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Cats/Senior cats wont eat special prescription food
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Question
I have 5 senior cats. All related. All a little over 15 years old. Jact and Jill have hyperthyroism, FLUTD , and some kidney failure. Ruby and Jitterbug have FLUTD. Rodney has feline herpes. The vet says I need to feed Jack and Jill special kidney food and Ruby the C/D hills prescription diet because she had crystals in her urine. The problem is the cats won't eat the special food and it is stressing them out. I think that is why they got FLUTD. Now I am back to feeding them the regular senior science diet. My question is what kind of supplement can I give them to help them. The vet said I should be given the 4 cats with FLUTD 500 mg of Glucosamine twice a day. Any suggestions on any sort of treat I can put it in. My main concern is just to keep the cats eating and feeling good, but it you can suggest any supplements, that would be great.
Hi Lori,
The best suggestion I can give you is to take them off the Hill's. Feed them a high quality low carbohydrate diet. EVO, Wellness, Merrick, Nature's Variety all make excellent foods like that. Cats need extra water with their food. I add a couple of tablespoons of water to the canned food that I feed mine. I mix it in to make a soupy mush. This will help yours with the FLUTD and the crystals.
The cat with the herpes I would give l-lysine, 250
to 500mg/day. This should help suppress the symptons on him. The glucosamine is more for arthritis in cats.
Try these things and see what happens. Write back and let me know. Good luck.
Ciao, Karen
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Answers by Expert:
Karen Craft
Expertise
I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!
Experience
I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care.
Some thoughts to carry with you.
A Cat's 10 Commandments
My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
Give me time to understand what you want of me.
Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.
Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you.
If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong.
Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.
Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.
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