best grain free low carb dry food while transitioning to wet??
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BJM
Member Since 2010
First, look at the feeding amounts ... and realize they are often generous.
You want to calculate the price per serving in order to compare them properly; it isn't about the cost per pound.
Evo cat and kitten dry is about 8% calories from carbohydrates.
Young Again 0 Carb is about 5% calories from carbohydrates; internet only. The amount fed is very small.
You want to calculate the price per serving in order to compare them properly; it isn't about the cost per pound.
Evo cat and kitten dry is about 8% calories from carbohydrates.
Young Again 0 Carb is about 5% calories from carbohydrates; internet only. The amount fed is very small.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Just put it in a spreadsheet with these columns:
product, weight, price, price/weight, serving size, cost per serving = price/weight*serving size
And let the computer do the math.
ex
Young Again 0 Carb
8 lb or (8*16 ounces) @ $ 49.00
1.28 oz per feeding and about 0.38 per day, if the following is accurate.
"Higher protein YA cat food, delivered to your door, costs about .29 - .38 cents a day (depending on the size of the bag) and an 8 lb. bag will last the same cat TWICE as long (100 days) making it less than $12 a month."
product, weight, price, price/weight, serving size, cost per serving = price/weight*serving size
And let the computer do the math.
ex
Young Again 0 Carb
8 lb or (8*16 ounces) @ $ 49.00
1.28 oz per feeding and about 0.38 per day, if the following is accurate.
"Higher protein YA cat food, delivered to your door, costs about .29 - .38 cents a day (depending on the size of the bag) and an 8 lb. bag will last the same cat TWICE as long (100 days) making it less than $12 a month."
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milosmommy
Member Since 2009
I tried Young Again. Customer service is fantastic. My cat liked but started with 2 tablespoons the first day and he was hurting. Tummy ache and I felt so bad. For my size kitty 1/4c or 4 tablespoons. I tried again 2 days later with same result. Not doing again. He likes low carb wet but thought this could be treat.
My experience go super slow if you try YA.
My experience go super slow if you try YA.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Other people have reported that the Young Again will send out free samples. Don't know if that is still the case, but it's worth a call to them to see if your kitty even likes the food before you go ahead and order a bag.
Mogmom and Goofus
Member Since 2014
Ive tried to switch my cat, Goof, to wet food, but even doing it VERY gradually, he'd vomit every time he ate it, so he's staying on dry. Currently feeding the hills Vet diet DM, he's doing very well on it, he only eats 1/2 cup a day, maximum, so a 4 lb bag lasts a long time. None of this diabetes stuff is cheap, I just sacrifice unimportant things for myself.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
That sounds like it might be a food allergy. Have you tried an elimination diet? The first month or so as I transitioned Mikey to wet, he kept throwing up his food. I started tracking what I was feeding him and discovered that it was anything that contained beef or pork that was doing it to him. I removed all red meat protein from his diet and he hasn't had the problem since. Poultry and seafood are two other proteins that some cats are allergic to, as well as gluten.
I found Nutrisca dry cat food (I get the chicken) which is made specifically for diabetic cats and I have been using that for about a year for my 13 yr old. My very picky 16 year old cat loves it too. It lasts as long time and is a great price about 34.00for 13 pds. I get it online with free shipping or a nearby feed store. Mainly it has a very low glycemic index for diabetic pets, much much less then all others. Rated at 9-10 where most are rated at 55 on the glycemic index! Grain free, no byproducts, a great food so far.
Important also is he gets 3 bowls a day of Evo wet and water and the dry food is for if I'm not home and his body tells him to eat. My vet recommended always leaving dry out for that reason. He is lucky that he can eat the wet as I have another cat age 9 who throws up wet food as well, and yes it's a struggle to find what works with her.
Anyway my diabetic kitties numbers have been lower being on this combination then anything else. Also leave fresh water wherever they hang out at. He has Phemphagas and has been on steroids for over 4 years so ended up with diabetes due to meds. (Prednisolone, important side note..it's much better and safer choice for pets vs Prednisone, although almost the same, it is processed much better in their systems. Prednisone does not work at all and he degrades,where prednisolone works wonders. If he doesn't take steroids he will die a slow miserable death form this rare autoimmune cat disease, so no choice. Took years to even get the correct diagnoses from a specialist finally.)
He is a large ragdoll cat in the first place - at about 24 pds between the steroids and being a ragdoll. He is almost 14 and has had diabetes over 3 years, past history also of urinary crystals but no reoccurance for 8 years since having so much wet food with extra water mixed in. Evo wet (no cat food with fish is ever given) has been great (the Evo dry makes him constipated) Wellness too though he tends to keep weight down a bit better with Evo. His insulin is Vetsulin. This has been what works for him anyway, vet says he is doing great! You would never guess he has either disease by his looks and actions. I know all cats are different and its not easy to figure it out, takes time and research but hang in there! You'll find what works: )
Below is some basic info.
http://www.dogswell.com/healthy-cat-food-treat/cat-food/ talks alot about dogs but they do make this cat food.
From what I first read along time ago, the person that started the company did so because of a family members cats health issues specifically diabetes so they started their own company focused on better health and food for diabetic cats. I can't find the info now but that's what made me so interested. They wanted to make a healthy food,U.S. based and I liked that too.
Their literature said "Nutrisca now offers a low glycemic, high protein food for cats. Each recipe is natural, great for digestion, and uses animal proteins exclusively from poultry or fish to help cats with food sensitivities". Rated 9-10 on the Glycemic Index (<55 is considered low glycemic) NO grains, potatoes, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy/Antioxidant-rich ingredients/Cranberries for urinary health/Cage Free Chickens and Wild Caught Salmon used for their main sources of protein.
Hope this helps! Best of wishes! (Sorry for the long post, got a bit carried away.)
Important also is he gets 3 bowls a day of Evo wet and water and the dry food is for if I'm not home and his body tells him to eat. My vet recommended always leaving dry out for that reason. He is lucky that he can eat the wet as I have another cat age 9 who throws up wet food as well, and yes it's a struggle to find what works with her.
Anyway my diabetic kitties numbers have been lower being on this combination then anything else. Also leave fresh water wherever they hang out at. He has Phemphagas and has been on steroids for over 4 years so ended up with diabetes due to meds. (Prednisolone, important side note..it's much better and safer choice for pets vs Prednisone, although almost the same, it is processed much better in their systems. Prednisone does not work at all and he degrades,where prednisolone works wonders. If he doesn't take steroids he will die a slow miserable death form this rare autoimmune cat disease, so no choice. Took years to even get the correct diagnoses from a specialist finally.)
He is a large ragdoll cat in the first place - at about 24 pds between the steroids and being a ragdoll. He is almost 14 and has had diabetes over 3 years, past history also of urinary crystals but no reoccurance for 8 years since having so much wet food with extra water mixed in. Evo wet (no cat food with fish is ever given) has been great (the Evo dry makes him constipated) Wellness too though he tends to keep weight down a bit better with Evo. His insulin is Vetsulin. This has been what works for him anyway, vet says he is doing great! You would never guess he has either disease by his looks and actions. I know all cats are different and its not easy to figure it out, takes time and research but hang in there! You'll find what works: )
Below is some basic info.
http://www.dogswell.com/healthy-cat-food-treat/cat-food/ talks alot about dogs but they do make this cat food.
From what I first read along time ago, the person that started the company did so because of a family members cats health issues specifically diabetes so they started their own company focused on better health and food for diabetic cats. I can't find the info now but that's what made me so interested. They wanted to make a healthy food,U.S. based and I liked that too.
Their literature said "Nutrisca now offers a low glycemic, high protein food for cats. Each recipe is natural, great for digestion, and uses animal proteins exclusively from poultry or fish to help cats with food sensitivities". Rated 9-10 on the Glycemic Index (<55 is considered low glycemic) NO grains, potatoes, gluten, corn, wheat, or soy/Antioxidant-rich ingredients/Cranberries for urinary health/Cage Free Chickens and Wild Caught Salmon used for their main sources of protein.
Hope this helps! Best of wishes! (Sorry for the long post, got a bit carried away.)
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Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
That Nutrisca Chicken food does not look low carb to me. You can get a rough estimate of the carb content of dry food by taking their guaranteed analysis numbers and adding up the protein (38%), fat (16%), fiber (5.5%), ash content (not listed) and moisture (10%) = 69.5% for those. Subtract that from 100 and that gives you 30.5% carbs. Not low carb at all. The salmon flavor is actually a bit lower in protein 36% so you have 32.5% carb content in the salmon food.
They may not have grain or potatoes in their food, but they use peas and chickpeas which do have plenty of carbs.
They may not have grain or potatoes in their food, but they use peas and chickpeas which do have plenty of carbs.
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/carbcounts/a/peas.htm
I buy it at chewy.com or at a feed store. Online if you spend 49.99 you get free shipping so with my case of Evo or Wellness added on I qualify. Amazon has it too.
I just read the post above about how to figure out the low carb and am concerned! He has done so great on this food and I know it's for diabetic cats but that carb amount is something to check on. So far every site advertises that it's low carb but guess it's time to do more research and call the company.
Since he and my other cat are doing great on it,I want to keep them on it if I can because at least it doesn't have potatoes. I wish there were not as many peas but so far I haven't found food I can afford without peas and potatoes. More research....Will let you know what I find out.
Deb&Wink, Thanks for the heads up! what foods do you recommend?
I just read the post above about how to figure out the low carb and am concerned! He has done so great on this food and I know it's for diabetic cats but that carb amount is something to check on. So far every site advertises that it's low carb but guess it's time to do more research and call the company.
Since he and my other cat are doing great on it,I want to keep them on it if I can because at least it doesn't have potatoes. I wish there were not as many peas but so far I haven't found food I can afford without peas and potatoes. More research....Will let you know what I find out.
Deb&Wink, Thanks for the heads up! what foods do you recommend?
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Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Evo Cat and Kitten is one choice. Not as low carb as we like, but probably lower than what you are feeding now.
Have you tried calling Young Again for a free sample? 800-311-6646. https://www.youngagainpetfood.com/10browse.asp?category=cats&ProductCode=92103
While we find that cats do better on foods with <10% carb content, we realize that not all cats will eat wet food. I have personal experience with getting my lifelong member of DFAA (Dry Food Addicts Anonymous) Wink, to realize that he liked wet food. It was several weeks of patience, persistence, trying multiple methods to transition Wink from dry to wet. In the meantime, his BG levels stayed higher, but as he ate more of the low carb wet, his numbers dropped dramatically as I knew they would.
He was a foster kitty, so the shelter sent me home with a bag of Hill's W/D dry (37% carbs) and a case of the W/D wet ( ~ 24-26% carbs). I knew before I even started to foster him that I would need to get him on a low carb wet food diet.
This document, Transitioning Feline Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food by vet Dr. Lisa Pierson, helped me immensely to get Wink eating wet food. I also used a bit of tough love, and took away the dry completely even though he was not completely eating wet at that point.
You definitely need to be home testing before you try this type of diet change.
Have you tried calling Young Again for a free sample? 800-311-6646. https://www.youngagainpetfood.com/10browse.asp?category=cats&ProductCode=92103
While we find that cats do better on foods with <10% carb content, we realize that not all cats will eat wet food. I have personal experience with getting my lifelong member of DFAA (Dry Food Addicts Anonymous) Wink, to realize that he liked wet food. It was several weeks of patience, persistence, trying multiple methods to transition Wink from dry to wet. In the meantime, his BG levels stayed higher, but as he ate more of the low carb wet, his numbers dropped dramatically as I knew they would.
He was a foster kitty, so the shelter sent me home with a bag of Hill's W/D dry (37% carbs) and a case of the W/D wet ( ~ 24-26% carbs). I knew before I even started to foster him that I would need to get him on a low carb wet food diet.
This document, Transitioning Feline Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food by vet Dr. Lisa Pierson, helped me immensely to get Wink eating wet food. I also used a bit of tough love, and took away the dry completely even though he was not completely eating wet at that point.
You definitely need to be home testing before you try this type of diet change.
Thank you for the recommendations. With Evo, a great food, he was very constipated and I had to switch. The Young Again is tempting and I may get samples but the price at first glance just blew me away lol! Then I read they only eat two tablespoons a day, with mine it would maybe be a bit more but that small amount still that makes the price more manageable.
I'm going to research Nutrisca more though, I really want to stay on this food because for me, both cats doing great on it for so long means alot, and I don't want to upset my diabetic cat or my other picky senior who is doing great. The one kitty will probably always be dealing with diabetes as long as on steroids so since he is doing well with having diabetes and phemphagas it's hard to make changes. But Young Again is intriguing if one bag would last as long as they advertise. It's not all about money at all but it is a consideration when trying to keep five pets on healthy foods and they are all doing great. Nice that there may be an alternative in case I do change though : )
I'm going to research Nutrisca more though, I really want to stay on this food because for me, both cats doing great on it for so long means alot, and I don't want to upset my diabetic cat or my other picky senior who is doing great. The one kitty will probably always be dealing with diabetes as long as on steroids so since he is doing well with having diabetes and phemphagas it's hard to make changes. But Young Again is intriguing if one bag would last as long as they advertise. It's not all about money at all but it is a consideration when trying to keep five pets on healthy foods and they are all doing great. Nice that there may be an alternative in case I do change though : )
BJM
Member Since 2010
Friskies 13 ounce cans run about 0.88 each and feed about 3-4 cats a meal. I couldn't do Wellness past getting the Garage kitts past the 1st 6 months.
And I'm feeding a total of 14 in the condo and 2 in the garage now.
I've got a very decent job as an epidemiologist, so I'm lucky.
And I'm feeding a total of 14 in the condo and 2 in the garage now.
I've got a very decent job as an epidemiologist, so I'm lucky.
For me I'm just feeding two cats and I add some water for their kidneys. I use about two cans a week, one evo one wellness so about 5 bucks a week. When I give them more they don't eat it. But I'm not trying to feed 16 cats! My goodness that's so nice of you BJM to take care of so many : )
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
I use the larger 13 oz cans of Friskies pate ($1.09 at Petsmart) for my 2 civies. One 5.5 oz can of Friskies Special Diet (45 cents at Petsmart) or 2 3 oz cans of Fancy Feast pates (50 cents at Petsmart) for my sugardude Wink. So $2 a day, $14 a week, $60 a month. I try to find the foods on sale and stock up.
The canned foods are just so much better for your cats health than the dry. I figure I'm saving on vet bills by feeding them wet instead of dry. My 3 kitties are a big part of my life and bring me great joy, so if I need to give up something else in order to feed them a better food, I do it.
Wink did need to eat more when he was unregulated and had high BG levels. One formula for determining how much to feed is 15 calories per pound +70. So a 10 pound cat would get 150 + 70 = 220 calories. ECID so your cat's feeding needs may vary
I do weigh my cats regularly to see if they need a bit more or less food and adjust as needed. I don't want my civie Monet to become obese again and risk him developing health complications like diabetes, so I monitor his weight.
The canned foods are just so much better for your cats health than the dry. I figure I'm saving on vet bills by feeding them wet instead of dry. My 3 kitties are a big part of my life and bring me great joy, so if I need to give up something else in order to feed them a better food, I do it.
Wink did need to eat more when he was unregulated and had high BG levels. One formula for determining how much to feed is 15 calories per pound +70. So a 10 pound cat would get 150 + 70 = 220 calories. ECID so your cat's feeding needs may vary
I do weigh my cats regularly to see if they need a bit more or less food and adjust as needed. I don't want my civie Monet to become obese again and risk him developing health complications like diabetes, so I monitor his weight.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Looking at the Wysong Epigen starch free food, 60% protein, 15% fat, crude fiber4 %, moisture 10%, for a total of 89%. 100-89 =11% carbs so it's a possible stopgap until you can get your cat eating lower carb wet food.
billr
Member Since 2013
I was initially impressed by the Nutrisca and it was recommended by our local pet food store. The ingredients are good and it's made with free range chicken and has a very low glycemic index. HOWEVER, even with the low glycemic index, the percent of carbs is still in the 23-25% range, according to the company. [I called them last year and asked.] This is lower than what Deb calculated, but still higher than what you want. We returned it and got the Young Again 0 carb.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
I looked on line, and found that Wysong has a find a retailer near you. Since you were so good as to put your city Astoria and state ORegon in your profile it made it easy to find some locations. You might want to try it yourself.
Here is the link to finding a Wysong retailer.
It does sound to me, from reading this link, that you should call the stores first to make sure they have the particular food you are interested in trying.
zzyzzx
Member Since 2014
Where are you getting a 5lb bag for $14? I assume that is for the chicken. I have been buying the fish version which costs more, but lower carbs.
I have been buying it from 1800petmeds, whom seems to sell it online cheaper than anyone else (always use a $5 off there).
zzyzzx
Member Since 2014
Wysong's website lists stores near me, but when you go to the store they don't have it and don't know what you are talking about!
Nancey
Member Since 2012
Wysong Epigen 90 is the lowest in carb of all the versions they sale. Chewy.com sales lots of their products. I do caution you, learn from my mistake with this food and Young Again, I ran into major issues with all my cats getting diarrhea, from both foods. Although several of them returned to normal I had two females that never got back to normal. Also Frodo's BG's started going up eating this food, I mean he hit over 400 a couple of times, that totally freaked me out. So I have stopped the hard food all together, feeding Merrick Purrfect Bistro Chicken, Turkey & Duck flavors only. All intestinal issues gone and Frodo is actually getting less insulin now, down to 2.25 from 3.75 units. I know ECID, but just want to caution. I think both companies have a good no/low carb hard food, but there is something in them that just upsets my kitties tummies. I am not sure I had issues was because they were eating just canned or not, but looks like that is all they will get from hear on out.
Erinia
Member Since 2014
I have a local health food store that carries Wysong products because the owner is obsessed with them. Use http://www.wysong.net/stores.php to find a store near you.
I don't feed my cats any fish because it makes their poop stink SO BAD. I haven't had any intestinal issues with the dry food. My cats are mostly on a wet food diet at this point (FF and Grreat Choice), but do nibble on the dry throughout the day.
I don't feed my cats any fish because it makes their poop stink SO BAD. I haven't had any intestinal issues with the dry food. My cats are mostly on a wet food diet at this point (FF and Grreat Choice), but do nibble on the dry throughout the day.
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