Timing feedings - am I doing it too often?

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MrsCLyn

MrsCLyn

Member Since 2017
Spooky was just diagnosed so at this moment he's not on insulin.

He lot 1.5 lbs over a 3 week period, was ravenous and always drinking. Vet wanted to put him on insulin right away and prescription diet (which is high carb - I don't get that). Instead I stopped all dry food and went out and got canned food from list with 5 or lower carbs.

The can sizes are 2oz (Purely Fancy Feast), 3oz ( Fancy Feast Classic), 3.2 oz (Weruva), 5.5oz (9-Lives).

I have a home office so I have the ability to feed him when it appropriate but I don't know how much he should get? He went from 12.5 lbs to 11.2 lbs. The 6 days he's been on the changed diet he's at 12.8lbs, not acting crazy about food or water. I'll take in a urine sample on Monday to vet to restest.

But -- I have been giving him food about 4x a day which he's been eating all of. Dumb me hasn't kept track of the total ounces he's been getting.

How often should he get food if timing isn't an issue and how many ounces based on body weight?
What is suggested to help keep his levels stable but not over feed him?
 
I have Franklin on Fancy Feast classic and I'm new to the diabetic cat community. My vet told me that if he was hungry to feed him. I was worried about feeding him too much but she said to keep feeding him if he was hungry. However and unfortunately, I was not the winner of the recent huge Powerball jackpot. So I am probably not feeding him as often as he wants. ;) I feed him one can of FF Classic for breakfast and then he usually finishes up what his sister doesn't eat. For lunch I've been giving them a tub of Sheba pate and then another can of FF Classic at dinner. (Sister gets half a can as she isn't as hungry as him.) In the late evening, usually before I go to bed, they get another tub of Sheba pate. Only doing Sheba right now because the grocery store has it on sale buy one get one free. Will probably change to FF Classic instead of Sheba when that sale ends. He may not do it immediately but he always ends up cleaning both dishes. They are lucky to have me home right now because I'm unemployed. Wondering what I will do when I find a job, probably leave more canned food out for them.
 
I'm kinda in the same boat as you. Cost is a factor. I'm looking at making my own and using ice cube trays to freeze portions.

Since you're home what you may want to try is feeding smaller amounts but every few hours. I did that for a few days and my cats hunger seemed to reduce. I'm hoping its because he's stabilizing his sugar levels. From several other responses in these forums, if you can feed a diabetic cat more often then they're less likely to get glucose swings.

I'm new to this but am really looking at lower cost ways of getting my cats healthy.

Good luck
 
Oh yeah, that's right. I did see that ice cube tray idea somewhere. I might try that. I baked some chicken last night (will boil it in the future) and for the first time gave him chicken treats for his BG tests today. Not only does he approve of that, his sister does as well! I feed him a whole can in the morning, but he doesn't quite finish it off. I leave it out and he finishes it within an hour or so. I started a class this week from 10 to 1 on Monday and Wednesday. I gave them some food before I left yesterday. This afternoon his sister let me know it was mid-afternoon feeding time as she sat on the arm of my desk chair, staring at and then nudging me. Same in evening for dinner--one can that he doesn't quite eat but I leave it out and he polishes it off after a little bit. He is newly diagnosed and we are doing well so I don't want to mess that up. They are not as fond of the Sheba as FF so that lasts a little longer. I may try feeding him more smaller meals, as you suggest. Just happy that the Walmart grocery store has lots of FF Classic favors. Their price is close the Target price, where I get a 5% discount with my card but I find that most of the FF classic favors at Target are seafood. I'm okay with a little bit of seafood but prefer the turkey & giblets, or chicken, especially chicken and liver flavors. Maybe I should check on Amazon. :)
 
Good luck - I'm new to this so am reviewing LOTS of posts and vet sites. Funds tight but don't want to feed my cats unhealthy foods either.

BTW - how did you add Franklins info to the bottom of your posts? I can't find anything in the profil section
 
This is the info for completing the signature: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/ I copied someone else's and then edited it with my info.

This is an awesome site. As for insulin, if you haven't heard yet, there is a pharmacy in Canada that some people here have used. It's a lot cheaper there, even with the express shipping. And there is the one forum called Supply Closet I think where people sell or give away insulin and supplies. Also, for test strips, as advised by the people on here, check out Ebay. You will find them cheaper there.
 
You can go here to get info on downloading and copying the spreadsheet template: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/suggestions-tech-support-testing-area.6/ There is also another link on that page for understanding the spreadsheet and how to link to it in your signature. It's best to do that if you are home testing as there are very experienced people on here and they can give you advice based on the numbers in your spreadsheet and the info in your signature about what type and dose of insulin you are using...and also what glucose meter you are using at home.
 
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