Does it matter how often I feed my diabetic cat

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

My cat (13 year old, black cat) was recently diagnosed with diabetes, after having a few teeth extracted. After the extraction, he also ended up with a bladder blockage. He is doing much better now, but I am now working on getting him on a proper diet. My vet currently prescribed Royal Canin S/O Urinary for life. I have two questions (so far lol).

1. Is this okay for a diabetic cat? I am willing to pay for what is best for him, so any food recommendations would be amazing.

2. I no longer feed him dry food, which he is tolerating fine, but he eats in smaller portions several times a day. When I try to feed him a larger portion, he leaves half of it. Is it okay to feed him in small portions, several times a day as long as I keep his calorie intake at what it should be? Currently, my vet says for his size, he should be eating 1 and 3/4 cans of food per day, which is is just under.

I am going to start home testing his BG this weekend and he is currently on only 1 unit of insulin, twice day. He will be going in for a BG curve testing next week sometime.

Ive been reading through the forums and the catinfo.org site and have found it very helpful. Thanks to all who provide advice and tips! This has made me feel more confident for a positive outcome. Poor kitty has been through a lot in the past two weeks.

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Cheryl, welcome! Royal Canin S/O is 20 carbs, we recommend a carb count under 10. Having said that, you can continue to feed the S/O and adjust the insulin so as to keep his blood sugar under control, or you could change to a lower carb wet food and add plenty of water. What was he eating when he got the blockage? My cat had several blockages when he was young, but since he’s been on the all wet food diet, he hasn’t had any. As for feeding several times a day, that is actually better than 2 large meals. You just do not want them to have food 2 hours before you do the preshot test. So you would pick up his food, then 2 hours later test, feed, then give the shot.

 

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

Thank you for the advice! This was very helpful and makes me feel better about his feeding habits. It's been two weeks since he's had dry food, so that's good. I will discuss with his vet about finding a lower carb option as I would love to reverse his diabetes if possible. I'm just worried about him re-blocking. I will pick up a BC monitor tonight! Thanks again!

 

[Magic Johnson]

Maji was eating that brand and it was the canned wet food as well as few others that are UR prescription when she went diabetic! Eating those very foods!

She has been fine with fancy feast and extra water ... totally fine!!! And she had a very bloody URI 2 yrs ago

We just put a little bit of water 1 or two teaspoons small amount then I scoop about 1/2 can and plop it in the center ( small cat bowls). Swirl it around a little and viola! She loves it licks it up like gravy only don’t get the gravy foods!!! Fancy feast classics

 

[Sharon14]

Check out Purina Pro Plan Focus Urinary Tract Health Turkey and Giblets flavor. It’s low carb and, according to them, helps keep the urinary tract healthy.
https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-focus-adult-classic/dp/121429
Just be sure to only get the Pate ones

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Before my cat's FD diagnosis two over years ago he was prone to frequent bouts of cystitis and had been eating RC Urinary S/O wet food for a very long time. I switched him to low carb wet food to which I add warm water at every meal and he hasn't had a bout since.

 

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

Definitely concerned about this brand of food now. Ive read on several different forums that Royal Canin S/O is not good for them. I will check out other low carb options and discuss with my vet. So glad found I found this out before he was on it for very long. Thanks to all of you!!!

 

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

Quick question. I'm going to do the blood glucose curve at home this weekend. I have set feeding times, but he does eat small meals, several times a day. He does not eat a lot in one sitting. I know he cant "graze" all day, but since I have a feeding schedule, do I just feed him as normal when doing the curve?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Quick question. I'm going to do the blood glucose curve at home this weekend. I have set feeding times, but he does eat small meals, several times a day. He does not eat a lot in one sitting. I know he cant "graze" all day, but since I have a feeding schedule, do I just feed him as normal when doing the curve?

Yes to feeding as usual - but tests before he eats otherwise you'll get food influenced, "not true" BG numbers.

Are you using Lantus? If yes, the +2 test - 2 hours after the injection is a good time to start (after the pre-shot test, of course) the day. It is very common that Lantus onsets at this time and you'll get good idea as to what a day may bring.

It is also important not to feed 2 hours before your injection time - this way you are absolutely sure that all of the food carbs are out and the number you get at pre-shot is safe (not too low) to administer insulin.

 

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

Thank you so much!!! Silly question, but what’s a “pre-shot”?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Thank you so much!!! Silly question, but what’s a “pre-shot”?

Ops.. my bad.. terribly sorry!
The pre-shot is the glucose test reading that you are taking before injecting insulin - AM or PM dose- to be taken before every injection, even if a small dose. I'll fetch out "local dictionary". (attached below)

I remember so very well when I was lost in that Lantus/ Diabetes specific language used here - and look at me now - I was throwing an unknown terms at you by bunches - my apologies!

The pre shot is the most important test twice a day - it tells you plainly - to shot (if the BG, not food influenced is high enough) or not to shot - (when it is too low).

 

[Cheryl and BlackJack]

Thank you!!!!!