? Almost, but not quite...

[Tasha & Darwin]

I really thought Darwin was going to eat some canned food today! I have switched him quite easily to meal feeding - I am trying to do twice daily for now so that I can let him get hungry enough to try something new (I know that's not ideal for Diabetics, but if he doesn't get hungry I know he'll never touch anything but his beloved dry)

Tonight he started to look for dinner around 5pm or so (planned meal about 6:55pm prior to insulin at 7pm). I tried some canned, and added some kibble on top, and tried Dr. Pierson's "chip dip" trick. He ate one piece of kibble that hadn't really touched the canned, but wouldn't eat any more than that. He did, at least, keep going back to it to sniff and see if he could get any kibble without touching the canned - he was hungry!

If he wasn't diabetic, I'd just let him get a bit hungrier (as Dr Pierson says here), but obviously I had to feed him before his shot, so I fed a very small (just under 1/8 cup) of his dry food, and gave his scheduled 7pm shot.

Does anyone have any advice? Would you keep waiting him out, and give his shot a little late? I did order some FortiFlora today as I have read that it can help significantly with stubborn cats.

Throughout the day today I also tried to offer him some freeze-fried chicken, and baby food - who wouldn't love that? Darwin!

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Try sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese on his wet food - some cats go for it.
I see that you started with 2 units, was it per vet's advise? Seems a bit high to start.
Good luck with transition to wet foods.Dr. Pierson's blog has some great tips, I am very glad you found it. Maybe just give him some time, and keep being firm.

 

[Tasha & Darwin]

Try sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese on his wet food - some cats go for it.
I see that you started with 2 units, was it per vet's advise? Seems a bit high to start.
Good luck with transition to wet foods.Dr. Pierson's blog has some great tips, I am very glad you found it. Maybe just give him some time, and keep being firm.

Thank you! I just got some Parmesan to try today - hoping he might go for it.

It was vet's advice to start at 2 units - I think because Darwin is quite a big boy...(I have since seen that most people start at 1 unit).

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

I think because Darwin is quite a big boy...(I have since seen that most people start at 1 unit).

Starting low and increasing (if needed) by 0.25 increments helps you to spot the optimal dose, you don't want to overshoot it. Have you looked at the TR or SLGL stickies?It's at the top of the LL Forum. It explains the logic behind choosing doses to start and how to/when to change.
I hope Darwin enjoys his cheese - and the rest of yummy wet food.
My vet's advise was 2 units also, although my girl was 6.5 lb at the time . Luckily, I didn't listen.

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

If he wasn't diabetic, I'd just let him get a bit hungrier (as Dr Pierson says here), but obviously I had to feed him before his shot, so I fed a very small (just under 1/8 cup) of his dry food, and gave his scheduled 7pm shot.

One of the nice things about Lantus is that it doesn't usually "kick in" for 2-3 hours after the shot, so as long as he's high enough at Pre-shot for insulin, and he's willing to eat, you have some time to let him get a little hungrier!!

Another option to try is to crush up some of his favorite kibble into powder ( a spice grinder or coffee grinder are great for this....just remember to wash it out before you use it again!) and sprinkle it on top of the canned

 

[LizzieInTexas]

These, because they are freeze dried, can be powdereized between your fingers. They are stinky and Gizmo goes nuts for them. I use them as treats and as an appetite enhancer. I get them from Amazon or Chewy but you should be able to find them at Petco or Petsmart. Hint-use your finger or spoon to press it down into the food a bit.

They are low carb and high in protein.

http://www.purebites.com/en/products/cat/freeze-dried/duck/