Have questions about transitioning from dry to wet food

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cindymcd

Member Since 2012
First an update on Hitchcock: after being on his Lantus insulin for only 5 days, I am happy to report that his number went from 559 (8/29 day he was diagnosed; began insulin on 8/30) to 305 (today 9/4). My vet was really pleased and DID NOT increase his dosage of 1 unit twice/day.

I know I can get Hitchcock's numbers down more with a new wet diet, however I am very confused how to begin transitioning him from dry to wet food. I attempted this evening to place a small teaspoon of Friskies pate in his bowl along with his dry food. He did not like it and refused to eat it. Meanwhile his brother, Fellini, lapped it up.

I know first I must find a flavor/brand he likes, but then what? How do I know how much to increase the ratio between wet and dry? How do I adjust the insulin after I take a reading?
confused_cat

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Cindy
 
Cindy, this website done by a vet has great ideas for transitioning from dry to wet: www.catinfo.org

Yes, trying different flavors help. My kitty didn't get the "texture" of the pate flavors. It helps when I add some warm water to make it kinda soupy. Sometimes it helps to "dress" the wet with Bonito flakes, tuna juice, Parmesan cheese - even a bit of the dry food crushed on top.
 
Its a process, not an event. ;-)

One trick is to wipe just a tiny bit on the paw fur ... which is then groomed off. It gets the smell gets associated with a good taste. Repeat as needed.

Slightly cut back the dry or go to set meal times where canned is put out first for maybe an hour prior to any dry being down, so that hunger provides an additional prompt to try the wet food.
 
My Emma's BS dropped 100 points one day after removing all dry food from her diet - she was eating about half dry, half wet prior. So definitely work on getting rid of the dry! There are lots of good tips here: http://www.catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_
Also, be sure to choose a low carb wet food - some wet food are loaded with carbs! You can use this list as a guide: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8U...TkxOGM4NThk/edit?num=50&sort=name&layout=list
Choose a food that is less than 10% carbs - the lower the better!
 
Hiya,

I'm about to try to convert my sugar kitty over to wet, so maybe we can support each other in this endeavor. Our local Petco had Friskies on sale 40 can's for $20 and since I'll also be converting 3 other kitties I thought it was a good deal. I took the list off of the this website and picked flavor's that were appropriate for Dagger.

I'll be trying 1/4 can with some dry food tonight.

Kim/Benton, AR
 
An alternate grain-free food low carb suggestion is Stella and Chewy's freeze dried raw foods. I posted recently about some of their new varieties and the new small pouches of the food: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=77802 Ideally it should be rehydrated in water for a few minutes before feeding but it can be fed dry. It has the same texture as freeze dried meat treats and comes in easy to eat pieces. The food is pricier than canned food, though, so it might not be the best choice for those on a budget or have mutliple cats to feed.
 
Good news - Hitchcock is eating canned food! After turning his nose up the first go around, all of a sudden this morning he lapped up his entire breakfast! I am so happy! :-D

Thanks for all of the great food suggestions.

He is also being a dream kitty with his glucose testing. We did the first one last night and after a rough start, I had a little talk with him in a very sweet and loving tone and then when we tried the second time he just calmly laid there and let us do the test. I just wish the reading had been better. It was 449 when at the vet the day before it had been down to 305.

I must be patient - I know this will take some time, but I am encouraged that he's eating canned food finally so I'm hoping we'll see some changes soon.

Thanks for your support everyone!

Cindy
 
Hiya,

Our cats must have been on the same page last night. Dagger dug right into his wet food. There wasn't a scrap left last night. I just hope it wasn't a fluke and he'll continue to eat it.

Kim/Benton, AR
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top