? Confused about feeding times with Lantus

[Mouse & Me]

I was rereading the sticky about shooting low, and realized, I am feeding my cat at shot times so I can't use the +1 or +2 readings, because they are influenced by her food.

Have I been going at this all wrong? I have been giving meals at shot times, because I was under the assumption that feeding at shot time was essential.

Should I lessen the amount at shot time.....knowing that it is still going to influence the +1 & +2 readings.

If a nadir is around +6-+8, when should mealtime be?

 

[Stacy & Asia]

Food is always going to influence the numbers and the data still counts. The only time we are looking for non food influenced numbers is at preshot, which is why it’s suggested to take up food a couple hours prior, and that’s only for you to know that it’s a safe to shoot number vs a food influenced one. After a time and knowing your cat, even that bit is somewhat flexible.

Feeding at shot time is essential for the older insulins, just as they only feed at shot time and not in between because it works against the insulin. It’s not actually so true for the L’s. Onset is not right away and more people have better results with smaller more frequent meals than 2 big ones at shot time. The biggest reason we say to feed at shot time with the L’s is less about the type of insulin and more an insurance that you know your cat is eating, period. If your cat is off her food, it influences how much insulin you give, if you want to skip a shot, etc. It is not essential to feed at shot time, it’s a good safety measure. I have always fed Asia a tiny amount at shot time just to make sure she’s eating, and then I give her a regular portion near onset.

You can space out your meals however it works for you and Mouse. I feed Asia every 2-3 hours because she has kidney disease and gets tummy acid and vomits without frequent small meals. Some people feed their cats twice a day. A lot of people feed several small meals before nadir and don’t feed after nadir. It’s really a personalized thing you need to play with and see what works best.