So. A couple of weeks ago, I realized that my Cat, Sam, 14 years old, was getting thinner and eating more. Made me think he was diabetic. Well he IS, only I can't afford the insulin. (Please don't start giving me info about "discount" insulin, I don't have access to it, so that's that.I know he's supposed to have it,but I'm trying here) At any rate, I had previously been feeding him regular wet food. Now I'm feeding him the Fancy Feast stuff in the little cans and he's coming to me for food every hour, practically ON the hour. I can't reach my vet til tomorrow, so I thought someone here would know. Without monitoring his sugar, how much SHOULD I feed him per day? It figures that the small cans are half the amount for twice the price, and at this rate I will be spending $50/week on food. He's not in any pain, and he's still mostly seeming to feel okay except that he wants to eat so often. Any opinions are welcome unless you feel you need to lecture me LOL then that isn't helping. I'm trying to avoid having to euthanize him, for now anyway, but he isn't as happy as usual. The whole situation pretty much sucks for the both of us.
Need Feeding Help (no insulin)
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Melanie and Smokey
Member Since 2010
With unregulated diabetes he is not going to be able to process his food correctly so he will feel hungrier than the amount of food you are giving him indicates he should be. The quick calculation of calories for a cat is 20 calories per pound of healthy weight. If they are underweight, I feed them more than that since the diabetes doesn't let them process the full nutritional value.
Friskies pates are a bit cheaper than Fancy Feast and many are good for diabetics too. Mixed Grill and Country Time are too high, but the other Friskies pates should be OK. Many of the 9Lives Dinners are low in carbs and cost less too.
Do you have any diabetic friends that would be willing to give you their leftover insulin when they get to the end of a vial/pen if its something a kitty can use? Did you go to a vet for diagnosis? If you did and could get a script that you just can't afford to fill, there is a group call Diabetic Cats In Need that can help you with the insulin and supplies. (not lecturing, just letting you know there is a group out there that helps with sugar kitties in need, but they do need a written script to provide insulin).
I hope you are able to find a way to help Sam feel better.
Friskies pates are a bit cheaper than Fancy Feast and many are good for diabetics too. Mixed Grill and Country Time are too high, but the other Friskies pates should be OK. Many of the 9Lives Dinners are low in carbs and cost less too.
Do you have any diabetic friends that would be willing to give you their leftover insulin when they get to the end of a vial/pen if its something a kitty can use? Did you go to a vet for diagnosis? If you did and could get a script that you just can't afford to fill, there is a group call Diabetic Cats In Need that can help you with the insulin and supplies. (not lecturing, just letting you know there is a group out there that helps with sugar kitties in need, but they do need a written script to provide insulin).
I hope you are able to find a way to help Sam feel better.
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Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
@Chris & China - Could DCIN help here?
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
I'm not associated with DCIN, but I'd definitely encourage @JediBoom to contact them!! If you have a Facebook account, you could post on their wall to get someone's attention while you're filling out the application for the Compassionate Assistance program. https://www.facebook.com/DiabeticCatsInNeed/
They can possibly provide you with insulin, syringes and a meter to get started with
They can possibly provide you with insulin, syringes and a meter to get started with
Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
@Chris & China - Thanks for responding to the tag. I know that you're not associated with DCIN but I had an idea you'd know the right way for @JediBoom to get in contact with them. 
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Rescuemamaprays
Member Since 2016
I'm sorry you're going through this. I was in your shoes just about a month ago. I reached out to DCIN, local shelters and cat rescues to no avail. It was frustrating but I found a way eventually to provide my cat with insulin, while it seemed like the world was working against the both of us. Hey, it still seems like the world is working against both of us.
To my knowledge, there are some no kill shelters that will take diabetic cats and care for them for the remainder of their lives if they aren't adopted. Its something to consider. Otherwise, just tough it out.
When I changed chopper from meow mix to fancy feast he ATE SOOOOO MUCH I spent a fortune. I'm low income, with a little girl and my husband just got laid off (still waiting for unemployment to kick in). So trust me, I KNOW financial barriers can make a pet owner feel completely helpless. Eventually, after eating a can of fancy feast every two - three hours for almost two weeks, choppers body adjusted to the change in diet. I began home testing and his numbers dropped but he still needs insulin. (Which is another issue in itself).
I find that alternating between fancy feast classics (a food he REALLY likes) and friskies pate (he takes a couple of bites and walks away) really helps save on food costs but keeps hunger at bay. Previous commenters are right, your cat is STARVING. It really just sucks to watch our babies struggle. No matter what, try everything you can try. No matter what happens to your kitty you will know you did your best!! Hugs to you.
To my knowledge, there are some no kill shelters that will take diabetic cats and care for them for the remainder of their lives if they aren't adopted. Its something to consider. Otherwise, just tough it out.
When I changed chopper from meow mix to fancy feast he ATE SOOOOO MUCH I spent a fortune. I'm low income, with a little girl and my husband just got laid off (still waiting for unemployment to kick in). So trust me, I KNOW financial barriers can make a pet owner feel completely helpless. Eventually, after eating a can of fancy feast every two - three hours for almost two weeks, choppers body adjusted to the change in diet. I began home testing and his numbers dropped but he still needs insulin. (Which is another issue in itself).
I find that alternating between fancy feast classics (a food he REALLY likes) and friskies pate (he takes a couple of bites and walks away) really helps save on food costs but keeps hunger at bay. Previous commenters are right, your cat is STARVING. It really just sucks to watch our babies struggle. No matter what, try everything you can try. No matter what happens to your kitty you will know you did your best!! Hugs to you.
It DOES suck to watch him struggle. Before I started giving him the Fancy Feast, he was happy enough, seemed cheerful, etc though he was thin. Now, I think he's miserable. He eats, then he goes in the bedroom, in the corner, and sleeps until he comes out for more food, an hour later. I don't see how this is benefitting him. I would rather have him be as comfortable and happy as possible for as long as I have him. I told my vet I wanted to keep him home awhile, until he is in active pain or distress. Well, he's getting there really fast. I love him, but he HAS had a fairly long life and I don't want him to be sick or scared, not for a minute. I'll try mixing the different kinds of food for a little while and see what happens. If he perks up, he gets a better quality of life for however long is reasonable. That's probably the wrong thing to say on a forum like this, sorry. Thank you, RescueMama, for your kind words,they are appreciated.--Namaste
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Member Since 2009
@JediBoom
I'm not sure what your vet is telling you in terms of cost, but when Bandit was diagnosed back in 2009, I was not making a lot of money. If your vet will give you script for insulin and syringes, you can get started. Keep in mind that if you start treatment asap, most cats go into remission when the correct treatment path is followed. Bandit has been diabetic for over 7 years now, and he's only needed insulin for about 18 months of those 7 years, total. And at 14, he's still a healthy and active cat!
Here's a breakdown of the costs:
Food: Any low carb canned food will work, it doesn't have to be Fancy Feast. Walmart's Special Kitty Pates come in larger cans and are very inexpensive to feed. You can store the unused portions in the fridge, cat food will keep in the fridge for at least 4 days. You can also freeze portions to leave out as snacks at night.
Insulin: The insulins that are good for cats and have high remission rates are very pricy in the US, but you can order from an online Canadian pharmacy and get insulin for a third of the price with a script from your vet. The most ecomonical way to do it is to buy a 5 pack of pens--this will cost you about $170, but the 5 pack of pens will last you a year or more--that breaks down to $14 a month for insulin. If that is too much money for you to come up with up front, you can purchase a single pen for now to get started and save up if you need more later on (some cats go into remission before you're even done with the pen)--I don't know off the top of my head how much that is with shipping, but someone else might be able to tell you. I think around $70 after shipping?
Syringes: You can get a box of 100 syringes from Walmart for around $13.
Home Glucose Meter: Walmart has some very inexpensive home glucose monitors. You can get a meter for less than $20 there, and then strips are around $10 for 50. You want to budget for about 150 strips a month, which is about $30.
That's all the investment you need to make to treat your cat-I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you can make it work for you!
I'm not sure what your vet is telling you in terms of cost, but when Bandit was diagnosed back in 2009, I was not making a lot of money. If your vet will give you script for insulin and syringes, you can get started. Keep in mind that if you start treatment asap, most cats go into remission when the correct treatment path is followed. Bandit has been diabetic for over 7 years now, and he's only needed insulin for about 18 months of those 7 years, total. And at 14, he's still a healthy and active cat!
Here's a breakdown of the costs:
Food: Any low carb canned food will work, it doesn't have to be Fancy Feast. Walmart's Special Kitty Pates come in larger cans and are very inexpensive to feed. You can store the unused portions in the fridge, cat food will keep in the fridge for at least 4 days. You can also freeze portions to leave out as snacks at night.
Insulin: The insulins that are good for cats and have high remission rates are very pricy in the US, but you can order from an online Canadian pharmacy and get insulin for a third of the price with a script from your vet. The most ecomonical way to do it is to buy a 5 pack of pens--this will cost you about $170, but the 5 pack of pens will last you a year or more--that breaks down to $14 a month for insulin. If that is too much money for you to come up with up front, you can purchase a single pen for now to get started and save up if you need more later on (some cats go into remission before you're even done with the pen)--I don't know off the top of my head how much that is with shipping, but someone else might be able to tell you. I think around $70 after shipping?
Syringes: You can get a box of 100 syringes from Walmart for around $13.
Home Glucose Meter: Walmart has some very inexpensive home glucose monitors. You can get a meter for less than $20 there, and then strips are around $10 for 50. You want to budget for about 150 strips a month, which is about $30.
That's all the investment you need to make to treat your cat-I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you can make it work for you!
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