Senior cat wont eat wet looking for dry food information

[lomofirefly]

Hello everyone I'm in a bit of a pickle and I was hoping for some advice. My senior cat (he's about 17) had crystals when he was younger that resulted in blockage and eventual pu surgery a few years ago. Since he ate a mix of wet/dry after his surgery but we had been trying to give him only wet for about a year and he just wouldn't eat any food we tried. He would lick up the juices and occasionally eat some of the meat (what does fancy feast use? jeez that's the only one he would eat) I tried pate, pouches, shredded, you name it we tried it.

He suffers from constipation and is given a laxative daily but he just doesn't eat enough of the wet food to keep him healthy and as much as it worries me because of constipation issues i'm thinking of adding some dry food to his diet but since he's had crystals in the past, even though he's had pu surgery, I was reading to keep the phosphorus low and the protein at about 35% however most of the good food seems to have a higher protein amount. Tiki Cat ranges at about 44% unless I do the Tiki Cat light turkey.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone else has ever faced this type of issue? I don't want to necessarily add dry back to his diet for fear of constipation issues, but I don't want him to starve. I do plan on continuing to mainly give him wet food but use the dry to supplement.

 

[Flybynight]

Hi,
Is freeze dried raw an option for you?
Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | Stella & Chewy's

 

[lomofirefly]

Hi,
Is freeze dried raw an option for you?
Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food | Stella & Chewy's

I forgot to include that we also tried freeze dried raw and he sniffed then walked away would there be a way to entice him? I tried putting his dry food on top of some of the wet and the lil stinker ate around the wet just to eat the dry.

We also tried the pure vita cat food and he looked at me like I was crazy.

 

[lomofirefly]

I forgot to include that we also tried freeze dried raw and he sniffed then walked away would there be a way to entice him? I tried putting his dry food on top of some of the wet and the lil stinker ate around the wet just to eat the dry.

We also tried the pure vita cat food and he looked at me like I was crazy.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Not sure what your intent is with keeping your cat's food consisting of a lower protein. The more recent studies have shown that is counterproductive in older cats, they need protein to help aide in preventing muscle wasting that is very common on older cats. So, I wouldn't worry about the protein content if you find foods he will willingly eat. If he likes Tiki Cat, feed him Tiki Cat. If he likes Fancy Feast, feed him that too. You can also try to take the chunkier versions of FF and mix them in a blender to see if that would help him eat more of the meat.

Does he have a high phosphorus level, or just something you are trying to avoid? I would first have blood tests run to see just where his phosphorus level is, if you haven't done that already. There are phosphorus binders that can be used to offset some of the phosphorus in the foods he will eat. Now, there is a better alternative to phosphorus binders, it is niacinamide (B-3) which has less side effects that the traditional binders that are being used. Something you might want to discuss with your vet. I am planning on getting this phos control supplement for Feeby as soon as I find her a new vet (lost mine to retirement).

You could always try mixing water or bone broth to the dry food and see if he will eat it that way. If not, continue to look for wet foods he will eat and stop worrying about the protein level.

You might find this web site beneficial (see below) - it is for CKD cats, but it almost sounds like you are working in the same direction as most parents of a CKD cat need to do. Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat (felinecrf.org)

 

[lomofirefly]

After he had his crystals and became blocked so many times I was told to keep him on a food that had a low phosphorus level granted this was before his PU surgery. Afterwards the surgeon told me he could eat whatever he wanted but I guess I am still nervous to feed him anything with too high because our local vet said that they didn't want to put him to sleep to remove anymore blockages because of his age. As for the protein, I had read its not good for cats with any sort of kidney problem but that again was years ago information so this has changed?

I guess I'm just frustrated. I have purchased so many cans of food thinking that this would be the one but end up throwing it away or giving away cans. He's such a picky cat maybe its his old age?

 

[maggie101]

Farmina is the only brand I've found that is similar to ground meat with pumpkin. Has he tried that? It is expensive and only at small pet stores

 

[maggie101]

Hello everyone I'm in a bit of a pickle and I was hoping for some advice. My senior cat (he's about 17) had crystals when he was younger that resulted in blockage and eventual pu surgery a few years ago. Since he ate a mix of wet/dry after his surgery but we had been trying to give him only wet for about a year and he just wouldn't eat any food we tried. He would lick up the juices and occasionally eat some of the meat (what does fancy feast use? jeez that's the only one he would eat) I tried pate, pouches, shredded, you name it we tried it.

He suffers from constipation and is given a laxative daily but he just doesn't eat enough of the wet food to keep him healthy and as much as it worries me because of constipation issues i'm thinking of adding some dry food to his diet but since he's had crystals in the past, even though he's had pu surgery, I was reading to keep the phosphorus low and the protein at about 35% however most of the good food seems to have a higher protein amount. Tiki Cat ranges at about 44% unless I do the Tiki Cat light turkey.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone else has ever faced this type of issue? I don't want to necessarily add dry back to his diet for fear of constipation issues, but I don't want him to starve. I do plan on continuing to mainly give him wet food but use the dry to supplement.

Most ff has fish in it eventhough the can says chicken. I give my cats ff classics turkey&giblets. No fish but still a fav

 

[lomofirefly]

I was actually looking into Farmina and doing some research on it. I have thought about buying some of the wet and dry and seeing if I can trick him ha! I also was reading up on American Journey from Chewy looks nice too.

 

[maggie101]

If you go to the small pet store,get a can of earthborn. It is shredded chicken but much more dense than Tiki. Maybe he needs an elevated bowl?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
I am on the same road of working to obtain lower phos foods. There are several brands that are listing both phos and protein, as well as sodium, content on their websites. If you don't see the information on the websites, call the manufacturer and ask.

Here's what I've found;
A rotation of brands can be useful if you can get your cat to eat them, especially those that are similar in texture to whichever Fancy Feast variety is preferred. Fancy Feast itself isn't necessarily horrible if that's what your cat will eat. They utilize a version of fortiflora and one other thing that is irresistible to most cats. In any case, in order to avoid weight loss which can cause other problems, I am using it for my boy.

If need be in addition to an elevated bowl (before buying one try putting one of his plates on a small box or stacked books), try handfeeding him to help get him more accepting of the new brands. A paper plate can sometimes be helpful as well

Also, a little kibble can be ok, if you moisten it. However don't leave it out for very long as bacteria can grow quickly on moistened kibble.

Young Again Zero Mature and Blue Wilderness True Solution Perfect Skin and Coat dry cat food are low in both phos and protein.
Halo Sensitive Stomach Holistic, Acana Meadowland and Dr Elseys are also low-ish.

Canned food, and also pouch food brands, that are lower in phos are Young Again, Kasiks, Koha, Merrick Backcountry, Ticki Cat Velvet Mousse Chicken varieties and Tiki Cat After Dark chicken varieties, Dr Elsey's clean protein, Halo Holistic rabbit and lamb, and also Forza10 Neutraceutic Actiwet and Weruva Truluxe steak Frites.

 

[maggie101]

Hi!
I am on the same road of working to obtain lower phos foods. There are several brands that are listing both phos and protein, as well as sodium, content on their websites. If you don't see the information on the websites, call the manufacturer and ask.

Here's what I've found;
A rotation of brands can be useful if you can get your cat to eat them, especially those that are similar in texture to whichever Fancy Feast variety is preferred. Fancy Feast itself isn't necessarily horrible if that's what your cat will eat. They utilize a version of fortiflora and one other thing that is irresistible to most cats. In any case, in order to avoid weight loss which can cause other problems, I am using it for my boy.

If need be in addition to an elevated bowl (before buying one try putting one of his plates on a small box or stacked books), try handfeeding him to help get him more accepting of the new brands. A paper plate can sometimes be helpful as well

Also, a little kibble can be ok, if you moisten it. However don't leave it out for very long as bacteria can grow quickly on moistened kibble.

Young Again Zero Mature and Blue Wilderness True Solution Perfect Skin and Coat dry cat food are low in both phos and protein.
Halo Sensitive Stomach Holistic, Acana Meadowland and Dr Elseys are also low-ish.

Canned food, and also pouch food brands, that are lower in phos are Young Again, Kasiks, Koha, Merrick Backcountry, Ticki Cat Velvet Mousse Chicken varieties and Tiki Cat After Dark chicken varieties, Dr Elsey's clean protein, Halo Holistic rabbit and lamb, and also Forza10 Neutraceutic Actiwet and Weruva Truluxe steak Frites.

Thanks! That was very helpful

 

[lomofirefly]

Hi!
I am on the same road of working to obtain lower phos foods. There are several brands that are listing both phos and protein, as well as sodium, content on their websites. If you don't see the information on the websites, call the manufacturer and ask.

Here's what I've found;
A rotation of brands can be useful if you can get your cat to eat them, especially those that are similar in texture to whichever Fancy Feast variety is preferred. Fancy Feast itself isn't necessarily horrible if that's what your cat will eat. They utilize a version of fortiflora and one other thing that is irresistible to most cats. In any case, in order to avoid weight loss which can cause other problems, I am using it for my boy.

If need be in addition to an elevated bowl (before buying one try putting one of his plates on a small box or stacked books), try handfeeding him to help get him more accepting of the new brands. A paper plate can sometimes be helpful as well

Also, a little kibble can be ok, if you moisten it. However don't leave it out for very long as bacteria can grow quickly on moistened kibble.

Young Again Zero Mature and Blue Wilderness True Solution Perfect Skin and Coat dry cat food are low in both phos and protein.
Halo Sensitive Stomach Holistic, Acana Meadowland and Dr Elseys are also low-ish.

Canned food, and also pouch food brands, that are lower in phos are Young Again, Kasiks, Koha, Merrick Backcountry, Ticki Cat Velvet Mousse Chicken varieties and Tiki Cat After Dark chicken varieties, Dr Elsey's clean protein, Halo Holistic rabbit and lamb, and also Forza10 Neutraceutic Actiwet and Weruva Truluxe steak Frites.

Thank you this is extremely helpful

 

[lomofirefly]

Would you say that Acana is a better quality food than Farmina or American Journey? I have been looking to purchase a few cans along with a small bag of dry food and was just ready to "pull the trigger"

 

[maggie101]

No it is not. I goby catfooddb.com to check on ingredients and fat,carbs,and protein

 

[maggie101]

I have used American journey land mark but my cats weren't crazy about it. Shredded chicken

 

[lomofirefly]

No it is not. I goby catfooddb.com to check on ingredients and fat,carbs,and protein

Thank you, and thank you for the link. I think i'll give Farmina a try, I like that they also have pumpkin in some of there foods.

 

[lomofirefly]

One last question, grain free is best correct? I've decided to use the Farmina as more of a treat than anything but they also have a low grain formula.

 

[maggie101]

One last question, grain free is best correct? I've decided to use the Farmina as more of a treat than anything but they also have a low grain formula.

I also use farmina as a treat. Grain free is best but not crucial. As long as meat is the first ingredient,no fish,no carrageenan. Whatever your cat will eat is important.All the prescription foods are high in starches but they are low cal. Since a cat does not need grains, it is desolved in their body like it was never there, so I've been told Some of the ff I avoid because it has tons of starches. One of my cat throws up her food a lot. FF classics turkey&giblets is the only food she has not thrown up. My cats eat dr elseys, hound and gatos,earthborn,tiki after dark,nutro perfect portions, sheba roasted chicken or turkey,

 

[lomofirefly]

Thank you! Do you mind telling me which one you use? I'm tempted to try the wild boar because my cat goes crazy when I make bacon but he's also reliable with chicken.