Duck fat for bulking - how much to give?

[Becky and Toby]

Hello, I'm still trying to put some weight onto Toby and am currently trying the duck fat approach that was suggested to me on here, and was just wondering if anyone knows how much he can have in a day?

Cheers.

 

[BJM]

In cats, 1 gram of fat has 8.5 calories.

Maybe calculate how many calories he is eating and increase by a small percentage (ex 5%) using the duck fat.

 

[Becky and Toby]

In cats, 1 gram of fat has 8.5 calories.

Maybe calculate how many calories he is eating and increase by a small percentage (ex 5%) using the duck fat.

So caloric content is the only thing I really need to worry about? I was a little concerned about adverse effects on digestion and such. Thank you.

 

[BJM]

Well, sudden changes in diet can affect the GI tract, so I would start very modestly with perhaps a teaspoon or two if you decide to do it.

You want to keep the protein calories at about 40% or more in order to build muscle back up. And something like Wellness Turkey & Giblet might do that ratio and be low carb without having to fuss with duck fat.

What vets may do when re-feeding is frequent small meals. In a starvation case, they may use a high fiber product because the animal will eat ravenously and too much, too fast can provoke vomiting (among other things) which defeats the process.

As you establish good glucose control, any extra calories consumed (fat, protein, or carbohydrate) can be stored.

 

[Becky and Toby]

I'm in the UK and not very familiar with Wellness, but I'll see if I can find it. I've started with a little fat in the meantime, and he seems to be doing well, but I'm always keeping a close eye on him anyway :smile:

He's not perfect but is doing pretty well with his glucose, he just isn't gaining weight. I know it can take some time, but with the better numbers his appetite is a lot less than it used to be, and I'm sure his all wet diet is less calories overall than his old urinary dry, so the idea was just to 'sneak' something a little more calorie dense in.

Thanks for the input.

 

[BJM]

Wellness is in the states, so you may not find it. Adding just a bit mixed into his regular food and doing mini-meals may work best - not too much, too rich, too fast to avoid possible GI upsets.

Also note that breakdown of fat for calories creates ketones, even fat which is eaten. It wouldn't be quite the same is ketoacidosis (starvation/lack of insulin often with infection), but maybe urine test to make sure they are never above a trace if they do start showing up.