Freeze dried chicken - Giving as a snack

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Websterthecat

Member Since 2014
What do you guys think about giving your diabetic cat a few chunks of freeze dried chicken as a snack (not necessarily just a treat)?

A couple days ago Marje mentioned giving a little boiled chicken as a snack later in Gracie's cycle.

As I understand, freeze dried chicken is low in carbs but what about calories? Is FD chicken basically the same nutritionally as fresh boiled chicken? If its alright, how much can I give him?
 
When it comes to plain meat or poultry in any form - raw, cooked, dehydrated - Cat Info indicates you can add up to 20-25% to the diet, then adjust portions as needed to control calories overall.
 
BJM said:
When it comes to plain meat or poultry in any form - raw, cooked, dehydrated - Cat Info indicates you can add up to 20-25% to the diet, then adjust portions as needed to control calories overall.
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Interesting. So the main concern with chicken is not necessarily the carbs (lack of) but simply keeping your cat within calorie range?

How does chicken affect BG levels? Having low carbs shouldn't cause a sugar spike right?
 
I use freeze-dried chicken treats to feed to my cat while I hometest him.
I crumble a few for him and then test him while he munches on them. I've never seen any increase in blood glucose as a result of feeding him those few treats.

Low carb food certainly can raise blood glucose though, but it depends on the amount of food given. For example, if my cat's blood glucose is dropping a bit too fast or too low during the insulin cycle the first thing I usually try is a snack of ordinary low carb wet food; and that gentle intervention has often proved effective in slowing a blood glucose drop. (Steeper drops or lower numbers may require food with more carb content).

Eliz
 
The calorie range is so you don't fatten your cat! It isn't good for them and can make it more difficult to get regulation, much less remission.

And just an FYI: Cats can break a protein or fat molecule apart to create a carbohydrate, it just takes longer and there are by-products you don't want (fat breakdown results in ketones; protein breakdown results in urea)
 
BJM said:
The calorie range is so you don't fatten your cat! It isn't good for them and can make it more difficult to get regulation, much less remission.

And just an FYI: Cats can break a protein or fat molecule apart to create a carbohydrate, it just takes longer and there are by-products you don't want (fat breakdown results in ketones; protein breakdown results in urea)
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Interesting. So fat molecules can convert into carbohydrates- did not know that. I'm leaning so much from you guys! Thanks!
 
That molecule structure and breakdown covered in introductory organic chemistry. They typically have you go through a year's worth of inorganic chemistry first, then start you on the wide world of organic molecules. I've only taken that intro course.

If you search online, there are some free, basic introductory chemistry courses out there if you're so inclined to do a bit of study. Everything is made of chemicals, or molecules assembled in various patterns.
 
BJM said:
That molecule structure and breakdown covered in introductory organic chemistry. They typically have you go through a year's worth of inorganic chemistry first, then start you on the wide world of organic molecules. I've only taken that intro course.

If you search online, there are some free, basic introductory chemistry courses out there if you're so inclined to do a bit of study. Everything is made of chemicals, or molecules assembled in various patterns.
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Sounds fascinating and right up my alley. I just might have to do some reading up on into chemistry whenever life returns to normalcy. :-D
 
My foster Cecil stole and ate 2 brand new bags of freeze dried chicken and turkey. His BGs rose for about a day and he was very gassy ohmygod_smile

I've frequently given him 2-4 pieces at a time and not had it affect him. It really isn't much different than giving him something else low carb as a treat. I asked my vets when Ceci stole the 2 bags and they weren't concerned other than the excess calorie binge.
 
Melanie and Smokey said:
My foster Cecil stole and ate 2 brand new bags of freeze dried chicken and turkey. His BGs rose for about a day and he was very gassy ohmygod_smile

I've frequently given him 2-4 pieces at a time and not had it affect him. It really isn't much different than giving him something else low carb as a treat. I asked my vets when Ceci stole the 2 bags and they weren't concerned other than the excess calorie binge.
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Interesting. Webster ate a large bag of temptation treats a couple years ago. There's no telling what that did to his BG's but I can only imagine.
 
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