With patience and persistence, you will get there :rub:Oh I meant that if kitty doesn't eat them, it gets wasted haha. I'm just hoping that the transition will go smoothly.
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Transitioning from an RX Diet to Raw
- Thread starter cattreats
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- #42
UPDATE: As of this morning, my cat is on full raw now! 100%!
My mom has said so far she's seeing the following changes: she has a ton more energy, especially after eating, and she's more affectionate to people (she used to be a bit skiddish of strangers but now she comes out to greet them).
The best one so far: Normally the white fur on her chest is SUPER soft (a lot of cats have that, I don't actually know the reason), and my mom said she noticed suddenly that ALL of her fur is that soft. She said it's super silky.
My mom has said so far she's seeing the following changes: she has a ton more energy, especially after eating, and she's more affectionate to people (she used to be a bit skiddish of strangers but now she comes out to greet them).
The best one so far: Normally the white fur on her chest is SUPER soft (a lot of cats have that, I don't actually know the reason), and my mom said she noticed suddenly that ALL of her fur is that soft. She said it's super silky.
:blobgreen :blobgreen :blobgreen :blobgreen :blobgreen :blobgreen :blobgreen
Goodness, where is the "that was easy" button?
First of all, HUGE congrats for you and your mom - GOOD job! :bigthumb:
How is she taking? How big are the feedings? How often? How much is she eating (and her weight? )
Also, remember to transition the other flavors SLOWLY - as slow as you introduced the first one - think of Raw introductions as you would introduce kibbles - same concept; add a bit of the new food as you slowly reduce the old food every day :nod:
She is on a probiotic, right? if not, make sure she takes one every day -
AWESOME job! Well done!
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- #44
It's Nature's Variety Instinct. I was told that you don't need to do anything else (supplements or probiotics) with most commercial brands.
Goodness, where is the "that was easy" button?
First of all, HUGE congrats for you and your mom - GOOD job!
How is she taking? How big are the feedings? How often? How much is she eating (and her weight? )
Also, remember to transition the other flavors SLOWLY - as slow as you introduced the first one - think of Raw introductions as you would introduce kibbles - same concept; add a bit of the new food as you slowly reduce the old food every day
She is on a probiotic, right? if not, make sure she takes one every day -
AWESOME job! Well done!
I'm not there so I can only go by what my mom tells me lol. The back said that a cat under 15 pounds should get 2-4 of the medallions. I think my mom is doing 2 or 3 because she's very overweight and I do know that she should be a lot smaller. I'm not sure how often she feeds, but I'll assume that it's 3-4 meals unless she absolutely can't and then it would be 2.
I already told my mom not to get a new flavor just yet. She just officially got on raw 100%, so she's buying another bag of the chicken flavor.
She most definitely needs a probiotic :nod: I use and love this one: Natural Factors Probiotic
About how much she needs to eat.... Do you know her ideal weight?
Or..... you can start her with 3% of her weight 7.2oz a day, and see how she personally IMHO that's too much. You can try the 2% lower range 4.8oz to test it out.... I think that's more likely..... That will give you 3 meals of 1.6oz each.
Does she have a food scale at home?
What about a digital scale (to weight herself)? She should weigh the kitty weekly to see if she is losing or gaining weight so you can adjust the diet accordingly.
Step on the scale with the kitty, note the weight, step on the scale without the kitty, note the weight. Subtract the two and you have the kitty's weight.
Kitty can not lose over a pound a month, which is 4oz/week :nod:
About how much she needs to eat.... Do you know her ideal weight?
Or..... you can start her with 3% of her weight 7.2oz a day, and see how she personally IMHO that's too much. You can try the 2% lower range 4.8oz to test it out.... I think that's more likely..... That will give you 3 meals of 1.6oz each.
Does she have a food scale at home?
What about a digital scale (to weight herself)? She should weigh the kitty weekly to see if she is losing or gaining weight so you can adjust the diet accordingly.
Step on the scale with the kitty, note the weight, step on the scale without the kitty, note the weight. Subtract the two and you have the kitty's weight.
Kitty can not lose over a pound a month, which is 4oz/week :nod:
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- #46
I thought LDG said we wouldn't need anything else with this food. o.o Is it really serious? I don't know if I can guarantee my mom would do it. :xShe most definitely needs a probioticI use and love this one: Natural Factors Probiotic
About how much she needs to eat.... Do you know her ideal weight?
Or..... you can start her with 3% of her weight 7.2oz a day, and see how she personally IMHO that's too much. You can try the 2% lower range 4.8oz to test it out.... I think that's more likely..... That will give you 3 meals of 1.6oz each.
Does she have a food scale at home?
What about a digital scale (to weight herself)? She should weigh the kitty weekly to see if she is losing or gaining weight so you can adjust the diet accordingly.
Step on the scale with the kitty, note the weight, step on the scale without the kitty, note the weight. Subtract the two and you have the kitty's weight.
Kitty can not lose over a pound a month, which is 4oz/week
Just because it's more complicated than buying food at the pet store.
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What's complicated? The probiotic?
There is nothing to it, you just open the capsule and sprinkle over the food in the morning once a day.... Nothing complicated about that....
Or are you talking about the food qty? Raw is fed by percentage weight.... If you don't want to get a scale to weigh the food, you can figure out how much the medallions weigh (should say in the package) and divide them accordingly to serve the correct amount by meal. It is important to do that and to weigh her weekly so you know that she is not gaining or losing too much weight.
Remember, this is a whole new diet for her.....
No, it is not the same as just opening a can of wet food, or a bag of kibbles; I don't think anyone who feeds raw can truly tell you that. It has a lot more to it. However.... With it also you have way healthier cats, less health issues, less vet visits, less vet bills, a happy cat, and the best chance of a longer and healthier life. More work? Yes. Worthy? YES! Your mom will fall into a routine, and it will be second nature for her.
Does your mom have a scale at home to weigh herself? Most people do.... Would it really be too much work to weight the kitty once a week and sprinkle some powder on the food once a day?
Laurie (LDG) uses the same probiotic, for her, her husband and her cats.... This is the same one she recommends.... I think she meant supplements, probiotics are not really a supplement...
I hope your mom can take these small steps... Trust me when Say, you both have been through the most difficult part- introducing raw. It is amazing this kitty is eating raw all things considered; very impressive, HUGE congrats to her :nod:
From here on, it os just minor details! A breeze really! Don't feel overwhelmed, you achieved SO much already!
There is nothing to it, you just open the capsule and sprinkle over the food in the morning once a day.... Nothing complicated about that....
Or are you talking about the food qty? Raw is fed by percentage weight.... If you don't want to get a scale to weigh the food, you can figure out how much the medallions weigh (should say in the package) and divide them accordingly to serve the correct amount by meal. It is important to do that and to weigh her weekly so you know that she is not gaining or losing too much weight.
Remember, this is a whole new diet for her.....
No, it is not the same as just opening a can of wet food, or a bag of kibbles; I don't think anyone who feeds raw can truly tell you that. It has a lot more to it. However.... With it also you have way healthier cats, less health issues, less vet visits, less vet bills, a happy cat, and the best chance of a longer and healthier life. More work? Yes. Worthy? YES! Your mom will fall into a routine, and it will be second nature for her.
Does your mom have a scale at home to weigh herself? Most people do.... Would it really be too much work to weight the kitty once a week and sprinkle some powder on the food once a day?
Laurie (LDG) uses the same probiotic, for her, her husband and her cats.... This is the same one she recommends.... I think she meant supplements, probiotics are not really a supplement...
I hope your mom can take these small steps... Trust me when Say, you both have been through the most difficult part- introducing raw. It is amazing this kitty is eating raw all things considered; very impressive, HUGE congrats to her :nod:
From here on, it os just minor details! A breeze really! Don't feel overwhelmed, you achieved SO much already!
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Probiotics are not required when transitioning a cat to a raw diet. Probiotics feed the beneficial bacteria that normally inhabit the GI tract and which some believe may have been decimated (reduced) by years of feeding heavily processed commercial foods. Cats that develop diarrhea after starting a raw diet can sometimes benefit from probiotics. Also cats that are immune compromised or have cancer may benefit from them. Some cat owners use probiotics during the transition to a raw diet as a preemptive measure against diarrhea. And some give them long term in the belief that they can be generally beneficial for keeping the gut flora healthy. It's not required though.
I've transitioned 5 cats to raw and the only one that received a probiotic was one that had already been getting them before the transition. None of the others needed it.
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If she's doing fine, no need for probiotics, IMO. I think they help our kitties' immune systems, but I don't think they're necessary.
So glad she's doing so well on the food and it wasn't too difficult for your mom!
So glad she's doing so well on the food and it wasn't too difficult for your mom!
This is why I think this cat needs a probiotic:
But then it is me..... I like playing safe :dk:
Up to now, all she could eat was a TSP of wet food at a time.....
But then it is me..... I like playing safe :dk:
It isn't likely probiotics will have any affect on a throwing up problem. Especially if the throwing up is related to eating too much which is what the OP has indicated. I guess there is no harm in trying it but it certainly needed be considered a requirement.This is why I think this cat needs a probiotic:Up to now, all she could eat was a TSP of wet food at a time.....
But then it is me..... I like playing safe
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"IF" is the question, since the dry doesn't make her throw up, but any amount of wet did, higher than the tiny 1TSP. So, to me, the "large amount of dry" was not it.
Anyways, it is up to the OP. It has helped other vomiting cats right here on TCS.
I do think that a cat that was free-fed high carb kibbles all its life, with stomach problems, overweight, who could not stand anything higher than a TSP of wet per meal, and is all of the sudden put on a scheduled feeding raw (within a week) should be weighed periodically and on probiotics for safety..... My honest opinion, and I don't think opening a capsule a day and mixing it over the food once a day is too much trouble..... Really really don't.
We are not talking about pilling a cat here......
But anyways.
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- #53
Okay I have a bit of an update about my kitty with my mom.
First off - she said that she's lost a lot of weight and isn't eating much. She eats a little over one of the medallions throughout the whole day. She's tried feeding her less but more meals, or more at each meal - nothing has worked. She eats about 1/4 of a medallion and is done. So she's definitely losing weight. I asked her to give me an idea of how she looks in terms of her ribs and hips, etc. She said you can't see any bones but can feel the ribs with a layer of fat over it, which is usually the criteria of a healthy weight.
But she's concerned (and now I am) about how little she's eating. My mom said she's perfectly fine (actually better) in every other way - her fur is extremely soft and silky, she has so much more energy and is more affectionate to everyone. She runs out to greet all the people who come over (she used to be really shy), and she nearly jumps in everyone's laps. Also, she's peeing more (drinking way less) and pooping less and the poop has no smell. All the things that most people said to expect from a raw diet. But, she hardly eats. What could be the problem and how would she fix it? I can't think of anything. Hopefully it won't be anything complicated as my mom has already made it very clear to me that feeding her commercial raw is "extremely difficult and irritating" .... I guess. No comment there.
Aside from that, everything seems great.
First off - she said that she's lost a lot of weight and isn't eating much. She eats a little over one of the medallions throughout the whole day. She's tried feeding her less but more meals, or more at each meal - nothing has worked. She eats about 1/4 of a medallion and is done. So she's definitely losing weight. I asked her to give me an idea of how she looks in terms of her ribs and hips, etc. She said you can't see any bones but can feel the ribs with a layer of fat over it, which is usually the criteria of a healthy weight.
But she's concerned (and now I am) about how little she's eating. My mom said she's perfectly fine (actually better) in every other way - her fur is extremely soft and silky, she has so much more energy and is more affectionate to everyone. She runs out to greet all the people who come over (she used to be really shy), and she nearly jumps in everyone's laps. Also, she's peeing more (drinking way less) and pooping less and the poop has no smell. All the things that most people said to expect from a raw diet. But, she hardly eats. What could be the problem and how would she fix it? I can't think of anything. Hopefully it won't be anything complicated as my mom has already made it very clear to me that feeding her commercial raw is "extremely difficult and irritating" .... I guess. No comment there.
Aside from that, everything seems great.
Well, without knowing how much she weighed and how much she weighs, the only one that can really determine what she SHOULD weigh is you, your mom, or a vet.
But how much do the medallions weigh? 2 ounces? My Ming Loy is 8 pounds, and eats EXACTLY 2% of her body weight daily - 2.55 ounces. She weighed 10 pounds and should weigh around 7.5. She's lost the 2 pounds, and is stable here. So if your kitty weighs around 7 pounds and isn't very active, it's possible 2 ounces is enough food... but she likely does need more food, at least some. Is your mom leaving part of a frozen medallion out for her to nibble on when it defrosts while she's at work? When she's home, can she maybe crush something on top of it to entice her to eat more? Is it being served warm or cold?
But how much do the medallions weigh? 2 ounces? My Ming Loy is 8 pounds, and eats EXACTLY 2% of her body weight daily - 2.55 ounces. She weighed 10 pounds and should weigh around 7.5. She's lost the 2 pounds, and is stable here. So if your kitty weighs around 7 pounds and isn't very active, it's possible 2 ounces is enough food... but she likely does need more food, at least some. Is your mom leaving part of a frozen medallion out for her to nibble on when it defrosts while she's at work? When she's home, can she maybe crush something on top of it to entice her to eat more? Is it being served warm or cold?
I am sorry you are going through these issues.... I know it is more work than canned.... I will pound again on the importance of weighing your girl.... DO pay attention to rapid weigh loss - it IS dangerous, and it is something that you do not want to deal with.
Raw is a wonderful diet - IMHO the best - BUT it has to be done safely. If your girl is not eating a proper amount of food and dropping too much weight too fast, since she is overweight to begin with, that can put her into a dangerous situation - that can put her into a Hepatic Lipidosis situation - and THAT is something your mom will not want to deal with it, as it will require 24x7 care for her to not die. it IS that serious.
So, make sure she is eating properly and to monitor her weight.
It doesn't take a lot of raw to feed a cat, but you do need to figure out exactly how much she is eating and go from there. She also needs to be weighed. Does your mom have a scale at home?
Raw is a wonderful diet - IMHO the best - BUT it has to be done safely. If your girl is not eating a proper amount of food and dropping too much weight too fast, since she is overweight to begin with, that can put her into a dangerous situation - that can put her into a Hepatic Lipidosis situation - and THAT is something your mom will not want to deal with it, as it will require 24x7 care for her to not die. it IS that serious.
So, make sure she is eating properly and to monitor her weight.
It doesn't take a lot of raw to feed a cat, but you do need to figure out exactly how much she is eating and go from there. She also needs to be weighed. Does your mom have a scale at home?
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- #56
I know she was nearly 13 lbs beforehand (from what my mom told me) and she is a small build, so she was definitely overweight. Now, my mom calls her "skinny" and I'm concerned that she might have lost weight quickly. However, she did say that she's now staying at this size .... I don't know. My mom isn't being too cooperative and don't forget that I am absolutely nowhere near where she lives anymore and couldn't get there even if I wanted to.
I'm not sure how much the medallions weigh, but the chart on the back said for 10 lbs and under, they should eat 2-4 medallions. Right now she barely eats over 1 of them. I know that she isn't active, she does sleep quite a lot and doesn't get a ton of play time aside from the zooming around the house when she has energy. My mom said that she doesn't seem sick, lethargic, nothing wrong in anyway, and she doesn't beg for food except at her mealtimes. She acts hungry but eats 1/4 of the medallion and that's it. My mom can't get her to eat anymore than that no matter what. Anything more complicated might just make my mom feed her kibble forever .... that's what I'm worried about. She's incredibly uncooperative about this and complains constantly about how this is a nightmare job for her. Even though she sees all the results and can tell how much better the cat has been, she says this is a horrible thing to have to do "just to feed the cat."
Very, very frustrating.
My mom does have a scale, but I think that asking her to monitor kitty's weight is among things that would be "too difficult." I don't really know why she's being like this about it.
Like I said, I asked her to check out how she feels on the ribs and hips because that's usually how you can tell. She said she can see that she's lost weight, but can't see any bones. Hips aren't popping out at all and you can feel her ribs under some meat but definitely can't see them. I asked her for pics but that never happened.
It really upsets me that she's being so negative about the whole thing when it's for the well-being of her pet (mine but technically hers now).
I will be very honest with you right now. I am 100% pro raw... IF done SAFELY. But if not, I rather have the cat on kibbles. Raw is not a diet to be cutting corners. An overweight cat who drops too much weight too fast can go into hepatic lipidosis FAST. And that is deadly. So, if weighing the cat is too much, especially when she has a scale at the house, when that can be matter of life and death, the only thing I can tell you is consider this very carefully.... The last thing you want is this kitty to get sick for going off food.... And it will happen if she continues to eat this little and drop this amount of weight.
If I were you, I would have a serious talk with your mom about this, with ALL this diet takes- it is a disservice to sugar-coat, IMHO, and go from there. If she is not up to it, then you have a decision to make; either you take the cat with you to feed raw, wait for another time and feed kibbles for now, or continue to feed raw and deal with the consequences.... But be careful....
Sorry for my complete honesty here, but this is for the health and well being of your cat. :rub:
If I were you, I would have a serious talk with your mom about this, with ALL this diet takes- it is a disservice to sugar-coat, IMHO, and go from there. If she is not up to it, then you have a decision to make; either you take the cat with you to feed raw, wait for another time and feed kibbles for now, or continue to feed raw and deal with the consequences.... But be careful....
Sorry for my complete honesty here, but this is for the health and well being of your cat. :rub:
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I'm going to have to agree with Carolina. :heart2: If she's not eating enough - and acting hungry when offered food, but not eating enough.... Aren't you moving into a new home? Rather than get new kittens, what about bringing your cat home with you? :rub: Sorry - I don't remember the backstory here.
One medallion is not enough, even if she was normal weight. You need to find some way to get her to eat more. If it's crushing up kibble and putting it on the raw, or adding tuna juice or treats, so be it. Losing too fast is really bad for cats, their livers just can't handle it.
If defrosting 1/4th of a medallion a couple times per day is too much for your mom, I would just bring kitty home with you. She knows you well and loves you, I think a tiny bit of stress would be much better than leaving her there to possibly get sick. But who knows, maybe if you tell your mom that you are planning to take her, she will decide defrosting is not too much work. :dk:
I'm pretty sure the medallions are only an ounce! Definitely not enough, even for an older sedate cat. If it were 2 ounces I'd say maybe that's enough, but not one.
I think in that situation, I might offer the cat some kibble after she's eaten her 1/4 medallion (but pick it up when she's done), and see if that works. If she really prefers kibble it might not, but if she likes the raw it might just bump her caloric intake up to where it needs to be.
Definitely not enough, even for an older sedate cat. If it were 2 ounces I'd say maybe that's enough, but not one. I think in that situation, I might offer the cat some kibble after she's eaten her 1/4 medallion (but pick it up when she's done), and see if that works. If she really prefers kibble it might not, but if she likes the raw it might just bump her caloric intake up to where it needs to be.
