Newby: Diet check and testing question as we get started

[RuthC]

Recently diagnosed George is enjoying his changeover to a new diet, and I wanted to check in with the experts here. I'm switching him to Merrick BG wet food, expecting to feed probably about 2 cans a day (? he weighs about 16 pounds and is not overweight). He loves and adores wet food so no difficulty getting him to eat it. I am feeding this in 3 meals a day.
At Chow Hound I discovered an Evo "Ancestral Diet" kibble that is only 7% carbs, 50% protein. I leave out a handful of this at a time for him to nibble on just in case he feels hungry and because he's used to free choice feeding. Evo also makes a cat snack that I bought a little pouch to try as a treat when we do testing, similar composition to the kibble.
The Hills W/D that the vet sold me will probably get fed to the possum who lives under my deck.
George had a vet-visit-stress BG level of 342 last week, but I'm hopeful that this diet will make a big enough difference we can avoid or at least minimize the need for insulin.
Vet said to come back in a month after the diet change and we'll redo blood tests, but I plan to pick up a glucometer and get started learning what his numbers look like and follow the changes resulting from this new diet. As I do that, when is the best time to do a test - before breakfast? After he eats? Both?
Does this all sound like an ok program to those of you with a lot of experience?

 

[squeem3]

Re: Newby: Diet check and testing question as we get starte

Recently diagnosed George is enjoying his changeover to a new diet, and I wanted to check in with the experts here. I'm switching him to Merrick BG wet food, expecting to feed probably about 2 cans a day (? he weighs about 16 pounds and is not overweight). He loves and adores wet food so no difficulty getting him to eat it. I am feeding this in 3 meals a day.
At Chow Hound I discovered an Evo "Ancestral Diet" kibble that is only 7% carbs, 50% protein. I leave out a handful of this at a time for him to nibble on just in case he feels hungry and because he's used to free choice feeding.

You can free feed the canned food. Many people here do that for their diabetic cats. A programmable timed feeder is great for this purpose. You can freeze the canend fodo into chunks and let it defrost in the timed feeder or just add extra water to the food to keep it from drying out too fast. Several mini meals throughout the day is best for most diabetic cats.

I would not feed any dry food, not even grain-free dry food. Dry food has to contain some kind of starch to hold the kibble pieces together. Even low carb grain-free kibble can keep blood glucose levels too high. Most cats really don't miss having any dry food at all :smile: If you feel hat your cat has to have something crunchy, try freeze dried raw food instead. It's crunchy but not as hard as dry food and a ton healthier for a cat. raw food is also low in carbs. You can try Stella and Chewy's brand. It's 100% complete so can be fed as an actual full meal if needed (like if you have to evacuate for an emergency), unlike other brands which are supplement only. Ideally freeze dried raw food should be rehydrated in water before serving but if you only intend to feed it as treats or a few pieces for snacks, it's ok to feed dry.

Evo also makes a cat snack that I bought a little pouch to try as a treat when we do testing, similar composition to the kibble.

I think those are ok for a diabetic. Here is a list of popular low carb treats: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9172

Vet said to come back in a month after the diet change and we'll redo blood tests, but I plan to pick up a glucometer and get started learning what his numbers look like and follow the changes resulting from this new diet. As I do that, when is the best time to do a test - before breakfast? After he eats? Both?
Does this all sound like an ok program to those of you with a lot of experience?

Daily hometesting is key to managing diabetes, where for a Human or a pet.

Since you're not starting insulin at the moment, just start learning how to test. I suggest testing before the cat eats breakfast and dinner since those are the times when you will likely be giving insulin later and you want your cat to get used to it. You can add in one or two more tests during the day if you can.

Once you start insulin, always always test BEFORE giving the insulin. You need to know if the blood gluocse level is at a safe enough level for any insulin to be given. Newbies should never give insulin if the level is under 200. The typical routine is test the blood glucose level, give insulin, and then feed. Some people give their cat food first and while the cat is eating, test and give insulin.

 

[BJM]

Re: Newby: Diet check and testing question as we get starte

Please see my signature link for secondary monitoring tools, with special note on testing for ketones, since you are not starting insulin right away. Too little insulin means the body may break down fat for energy, which creates ketones and may lead to ketoacidosis (toxic ketone levels, a medical emergency that is costly to treat).