Hey guys...
So, Hobbes' antibiotics are gone, and he's having problems all over again...roaming around to find somewhere to pee, peeing on various soft places (clothing, blankets, etc.), walking around crying...etc.
The emergency vet we took him to diagnosed him as having cystitis...which of course could mean any number of things.
I've been told by a few sources that diet can affect his issue...and was wondering if ya'll could give me some advice on what you think we should do.
Right now, they get fed once a day (1.5c total...each cat is about 20lbs) Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Adult Formula dry food. I've been told that working to switch them to wet food will be beneficial to Hobbes' cystitis...but they've HATED wet food all their lives (the only wet food I've ever gotten them to eat was the Iams kitten wet food when they were babies). In fact, they'd rather starve than eat it...so I think I've got quite the uphill battle on my hands in trying to switch them.
So, could ya'll give me dietary advice for him? Any particular ingredients we should watch out for? Any particular brands, or types that would help most?
Also, tips for switching strong-willed kitties would be wonderful!
Thank you so much, guys...I so want my boy to be healthy...and have a strong feeling that just giving him stronger antibiotics just won't help him through this, given that in doing the urinalysis, they didn't get any bacteria growth...so it's not a bacterially based thing.
Hugs!
Rosie*
Edited to add: We've already given the kitties a Drinkwell fountain, which is working out well. We're already having to refill it like mad!
So, Hobbes' antibiotics are gone, and he's having problems all over again...roaming around to find somewhere to pee, peeing on various soft places (clothing, blankets, etc.), walking around crying...etc.
The emergency vet we took him to diagnosed him as having cystitis...which of course could mean any number of things.
I've been told by a few sources that diet can affect his issue...and was wondering if ya'll could give me some advice on what you think we should do.
Right now, they get fed once a day (1.5c total...each cat is about 20lbs) Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul Adult Formula dry food. I've been told that working to switch them to wet food will be beneficial to Hobbes' cystitis...but they've HATED wet food all their lives (the only wet food I've ever gotten them to eat was the Iams kitten wet food when they were babies). In fact, they'd rather starve than eat it...so I think I've got quite the uphill battle on my hands in trying to switch them.
So, could ya'll give me dietary advice for him? Any particular ingredients we should watch out for? Any particular brands, or types that would help most?
Also, tips for switching strong-willed kitties would be wonderful!
Thank you so much, guys...I so want my boy to be healthy...and have a strong feeling that just giving him stronger antibiotics just won't help him through this, given that in doing the urinalysis, they didn't get any bacteria growth...so it's not a bacterially based thing.
Hugs!
Rosie*
Edited to add: We've already given the kitties a Drinkwell fountain, which is working out well. We're already having to refill it like mad!