Help with picking out food

[PokeysMom]

I'm used to reading what is in foods that I am considering for Pokey. He is overweight so I look for low fat high protein foods that have healthy things in it. I've never seen a carbohydrate section listed on the label. I don't know what I should buy for him. I really didn't like what's listed on the Purina DM label and I don't plan to feed it to him for more than a few days until I get some info here and relay my concerns to his vet. Can someone please help me?

 

[squeem3]

Dr. Lisa just posted an update food chart that you can use See her thread: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=79683 It's the first link in her post.

You can still use the other food charts.lists but the info is slightly out of date on some:

Binky's canned food charts
Pet Food Nutritional Values list
Hobo's Guide To Nutritional Values
Dr. Lynne's Wet Food list
List of low carb gluten free Fancy Feast

There is no food that is both low in carb and low in fat so just do your best to find a food that isn't too high in carbs but also not too high in fat. Diabetic cats should have foods no more than 10% carbs but you may need to increase the carb limit a bit for lower fat.

A canned food that is just low carb can help your cat lose weight anyways. Limiting calorie intake rather than fat helps most cats lose weight. 20 to 25 calories per pound of ideal body weight is usually suggested but cats who need a huge weight loss need to slowly limit their calorie intake to prevent fatty liver disease. Dr. Lisa's web site has more info on how to help your cat to safely lose weight: http://catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

One food that I like to recommend for cats that need to lose weight are the Merrick's 5 star entrees (the ones that have less than 10% carbs, that is). Cowboy Cookout and Surf and Turf have very high protein and low fat compared to other cat foods, and they are both low carb. I struggled with Bandit's weight for some time, and I had the hardest time getting him at his ideal weight with higher fat foods like EVO and Wellness. When we switched to the Merricks, the extra flab just melted off him and turned into muscle. He's been maintaining a healthy weight ever since, and I don't have to meticulously count calories like I did with the other foods.

 

[PokeysMom]

Thank you both for your help. I will take the time to look through the food chart and I will try the Merrick 5 and see if he likes it. He's a bit picky.