Cat not asking for human food anymore?

[baltics]

Hi, I'm pretty new here but I have another little question because I'm just not sure what to expect from my cat.

We changed his diet yesterday with what the vet told us to go for (we're going to change it to something else once my cat gets used to eating on schedule and the food runs out). Now, while the food is not the best from what I've gathered, it was the first time he actually ate cat food in a while. Over the last month or so he hardly ate from his bowl and always complained and came for our food - meat was the only thing he would eat.

Yesterday evening we gave him a pouch of wet food which he gladly ate. He didn't meow at all during the night. This morning we fed him again and he only meowed then because he knows that we usually wake up at around that time. We fed him again a few hours later because we don't want the 'two times a day' schedule to be too much of a shock to him, after growing up with always available food. Everytime he emptied the bowl, which is new for him but we are happy he eats again. He didn't meow at all during the day, didn't beg for food when my parents were cooking, didn't climb up our legs when we were eating. He became incredibly well behaved over night.

Now, the logical part of my brain tells me that exaggerated appetite is a symptom of untreated diabetes and that because he couldn't get the right nutrition from his food he came for ours. But, while it was a bit too much in the past month or so, he's always been incredibly curious and wanted to see what we had in our plates regardless of whether he wanted to eat it or not. So having him just as company today in the kitchen was odd, to say the least. He doesn't seem very energetic either, but again I get that impression because of the lack of meowing for food.

I'm also thinking that maybe he's mad at us for taking away his always available food.

Is that all normal and I'm getting worried for no reason or should I talk to the vet?

I'm new to all this so I'm sorry if it sounds stupid but an owner's gotta learn!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

There are no stupid questions. If you're thinking is, so is someone else who is new to FD.

My first thought had to do with what you were feeding your cat and what you're feeding your cat now. Cats are obligate carnivores -- they do not need nor can they process anything other than protein. All of the carbs (grains, fruit, veggies) that are in many of the dry and canned food do nothing for them nutritionally and the carbohydrates raise their blood glucose (BG) levels. Further, many of the cat foods that are out there use protein that isn't muscle meat (i.e., animal y-products) or glutens as a cheap source of protein. If your switch to a different food involves higher protein and better ingredients, it may explain why your cat isn't bugging you for your dinner.

Also, it is absolutely fine to provide food throughout the day for your cat. Again, how you feed depends on which insulin you're using. For example, insulins like Vetsulin or Humulin N require that you give a substantial meal 30 - 60 min. prior to shot time. Lantus has a longer time until onset so you can feed your cat at shot time because the insulin doesn't kick in for approximately 2 hours. With any insulin, giving food up until nadir (the lowest point in the cycle) buffers the effect of the insulin so numbers are less apt to drop hard and fast. Several smaller meals also puts less stress on your cat's pancreas.

When you have a chance, can you get your signature and a spreadsheet set up? Without that information, we're going to keep badgering you with the same questions over and over and over again. This post has most of the information you'll find helpful in getting started.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Sienne KNOWS what shes talking about. There is no such thing as a good dry cat food. They ALL come packed with carbs. My suspicion is they figure just give the cat more insulin to combat all the carbs.(thats in my head no proof)
Several small meals a day is closer to what cats naturally eat. I think 2 meals a day would make for an unhappy cat.

The other thing is that signature and spread sheet. Its only going to serve you to do so. Personally if it were me? I would resist but thats because I'm NOT computer oriented.

I believe you gotz this!
j

 

[baltics]

My first thought had to do with what you were feeding your cat and what you're feeding your cat now. Cats are obligate carnivores -- they do not need nor can they process anything other than protein. All of the carbs (grains, fruit, veggies) that are in many of the dry and canned food do nothing for them nutritionally and the carbohydrates raise their blood glucose (BG) levels. Further, many of the cat foods that are out there use protein that isn't muscle meat (i.e., animal y-products) or glutens as a cheap source of protein. If your switch to a different food involves higher protein and better ingredients, it may explain why your cat isn't bugging you for your dinner.

Also, it is absolutely fine to provide food throughout the day for your cat. Again, how you feed depends on which insulin you're using. For example, insulins like Vetsulin or Humulin N require that you give a substantial meal 30 - 60 min. prior to shot time. Lantus has a longer time until onset so you can feed your cat at shot time because the insulin doesn't kick in for approximately 2 hours. With any insulin, giving food up until nadir (the lowest point in the cycle) buffers the effect of the insulin so numbers are less apt to drop hard and fast. Several smaller meals also puts less stress on your cat's pancreas.

When you have a chance, can you get your signature and a spreadsheet set up? Without that information, we're going to keep badgering you with the same questions over and over and over again. This post has most of the information you'll find helpful in getting started.

We're not on any insulin yet as we're waiting to meet up with our vet again. Until that happens, we've already started a more appropriate diet but we're still new to this, making mistakes and learning(this forum has already been of great help). I got Dali a few options of good food and we're going to test it out this week - see what works and what not and we're on our way to eliminating the dry food from his diet, though we have to make the process gradual.

With that said - it's odd af to see him not get into my plate whenever I eat anything! He really didn't want to do anything with the family earlier today but as the day progressed he stopped ignoring us. However, he still doesn't want our food so I'm guessing he was just mad at us for taking his readily available food away but was finally feeling full. The only times he meowed were in the morning (for food) and after we fed him his last meal of the day (for fresh water), when we got used to him meowing almost all the time.

We've also decided to set Dali's schedule to three meals a day for now and I hope he will be fine with it. We'll change it again if the insulin demands it but I truly hope not as I don't want to stress my cat out even more.

Thank you for your response, by the way! I'll get to that spreadsheet as soon as I get the chance.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Since you're not started insulin yet, I'd like to offer some suggestions. Many vets will suggest either Caninsulin or NPH (also called Humulin N or Novolin N). These are not good insulins for cats and, in fact, are no longer recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn. They have a relatively short duration due to a cat's fast metabolism. They are much better insulins for dogs. The best insulin for cats is either Prozinc or Lantus. Unless it turns out that Dali's numbers are looking great due to your having transitioned your cat to a low carbohydrate diet, those are the two insulins that are considered appropriate for feline diabetes.

 

[baltics]

That is wonderful advice, thank you! I'll keep it in mind when discussing about insulin with my vet.