Talk to me: Lantus cats on low dosages of insulin who don't eat...

Status
Not open for further replies.
KleineMue

KleineMue

Member Since 2014
Hi, trying to find some information about diabetic cats who don't eat...

Seems Pedro is feeling nauseous and "rather grotty" as the vet put it and doesn't want to eat. He drank a fair amount but shows no interest in food, not meowing although I did see him wee and I did see him drink. He also initiated intense cuddles and stroking as he always does and settles down near me to sleep happily, purring, seemingly content except he doesn't eat.

Injected him with insulin as per our shooting schedule this morning and saw his blood glucose coming down within 30mins from very high to still quite high, not near a "danger zone" unless he crashes somehow but I am keeping a close eye on him.

Anyone else's cat had a spell when they didn't eat for whatever reason? And what did you do about it?

Just looking to hear people's stories and experiences.

Mue x
 
If it's nausea that's causing Pedro to refuse to eat, you've got to get the nausea under control. It's just like a human, if you're feeling nauseated, the last thing you want to do is eat! Depending on what the reason may be, famotidine (in the US, Pepsid) can help to settle a cat's stomach (2.5mg twice a day). There are two prescription medications that may help: ondansatron or maropitant. Ondansatron should be available in the UK since it's a widely used drug to control nausea and vomiting especially in people who are undergoing chemotherapy. It's available both in tablet and injection form. You'll need to check with your vet regarding dose.

As far as enticing a cat to eat, the following may be useful information:


  • sometimes in order to get a cat to eat you even have to resort to dry it is more important that they eat. there are a couple low carb / grain free brands -- EVO and wellness core.
  • making a buffet to give him choices
  • heating food
  • sprinkle food with :
    • forta flora -- a probiotic you can get at vets or online. is very smelly and cats love the taste of it.
    • parm. cheese
    • smashed crumbles of dry food
    • bonito/tuna flakes
    • freeze dried chicken treats -- crumble into dust over food
  • poor a little water from tuna in water over food ( I use low sodium/no sodium added as other kinds in water has veg. broth in it and I assume that means onions, which are toxic to cats-- check labels
  • powdered oregano. yep sounds weird . but some cats like it and it will entice them to eat.
  • other ideas of foods to offer your kitty to stim appy:
    • trader joe tuna for cats
    • baby food -- beechnut turkey and broth or chicken and broth. they have no onions or other additives. some baby foods have onions . please read labels if you can't find beechnut.
    • kentucky fried chicken
    • deli turkey /chicken
    • plain cooked ( boiled or baked ) chicken breast
    • canned chicken for people (watch the label that their are no onions)
    • chicken broth -- low sodium
  • If enticements don't work, you should consider:
    • assist feeding ( syringe or make little meatballs and place in mouth)
    • and/or talking to your vet about appetite stimulents ( mirtazapine or cyproheptidine) providing your cat isn't nauseated



 
Rusty is not food-motivated, either. But if we hold the bowl, he always will eat. He is a grazer and never eats all his food at once. He likes to eat while sitting on the couch with us in the evening, watching TV. We bring his bowl up on the couch and he grazes on it for about 2 hours, until he finishes it. I always add warm water to his food. It brings up the aroma and the flavor. In the really cold mornings we are having now, I add the warm water to his food and then put the whole bowl into a larger, flat soupbowl with warm water in it. I put this on top of the radiator. This intrigues him and he goes right to it, eats some, and then I take it down, take the food bowl out of the water bowl, and set it on the floor for him to graze on (I don't want to leave it on top of the radiator too long!).

Whatever works. Sometimes food can become associated in the kitty mind with pleasurable routines (like the couch/TV).

Good luck!

Ella & Rusty
 
Last edited:
Hi just jumping in cats have a bad habit of staying away from food and sometime its just to get them started again. I always get some food put it on my finger and put on back of tongue just small amounts and have a little on the plate .....do this every few hours ...usually they will start eating on their own. Good luck beautiful healing green light surround your baby and help him feel better Hugs Kath
 
Thank you all so much for your replies! This has been most useful and I made lots of notes.

I spent the night feeding Pedro using a syringe, just enough to keep his numbers up and this morning much to my delight he showed signs of being interested in food and just before he ate on his own accord some of his diabetic food! Hurrah!!!!!! Soooooooo relieved!!! Will keep at it and thanks again for your help! xxx
 
That's great news. I would also monitor his water intake and carefully syringe some into his mouth if he is looking dehydrated or even just add some to his wet food.

Have you heard back from Ruth (maybe that reply is best on your other thread)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top