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mdmnore88

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I really am beginning to believe that a dry diet is a huge cause of feline diabetes. I have a diabetic cat on insulin who had all of the signs and lost a lot of weight etc.. I am working on regulating her with insulin. I now have a borderline kitty. Azzy at his last check up had his routine bloodwork done. They do a full panel just to check on things. They told me after he got his check up that he was borderline diabetic. His blood sugar was around 300. I tested him today (now that I am getting the hang of it!) and it is still high- 295. (I use a Relion Prime meter) I have him on an all wet food diet of Authority. He is super easy going so anything else that you suggest he will most likely comply. Honestly he didn't even blink when I pricked his ear. It's been about a week of all wet food. Even the vet said we are going to attempt to change his diet before we try insulin.

So I am just looking for some reassurance or any extra suggestions you may have. As I said Azrael is a super good boy. Super sweet and laid back. I'm hoping to be proactive before we need to actually go on insulin.

Thank you again!
 
Two diabetic kitties? Welcome to my world! If you have any other cats I would switch them all to a low carb canned now..
What flavours of authority? Some flavours are too high carb. Also Maybe find some that are under 8% calories from carbs to help him even more. My boys are on less than 4%. http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf

At 300, I think he may need insulin sooner rather than later. A normal cat is 50-130.

Wendy
 
I was thinking he may need insulin sooner. The vet said he looked perfect besides the blood sugar a little high. I mean he doesn't even have the signs of a diabetic. He hasn't lost weight. He isn't drinking excessively or urinating excessively.

They will eat any flavor that I give them lol. The last time I was there they only had the turkey and the salmon.

I really could switch him to any food. He isn't too picky- nor are my other two kitties- yes I have 4 indoor cats lol. My actual diagnosed insulin dependent cat is the picky one. She refuses the wet food but I just ordered the zero carb food from Young Again. Someone said that even switching from the diabetic prescription food to the Young again it made a big difference on their diabetic kitty. I'm also trying to switch her over using Dr Lisa's method.

What type of foods do your cats like? The only thing I've realized that my cats aren't crazy about is pate' They prefer the slices.
 
Unfortunately, the slices are notably higher in carbs. Pates are really the better, low-carb choice, at least in the less expensive options.
Maybe you could chop up some chicken gizzards to mix in with the pate food, to give it a little bit more "chew"?
 
I have some pates at home. He is pretty go with the flow. I just want to stop this before he is actually diagnosed as a diabetic. He will probably eat them. I do obviously want to keep it as inexpensive as possible- but if I find a good food regardless of cost I will get it for them. That's why I've been dumb enough to pay the money for the diabetic food for so long (for my other kitty). If the food is good and they like it I will purchase it for them.

Do you think Blue Buffalo is worth the money. I know they aren't too fond of Friskies because I bought some before and they were not impressed.

I've seen some people use Wellness. How do their kitties like that?
 
Did you look at the food chart linked from Wendy & Tiggy's post? That will give you the carb content (along with other information) for a number of commercially available foods so you can find an appropriate, healthy food.

I feed Friskies because it's cheap. I'd love to feed my cats a better food, like Wellness Core or Merrick Before Grain, but we just can't afford it. I do splurge a little on the Young Again Zero Carb because I need a dry that won't harm Chester much if he eats it.
 
I am open to any suggestions. At this point to me it's what he will like and eat on a regular basis. I have looked at the chart. I usually buy Authority flaked Salmon or flaked turkey but it's not on the list. They had the turkey and giblets but that's not what I give them.

I think my next stop at the store I will just grab a sample of some good low carb foods off of the list to see which he seems to like the best.
 
mdmnore88 said:
I have some pates at home. He is pretty go with the flow. I just want to stop this before he is actually diagnosed as a diabetic. He will probably eat them. I do obviously want to keep it as inexpensive as possible- but if I find a good food regardless of cost I will get it for them. That's why I've been dumb enough to pay the money for the diabetic food for so long (for my other kitty). If the food is good and they like it I will purchase it for them.

Do you think Blue Buffalo is worth the money. I know they aren't too fond of Friskies because I bought some before and they were not impressed.

I've seen some people use Wellness. How do their kitties like that?

IIRC, Blue Buffalo is all too high in carbs. As for the Friskies, my kitties don't really like the regular Pate versions too much for the same reasons they don't like Grreat Choice (PetSmart brand), Wellness, or Authority: the texture is too mushy. They prefer the Friskies Special Diet varieties, which are lower in carbs, have a more "chunky" texture to it, and are the same low price. I mix it with some water and usually top it off with a little bit of Tiki Cat (super expensive, but SUPER GOOD and my cats love this almost as much as they love treats!).
 
Well I have tested Azzy again tonight. 313. I am calling the vet. She may just tell me to start low on him. I am afraid to start insulin tomorrow because I will be at work, but Saturday I will be home all day. It would be a good day. I haven't seen any decrease in his sugar. Abigail my actual diagnosed diabetic had a 194 preshot reading. So now two babies! I will keep everyone posted. Azzy is eating only wet food. It is the Turkey Authority or Salmon. I am going to try some Wellness my next trip to the store. I've seen good numbers on that and some of the flaked Pro Plans looked very low in carbs. But I may be starting the insulin on Azrael soon.
 
I like fancy feast pâtés, wellness grain free or friskies pâtés for the low carb and price. But take a look at the list and grab a couple of cans of different types and maybe you will find one everyone will like.
 
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