content of the food. If it's higher in fat than what Lucy is used to, it might effect her bowel movements although, Wellness is pretty high in fat. FWIW, when I switched the cats from FF to raw, we went through a period of about a week of loose stool. Any change in food can have an effect.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top