How much is too much food?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Bob

Bob

Member Since 2014
Hi, I'm confused as to how much food I can give my Bob. He's on Friskies pates. I feed about 2 (5.5oz) cans a day, but he wants more. I closely monitor his weight and he's holding steady at 9.12oz (he was 11lbs pre-diabetes). Can I feed him whenever he's hungry? Is it bad to occasionally give a larger portion?
One more food/diabetes related question: Is vomiting related to diabetes? My Bob may be throwing up a bit more than usual lately, or I'm monitoring him more closely than ever.
Thank you!

Isabelle
 
Until his glucose levels are under control, he is going to be hungry. You can more if needed. If he is vomiting shortly after eating, you may want to feed smaller amounts several times during the day. Because he is hungry, he may be eating too much at one time and that is why he is vomiting. If you are not home during the day, you may want to get a timed feeder to spread the meals out during the day.

Once his glucose levels get under control you should see his appetite and drinking go back to normal. Right now his body is not processing food properly and that is why he is always hungry.
 
A couple other tricks to help with the ravenous appetite:

Use a large platter and spread the food thinly across it. This takes more work to eat fast, so its harder to scarf 'n' barf.
Freeze part of the food before putting it out. It may be nibbled as it thaws.
Add some water to the food. It may help him feel fuller.
 
Lisa I will feed him a bit more. I've been giving lots of small meals, but, come to think of it, I've been giving him a slightly larger meal at night, so that I can sleep a bit longer. I'll monitor me, tonight :)

BJM loved the platter and I'm using it. So far, so good. I'll know more by tomorrow morning. I've been adding water too. I'll use your freezing suggestion more when I get the automatic feeder. Thank you both!
 
You should be ok to feed him more, just watch his weight.

I do think you need more night tests. I suspect he may be dropping below 50 at night. Not only could he be getting to hypo territory but any time he drops under 50 you will want to decrease insulin dose.
 
Wendy, I will feed him a bit more then. I did get a scale for him too, so I can keep up with the monitoring at home, because he hates going to the vet's. I'm trying not to drop below the 1.5 units for now, since his vet insists that he wants him at 3 units.
 
Yikes. Three units would probably give him a hypo. Gave you showed these numbers to your vet? Any vet worth their weight would not recommend a dose increase on these.

And you should get some night tests in anyway... I don't want to scare you but If he is going below 50 he could have a hypo on your hands anyway. Cats are sensitive to such small doses. Better safe than sorry. Your vet isn't going to go through what you will if something happens...
 
Wendy, I got you when you suggested the night monitoring. I did some. I am a zombie all day and all night long. I have messed up many tests at night because I simply cannot see straight any more. I feed around the clock every two sometimes three hours. I will gather more and more data day and night. I'm also spending my nights with Bob curled up on me. I am at least watching him for signs of hypo. Thank you for your concern! I really do. As for the 3 units, what can I say? I thought I could count on my vet, but… as you see, I cannot. I screwed up last night and shot 2.5 hours late creating a major set back, if I hadn't done that, I'd be better equipped to make a decision regarding dosing (dropping or going up .25, that's all).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top