Rocky was just diagnosed with diabetes Wed. April 17. He spent two days at the vets. We brought him home yesterday and he ate a tiny bit. We gave him his shot. This morning he ate another tiny bit and we gave him his shot. Now he isn't eating at all, but it will be time for another shot. I don't know what to do! Help!!! Do I give him another shot or not? I do not ever want to start syringe feeding. I did it with another cat I had and it was awful for us both. I've tried both canned and dry...no luck.
My cat won't eat at all!
- Thread starter pteacher
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BJM
Member Since 2010
To entice eating (try 1 at a time!)
1) active play sessions trigger hunt, catch, kill, eat behavior cycles. Try about 15 -20 minutes
2) warm the food to baby bottle temp to get it nice and stinky
3) add some tuna juice from water packed tuna.
4) crumble some crushed dry food over the canned if he is/was a dry food addict
5) FortiFlora - some cats go crazy for this - availaable online or at vet's office
5) a teaspoon of plain yogurt with active cultures may perk interest
6) Cat Sip - milk prepared to reduce lactose. Still has carbohydrate in it, but if it gets him to eat something its worth it
7) KMY - kitten milk replacer - sprinkle a bit of the powder on the food. (You can donate any unused to those fostering kittens if it doesn't work!)
Health Status Checks:
1) smell his breath - do you smell nail polish remover or a fruity smell? If yes, he may be in diabetic ketoacidosis and need to go to a vet ASAP
2) gently pull up the fur at scruff of his neck and release. Does it stay pulled up and only slowly go back to normal or does it snap right back down. If it is slow to return, he may be moderately to severly dehydrated.
3) if the fur snaps back, move on to the gum test. Lift the lip, press your finger on the gums and release. Do the gums pink right back up or do they s l o w l y return back to pink? If the latter, he may be mildly to moderately dehydrated.
4) How has his urination been - oceans, lakes, ponds, cups, or spoonfuls? One or two deposits in 12 hours or multiple?
oceans - ponds, multiple times per day suggest uncontrolled diabetes, renal disease, and hyperthyroidism, to mention a few.
numerous spoonful deposits suggest a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or interstitial cystitis could be possible. A vet visit with cystocentesis, with a culture and sensitiviy performed may be required. Possibly an x-ray to look for stones.
5) have you tested for urine ketones? Their are instructions in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools.
Without insulin, his glucose is likely to begin rising. When in doubt, don't shoot.
After 2 days or more of not eating, hepatic lipidosis may set in, where fat breakdown exceeds the liver's capacity to handle it and causing numerous metabolic derangements. Go to the vet; don't wait until you see him turning yellow from bile backing up into the bloodstream!
1) active play sessions trigger hunt, catch, kill, eat behavior cycles. Try about 15 -20 minutes
2) warm the food to baby bottle temp to get it nice and stinky
3) add some tuna juice from water packed tuna.
4) crumble some crushed dry food over the canned if he is/was a dry food addict
5) FortiFlora - some cats go crazy for this - availaable online or at vet's office
5) a teaspoon of plain yogurt with active cultures may perk interest
6) Cat Sip - milk prepared to reduce lactose. Still has carbohydrate in it, but if it gets him to eat something its worth it
7) KMY - kitten milk replacer - sprinkle a bit of the powder on the food. (You can donate any unused to those fostering kittens if it doesn't work!)
Health Status Checks:
1) smell his breath - do you smell nail polish remover or a fruity smell? If yes, he may be in diabetic ketoacidosis and need to go to a vet ASAP
2) gently pull up the fur at scruff of his neck and release. Does it stay pulled up and only slowly go back to normal or does it snap right back down. If it is slow to return, he may be moderately to severly dehydrated.
3) if the fur snaps back, move on to the gum test. Lift the lip, press your finger on the gums and release. Do the gums pink right back up or do they s l o w l y return back to pink? If the latter, he may be mildly to moderately dehydrated.
4) How has his urination been - oceans, lakes, ponds, cups, or spoonfuls? One or two deposits in 12 hours or multiple?
oceans - ponds, multiple times per day suggest uncontrolled diabetes, renal disease, and hyperthyroidism, to mention a few.
numerous spoonful deposits suggest a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or interstitial cystitis could be possible. A vet visit with cystocentesis, with a culture and sensitiviy performed may be required. Possibly an x-ray to look for stones.
5) have you tested for urine ketones? Their are instructions in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools.
Without insulin, his glucose is likely to begin rising. When in doubt, don't shoot.
After 2 days or more of not eating, hepatic lipidosis may set in, where fat breakdown exceeds the liver's capacity to handle it and causing numerous metabolic derangements. Go to the vet; don't wait until you see him turning yellow from bile backing up into the bloodstream!
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
I would not discount syringe feeding. Most cats tolerate it well. Usually it takes awhile for them to accept it. I would have four less cats if I did not syringe feed them
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
You can give SubQ fluids at home.
rhiannon and shadow (GA)
Member Since 2012
What was he eating before?
Will he eat that?
Will he eat that?
akashasmom
Member Since 2013
I am fairly new here, but when I can't get my kitties to eat, I sprinkle KYM kitten milk replacer/replacement on their food and they will usually eat more... I saw someone else suggested it too. I have used it several times but mostly with my Mister Blue who had IHMA and then later when Akasha had stopped eating (before her Dx). Worth a try. I also gave my kitties water from a syringe when they were sick too. They took to it quickly, just be patient when doing it. Poor baby, hope he gets better :cry:
I can't seem to find the list of acceptable foods for Diabetic cats. I thought I saw one on this forum. Before being diagnosed, Rocky was eating Friskies indoor dry food and Fancy Feast canned food. I am trying to get him to eat the prescription food by sprinkling protein treats on the top and sort of mixing it in. He never was a big eater and doesn't eat much all at one time. He likes small meals several times a day. The vet said to feed him half a can in the morning and a half in the evening. He never ate that much before, so he certainly isn't eating that much now. I just don't want him to lose a lot of weight or starve himself. I'm trying to do my best! :roll:
By the way...what does OTJ mean?
By the way...what does OTJ mean?
KPassa
Member Since 2012
pteacher said:
First off, this might be part of the problem. Most all "prescription" foods are much too high in carbs for a diabetic. The one prescription food that actually has a low enough amount of carbs is the Purina DM, which is mostly liver-based causing most cats to get turned off it within a few days to a few weeks. I would stop feeding him the prescription food and return to the Fancy Feasts to see if he'll eat those.
Secondly, if he's always been a grazer, there's no reason to keep him from grazing now. You can mix extra water into the canned food, freeze it, and even use timed-compartments so he'll always have food whenever he wants it.
TheBowHuntress
Member Since 2012
are you home testing?
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Wellness grain free varities are also good. Here's a list.http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=81687
Also if he still isn't eating here are some tips
Also if he still isn't eating here are some tips
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