Low fat question from Sassiecath

[dinahsmum]

Here's the question, copied over from Introductions
I'm sure she will appreciate any suggestions

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I have 2 cat's we saved out here when they were babies. A choc. tabby (Inky, age 2) & a red tabby (Tiki, age 3) he was very sick when we found him. He is the one I'm joining for. He has heath issues & has ended up being a costly little guy, but we try to keep him going.

Right now I'm trying to find a affordable low fat food for him that I don't have to buy from a vet.(Too costly) But true to cat's nature, he is a picky eater. Any sugestions?

We almost lost him last month. X-Ray's showed he has a pancreatic disorder that causes all the fat to surround his organs. But he looks thin because the nutrition is not going to the right places. Though he was eating well when he got sick, Blood Test showed his liver enzime count indicated his body was feeding on itself. So we have to keep him on high calorie, low fat diet.

Anyway, Hope to get some good ideas from some of you along the way.

SassieCath....

[dinahsmum]

OK - lets eliminate the obvious. Does he like the special diet kibble or cans/pouches? There must be a special food made for this disorder? If he doesn't like it, could you disguise it with something he does like?

Now - high protien, low fat? Mmmm. Well the obvious is non fatty meat or plain white fish. Any good? Cooked or raw? Maybe rabbit, or skinned chicken wings (whole/raw)?

I'm sure other people will have better ideas than me.

[Fran]

What about this? There are all sorts of diets on this site if you have a look through it and although they say prescription diets you do not need a prescription to buy them.

http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk/detailed_product.asp?id=13579

[sassiecath]

OK - lets eliminate the obvious. Does he like the special diet kibble or cans/pouches? There must be a special food made for this disorder? If he doesn't like it, could you disguise it with something he does like?

Now - high protien, low fat? Mmmm. Well the obvious is non fatty meat or plain white fish. Any good? Cooked or raw? Maybe rabbit, or skinned chicken wings (whole/raw)?

I'm sure other people will have better ideas than me.
Thanks for all the input, it is appreciated....

Well, I'm useing the percentages on the foods the vets sold me which list fat max as 5.0%. I have found a "Lite" dry food he will eat. He loves the pouches by Nutro Natural Choice that are marked as "weight managment" fat max of 4.25% & the "Meow mix Market Select" but they only list the Min. fat %'s. I have sent an email to them requesting info on the Max. fat%, but who know's if they will get back to me.

My concern is that he is acting painful again & had to start his pain med again today. So, is the special diet going to work in the long run???? We will have to just do what we can & wait it out.
SassieCath...

[dinahsmum]

This is a tip for perking up a cat's appetite.

Always feed the food at room temperature. If you store it in the fridge, warm it a little before serving. Cats prefer that and the heat also releases some aroma, hopefully making them feel a bit more hungry.

Is he drinking enough? It's important he has enough water. Maybe he doesn't like tap water? if so, give him a treat with bottled or filtered water.

[sassiecath]

Thanks for the link, really I appreciate that! I have saved it to my favorites & will look at it more later. I need to get to bed for now & start over on the search tomorrow.

SassyCath & Tiki

[sassiecath]

He has a pet fountain. Had to put cleaned rocks in the bowl because he was splashing out more that he was drinking. He can be a real nut!

[dinahsmum]

Here's a US source of specialist foods.
http://www.hillspet.com/zSkin_2/products/pd_product_list.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743 02037389&bmUID=1173097938102 (http://www.hillspet.com/zSkin_2/products/pd_product_list.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743 02037389&bmUID=1173097938102)
Maybe the one they recommend for liver problems?

[Elaine]

Poor baby. Another place you may want to look at to try and get additional help is on the Yahoogroups. Type in feline liver or pancreas as there is a group for both of these.
There is also a supplement that is available in the US which is designed to help with liver function called Zentonil.
Sorry I am not that much help.
Wish you all the very best. xxx

[sassiecath]

Thnaks Elaine,

I will check this out. cute pic too.

Cath...