Cat diet problems
Discussion
My cat is female and about 14 years old. Until a few months ago she happily ate supermarket own-brand catfood, in fact she seemed to prefer it to Whiskas and Felix etc.
But then she started leaving it, or only having a nibble, or just licking the gravy off and leaving the chunks. I've tried a lot of brands now, and just when I think she likes one, she has 1-2 sachets then goes off it. After a few weeks she started to get a bit thin.
So I thought it was time to try her on real meat instead, a luxury if you like. She loves ham, but I thought that meal-size portions of ham would be too salty and also too pricey. So I bought a pack of chopped raw chicken and, not being sure whether to cook it, tried her with a raw bit. After the initial surprise that went down very happily, and she had several more little lumps. Then I microwaved a bit, and that went down too. Cat was happy, so was I.
About 8am today she arrived at my bedside for a drink of water (as there was no gravy on the chicken I suppose). Then half an hour later - 'ulk-ulk-ulk-WURGH' and there was all the chicken on the landing carpet.
Apart from that she seems fine. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I can try feeding her please?
But then she started leaving it, or only having a nibble, or just licking the gravy off and leaving the chunks. I've tried a lot of brands now, and just when I think she likes one, she has 1-2 sachets then goes off it. After a few weeks she started to get a bit thin.
So I thought it was time to try her on real meat instead, a luxury if you like. She loves ham, but I thought that meal-size portions of ham would be too salty and also too pricey. So I bought a pack of chopped raw chicken and, not being sure whether to cook it, tried her with a raw bit. After the initial surprise that went down very happily, and she had several more little lumps. Then I microwaved a bit, and that went down too. Cat was happy, so was I.
About 8am today she arrived at my bedside for a drink of water (as there was no gravy on the chicken I suppose). Then half an hour later - 'ulk-ulk-ulk-WURGH' and there was all the chicken on the landing carpet.
Apart from that she seems fine. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I can try feeding her please?
Ours can be a bit fussy with the chunks in gravy/jelly type food & often used to just lick the gravy/jelly off.
They love the pate type so we tried mashing the chunky ones with a fork. They haven't twigged that we've conned them.........yet
They have dry kibble - Royal Canin Lite - as well in the other compartment of the bowl & they've always eaten that.
In view of the weight loss & change in eating behaviour I'd let the vet have a look just to rule out anything - such as teeth issues - going on.
They love the pate type so we tried mashing the chunky ones with a fork. They haven't twigged that we've conned them.........yet
They have dry kibble - Royal Canin Lite - as well in the other compartment of the bowl & they've always eaten that.
In view of the weight loss & change in eating behaviour I'd let the vet have a look just to rule out anything - such as teeth issues - going on.
To drastic a change I would suggest. Her digestion isn't prepared for the extra work raw meat requires.
Also if feeding raw it should be frozen first then defrosted too kill off bugs etc.
You may be better to change to a better quality tinned food initially E.g Lily's Kitchen/ Applaws.
The other thing is if she hasn't been recently is to get her vet checked as an older cat becoming fussy with foods may indicate a medical reason.
You can buy premixed raw that is balanced and probably easier on her stomach eg nature's instinct, nutriment to name a couple.
Also if feeding raw it should be frozen first then defrosted too kill off bugs etc.
You may be better to change to a better quality tinned food initially E.g Lily's Kitchen/ Applaws.
The other thing is if she hasn't been recently is to get her vet checked as an older cat becoming fussy with foods may indicate a medical reason.
You can buy premixed raw that is balanced and probably easier on her stomach eg nature's instinct, nutriment to name a couple.
Just got back from the vets; after pinning her down with a towel and much fighting they had a feel around and felt some kind of growth that they said felt like a third kidney. She was also down to 2.8kg from 3.2 last time, not good. She's far too feisty for me to give her tablets so she had a jab of steriods that will last a week or two, and hopefully get her eating again and build some strength up. Then perhaps we can consider a sedation and scan to see what's going on. But that plus an op, if it's operable, will be romping over £1K which sadly isn't really feasible for a 15y/o...
They said that microwaved chicken is ideal so that's what I'll give her for now.
They said that microwaved chicken is ideal so that's what I'll give her for now.
Simpo Two said:
Just got back from the vets; after pinning her down with a towel and much fighting they had a feel around and felt some kind of growth that they said felt like a third kidney. She was also down to 2.8kg from 3.2 last time, not good. She's far too feisty for me to give her tablets so she had a jab of steriods that will last a week or two, and hopefully get her eating again and build some strength up. Then perhaps we can consider a sedation and scan to see what's going on. But that plus an op, if it's operable, will be romping over £1K which sadly isn't really feasible for a 15y/o...
They said that microwaved chicken is ideal so that's what I'll give her for now.
Aww, sorry to hear that, not news you want to hear. White fish is good food aswell on top of chicken, definitely Applaws aswell.They said that microwaved chicken is ideal so that's what I'll give her for now.
My cat was poorly for quite a while getting picky with food, wt loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, all over a period of time several tests/scans and nothing found, then one day vet finally found the inevitable mass in her intestine, it was small but significant. She was put on steroids but she got worse quickly. I wasn't going to put her through surgery as it was 99% to have spread through her lymphatic system. I did not want to put her through surgery that she wouldn't wake up from so didn't.
If she had a good survival chance I would have done it, she was 15 but she could have had 2-3yrs more. So don't let your cats age stop you if they think an op will make her better, cost sounds a bit steep, I would have thought nearer £600 which is not a lot when you consider her time with you etc (and treatment involved)
A good vet will guide you as to what will be your choices and what would be fair to her.
Thanks Bex, I appreciate your input. It was estimated at £200-£250 for the sedation, scan and blood test, and £600-£800 for the op (if it was operable). And of course she could keel over a month later. Anyway, we'll take it a day at a time and see how it goes. After the 'post vet grump' she's just come down for food and there's some chicken boiling so my main concern is to keep her as happy as possible.
Ahh yes I forgot about the scan.
Yes qol far more important than length, I would totally support not operating if not a clear chance of recovery (as I have made that choice myself). I only wanted to just say 15 is not so old these days to consider surgeries with good recovery chances.
I think she is going to enjoy her special diets
Yes qol far more important than length, I would totally support not operating if not a clear chance of recovery (as I have made that choice myself). I only wanted to just say 15 is not so old these days to consider surgeries with good recovery chances.
I think she is going to enjoy her special diets
One of my clients's cat had problems with his food- he was diagnosed with a kidney problem and is now on Royal Canin 'renal' pouches, varieties include chicken and tuna. He's 17 years old and can now eat small amounts at at a time without being sick.
Previously he was being sick most of the time after eating.
Perhaps try and get hold of a few pouches and see if this helps.
Previously he was being sick most of the time after eating.
Perhaps try and get hold of a few pouches and see if this helps.
condor said:
One of my clients's cat had problems with his food- he was diagnosed with a kidney problem and is now on Royal Canin 'renal' pouches, varieties include chicken and tuna. He's 17 years old and can now eat small amounts at at a time without being sick.
Previously he was being sick most of the time after eating.
Perhaps try and get hold of a few pouches and see if this helps.
The OP has said the Vet has felt a mass unfortunately.Previously he was being sick most of the time after eating.
Perhaps try and get hold of a few pouches and see if this helps.
Simpo Two said:
Thanks; any links to the former? There's nothing to lose it seems.
There are a few groups on facebook. And a few differing views - it may depend on what the lump is - some will say turmeric, some will say a GP paste... It is worth you reading and going from there. One is Rawsome and holistic, another is Arnica for pets, and Tumeric User Group to name a few...
Thank Jas and Ali. She's much less active today, hiding under the bed in fact, and barely eating or drinking. If the lump 'feels like a 3rd kidney' I don't thnk it's going to go away. In fact I wonder if being toused around by the vets three times (once when they kindly offered to clean her carrier after she soiled it on the way, once to examine her and then out of the carrier again to give the injection) has aggravated something.
Off to get some fish now.
Off to get some fish now.
Hi Ali - she's had an ultrasound scan which showed big tumour in/on liver and smaller ones within, quite inoperable so palliative care now. Diet is highly variable, one day eating everything, the next very little. Constipation too which can't help! Sometimes she's OK being stroked, at other times growly. I have some tiny steriod pills from the vet, 1/4 every 48 hours, next one tomorrow.
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