New Diabetic Cat Owner!

[BalRavens726]

Hey all!

I have owned many pets in my life with a plethora of disorders, I suppose I’m drawn to those animals that need a safe and comfortable life the most. When I was in middle school my mom took me to a shelter and I of course picked out a 10 year old blind Dalmatian with a seizure disorder and while it was tough, he was awesome and we were able to give him a happy life!

Which brings me to here, my girlfriend and I were worried animals weren’t being adopted so we went on down to the shelter an what do you know, amongst the cute little kittens that I’m sure will have no problem being adopted there’s a one eyed cute cat with diabetes. Well of course we picked him.

He’s very sweet and cuddly and I am taking him home tomorrow. I have familiarized myself with the procedures (testing, insulin twice a day etc...) but I would of course love any tips and mainly - a question I have is DIET.

Do any of you make any homemade foods? Tuna, chicken etc... or would you recommend more medical/specialized food or simply low carb/high protein fancy feast?

thanks all!

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Welcome and good for you and him!

you’ll find lots of tips here for testing and anything else under the sun when it comes to feline diabetes. Most of us feed wet pate FF because they’re low carb. Stay away from dry and feed low cabs is the rule of thumb. Having said that you should transition him slowly from whatever they’re feeding him now so find out what it is and continue that until you start testing because BG levels can change a lot and drop when you go from a high to low carb diet

Take a look at this link for the basics of how you can set up a signature and a spreadsheet for once you start testing:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

what insulin is he on now and what’s the dosage?

You’ve come to the best place. These guys have helped me so much and still do

Welcome again!

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Most feed low carb canned food but there are a number of people who feed raw (with the necessary dietary supplements).

Welcome.

Edit: your vet may want to to switch to veterinary diabetic cat food. There is nothing special about it except the price.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hey all!

I have owned many pets in my life with a plethora of disorders, I suppose I’m drawn to those animals that need a safe and comfortable life the most. When I was in middle school my mom took me to a shelter and I of course picked out a 10 year old blind Dalmatian with a seizure disorder and while it was tough, he was awesome and we were able to give him a happy life!

Which brings me to here, my girlfriend and I were worried animals weren’t being adopted so we went on down to the shelter an what do you know, amongst the cute little kittens that I’m sure will have no problem being adopted there’s a one eyed cute cat with diabetes. Well of course we picked him.

He’s very sweet and cuddly and I am taking him home tomorrow. I have familiarized myself with the procedures (testing, insulin twice a day etc...) but I would of course love any tips and mainly - a question I have is DIET.

Do any of you make any homemade foods? Tuna, chicken etc... or would you recommend more medical/specialized food or simply low carb/high protein fancy feast?

thanks all!

can’t wait to see his pic btw. And just want to add a few folks here do feed home made and home made raw as well. I’m sure they’ll chime in

 

[BalRavens726]

Welcome and good for you and him!

you’ll find lots of tips here for testing and anything else under the sun when it comes to feline diabetes. Most of us feed wet pate FF because they’re low carb. Stay away from dry and feed low cabs is the rule of thumb. Having said that you should transition him slowly from whatever they’re feeding him now so find out what it is and continue that until you start testing because BG levels can change a lot and drop when you go from a high to low carb diet

Take a look at this link for the basics of how you can set up a signature and a spreadsheet for once you start testing:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

what insulin is he on now and what’s the dosage?

You’ve come to the best place. These guys have helped me so much and still do

Welcome again!

Thank you greatly! I’m already learning a ton just by browsing this forum and by the replies already I can tell this community is a great place to share and learn. I’m excited to get to know everyone and learn more about treatment!

 

[Dusty & Roe]

Thank you greatly! I’m already learning a ton just by browsing this forum and by the replies already I can tell this community is a great place to share and learn. I’m excited to get to know everyone and learn more about treatment!

Hi I’m still learning but the people here are so knowledgeable and helpful not to mention really nice . For me I think homemade is great I just don’t know much about the proper balance ratio . As far as can food I always go high protein low carb check the ingredients and check the company’s recalls . For me if they were recalled I stay away . So far I have narrowed Tiki Cat and Weruva both use human grade food no recalls their chicken looks like shredded chicken . Fancy Feast was also never recalled . My Dusty is not a pate kitty .
Oh and from what I learned it’s very important to have the emergency tool kit just Incase you cats sugar drops too low . I will send you the link

 

[Dusty & Roe]

Hey all!

I have owned many pets in my life with a plethora of disorders, I suppose I’m drawn to those animals that need a safe and comfortable life the most. When I was in middle school my mom took me to a shelter and I of course picked out a 10 year old blind Dalmatian with a seizure disorder and while it was tough, he was awesome and we were able to give him a happy life!

Which brings me to here, my girlfriend and I were worried animals weren’t being adopted so we went on down to the shelter an what do you know, amongst the cute little kittens that I’m sure will have no problem being adopted there’s a one eyed cute cat with diabetes. Well of course we picked him.

He’s very sweet and cuddly and I am taking him home tomorrow. I have familiarized myself with the procedures (testing, insulin twice a day etc...) but I would of course love any tips and mainly - a question I have is DIET.

Do any of you make any homemade foods? Tuna, chicken etc... or would you recommend more medical/specialized food or simply low carb/high protein fancy feast?

thanks all!

The link as promised http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/jojo-and-bunnys-hypo-tool-box.2354/. Feel free to talk anytime Roe

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

For me I think homemade is great I just don’t know much about the proper balance ratio

There's a recipe that Dr. Lisa put together OR

You can use a pre-mix like EZComplete (just add meat and water) Or Alnutrin with eggshell calcium (it's lower in phosphorus so better for kidneys)

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hi I’m still learning but the people here are so knowledgeable and helpful not to mention really nice . For me I think homemade is great I just don’t know much about the proper balance ratio . As far as can food I always go high protein low carb check the ingredients and check the company’s recalls . For me if they were recalled I stay away . So far I have narrowed Tiki Cat and Weruva both use human grade food no recalls their chicken looks like shredded chicken . Fancy Feast was also never recalled . My Dusty is not a pate kitty .
Oh and from what I learned it’s very important to have the emergency tool kit just Incase you cats sugar drops too low . I will send you the link

i like Hounds & Gatos and Rawz as well!

 

[tiffmaxee]

Welcome. Have you started insulin yet? Which one? What dose? How wonderful of you to adopt a special cat! EXComplete uses egg shell as well so good choice if you choose to make your own.