Pancreatitis - What Food Instead Of Prescription Do Your Cats Like That Is Healthy

MultiCatJu

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Sorry for the long header . . . my cat was diagnosed with Pancreatitis 2 months ago and no matter what, she will not touch any of the three prescription digestive diets she's been given, i.e., i/d, e/n and I forgot the first one they gave me to try.

Has anyone researched and used another wet cat food that is healthy for digestion and that is non-inflammatory (no carageenan, guar gum, etc.)?

I want my precious baby to enjoy life with as little discomfort as possible, including eating.
She is currently on prednisolone - does that affect her appetite?

I also have Buprinex for her bad pain days.

Any suggestions, advice, referrals would be most welcome! Thank you!
 
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babiesmom5

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I have been down the rocky pancreatitis road with three cats, so understand what you are going through.

The most important thing for a cat with pancreatitis is to KEEP THEM EATING, with a lot of moisture in their diet. I would avoid dry food; feed only high quality wet.

I have had good success with KOHA limited ingredient wet cat foods. They have tasty novel protein varieties like duck, venison, kangaroo, guinea fowl, along with the familiar turkey, chicken varieties. My cats like both the regular pate and stew varieties. It contains no grains, carageenan, guar gums or junk. You may want to check it out at www.KOHApet.com. Ask your vet also.

Instinct has some Limited Ingredient varieties also like duck, rabbit, lamb of high quality and no junk.

Yes, Prednisolone does affect the appetite...should boost it which is what you want to do. Prednisolone also keeps gastrointestinal inflammation down.
 
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Hi! I was typing the same time as B babiesmom5 :)
prednisolone can boost the appetite short term, as well as increase thirst.

From what I just read on PetMd, you are free to offer any type of healthy food your cat will eat, particularly canned (wet) foods, and even high fat foods. Here are some things to look for in foods:
  • Easily digestible
  • Moderate levels of protein that come from novel sources or are altered to be hypoallergenic
  • Moderate fat levels
  • Canned, unless the cat will only eat dry
 
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MultiCatJu

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babiesmom5 said:
I have been down the rocky pancreatitis road with three cats, so understand what you are going through.

The most important thing for a cat with pancreatitis is to KEEP THEM EATING, with a lot of moisture in their diet. I would avoid dry food; feed only high quality wet.

I have had good success with KOHA limited ingredient wet cat foods. They have tasty novel protein varieties like duck, venison, kangaroo, guinea fowl, along with the familiar turkey, chicken varieties. My cats like both the regular pate and stew varieties. It contains no grains, carageenan, guar gums or junk. You may want to check it out at www.KOHApet.com. Ask your vet also.

Instinct has some Limited Ingredient varieties also like duck, rabbit, lamb of high quality and no junk.

Yes, Prednisolone does affect the appetite...should boost it which is what you want to do. Prednisolone also keeps gastrointestinal inflammation down.
Click to expand...
Thank you SO much for this information! Sadly, even being on the Prednisolone, she hardly eats. My Vet said not to force feed her, but it's been necessary every couple of days. I do always mix her pate food with extra water. Olivia is also drinking a lot of water from the Drinkwell fountains.
 
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MultiCatJu

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Furballsmom said:
Hi! I was typing the same time as B babiesmom5 :)
prednisolone can boost the appetite short term, as well as increase thirst.

From what I just read on PetMd, you are free to offer any type of healthy food your cat will eat, particularly canned (wet) foods, and even high fat foods. Here are some things to look for in foods:
  • Easily digestible
  • Moderate levels of protein that come from novel sources or are altered to be hypoallergenic
  • Moderate fat levels
  • Canned, unless the cat will only eat dry
Click to expand...
Thank you! This is wonderful news! Oh, you all are so great here!
 
LTS3

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Try limited ingredient or novel protein foods:

Blue Buffalo Basics
Merrick Limited Ingredients
Koha Limited Ingredient
Natural Balance LID
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet | Instinct Pet Food

https://thecatsite.com/threads/single-novel-protein-grain-free-wet-not-raw-food-help.346047/
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/306947/your-favorite-brands-of-novel-protein-canned-cat-food
[URL='https://thecatsite.com/threads/canned-food-without-carrageenan-or-guar-gum.240335/']Canned food without Carrageenan or Guar Gum?
Grain- & carrageenan-free foods
What are your favorite carrageenan/grain-free wet foods to feed to your cats?[/URL]
 
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MultiCatJu

MultiCatJu

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LTS3 said:
Try limited ingredient or novel protein foods:

Blue Buffalo Basics
Merrick Limited Ingredients
Koha Limited Ingredient
Natural Balance LID
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet | Instinct Pet Food

https://thecatsite.com/threads/single-novel-protein-grain-free-wet-not-raw-food-help.346047/
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/306947/your-favorite-brands-of-novel-protein-canned-cat-food
Canned food without Carrageenan or Guar Gum?
Grain- & carrageenan-free foods
What are your favorite carrageenan/grain-free wet foods to feed to your cats?
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this list!
I've tried the Merrick, Natural Balance LID and the Instinct foods, she won't eat those. I'm a bit afraid to try Blue Buffalo, but will give it a try if they have a chicken/turkey pate. I would love to try the Koha LID, but I live solely on Social Security Disability and I checked that one out and it's super expensive. I pretty much have a limit of $50.00/month for Olivia's food. (I have two other cats, one on a weight control diet as well).

She always ate Evo 95 Chicken/Turkey, but of course they stopped making it sadly, so it's been really, really difficult to find a food she will eat.

I really appreciate this list and I will check out the links as well! <3
 
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Have you asked your vet about an appetite stimulant? This can be helpful to "jump start" the appetite until the Prednisolone kicks in.

Also, is your cat on any type of anti-nausea medication such as Cerenia? Cats with Pancreatitis/IBD are often nauseous and this is a factor in not eating. Ask your vet about a shot of Cerenia (faster acting), followed by Cerenia pills.

Sometimes sub-q fluids can help the appetite. Cats with Pancreatitis often get dehydrated from not eating. Ask your vet if fluids might be helpful.

As for the KOHA food, yes, a high quality food like this is expensive, especially online. Check the website to see if there is a local pet food store that carries KOHA near you. If so, the price will be cheaper than online.
I first bought a few cans online to see if my cat would eat it. Then I buy those flavors locally cheaper.

In the meantime, you might try Fancy Feast Classics, try Chicken or Turkey. While not ideal, getting something into them is better than nothing.

Even try plain chicken or turkey baby food, Gerber or Beech-Nut plain meat puree. Try warming it first.
 
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MultiCatJu

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babiesmom5 said:
Have you asked your vet about an appetite stimulant? This can be helpful to "jump start" the appetite until the Prednisolone kicks in.

Also, is your cat on any type of anti-nausea medication such as Cerenia? Cats with Pancreatitis/IBD are often nauseous and this is a factor in not eating. Ask your vet about a shot of Cerenia (faster acting), followed by Cerenia pills.

Sometimes sub-q fluids can help the appetite. Cats with Pancreatitis often get dehydrated from not eating. Ask your vet if fluids might be helpful.

As for the KOHA food, yes, a high quality food like this is expensive, especially online. Check the website to see if there is a local pet food store that carries KOHA near you. If so, the price will be cheaper than online.
I first bought a few cans online to see if my cat would eat it. Then I buy those flavors locally cheaper.

In the meantime, you might try Fancy Feast Classics, try Chicken or Turkey. While not ideal, getting something into them is better than nothing.

Even try plain chicken or turkey baby food, Gerber or Beech-Nut plain meat puree. Try warming it first.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your response!

Olivia had been on Cerenia. I will call the Vet this morning for another appetite stimulant and perhaps more Cerenia (the very little she does eat, she's not throwing up).

I had given her sub-q's off and on as needed for a bit of dehydration. She drinks a lot of water from the Drinkwell fountain. I'll look into getting more fluids for her - I check her every day for dehydration and she's actually doing okay there.

I also tried the baby food (bought a case of it for her) and she won't touch it. :'-(

I will try the fancy feast to see if it gets her going, and look into the Koha food for her.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions and experience you've shared about this. I am honored to be on this site!
 
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I know we need moisture for our cats. But mine will not eat their wet food if i add any water in with it. Have you tried the wet without adding water?

Sending her good wishes, that she feels better, and eats better soon!
 
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MultiCatJu

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duckpond said:
I know we need moisture for our cats. But mine will not eat their wet food if i add any water in with it. Have you tried the wet without adding water?

Sending her good wishes, that she feels better, and eats better soon!
Click to expand...

Interesting! I will try to wet food (pate) without mixing any water in! Thank you for this idea and for sending good wishes and thoughts to Olivia - we both appreciate it deeply! <3
 
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