Possible to overfeed?

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Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith

Member Since 2016
just wanted some feedback. Cooter has dropped quite a bit of weight recently, due to his diabetes (4lbs in 4 weeks, he was a 20-22lb boy the beginning of the year, down to 15, and he has a very large frame). I am feeding him wet mostly now, he did apparently sneak a bite from the dry bowl looking at his PMPS number. So far today he has eaten 4 cans of wet (3oz cans, so its not a crazy high amount) and I know he will eat at least 1 more tonight. Is it possible to overfeed him and cause any diabetes related complications, besides possibly slightly higher BG numbers? I just can't stand the thought of him being hungry when I know how much he's already lost. Just dont want to do more harm then good!

Thanks!
 
Until his diabetes is under better control, he's not able to get the nutrition from the food so at this point, you really can't "overfeed" him but you do want to be careful that when he starts to gain again, that you don't go too far in the other direction. Obesity is one of the enemies of diabetes.

The easiest way to explain it is to think of insulin as a "key"....each cell in the body has a "lock" on it, and without the key, the glucose from the food he's eating can't get into the cell so it's literally starving to death. The glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of getting into the cells to "feed" the cat.

I'd weigh him once a week and when he starts to gain again, pay attention to how much he's eating and hold it there....as he approaches his "ideal" weight, reduce the amount he eats so he doesn't get too fat

If you can afford it, this Homeimage baby/pet scale is a great thing to have around, but if you can't, you can use a plain bathroom scale and weigh yourself, pick up Cooter and do the math to see how much of it's Cooter
 
Chris & China said:
Until his diabetes is under better control, he's not able to get the nutrition from the food so at this point, you really can't "overfeed" him but you do want to be careful that when he starts to gain again, that you don't go too far in the other direction. Obesity is one of the enemies of diabetes.

The easiest way to explain it is to think of insulin as a "key"....each cell in the body has a "lock" on it, and without the key, the glucose from the food he's eating can't get into the cell so it's literally starving to death. The glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of getting into the cells to "feed" the cat.

I'd weigh him once a week and when he starts to gain again, pay attention to how much he's eating and hold it there....as he approaches his "ideal" weight, reduce the amount he eats so he doesn't get too fat

If you can afford it, this Homeimage baby/pet scale is a great thing to have around, but if you can't, you can use a plain bathroom scale and weigh yourself, pick up Cooter and do the math to see how much of it's Cooter
Click to expand...
great explanation!!!
 
I second that, great explanation! I've been wanting to pick up one of those scales for awhile, just always seems something else comes up before I can actually do it. With an elderly househould I'd really like to start weekly weigh-ins. Appreciate the info :)
 
Chris & China said:
Until his diabetes is under better control, he's not able to get the nutrition from the food so at this point, you really can't "overfeed" him but you do want to be careful that when he starts to gain again, that you don't go too far in the other direction. Obesity is one of the enemies of diabetes.

The easiest way to explain it is to think of insulin as a "key"....each cell in the body has a "lock" on it, and without the key, the glucose from the food he's eating can't get into the cell so it's literally starving to death. The glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of getting into the cells to "feed" the cat.

I'd weigh him once a week and when he starts to gain again, pay attention to how much he's eating and hold it there....as he approaches his "ideal" weight, reduce the amount he eats so he doesn't get too fat

If you can afford it, this Homeimage baby/pet scale is a great thing to have around, but if you can't, you can use a plain bathroom scale and weigh yourself, pick up Cooter and do the math to see how much of it's Cooter
Click to expand...
would a post office scale work?
 
I've go a digital baby scales, too. Delighted with it. Not only does it help monitor overall body weight, it's great for helping me to keep a better handle on Saoirse's hydration levels (she has stage II kidney insufficiency).


Mogs
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Didn't want to clog up the board with another question since I already have this one going, but had a quick Ketone question. I was getting new lancets (actually getting enough of a sample already I was able to go down to the 33g today, YAY!), and noticed the Ketone strips right next to them. I have seen a bunch of posts on testing for them, and was curious if the regular ReliOn human ones would work the same on kitties. I'm really hoping you all say yes, because i got a negative result using them. Cooter was even so nice as to go pee right after I got home with them so I could try it. He is still drinking quite a bit, but I have noticed a big reduction the last few days!

Thanks again for all the answers, this really is a wonderful place and has been such a help in all of this. I know Cooter is thankful, except for the home testing part lol. :cat:
 
Sarah Smith said:
Didn't want to clog up the board with another question...
Click to expand...
Sarah, please DO feel free to 'clog up the board' with as many questions as you want, ha-ha! As Chris says, that's what we're here for. :bighug:

And whatever question you ask, there may well be other folks out there who are wondering about the same question but are not managing to actually ask it. So you may be helping them too. ;)
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