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- Jun 12, 2015
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I made an account today to share my experiences over the last couple weeks in regards to apple cider vinegar with mother and switching my cats diet to wet food from dry. I've read these forums on and off for a while now, and have appreciated and been touched by the stories everyone has told about their loved kitties. So I came here as well as a few other sites to find some information and experiences of others when my cat, Hobbes, seemed to be having some urinary troubles about 2 weeks ago. I'm not quite sure exactly how old Hobbes is as I found him outside my apartment building one night about 11 years ago. He is a very friendly cat, and I believe that someone moved and left him behind as opposed to him being a stray. I tried to find his previous owner with no luck, he did not have tags or a chip, so I kept him. He has never had any health issues and is a very good companion. Anyway, enough back story, on to the issue.
On Friday morning two weeks ago I noticed a small amount of pink-tinged urine in my bathtub. That same morning I began noticing he was making frequent trips to the litter box, which caused me great concern and prompted a frenzy of internet research. For various reasons I can't afford a huge vet bill right now so my focus was on alternative treatments. I found quite a number of posts, here and elsewhere, with some very good information in general, but specifically regarding apple cider vinegar with mother and switching to a wet food diet, so I decided to give it a try. He was a bit apprehensive about the wet food at first, I was trying different flavors to see what he would like. I began feeding him about 1/3-1/2 a can of wet food twice per day with a little under a capful of the ACV mixed in with it, while keeping the dry food available.
He began to take to the wet food quite readily after a couple of feeding sessions. Over the next couple of days he was still making frequent trips to the litter box, especially in the morning hours, and he was still urinating in the bathtub occasionally, and it was a bit darker in color. He didn't appear to be in any pain, as he was not crying out or meowing, and was otherwise acting like his normal self. By that Sunday afternoon the frequent litterbox trips were nearly back to normal, and his bathtub urination was a normal color and amount. (he will sometimes urinate in the bathtub normally, if I'm in there). Now that its 2 weeks later, he has really taken to the wet cat food, and almost eating exclusively that now. I am now feeding him about 1/2 a can twice per day, with a little ACV and some water mixed in. His litterbox use is back to normal as far as cleaning it out.
Anyway, sorry if this post is a bit long-winded, just wanted to ask for advice on how to proceed and any experiences any of you may have had. There are probably a few things I left out, but any responses or stories you all want to share, I would love to read them. I was really worried about him, and I am so relieved that he has adjusted to these changes. I will definitely never be feeding dry food to any cats I get in the future.
Here is Hobbes helping me move a couple years ago.
And Yin Yang, who i sadly had to say goodbye to about 6 months ago.
On Friday morning two weeks ago I noticed a small amount of pink-tinged urine in my bathtub. That same morning I began noticing he was making frequent trips to the litter box, which caused me great concern and prompted a frenzy of internet research. For various reasons I can't afford a huge vet bill right now so my focus was on alternative treatments. I found quite a number of posts, here and elsewhere, with some very good information in general, but specifically regarding apple cider vinegar with mother and switching to a wet food diet, so I decided to give it a try. He was a bit apprehensive about the wet food at first, I was trying different flavors to see what he would like. I began feeding him about 1/3-1/2 a can of wet food twice per day with a little under a capful of the ACV mixed in with it, while keeping the dry food available.
He began to take to the wet food quite readily after a couple of feeding sessions. Over the next couple of days he was still making frequent trips to the litter box, especially in the morning hours, and he was still urinating in the bathtub occasionally, and it was a bit darker in color. He didn't appear to be in any pain, as he was not crying out or meowing, and was otherwise acting like his normal self. By that Sunday afternoon the frequent litterbox trips were nearly back to normal, and his bathtub urination was a normal color and amount. (he will sometimes urinate in the bathtub normally, if I'm in there). Now that its 2 weeks later, he has really taken to the wet cat food, and almost eating exclusively that now. I am now feeding him about 1/2 a can twice per day, with a little ACV and some water mixed in. His litterbox use is back to normal as far as cleaning it out.
Anyway, sorry if this post is a bit long-winded, just wanted to ask for advice on how to proceed and any experiences any of you may have had. There are probably a few things I left out, but any responses or stories you all want to share, I would love to read them. I was really worried about him, and I am so relieved that he has adjusted to these changes. I will definitely never be feeding dry food to any cats I get in the future.
Here is Hobbes helping me move a couple years ago.
And Yin Yang, who i sadly had to say goodbye to about 6 months ago.