Expert: mpmaltese@gmail.com ( Marie, Cat foods and Recipes ) e-mail me or write here - 4/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My cat was diagnosed with kidney failure about a month ago and since then he has become extremely picky on what he will and will not eat. He always used to be an average size cat and sometimes overweight. Now he is extremely skinny and it's worrying me. I feed him 3 times a day to fatten him up and sometimes he'll eat and sometimes he won't. I went to the store and bought ever brand of food to see if he'll eat one. Some of them he walked away from. Some he ate a little of but he'll never eat the same one twice in the same day. Do you have any suggestions on what to feed him? Thanks.

ANSWER: Hello  Malia, I like to see Kidney Failure Felines on some  Cranberry, NuVET Supplements  and a special "home cooked" diet:  
Make sure your vet knows any changes you are making.....

Here are some suggestions for you and your cat kid...

Feline Diet for Kidney problems.....See if she likes any of the following -

Home made food - freeze up weekly -
*** use freezer bags and take out what you need each day:

Here is what you can make:

We have had good luck with this :
KEEP your vet up-to-date on your Feeding choices...

Dr. Pitcairn's Feline Diet for Kidney Problems

1 1/3 cups (2/3 pound) ground chicken or turkey
4 cups cooked white rice
4 eggs
2 tablespoons cold-pressed safflower, soy or corn oil
( Please note: YOU do not need the following supplements if you use the NuVET system below)*****
1,500 milligrams calcium
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional , for a saltier flavor)
1 teaspoon parsley, finely grated carrot or other vegetable (optional)
5,000 IU vitamin A
Taurine and other cat vitamins (about 5 days' worth--)--
(** NUVET for CATS is an option - see below)

50 milligram level B complex (or 10 milligrams per day)
2,500 milligrams vitamin C (½ teaspoon sodium ascorbate)

Mix everything together in a large bowl.
Serve raw if the cat will accept it.  *Otherwise, mix all but the vitamins together, bake about 20 minutes in a moderate oven and then wait until it cools to mix in the vitamins.  Occasionally, substitute 1 to 3 teaspoons of liver for part of the meat.

SEE below about all the Vitamins:
*****************************

**** AS FAR as the Vitamins : YOU don't need the supplements above , in the recipe - if you USE NuVET for cats: *************
NuVET is Excellent:

see here for ordering NuVET feline Formula:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Look for NuVET feline powder / and use my name : Marie Peppers ask for the 15 % off when you mention my name...*********************


This one is also good: Check it out:

Anitra Frazier's Diet for the Cat with Kidney Problems

4 parts carbohydrate: Pureed barley flakes and /or baby food creamed corn
2 parts protein: Lightly broiled chicken or beef or raw organic egg yolk and cooked white (used with meat, not alone) you can also use baby food chicken
1 part vegetable: Chopped of finely grated raw vegetable or vegetable juice-carrots, zucchini, and alfalfa sprouts are best
2 Tablespoons Vita-Mineral Mix
2 teaspoons soft butter


Also, SoJO makes a nice Organic Cat mix / YOU add the chicken or turkey to this SoJO mix : see here:
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse

SoJo meats can be lightly cooked or given raw-  see here:

Q: Can cats really eat raw meat?

A: Your cat’s digestive system is designed to handle raw meat. After all, wild or zoo animals don’t eat cooked meat. We’ve been using raw meat since 1985 with fantastic results. Purchase healthy selections of meat, always refrigerate or freeze, and follow recommended safe handling instructions on meat packaging. If you are still concerned, rinse meat in a solution of grapefruit seed extract or human-grade hydrogen peroxide mixed with water. If you prefer to cook the meat, add a general nutritional supplement or veggies to compensate for the nutrients lost to cooking. The important thing is to do what makes you feel comfortable.


Marie Peppers
Ask the Pet nurse
mtnmom@gci.net

Keep me posted on your progress...
I am here to help:  Let me know what you decide to try???



You can buy some cranberry pills from Revival Animal Health - or Cat/ Dog Cranberry powder:

www.revivalhealth.com


BEST wishes....

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok great! I'll try it thanks. Is the food soft? He's lost a lot of teeth in back and seems to prefer very soft food with sauce.

Answer
Yes, it is soft food and you can play with it a bit.  Add a little of your own beef or chicken gravy to make it even softer.
Don't forget the NuVET too!

Have fun cooking and being your pet's Chef.

Marie Peppers LPN MA
ask the Pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net