UK Recommendations

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Mickc79

Member Since 2017
Hi Again, sorry for the posts. We're brand new to this.

Fluff has been on a prescription mix of wet and dry from the vet for the past few years. I've never been convinced of it, but since she has contracted diabetes this week I'm now pretty angry and certain that it is not great food.

Can anyone recommend a nice, healthy wet food for my diabetic cat that is available from normal pet shops or high street supermarkets? Even amazon.co.uk?

This is the food we're on:
http://www.hillspet.co.uk/en-gb/pro...tress-reduced-calorie-with-chicken-pouch.html

and:
http://www.hillspet.co.uk/en-gb/pro...ption-diet-cd-urinary-stress-chicken-dry.html
 
Hi Mick from another UKer... there aren't too many of us here (mainly Americans) but we can all help on the basics of treatment and especially things like food!

First, you should be avoiding dry food as much as possible... too high in carbs for a diabetic cat. Many of us feed wet pouch supermarket brands in jelly (not gravy which contains sugars) - my kitty's favourites are Sainsbury's Delicious (real pieces of shredded chicken or ocean fish, 50% meat) and HiLife chicken again with 50% meat... these are sold in boxes of six and eight respectively but you can get boxes of 32 pouches for a good price online, try Ocado, or the pet superstores.

Whiskas or Felix in jelly are fine also as far as carb content is concerned but not so good on meat content.

Do ask any questions at all, that's what we're here for. Meanwhile I will tag some other UKers who may have some other comments! Good luck.

Diana

@Elizabeth and Bertie @Marlena @Sootyca @SweetAngel
 
Hi Mick, and welcome!

First off, yes, we can certainly suggest UK foods. But if Fluff is already on insulin then it's advisable to only reduce the carb content of the diet if you are able to test her blood glucose at home (way easier than it sounds!). That's because reducing the carb content of the diet can reduce the blood glucose considerably in some kitties, and the insulin dose may need to be reduced in order to avoid hypoglycemia.
If Fluff hasn't started insulin yet then this would be a perfect time to transition her to lower carb food.... :)

Do see the two links in my signature (at bottom of this post). One is general info for UK'ers, and the other is a link to list of low carb foods. Some foods are available from supermarkets (the supermarket foods are further down the list). Note: Not all low carb foods are on the list because there are just so many foods and new ones appear all the time....
Many folks buy cat food online. 'Zooplus' is popular here with Europeans, but there are other options also...

Eliz
 
Hi Mick, so glad you found us!
We are here to help, if you treat your cat's diabetes properly you might achieve remission which is wonderful in itself.
Has your vet told you that? Sweet smell of success... but I can't promise anything.
Best way to start, and it is what you're doing is to feed good quality, very low carb diet.
I understand that you need to get Fluff to loose some weight. First of all it must be very low carb wet food with a lot of protein and high quality fats. Forget low calorie, low fat diet.
I feed Rocky homemade raw food and sometimes wet pouches of Natures:menu Country Hunter Superfood Selection from pet shop. They also make 100% meat treats. NO dry food at all.
I believe the raw food is best and I think it is commercially available frozen but I can understand that it is not very easy for a busy person to make food from scratch.
Elizabeth gathered a lot of information about food so her link is the best starting point.
Ask any questions, we are so happy to help another kitty's parent to go all the way to remission!

Marlena:)
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. Really helpful.

As far as food goes, does this look ok?
http://www.hillspet.co.uk/en-gb/pro...tress-reduced-calorie-with-chicken-pouch.html

This is a vet prescribed food but it comes in gravy, which I've heard isn't great.
We tried the Sainsbury's delicious range and they didn't really take to it, however it was only one try and then we put them back on the prescription stuff next time.

We've been doing 12/12 feeding for 3 days now and they are starting to take to it = however they are not eating anywhere near as much as the packets suggest they should be. They never have.
 
Hi Mick
So Fluff is susceptible to UTIs or cystitis...? Which is why this food has been prescribed? It doesn't look like the one vets usually prescribe for diabetics. I have to say that it wouldn't be my first choice - anything in gravy with 'various sugars' high up on the list of ingredients isn't ideal. You're better off with foods in jelly. What do you think @Elizabeth and Bertie ?

Have you had a look at Elizabeth's food list (above, in her sig)?

Diana
 
Yeah I have but I will definitely go back and give it more of a look. I'm dubious about the stuff the vet has us on. She is on it as she developed bladder crystals a few years ago. The diabetes is only new from last week but the vet hasn't suggested any change.

Great insight on the "various sugars" thing. Thanks a lot.
 
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