I keep reading how everyone has switched over to wet food. My little boy has always been on dry food. LD is 11 years old and weights 18 lbs. He has been on Iams weight control cat food most of his life and was diagnosed in August as being diabetic. The doctor put him on Hills M/D which he likes. He had no problem at all with the switch over. He is doing well with switching him over from grazing all day to a more scheduled feed when he gets his shots. Most of the comments I am reading are how bad the dry food is for them. I have tried wet food several times and I end up feeding it to our dogs because the cats do not like it. I went to the specialty store and got the EVO wet and my vet said it is full of ash (whatever that is) and said I don't have to switch. If he is happy eating dry then let him eat dry. Are there any dry feeders left out there? If not - any suggestions on how to make a switch over?? I only want what is best for my kitty as I know everyone else here does. He's my boy!
Dry Food
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BJM
Very Active Member
Most vets are not well educated about nutrition topics. They take what the sales reps say for being accurate.
Your homework is to review these 2 websites and consider what they say:
Cat Info
Binky's Page
If there are renal issues of concern, look for the lower phosphorus canned foods.
Your homework is to review these 2 websites and consider what they say:
Cat Info
Binky's Page
If there are renal issues of concern, look for the lower phosphorus canned foods.
I can sure understand where you are coming from.
My diabetic cat and all my cats for that matter seem to hate the expensive canned food I have tried --I throw most of it away.
Wellness, Evo canned, DM canned, etc etc all given the thumbs down. (or paws down) . I did order a case of Weruva Chicken in Gravy (no grain) online---somebody seems to eat it over the course of a day. Haven't tried all the Friskies and Wiskas pates yet just a few.
All their lives they have eaten dry and canned food with lots of gravy which is not recommended. The gravy was the part they liked though.
But I have gotten my diabetic kitty off dry completely with some of the classic fancy feast --I think the diabetes caused her to be SO hungry that she is not so picky anymore. I also give her people tuna once in a while. And I still have more recommended canned food to try--determined to find several she really likes.
I did buy EVO dry (chicken) --not for the diabetic cat but for the others as it is one of the lowest carb dry food. But haven't made the transition yet. They eat dry Science Diet AND I was feeding them the DM dry diabetic cat food the vet recommended just to get rid of it but I just read on another diabetic site that the expert there (who is very knowledgeble) said DM dry was terrible for normal cats as well.
'Heck', you just can't win. Maybe the others could eat EVO dry along with canned food. Evenutally maybe all (6) can be on canned food.
I also ordered on line the new NO CARB dry food called Young Again--it may not have the moisture of canned but could maybe be used sparingly. They don't eat it with relish but again somebody seems to eat it as is always gone by morning.
Finally I bought some frozen cat food from AUSTRALIA!!! at WHole Foods. It is all raw. Haven't cracked that baby open yet.
The food issue has been a big pain--parents whose kids eat everything don't know how lucky they are. Sure miss the days when I just dumped out a bunch of Science Diet for everybody but those days are gone.
All I can say is good luck and hopefully you can find one he will eat .
I have read of cats who were in remission who were fed dry or the wrong kind of canned and went back to being diabetic!!! :cry: So obviously it is very important.
confused_cat P.S. Does anybody know if Fancy Feast Florentine varieties are OK???--I am sure I saw it on a list that was OK but can't find it now --I wrote the company but no answer yet. They like the Florentines. Thanks
Elaine and Pinky
My diabetic cat and all my cats for that matter seem to hate the expensive canned food I have tried --I throw most of it away.
Wellness, Evo canned, DM canned, etc etc all given the thumbs down. (or paws down) . I did order a case of Weruva Chicken in Gravy (no grain) online---somebody seems to eat it over the course of a day. Haven't tried all the Friskies and Wiskas pates yet just a few.
All their lives they have eaten dry and canned food with lots of gravy which is not recommended. The gravy was the part they liked though.
But I have gotten my diabetic kitty off dry completely with some of the classic fancy feast --I think the diabetes caused her to be SO hungry that she is not so picky anymore. I also give her people tuna once in a while. And I still have more recommended canned food to try--determined to find several she really likes.
I did buy EVO dry (chicken) --not for the diabetic cat but for the others as it is one of the lowest carb dry food. But haven't made the transition yet. They eat dry Science Diet AND I was feeding them the DM dry diabetic cat food the vet recommended just to get rid of it but I just read on another diabetic site that the expert there (who is very knowledgeble) said DM dry was terrible for normal cats as well.
'Heck', you just can't win. Maybe the others could eat EVO dry along with canned food. Evenutally maybe all (6) can be on canned food.
I also ordered on line the new NO CARB dry food called Young Again--it may not have the moisture of canned but could maybe be used sparingly. They don't eat it with relish but again somebody seems to eat it as is always gone by morning.
Finally I bought some frozen cat food from AUSTRALIA!!! at WHole Foods. It is all raw. Haven't cracked that baby open yet.
The food issue has been a big pain--parents whose kids eat everything don't know how lucky they are. Sure miss the days when I just dumped out a bunch of Science Diet for everybody but those days are gone.
All I can say is good luck and hopefully you can find one he will eat .
I have read of cats who were in remission who were fed dry or the wrong kind of canned and went back to being diabetic!!! :cry: So obviously it is very important.
confused_cat P.S. Does anybody know if Fancy Feast Florentine varieties are OK???--I am sure I saw it on a list that was OK but can't find it now --I wrote the company but no answer yet. They like the Florentines. Thanks
Elaine and Pinky
Forgot to mention I took another cat to Emergency Vet on Sunday. Bladder infection.
He said for a normal cat Science Diet dry was very good cat food and Fancy Feasts were terrible. (I didn't say anything--as he was very set in his opinions). Anyway sold me 3 cans of Royal Canin Urinary SO (canned) to try. Nobody would touch the stuff. It sat until I threw it all out. :YMSIGH:
He said for a normal cat Science Diet dry was very good cat food and Fancy Feasts were terrible. (I didn't say anything--as he was very set in his opinions). Anyway sold me 3 cans of Royal Canin Urinary SO (canned) to try. Nobody would touch the stuff. It sat until I threw it all out. :YMSIGH:
Full disclosure: I'm far from an expert, newly diagnosed (3 months ago).
My Zilly has always eaten dry as well and I've tried a multitude of wet to no avail (unless I syringe feed). I just switched a few weeks ago to Innova Cat & Kitten (it is high calorie but my cat has lost half of his body weight). According to the Blinky chart it's decent regarding the carbs (23). He LOVES it, as well as my other non-diabetic cat (the pickiest cat I've ever seen).
Good Luck!
My Zilly has always eaten dry as well and I've tried a multitude of wet to no avail (unless I syringe feed). I just switched a few weeks ago to Innova Cat & Kitten (it is high calorie but my cat has lost half of his body weight). According to the Blinky chart it's decent regarding the carbs (23). He LOVES it, as well as my other non-diabetic cat (the pickiest cat I've ever seen).
Good Luck!
Lisa dvm
Active Member
DEF said:
Was a culture run? If not, then you don't really know if your cat has an infection or not. Note that a culture takes 3 days to run.
I long for the day when my colleagues stop being so ignorant with regard to proper feline nutrition.
As a side note, it is my strong opinion that all cats can be transitioned to canned food but it takes time and patience on the part of the owner. Sadly, too many people give up far too quickly.
See Tips for Transitiong Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food on my website.
Also see Opie's pictures on my Urinary Tract Health page for a good look at the suffering **very often caused by feeding ANY brand of dry food since they are ALL water-depleted.**
Dr. Lisa Pierson,
Thanks for responding.
On Sunday, I didn't really bring in enough urine nor could he get any urine (bladder too small and empty) to really tell for sure but gave me Baytril to take for 3 weeks. I never want to give Baytril as no matter how rare the occurences I read some bad side effects about it long ago.
Once again I didn't say anything but paid for the pills.
On Monday I took a larger sample to my vet and there was blood in the urine. Nothing else was done with it--I think he thought the 5 hour old refrigerated sample may not be that good. Anyway, he prefers clavamox and I am giving that. I am bringing her back for blood work later.
Could you please tell me if people tuna could be fed if it was doctored up with taurine or whatever? My cats love it.
My friend's cat lived to be 21 years old eating nothing but people tuna but I don't know if this is the same as a 2 pack a day smoker living to be 90. Just a lucky coincidence?.
I suppose the No Carb Dry will have to go then based on what you said. I know the moisture of can is good but I thought I could sneak in a little dry.
Thanks, Elaine and Pinky
Thanks for responding.
On Sunday, I didn't really bring in enough urine nor could he get any urine (bladder too small and empty) to really tell for sure but gave me Baytril to take for 3 weeks. I never want to give Baytril as no matter how rare the occurences I read some bad side effects about it long ago.
Once again I didn't say anything but paid for the pills.
On Monday I took a larger sample to my vet and there was blood in the urine. Nothing else was done with it--I think he thought the 5 hour old refrigerated sample may not be that good. Anyway, he prefers clavamox and I am giving that. I am bringing her back for blood work later.
Could you please tell me if people tuna could be fed if it was doctored up with taurine or whatever? My cats love it.
My friend's cat lived to be 21 years old eating nothing but people tuna but I don't know if this is the same as a 2 pack a day smoker living to be 90. Just a lucky coincidence?.
I suppose the No Carb Dry will have to go then based on what you said. I know the moisture of can is good but I thought I could sneak in a little dry.
Thanks, Elaine and Pinky
Lisa dvm
Active Member
DEF said:
Please thoroughly review my Urinary Tract Health page and understand why it is important to *properly* diagnose a urinary tract infection and to STOP abusing antibiotics.
This type of shotgun treating with drugs like Baytril - and clavamox - is what is getting us into really serious problems with drug resistance.
No, it is missing a lot more than just taurine.
Please only feed it as a treat every now and then. I do not feed any fish to my cats for many reasons. (addiction....hyperthyroidism link...mercury...PBDEs...etc.)
Again, please review my Urinary Tract Health page.
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
Guest
HI Elaine,
There are 4 of the florentine variety "Elegant medleys" listed on the "new" canned food Binky charts.
(Wild Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna, Lean Turkey, and White Meat Chicken) The carbs #'s are 11, 13, 10 and 11 respectively.
Carl in SC
Oh Carl, thank you so much. I thought I saw them somewhere but I was beginning to think I was dreaming. (Edit Edit--now that I know tuna is not good I won't buy the box of florentines that include tuna but instead buy the chichen and turkey ones individually.)
Some of my cats have always eaten the Florentines along with Science Diet dry.
As a matter of fact the cat with the urine problems , now that I think of it, ate mostly Fancy Feast Florentines and just a little dry. Go figure that one. Maybe she is stressed that I spend so much time with my diabetic cat now and not much with her. :cry: I went over the material recommended above and all the articles are excellent. I need to go over them a couple more times though as it is alot of information. Not sure now what her true problem is but will do more investigating.
Thanks again to you and Dr.LP.
Some of my cats have always eaten the Florentines along with Science Diet dry.
As a matter of fact the cat with the urine problems , now that I think of it, ate mostly Fancy Feast Florentines and just a little dry. Go figure that one. Maybe she is stressed that I spend so much time with my diabetic cat now and not much with her. :cry: I went over the material recommended above and all the articles are excellent. I need to go over them a couple more times though as it is alot of information. Not sure now what her true problem is but will do more investigating.
Thanks again to you and Dr.LP.
Lisa dvm
Active Member
99% of cats that are not diabetic/hyperthyroid/CKD and have a normal urine specific gravity have idiopathic (cause unknown) sterile cystitis and are being mis-treated with antibiotics. If your cat fits into that category, you have about a 1-2% chance that you are treating her correctly.
Unfortunately, because she is being treated with ABs, the ability to *properly* diagnose her has been severely compromised.
Plus, if I understand correctly, she is not receiving pain meds.
I can't convey strongly enough how frustrated I get when I see cystitis cats drowning in UNnecessary ABs with the human in charge ( the vet) disregarding the pain.
Keep in mind that ABs are not harmless drugs.
Please also keep in mind that my comments are general ones since I do not know all the details of your cat's case.
I just see urinary tract issue cats mis-managed on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, because she is being treated with ABs, the ability to *properly* diagnose her has been severely compromised.
Plus, if I understand correctly, she is not receiving pain meds.
I can't convey strongly enough how frustrated I get when I see cystitis cats drowning in UNnecessary ABs with the human in charge ( the vet) disregarding the pain.
Keep in mind that ABs are not harmless drugs.
Please also keep in mind that my comments are general ones since I do not know all the details of your cat's case.
I just see urinary tract issue cats mis-managed on a daily basis.
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Very Active Member
rubyshoes said:Full disclosure: I'm far from an expert, newly diagnosed (3 months ago).
My Zilly has always eaten dry as well and I've tried a multitude of wet to no avail (unless I syringe feed). I just switched a few weeks ago to Innova Cat & Kitten (it is high calorie but my cat has lost half of his body weight). According to the Blinky chart it's decent regarding the carbs (23). He LOVES it, as well as my other non-diabetic cat (the pickiest cat I've ever seen).
Good Luck!
You want to find carbs under 10%--Innova Cat & Kitten is too high in carbs for a diabetic cat.
Sometimes it takes some time, effort, and patience to transition to wet food, but please don't give up: http://catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_
Melanie and Smokey
Very Active Member
My little boy has always been on dry food. LD is 11 years old and weights 18 lbs. He has been on Iams weight control cat food most of his life and was diagnosed in August as being diabetic.
Sadly I think this is the starting sentence for most of us who come here. A diet of dry food, especially the weight control foods, seem to bring out the diabetics. My Smokey adores her SD Lite, but she switched to wet and she is diet controlled now. We have Innova cat and kitten out for the younger cat who doesn't eat enough on just wet, Smokey doesn't really eat much if any of it, but her blood sugar isn't effected by having it out.
Sadly I think this is the starting sentence for most of us who come here. A diet of dry food, especially the weight control foods, seem to bring out the diabetics. My Smokey adores her SD Lite, but she switched to wet and she is diet controlled now. We have Innova cat and kitten out for the younger cat who doesn't eat enough on just wet, Smokey doesn't really eat much if any of it, but her blood sugar isn't effected by having it out.
squeem3
Very Active Member
Julia & Bandit said:
Agreed. The Innova Cat/Kitten dry food is way too high in carbs for a diabetic (all cats in generall, really). High carb dry food is one reason why so many cats end up diabetic.
The Innova EVO dry food is better at 7% carbs but it is still dry food which means no water content resulting in possible urinary tract and other health problems.
DEF said:
Most canned food containing tuna is fine :smile: All the essenetial vitamins and minerals have been added to the food. Check the ingredient list.
There are some tuna-only canned cat food that do not contain any vitamins or minerals. I think Fancy Feast Appetizers is one. These are ok as a once in awhile treat but definitely not as the main daily food. Tuna for people is also not a suitable daily food but is ok as a once in awhile treat.
Lisa dvm
Active Member
rosesnow said:
Unfortunately, your vet is very typical of most of my colleagues who are dangerously ignorant about the optimal feeding of cats.
It is, of course, up to you to decide how to feed your cat - but hopefully your decision will be made after doing some reading....and looking at Opie's pictures....and applying your common sense....something your vet is not doing.
Ash is what is left over when any food is burned. Please Google it for a more complete answer.
Also, ask him what he is basing his statement on that EVO wet is "full of ash".
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