Newly diagnosed/Food advice

[CatsRule]

My husbands sidekick, Mini, was diagnosed with diabetes 4 days ago.


11 years old
Current insulin is ProZinc 1 unit 2 times a day
She is also prescribed 1.25mg of Enalapril 1 time daily for heart murmur

The vet sent us home with Purina D/M wet food and dry food. Mini has always preferred dry food and we were told the dry D/M is a good alternative if she won't eat the wet. She won't touch the wet D/M so we have been feeding her dry D/M. However, everything I've read says dry food is just not an option. I feed my other cats Purina Grain free and she will eat that.

Is Purina grain free canned a good choice for my diabetic cat? I did check out the spread sheet that breaks down the content of each brand by fat, protein, calories but unfortunately the Purina grain free canned is not listed. Are there any other over the counter canned foods that are ok for a diabetic cat?

I don't want to continue feeding her dry while we are trying to get her diabetes under control as I know it is not a good choice (even though my vet recommended it)

Thank you

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Current insulin is ProZinc 1 unit 2 times a day

Good starting dose.

everything I've read says dry food is just not an option

They're too high in carbs, even those sold for diabetics. However there are two, Young Again Mature Zero (available online from their website - they'll send a sample) and Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein (will also send a sample) that are low carb.

Are there any other over the counter canned foods that are ok for a diabetic cat?

Many of us feed Friskies and/or Fancy Feast pates - not the carby gravy types though.

Would you be willing to undertake testing blood glucose at home? It's easier than you think and is the most essential tool to keep Mini safe. We have lots of tips and tricks to help. Some vets won't advise it but she's your kitty.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Purina Grain free is listed but it's one of the sections there is no data for right now. There is a way to calculate a very vauge guesstimate of carb content. It's vauge because it's based off guaranteed analysis listed on labels. Dr. Pierson contacts each company to get As Fed values. You could probably contact them yourself and ask. Some can be a little difficult .

General, vauge, rough, possibly inaccurate GUESSTIMATES (so I can't get yelled at for seeming to provide accurate info )
Grain free Classic Chicken: 5.6% dry matter carbs
Grain free Classic Beef: 5.6% carbs
Grain free Classic Turkey: 5.6% carbs
Gran free Ocean Whitefish: 14.1% carbs

Grain free Chicken True Instinct Dry: 34.1% dry matter carbs

Not all Grain free foods mean carb free . Hope this helps as a general guideline for now.
When you have a moment, it will be helpful to set up your Signature about your kitty: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/