? Help please - frustrated and not sure where Nikko is in his diabetic journey

[AmandaJean]

Hi everyone,

As hilarious as the thread was when Nikko ate 1/4 a box of crackers, and we shared our stories - Nikko has had three, almost four food-stealing incidents since then. The "almost" was today where I kid you not, he stole a grilled cheese out of my hand and started to run away but I grabbed it back.

He's quite the character but it's impossible for me to understand if he needs to go back on insulin so I'm seeking your help. My charts are updated, including "incident reports".

I know I need to be more diligent about keeping him away from food, it's actually embarrassing and I refrained from posting about this because of that. Each time I've turned my back for a moment and before I know it he's into something. I have child locks on my kitchen doors and cabinets right now.... why is he so hungry??

 

[Crista & Ming]

I wonder if it would be beneficial to do a curve and see what Nikko's doing throughout the day?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I like Crista's suggestion. I'd be very curious at to what a few AM and PM spot checks would tell us.

Aside from his stealing food, are there any other behaviors that are out of the ordinary? Are his litter box deposits, especially his pee, at a normal amount or greater than when he was in more solidly green numbers? Is he drinking more?

How much does Nikko weigh? How many calories per day are you feeding him? Has he lost weight?

One issue that can effect appetite is thyroid. When was the last time you had a complete blood panel run that included thyroid values? You noted that he has asthma. Is he getting oral steroids (not inhaled) to manage the asthma? Steroids can make cats voracious.

Does Nikko go outdoors? Creepy crawly things like worms or a tapeworm (especially a tapeworm) can cause him to be hungry. If he's had fleas, tapeworm can be an issue.

The bottom line may be that if he's that hungry, give him more food. If he starts gaining weight, provided he's not underweight, then you can cut back on the food.

 

[Krystina & Nelli]

Hi everyone,

As hilarious as the thread was when Nikko ate 1/4 a box of crackers, and we shared our stories - Nikko has had three, almost four food-stealing incidents since then. The "almost" was today where I kid you not, he stole a grilled cheese out of my hand and started to run away but I grabbed it back.

He's quite the character but it's impossible for me to understand if he needs to go back on insulin so I'm seeking your help. My charts are updated, including "incident reports".

I know I need to be more diligent about keeping him away from food, it's actually embarrassing and I refrained from posting about this because of that. Each time I've turned my back for a moment and before I know it he's into something. I have child locks on my kitchen doors and cabinets right now.... why is he so hungry??

@AmandaJean, I can’t believe I’m reading this about Nikko! Look at what I caught Nelli doing in the wee hours this morning
Nikko and Nelli might like to be boyfriend and girlfriend... at minimum Partners in Crime!

 

[AmandaJean]

I like Crista's suggestion. I'd be very curious at to what a few AM and PM spot checks would tell us.

Aside from his stealing food, are there any other behaviors that are out of the ordinary? Are his litter box deposits, especially his pee, at a normal amount or greater than when he was in more solidly green numbers? Is he drinking more?

How much does Nikko weigh? How many calories per day are you feeding him? Has he lost weight?

One issue that can effect appetite is thyroid. When was the last time you had a complete blood panel run that included thyroid values? You noted that he has asthma. Is he getting oral steroids (not inhaled) to manage the asthma? Steroids can make cats voracious.

Does Nikko go outdoors? Creepy crawly things like worms or a tapeworm (especially a tapeworm) can cause him to be hungry. If he's had fleas, tapeworm can be an issue.

The bottom line may be that if he's that hungry, give him more food. If he starts gaining weight, provided he's not underweight, then you can cut back on the food.

Thank you for all the helpful advice!

He doesn't have asthma - not sure if I have an abbreviation somewhere that might make it appear so, please let me know

He's putting on weight after his loss from the diabetes but he's still thin so think I'm going to up his wet food. He's around 6 lbs and eats 1.5 big can (5 oz) per day but I think I need to move it to 2.

Luckily at diagnosis (early March) I did the full blood panel and tests... spent about $800 but his thyroid is good. He's an indoor cat, and I haven't noticed any of the pre-insulin diabetic behaviours coming back, like excessive thirst or urinating.. so that's good. Just worried he's gonna get back there.

I'll feed him more and do a curve this weekend and report back.

 

[AmandaJean]

@AmandaJean, I can’t believe I’m reading this about Nikko! Look at what I caught Nelli doing in the wee hours this morning
Nikko and Nelli might like to be boyfriend and girlfriend... at minimum Partners in Crime!

hahaha they probably have their own message board where they share tips on stealing food! You should have seen my face when he took the grilled cheese OUT OF MY HAND

 

[MindyC]

I'm having a good laugh at Nikko's antics. I had a cat for a few years who was also a food stealer, though he never grabbed a sandwich out of my hand. He was more sneaking about it, flinging things off the kitchen counter. I actually started using a bread box when I had him. He was malnourished as a kitten (stray adopted non-cat people, and then she disappeared 10 days after the litter was born), so he was like a human child with food insecurities. He'd eat anything, anytime.

I would also agree with feeding him more--if he's skinny, then let him eat, just keep it low carb. Because Max needs more food to gain what he lost with the diabetes, my other cat is getting a little chubby too...but we'll deal with it later when Max gets sort of regulated. My other cat always seems to be whining/pawing for food any time I'm in the kitchen too. One of these days I just might feed him some canned tomatoes to see what he does (he comes running any time a can gets opened, regardless of the contents).

And of course, hugs to you. I get the frustration. I also hope you'll keep coming back and sharing stories of his thievery!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I think I picked up the asthma from Christa's signature. I was going back and forth between you post and what I was writing and Ming was above what I was writing. Sorry.

If Nikko is that underweight, I don't find it surprising that he's hungry all the time. Cat's generally know what they need and I suspect he's trying to tell you something. I would increase his food and keep an eye on his weight. If you're not doing so already and if it's possible, you might want to allow him to graze or use a timed feeder to provide him with multiple small meals that are spread out throughout the day.

 

[Camille and Cyclone]

I understand your frustration! It's difficult and annoying to have to be the food police and lock up everything remotely edible, and he still gets into contraband. Maybe giving Nikko more (low carb) food will help.

Clearly his pancreas is working, but it's hard to make any judgement about OTJ under the circumstances.

My Tiger is a similar problem. He has some kind of pica and will eat all kinds of stuff: plastic bags, shoelaces, my sweatpants and underwear, tissues, any kind of string or ribbon. Not just chew or lick like a normal cat, but eat. I have to keep my clothes safely in drawers or closets, keep plastic out of his reach, hide my tissues, and warn visitors not to leave anything lying around where he can get at it. Recently I've had him on a weight loss diet and he's started taking a strong interest in what I'm eating too.