Diabetic cat

[chizzy22]

My cat was diagnosed last week. He's 14 years old. He really misses his Whiskas pouches and Whiskas milk. He's so depressed. He sat this morning staring at the wall for 2 hours. The only thing I can get him to eat is chicken and I'm worried that it may not be enough... He won't eat the Royal Canin diabetic kibble or the Hills or Integra Protect Diabetes. (I've spent a small fortune this week!) I made scrambled egg for his lunch. It's still there. I'll try cooking rice to go with his chicken tonight. I've tried mixing kibble in with chicken and he manages to leave all the kibble in his bowl. Please could someone suggest something? and please don't say 'he'll eat when he's hungry' because he won't. He's also really skinny now and I need to get some food into him. Other than that, he is still coming to sit on my lap and purring. He's still grooming himself. Still beating up all the other cats on the block....

[Sqad]

Simple....give him his favourite Whiskas Pouches and Whiskas Milk.

He is 14 years old for God's sake, let him have his last few months of life with satisfaction and dignity.

[LoftyLottie]

Actually, although I hate to say it because it sounds hard, I agree with Sqad. We had a diabetic cat and had to give him daily injections and special food (which he wouldn't eat). He was younger than your cat. In the end we made a decision that quality of life was more important than preserving his life.

I don't suppose you want to hear this though.

[LoftyLottie]

By the way chizzy, I love cats and I know Sqad does too.

[MsEVP]

I totally agree with sqad here. Give him his Whiskas, please

[notasyoungasiwas]

I totally agree with sqad and LoftyLottie ...

[notasyoungasiwas]

It's the staring at the wall for two hours that got me - he can't understand why he's not getting his fave foods. Poor puss and poor you.

[mike11111]

I agree with Sqad. This reminds of the (true) story of a 97 year old man who was refused a second boiled egg for his breakfast in the care home because "it was bad for his cholesterol".

[sandyRoe]

Let him eat, drink, and be merry.
I agree with all the above.

[Sqad]

mike....LOL

[notasyoungasiwas]

O that poor old man, I hope he got his egg ...

[pusskin]

Would you give a dying man he's last puff on a ciggie? I would .

Let your cat eat and be merry

[ladybirder]

I agree, give him what he wants but I would also try fresh fish, prawns, tinned tuna or salmon, cheese, all of which my 18 year old cat will eat. Mine has hyperthyroidism and kidney problems and is skinny like yours and she often sits and stares at a blank wall for hours but I don't think she's depressed. I'm told it's just what older cats do.

[bensmum]

Is he having insulin injections or is the diabetes being controlled by diet? Were you told not to give him the Whiskas? I ask because I have looked after diabetic cats and they have been able to eat their ordinary food albeit at certain times with their injections. I agree with the others, if he enjoys the Whiskas pouches then let him eat them.

[jules77]

I found this on a website......

Dr. Lisa Pierson has written extensively on the topic of Feline Nutrition (and Common Sense). I highly recommend her website http://www.catinfo.org/ for information about Feline Diabetes, and she also has instructions for making cat food, complete with a recipe.
If making your own cat food is too much work, Dr. Pierson also shows you how to read the ingredients (especially carbohydrate levels) in the commercial brand and prescription canned foods.
Make sure you discuss your kitty's diet plan with your veterinarian, because the insulin levels may change and will need to be monitored closely.

[lcg]

you can still give him his whiskas and favourite stuff...but start introducing the healthier diabetic foods slowly. they are creatures of habit (like us!), after all. and ask your vets for help. good luck x

[hibeeslass]

I buy the bags of frozen chicken peices from Farm foods take a couple of wee strips out the freezer every day to defrost when done I whixx them through the whizzer and mix through her cat food she will eat anything i put down to her when i do this....she had hyperthyroidism too, purrs and wants luvvies still, she is 13 bless.....

[boxtops]

I agree with the posts which say let him eat what he wants. Our Rover has kidney disease, and the vet told me to feed him kidney food which he though was gross - he was hungry, but he cried when I fed it to him on the second day. In the end (with the vet's agreement) I fed him good quality senior cat food, which was good for renal problems. OH and I decided that it was better to have a happy cat (even for a shorter time) than a miserable boy.

I wouldn't give him the milk though, it's quite sugary - but make a conscious decision that it's better to have a happy eating boy than one who's going to fade away on the proper diet. Try him on a Whiskas now - see what happens.

[wolf63]

I agree with the others - but here is a link to some leaflets that you can either read or download.
http://www.fabcats.or...rs/diabetes/index.php

Cats are not known for being cooperative when you are trying to follow vet's instructions so you could talk it over with your vet. Your moggie might also be going a bit senile and this will maybe why he has been staring at blank walls.

Good luck to both of you

[ladybirder]

LOL wolf I was trying to be polite and avoid the 'Senile' word.

[chizzy22]

Thank you.
Sorry I haven't answered sooner - I was just a bit upset! I feel a little ashamed of myself punishing him with the food he is supposed to eat. He isn't eating it anymore! I cook him fresh chicken for tea and he has half a Whiskas pouch with half a saucer of Whiskas milk for breakfast. He loves the Strawberry Angel Delight so he had a spoonful of that last night for his weekly treat! I think his coat is improving and that he is a lot happier since I read your answers. Great advice. My cat and I are extremely grateful.