Anorexic cat?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We had four cats- 5 years ago cat #1 got kidney failure and almost died (she was 5). She miraculously recovered after two years of home water injections. Then cat #2 got kidney failure 3 years ago (she was 7)- despite our best efforts, she died.
Then 2 years ago cat #3 got kidney failure (she was 5). We treated her and at that point I caught on to the fact that there were toxic ingredients in most commercial cat food....the whole rat poison/Chinese gluten thing hit the news.
Ironically, one of the recalled canned foods was a high priced canned vet food for cats with kidney problems.
None of the foods I had been feeding our cats were on the recall list- yet I'm convinced they all had bad things in them.

Since then, for the past two years I feed only Newman's organic pellets and a mix of my own homemade stuff....and our 3 kitties have been thriving ever since.
Kidney failure is not just an old cat issue- there are bad things in lots of commercial pet food, and I bet there still is bad stuff in it.

[ilima]

If this is recent, please don't wait to get your cat checked out by a vet. Cats can deteriorate very quickly if they stop eating. Or the lack of eating could indicate an underlying problem, such as a failing liver.

[bmccasland]

Since then, for the past two years I feed only Newman's organic pellets and a mix of my own homemade stuff....and our 3 kitties have been thriving ever since.
Kidney failure is not just an old cat issue- there are bad things in lots of commercial pet food, and I bet there still is bad stuff in it.

small hijack... BleeckerSt ---- recipe???
I would absolutely LOVE to be able to feed my three cats the same diet. Knowing cats are obligate carnivores, I admit I like the ease of food-in-a-bag, but I am concerned about what's actually in the bag.

[BBsw]

We had four cats- 5 years ago cat #1 got kidney failure and almost died (she was 5). She miraculously recovered after two years of home water injections. Then cat #2 got kidney failure 3 years ago (she was 7)- despite our best efforts, she died.
Then 2 years ago cat #3 got kidney failure (she was 5). We treated her and at that point I caught on to the fact that there were toxic ingredients in most commercial cat food....the whole rat poison/Chinese gluten thing hit the news.
Ironically, one of the recalled canned foods was a high priced canned vet food for cats with kidney problems.
None of the foods I had been feeding our cats were on the recall list- yet I'm convinced they all had bad things in them.

Since then, for the past two years I feed only Newman's organic pellets and a mix of my own homemade stuff....and our 3 kitties have been thriving ever since.
Kidney failure is not just an old cat issue- there are bad things in lots of commercial pet food, and I bet there still is bad stuff in it.

Tainted pet food continues to be a problem. There is all kinds of crap in pet food. Have you tried the higher end pet foods, like California Natural or Natures Variety? Nature's Variety is a close to raw as you can get with a bagged food. Also remember to mix in the new food with the old gradually. Your kitty is very, very finicky! Switching food too quickly can make finickiness worse.

Have you found the discussion forums at Itchmo!.com? Itchmo started at the beginning of the pet food crisis last year. The front page is no longer being updated but the forums are still very active. Many members lost pets from renal failure caused by tainted pet food. The members over there are warm and friendly and will be more than happy to answer any of your questions about food. You will get some who say a fur-parent should only a certain diet (the raw vs. homecooked vs. brand kibble/canned debate) but most of us think as long as your feeding them good stuff you will do fine.

I started homecooking for my dog. The cats are a different story. Iams kibble and Pinnacle moist only, please. UGH! Good thing they are cute or I would kick them to the curb! Yeah right!

[mimitabby]

Feeding my own 50% raw and 50% dry rice and some animal from a local pet food company. Since i put my cats on the raw food (which they used to pick at) the fat ones lost weight and now ALL their fur just shines..
for the first time in 30 years I don't have a cat bordering on obesity.
recipe on request.

[wackyjacky1]

I have permanent Laxatone stains on my curtains and couch -- when I put it on Hobie's paw, he would freak out and go zooming all over the house, smearing it everywhere he went. Turns out he loves the taste, he just hated having it on his paw (which is how they recommend giving it). Now I just squeeze it into a spoon and he licks it clean. If only I'd tried that first!

RolliePollie, it kinda sounds like a kidney thing with your kitty, especially since you say she seemed better after she received IV fluids. Years ago I had a cat that began having kidney failure. She wouldn't eat or drink, but after a trip to the vet and receiving IV fluids, she would be her old self for a week or so, then the decline would begin again. I know that a lot of people learn to administer the fluids themselves so no weekly trip to the vet is required. I had a friend who gave her cat IV fluids at home, and that cat lived to a fairly ripe old age despite the kidney problems.

Regarding what to feed your kitties, I highly recommend this article: Feeding Your Cat

It really opened my eyes about what cats need in their diet. I miss the convenience of dry food, but the trade-off is a much healthier animal.

Good luck with your kitty.

[bmccasland]

Well, I'm now on a mission. Bonnie cat (hyperthyroid) is not looking good, seems to continue to loose weight, and is definitely more cranky. I'm going to try her (+ the other 2 cats) on Wellness, and found where I can get some on the way home. She's 14, but I'm ready to give up yet.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

small hijack... BleeckerSt ---- recipe???

welll like I said my 3 cats get 'mostly' Paul Newmans organic dry cat food.
Howver the 19 yr old one cannot chew the pellets, so she's mostly on my 'recipe' which the other 2 get once a day for a treat:
I make a huge bowl mixed of:
3 large cans human-grade jack mackerel fish w/liquid
a 4-pack of chunk style white tuna packed in water
6 small cans of Wellness canned cat food (mostly natural, no glutens)

I just mash it all up and add water to make it like a stew, then ladle it into pint sized freezer tubs and use up one while another is defrosting. Old kitty gets a cat vitamin crumbled in the fish stew as well.
All cats are thriving for the past year. Fat one is now ideal weight, and ancient emaciated one is glossy-furred and slightly less thin now. I also notice that all 3 cats are about 50% more demonstratively affectionate since the 'toxic' food has been eliminated. It's quite a change, and it's obvious that they feel wonderful now. I didn't realize that they didn't feel well, it was subtle.