High Cholesterol - Maggie

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

Hi,
My Maggie, 11 years old, who has been in remission almost four months, just recently had a senior exam, along with a blood panel. The Vet said everything was fine with her Labs. I asked for a copy for my records the next day and noticed her cholesterol was shown to be high. It was 379 with the range being between 75-220. She's been eating Sophisticat Chopped Grill which is on Janet & Binky's food chart as low carb, and I've just recently started mixing in some Wellness Chicken. I did a little research, and I know this doesn't indicate heart disease. Any ideas! I'm wondering if I should get her on some different food. Thanks.

 

[Lisa dvm]

Ann,

My cats are routinely that high or higher. Keep in mind that the lab normals were generated from cats eating a species-inappropriate high carb dry food so I really question the labs 'normals' for cholesterol and triglycerides. My cats eat only what I make for them....ie...meat...no grains....so I don't worry that their cholesterol is sometimes above the lab's 'normals'.

 

[BJM]

You might check that the protein level is over 40%, in addition to keeping the carbs under 10%; this will control how much fat the cat is ingesting. Much of the lower carb food has used higher fat content to add calories cheaply.

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

Ann,

My cats are routinely that high or higher. Keep in mind that the lab normals were generated from cats eating a species-inappropriate high carb dry food so I really question the labs 'normals' for cholesterol and triglycerides. My cats eat only what I make for them....ie...meat...no grains....so I don't worry that their cholesterol is sometimes above the lab's 'normals'.

Thank you so much, Dr. Lisa, for your response. That sure makes sense and helps me understand why her cholesterol would be in that range with the lab normals being generated from cats eating a high carb dry food. I am trying to get Maggie to eat Wellness chicken.
Thanks again.

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

You might check that the protein level is over 40%, in addition to keeping the carbs under 10%; this will control how much fat the cat is ingesting. Much of the lower carb food has used higher fat content to add calories cheaply.

Thanks BJM for your response. I am going to check out the fat content of the Sophisticat Supreme Chopped Grill. I'm sneaking Wellness brand wet food in with her regular food, too.

 

[cjleo]

You might take a look at the Merrick canned foods. There are a couple where the protein is higher than in a lot of the other canned foods I see, and the carbs are still under 8%.

My cats like the Cowboy Cookout and Surf and Turf.

Claudia

 

[Lisa dvm]

Hmmm...I posted to this issue but it did not go through so let me try again.

Much of the lower carb food has used higher fat content to add calories cheaply.

This is very true since calories from Proteins + Fat + Carb = 100%. Lower one and one or both of the others go up.

Given that protein is more expensive than fat, "grain-free/low-carb" foods select for profit margin-driven high fat diets.

This is a point that I always cover during my consultations.

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

This is very true since calories from Proteins + Fat + Carb = 100%. Lower one and one or both of the others go up.

Given that protein is more expensive than fat, "grain-free/low-carb" foods select for profit margin-driven high fat diets.

This is a point that I always cover during my consultations

.

This is very interesting. Now I know why Maggie isn't losing any weight. Since being diabetic, she's more of a grazer eating mini meals throughout the day. She is nine pounds, a little overweight but not too bad!

 

[Ann & Maggie11 (GA)]

You might take a look at the Merrick canned foods. There are a couple where the protein is higher than in a lot of the other canned foods I see, and the carbs are still under 8%.

My cats like the Cowboy Cookout and Surf and Turf.

Claudia

Thanks for the info on the Merrick. I've been hearing about this brand on LL. Is this brand sold at the Petco and PetsMart stores?