Wet food for kitties

[Veronica]

That's an awesome pic!

Thanks! It's from about 6 months ago. He's put on weight since then, maybe a pound. He's definitely got a belly and his back is getting pudgy now.

The vet suggested a month on weight reduction dry and if that didn't work, going to wet food. He's been two weeks on weight reduction and his weight hadn't really changed. What really convinced me is that he is NOT a big eater. He should not be fat on what he eats.

Veronica

[jesvetmed]

Veronica: I like to use a mixture of dry and canned (for the cost). That way I can spend a little less, and still get high quality diet. I just add water to the mixture, and they drink it up. They'd never drink that much water by itself. Throw in some canned food and they are THRILLED.

With Urinary Crystals, the more water the better. That is a HUGE benefit. The more water flowing through the system, the less likely crystals will form and make chunks.

One piece of advice -- if your kitty had crystals before in his urine, always get routine checks on the PH of the urine -- have your vet test his urine in about 1-2 months after the new diet. If the PH is too high or low, crystals can form, and can block his urethra. Then you and he are in big trouble.

BTW: Your kitty looks EXACTLY like mine! Especially in the body markings.

[Veronica]

Tucker hasn't had any health issues yet. He's only 18 moths old. When he went in for his yearly check up, the vet expressed some concern about his weight. We knew he had been porking out and had been monitoring how much he ate for a month or so before appointment.

I just want to keep him healthy. Sometimes I wonder if boy kitties just have more issues. Tilda was a very healthy kitty right up until the week she died. She was 18 years old and ate Fancy Feast and whipped cream.

Bozo was only 13 and his last six weeks were traumatic for everyone. He had kidney and liver problems. He was getting subcutaneous fluid from us and all sorts of medicines. Getting his blood checked every week. Poor guy. I want to do whatever I can to keep that from happening to Tucker.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

no, although boy kitties have more urinary problems, they do not have more problems with diet and obesity. We lost Grizz, a wonderful female cat from complications from a dry cat food diet. If i knew then what i knew now, she might have lived a lot longer. She /we struggled with her weight all of her life and then her kidneys gave out.

[tantrumbean]

Mine is on dry Iams and has been for most of his life (although he has had some other premium brands at various points), he is absolutely fine on it, but I keep an eye on him to make sure he drinks enough. Never had any problems and his teeth (even according to the vet) are a lot better than they would be if he was on wet food - he is 8 now, well, he will be on Wednesday . Fortunately he actually prefers dry and it is a lot more pleasant in warm weather...


Here is Eric guarding my good old mountain bike aka the commuter :

[short cut sally]

My cat is too fussy. He is a dry cat food only, he gets urinary blend from the vet. I've tried giving him canned food, of all brands, flavors, but not to his likeing. He tries to bury them like the contents in his litter pan. It's really kinda funny, he tries taking the throw rug, papers on the floor, or anything and pushing it over the food dish. He was originally a stray kitty, wouldn't think he would have such high tastes and standards, but apparently he does.
By the way V, beautiful cat....mines a tux kitty too.

[Aint Doody]

My kitty just likes to eat---period. He can be sound asleep in front of the television in the basement, but if I open the refrigerator door he magically appears. I have appreciated the info on the wet vs. dry food. Thanks, y'all.

[IvonaDestroi]

Is kitty allowed outside? Mine are indoor/outdoor kitties and both are in good health, despite their horrible diets. They refuse to eat anything other then friskies cans (patte only of course) and either meow mix or cat chow. I've tried every food at the pet store. No interest in anything healthy at all, but they'll scarf down that stuff like nobody's bussiness.

The vet is always very impressed with molotov's general condition, he's got great muscle mass and is well toned and healthy. He loves going outside and will sit around the windows and doors and howl all day if you don't let him out for more then two days in a row.

Excersise is very important too, not just diet. I've seen him out and about, he's always on some fence or rooftop or abandoned building chasing bugs and taking cat naps in the sun.

The other kitty, Vader, didn't have the best kittenhood before I got him. He had grown up locked in a bedroom in a house over-run with multiple dogs, and he had very little coordination (couldn't even make it onto the windowsill) and was pretty jumpy. Now that he goes outside, his motor skills have improved immensly.

I live in an urban neighborhood, although we do have a big back yard, and both cats have been just fine running around outside all day. I call them every night at 8pm and they come running to the door to devour their nightly can of food. They have dry available all day.

He'll probably hang out near your door for a couple days before exploring, but I've never seen an indoor cat that was as happy and healthy as an outdoor one.

Maybe try letting him get a little fresh air. It's just a suggestion. If you do make sure you get the extra vaccinations-the FIV shot is not standard but it's important if they're out.

[Veronica]

Kitties have been on their new food for just about two weeks now. They seem to really like it. Both of them are more playful and have more energy. They are urinating a lot, but don't seem to be drinking much straight water anymore.

Their box doesn't seem anymore stinky than before. Cassie's weight has stayed the same. Tucker is down 10 ounces.

I'm glad we switched.

Veronica