Question about food, frequency etc.

[RenaRF]

Ok. First, sorry for all the posts and thanks in advance for reading my question.

I read the extensive document on feline nutrition - I'd seen it before generally, but hadn't read the section specific to diet and diabetic cats. As a result of that site and multiple comments on this board, I went out and bought some Merrick Cowboy Cookout. I'm led to believe it has either 3% or 5% carbs, is pretty low in fat, and high in good quality protein.

Clide had his glucose curve today, and he was consistent throughout the day at the vet's hovering around 300 at each test. I mentioned in another post that he's a kibble cat, but discussed with my vet moving him to an exclusively wet diet if possible (previously he was eating 1/4 of a can of Purina DM 2x daily and 1/4 of a cup of Royal Canin DS 44 2x daily). I mixed a quarter can of the Cowboy Cookout and a quarter can of the Purina DM, added just a bit of water (Clide only has two teeth, so I always try to thin his wet food a bit).

Clide LOVES it. LOVES. IT.

It could be that he's hungry, frankly - because he didn't eat much for them at the vet's. But I do think he liked the Merrick.

SO.

Can I move to the Merrick low-carb foods for Clide exclusively? Is it safe given I'm trying to get his BG down through dietary methods? Also - I don't free feed. I feed my cats (I have 5) twice a day. Is it sufficient to feed Clide what amounts to half a can in the morning and half a can at night? Does he need to have food available at all times given his diabetes?

Thanks,
Rena & Clide (and Rufus, Feats, Meatball & Bella)

PS We'll re-test in two weeks barring any concerns arising after eliminating dry food from his diet. Fingers crossed.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

As long as Clide is not getting insulin, it is perfectly safe to change his diet to all wet low carb food. It can only help. If his numbers stay in the 200-300 range, then he will most likely continue to act as if he's really hungry. He can't get the nutrition from eating that a "normal" cat can, so he'll need more than "normal".
Generally, eating will make his BG go up. Usually, the insulin would work to counteract that. With no insulin from "outside", then if his body is producing any insulin on its own, that will help control his BG to some extent. Ideally, you'd be better off if you could space out the feeding to 4 or more meals in a 24 hour period, because that would space out the "BG Boost" from eating. You can continue with the two meals, but you may find that he wants and can eat more than 1/2 can per feeding until his BG numbers hopefully come down just due to the diet change.

If you do end up needing to go with PZI and twice a day shots, it isn't the end of the world. Yes, it is all overwhelming at the beginning.....ask any of us, we were right where you are "once upon a time". But it will quickly just become your "new" routine. Home testing isn't hard, and neither is giving a shot. The needles are tiny, nothing like the sub-q needles you mentioned in another thread. I had to do a lot of sub-q administration with Bob, and I hated it! But the insulin shots? He didn't even notice them. I'd never given a shot of any type before, and after one or two days, it was no big deal.

The food you've chosen is a good choice, and glad to hear that Clide is in agreement!
Carl

 

[Teresa and Poopy]

Hi! :smile:

Poopy and I are new to all this so all I can really add is...if insulin shots become something that needs to happen, it's not difficult at all! Now, you are hearing this from someone who faints at the sight of needles, and a cat who doesn't want to be "mauled" by anyone. Poopy sits on my lap while I give him his shot as if he doesn't notice a thing. Easy peasy.

Now blood glucose testing has been a bit more involved, but thanks to the wonderful folks here...we are getting there! :smile:

We do what we have to do for our little fuzzy loved ones, don't we? You can too, if it comes to that. :smile:

Poopy and I are sending our love and well wishes. cat_pet_icon