Food. Question Orijen limited carb
- Thread starter Cheryl & Missy
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squeem3
Very Active Member
Re: Food. Question Orijen 0 carb
It still needs something starchy to hold the ingredients together while it is "cooked to death" (as Dr. Lisa likes to say). I guess that's what the potato in the food is for. Since all dry food needs a starchy binder of some sort, there is no way it can have zero carbs.
There is air dried raw food that is similar in shape and size and texture to dry food. ZiwiPeak is one brand and contains no filler ingredients like fruits and veggies. It's a healthier alternative to regular dry food, IMO.
My two cents :smile:
It still needs something starchy to hold the ingredients together while it is "cooked to death" (as Dr. Lisa likes to say). I guess that's what the potato in the food is for. Since all dry food needs a starchy binder of some sort, there is no way it can have zero carbs.
There is air dried raw food that is similar in shape and size and texture to dry food. ZiwiPeak is one brand and contains no filler ingredients like fruits and veggies. It's a healthier alternative to regular dry food, IMO.
My two cents :smile:
Melanie and Smokey
Very Active Member
Re: Food. Question Orijen 0 carb
There is no way something that is 20% fruit and veggies is 0 carbs. That is pretty much all fruit and veggies consists of - carbs.
There is no way something that is 20% fruit and veggies is 0 carbs. That is pretty much all fruit and veggies consists of - carbs.
Cheryl & Missy
Member
0 carb was my misinterpretation so changed subject sorry,
Guess not asking ideal answer asking if better. Then average dry?
Guess not asking ideal answer asking if better. Then average dry?
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: Food. Question Orijen 0 carb
It's impossible to know what the carb content of this food is without the as-fed values (dry matter analysis). Just because the manufacturer claims that the food is low carb doesn't mean that it is. Most of the grain-free dry foods that use potatoes as the binding agent end up being somewhere around 20-something % carbs (I'm thinking of Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo).
There is no "good" dry food for a diabetic cat. Even the lower carb, grain free foods can still keep blood glucose levels high and create problems regulating your cat.
Again, I would really urge you to examine feeding a canned only diet. Here is an example of an autofeeder that people use to feed canned food when they are gone--you just freeze the food and it stays good for up to 24 hours. Here is another example of an auto feeder. It has a compartment for an ice pack so that food stays fresh in it even longer. You mentioned that your concern about feeding the canned only diet was because you're often away on the weekends--however, won't someone need to come over and give your cat the insulin injections while you're away? Could this person set the autofeeder when they come to do the injections?
I'm sorry to be nagging about the dry food, but I really just want to help you find a solution that works for you and your cat.
It's impossible to know what the carb content of this food is without the as-fed values (dry matter analysis). Just because the manufacturer claims that the food is low carb doesn't mean that it is. Most of the grain-free dry foods that use potatoes as the binding agent end up being somewhere around 20-something % carbs (I'm thinking of Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo).
There is no "good" dry food for a diabetic cat. Even the lower carb, grain free foods can still keep blood glucose levels high and create problems regulating your cat.
Again, I would really urge you to examine feeding a canned only diet. Here is an example of an autofeeder that people use to feed canned food when they are gone--you just freeze the food and it stays good for up to 24 hours. Here is another example of an auto feeder. It has a compartment for an ice pack so that food stays fresh in it even longer. You mentioned that your concern about feeding the canned only diet was because you're often away on the weekends--however, won't someone need to come over and give your cat the insulin injections while you're away? Could this person set the autofeeder when they come to do the injections?
I'm sorry to be nagging about the dry food, but I really just want to help you find a solution that works for you and your cat.
Cheryl & Missy
Member
Re: Food. Question Orijen 0 carb
Julie don't apologize, again I am still struggling acceptance wise, regarding diet which was my biggest stressor on learning the diagnosis. Yes if we went out of town we would have to figure something regarding insulin and probably even overnight trips to family will be out. I have worked in the human health field, not currently due to issues dealing with stress on my account so yes that's impacting me now also. I know years ago in human diabetes Ada diets were tighter controlled, but now allow some flexibility diet wise with limited carbs.
Missy is 18 years old, with steroid induced diabetes. Trying to wean her down, but know we tried that before, and her liver issues resumed. I would love to wean her off, but do not want to stress her either so taking step by step.
Diet is my anxiety for her now, just knowing do not have to do Hills has given me options with foods she already eats, canned food wise and freeze dried rehydrated. Tomorrow we will go in with her and start insulin. That scares me less, right now anyway. Shots I can handle :lol:
I know it came due to steroids. I do appreciate everyone's help, not trying to appear no compliant just searching for flexibility to not stress her either.
By the way have emailed them already asking for as fed info on dry matter analysis.
Julia & Bandit said:
Julie don't apologize, again I am still struggling acceptance wise, regarding diet which was my biggest stressor on learning the diagnosis. Yes if we went out of town we would have to figure something regarding insulin and probably even overnight trips to family will be out. I have worked in the human health field, not currently due to issues dealing with stress on my account so yes that's impacting me now also. I know years ago in human diabetes Ada diets were tighter controlled, but now allow some flexibility diet wise with limited carbs.
Missy is 18 years old, with steroid induced diabetes. Trying to wean her down, but know we tried that before, and her liver issues resumed. I would love to wean her off, but do not want to stress her either so taking step by step.
Diet is my anxiety for her now, just knowing do not have to do Hills has given me options with foods she already eats, canned food wise and freeze dried rehydrated. Tomorrow we will go in with her and start insulin. That scares me less, right now anyway. Shots I can handle :lol:
I know it came due to steroids. I do appreciate everyone's help, not trying to appear no compliant just searching for flexibility to not stress her either.
By the way have emailed them already asking for as fed info on dry matter analysis.
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: Food. Question Orijen 0 carb
The recommended diets for diabetic cats and people are rather different. Yes, there is some flexibility in regards to carbs with people, but people are not obligate carnivores like cats are. We can handle carbs much better than cats. Diabetic cats, especially, can be very, very sensitive when it comes to carbs. Bandit cannot eat any of the lower carb dry foods or his blood sugar shoots sky high.
I'm curious why you think weaning her off the dry food will cause her stress? I've found that as long as you're feeding frequently (at least 4 times a day), a cat on a canned diet isn't stressed from not having food down all the time. You can also free-feed canned food just like you do dry if you do want to leave food down--you just add some water to keep it from drying out.
Why don't you try eliminating the dry, and post any problems you might have with the process here? We were all in your shoes at one time or another, so we can definitely help you with advice and encouragement!
The recommended diets for diabetic cats and people are rather different. Yes, there is some flexibility in regards to carbs with people, but people are not obligate carnivores like cats are. We can handle carbs much better than cats. Diabetic cats, especially, can be very, very sensitive when it comes to carbs. Bandit cannot eat any of the lower carb dry foods or his blood sugar shoots sky high.
I'm curious why you think weaning her off the dry food will cause her stress? I've found that as long as you're feeding frequently (at least 4 times a day), a cat on a canned diet isn't stressed from not having food down all the time. You can also free-feed canned food just like you do dry if you do want to leave food down--you just add some water to keep it from drying out.
Why don't you try eliminating the dry, and post any problems you might have with the process here? We were all in your shoes at one time or another, so we can definitely help you with advice and encouragement!
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