http://www.catforum.com/forum/ Topics ranging from veterinarians to cat food. This forum will cover all issues related to their health and proper nutrition. en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:23:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.catforum.com/forum/images/CatForum/misc/rss.jpg http://www.catforum.com/forum/ http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135519-olivers-wiskers-falling-out.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:04:35 GMT I thought my husband was teasing when he said he was picking up one of olivers whiskers so I didn't think anything of it. but while petting him just now one of his whiskers were left on my lap :o. Is this normal? maybe he has caught whatever nanna has? could it be a sinus infection? he seems fine other then the missing whisker. It is just kind of freaking me out. I've keep her away from him this whole time so I don't know.... ]]> Olivers-Slave http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135519-olivers-wiskers-falling-out.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135517-fridge-not.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:37:09 GMT I was wondering, is it better to fridge wet cat food, or to just keep it out? I have been putting it in the fridge, but it just seems so chilly when... I was wondering, is it better to fridge wet cat food, or to just keep it out? I have been putting it in the fridge, but it just seems so chilly when I take it out, although I'm not sure if that matters, so that's why I'm asking. :-P ]]> MaloreyAnimal http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135517-fridge-not.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135516-need-suggestions-healthy-grain-free-minced-pate-cat-food-brands.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:48:20 GMT 4 months later, still struggling trying to find a wet food brand that my cats will actually like for more than a week. And yes, I do try to rotate... 4 months later, still struggling trying to find a wet food brand that my cats will actually like for more than a week. And yes, I do try to rotate different brands/flavors daily so they don't get bored, but they still get bored. They are the 2 pickiest cats in the world!

Last night my female got into my males Hill's c/d wet prescription food by mistake (Yuck, I know. But he doesn't touch it anyways). And she ravished the whole bowl with gusto, scarfing it down real fast. I've never seen her enjoy wet food so much. Finally, a wet food she likes! But go figure, its something she's not allowed to eat. It's made for urinary issues, so obviously she can't have that again. So now I'm looking for healthy "minced" food brands that I can try her on, that are similiar to the texture of Hill's c/d.

Is minced the same as pate? (Shows how much I know about cat foods). It looks the same to me, but who knows. The minced c/d seemed a bit more wet than the pate foods I've seen though (Evo & Wellness, which both seemed rather dry). And she's always hated the pate brands I've tried, but went to town eating the minced c/d. Maybe because it was "junk" food.

And unless I'm missing something somewhere, most of the cat food websites don't mention the texture of the food - whether its minced, pate or chunks in gravy. The only thing I could find that actually said "minced" was Fancy Feast. I'd prefer a healthier grain free brand though, since both of my cats already have health issues, and I don't need anymore vet bills (Female has chronic constipation, and my male is proned to oxalate stones). So I try to find wet foods that are grain free, and low in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and ash for him, which is usually the healthier brands. Weruva is perfect food for my males condition, but he'll only lick the gravy and not eat the meat, so it does him no good.

I've already tried Evo & Wellness Core pate brands, and neither of them wanted anything at all to do with them, so they're out. Any other suggestions for healthy grain free "minced" foods? ]]> Kattt http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135516-need-suggestions-healthy-grain-free-minced-pate-cat-food-brands.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135511-we-feeding-right-food.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:36:53 GMT We have two cats, one is 2 yrs other 3 months, and each has their own litter box. We feed them a well-known brand of dry food. Not the cheap stuff... We have two cats, one is 2 yrs other 3 months, and each has their own litter box. We feed them a well-known brand of dry food. Not the cheap stuff and No table scraps. They cover their poop okay and always use their box. The problem is when they go number two; the stint is unbelievable! Have had cats in the past and it was never this bad. Could it be the food? Anyone else have this problem? ]]> two cats http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135511-we-feeding-right-food.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135508-how-much-de-too-much.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:17:50 GMT In hopes of de-worming SemiFeralKitty naturally, I've been putting diatomaceous earth on her raw chicken.

She seems to think it's crack!

How much of this stuff is too much? Her stools are still a good consistency.

Also, while her belly is still round, she already seems less smelly. Is such a quick change really possible? ]]> ZoeH http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135508-how-much-de-too-much.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135507-pet-food-companies-will-not-send-calorie-information-via-email.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:01:13 GMT Just a rant really - What on *earth* do they have to hide???? I just don't understand why they would blow off a potential interested customer. I want the best for my cat and lack of information tells me that company does not have our best interest at heart! ]]> shari http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135507-pet-food-companies-will-not-send-calorie-information-via-email.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135505-wet-food-how-much-feed.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:28:27 GMT My question mostly involves what I should be feeding my 6 month old kitten, and how much. _Background info_ I brought my kitten into the vet last... My question mostly involves what I should be feeding my 6 month old kitten, and how much.

Background info
I brought my kitten into the vet last week, for various reasons. We moved to a new apartment, and Oliver (6 monthes old) began sneezing tons, and was very stuffed up, hes eyes were watering, and we'd had issues with diarrhea with bright red blood.

We got lysine? for the herpes cat virus, and an antibiotic for his congestion. The vet didn't think the issue diarrhea&blood in stool was parasites, but rather, digestion issues, related to feeing him low quality grocery store brand dry food. The vet recommended we feed an all wet diet suggesting brands such as iams or fancy feast. We went to pet value and found their performatrin wet food, which we could buy in a case of large cans, for about $2 a can. The can said an adult cat should eat about half a can of the food a day.

The issue:
The issue is that my cat really loves this food. He eats a ton. When we feed it, he eats it really fast and then begins meowing at the fridge for more. We picked up a bag of Chicken Soup of the Cats Soul, dry food. And have been having it available throughout the day, so that we don't feel so guilty about not giving him more wet food..

Question
Should we just limit him to the half can? I don't want him to eat too much and get fat. I'd like to feed just wet food, but he eats soo much, and I can't afford to keep up with his appetite. Is the food we're giving him decent? Or should we have gone with the iams/ fancy feast? Any recommendations for reasonably prices wet food? ]]> laurab08 http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135505-wet-food-how-much-feed.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135494-kitten-still-needs-stimulated-plus-bonus-food-question.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:36:39 GMT Surprise! Another question! ;)

Berwyn is 4 1/2 weeks now, and he's still needing to be stimulated to go potty. He still doesn't have bowel movements regularly, but the vet isn't too worried because he's in great health.

Is there a "deadline" of when they should learn to go? I've read different things. That they should start between 3-5 weeks, some sooner some later. That to get them to go by themselves, you just stop stimulating them. I don't think I'm going to just stop, because his bladder gets rather large (vet's comment) and he needs stimulated more often because of this.
He has a follow up appointment in a week (I'm still not pleased with his infrequent and basically non existent bowel movements), so I plan on asking his vet then, but if anyone here has any suggestions in the meantime, I'd love to hear them.

Also, my grandmother is worried I'm over feeding him. :roll:
Based on his weight, and the food he's eating (KMR) he's supposed to be getting 30ml per 4 oz of weight. He's 12 oz and he gets 90ml a day. He would love to have more though but he's gaining weight perfectly and is right where he should be.
She just wanted me to ask the experts :P

Thanks again guys! ]]> pim09 http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135494-kitten-still-needs-stimulated-plus-bonus-food-question.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135490-sneezing-kitten.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:36:18 GMT my little monster started to sneeze about a week ago, at first i thought it was because of all the dust she's been gathering by going through under all nooks and crany of the house (my sister was sure that it was because she has some deep need to become a dust bunny lol) and it was going on and off throughout the week, so i didn't put much thought into it.

but for the last few days, she has been sneezing more than just twice a day but not all the time, but most of the time she just try to push snots from her nose( runny nose). she's eating and playing normally. and her breathing is not blocked. i just feel bad that she constantly sneeze and couldnt get enough rest because whenever she fall asleep (at night) she sneezes and woke up.

i can't get her to the vet until her next appointment next week exactly- she is being treated for body ear mites infestation. is there anything i can do at home until then to keep her from getting any sicker? (i found out that some cat owners gave their cats some benadryl so wont sneeze as much)

i'm really worried because it is one thing after the other with her, first the ear mites ear infestation, then worms that made her unable to gain weight, next the ear mites on the body that made her scratch and form scabs and loose fur from her ears and back (which she is still recovering from, she doesnt scratch as much- at first i thought it was ringworms since the symptom look the same, scabby and lost fur).

ps: she's almost 15 weeks old, 1 kg weight and counting ( just got over worm infestations) and has been de-wormed and vaccinated. ]]> mustlovehagu http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135490-sneezing-kitten.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135489-kitten-vomiting-having-diarrhea.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:56:33 GMT I got my kitten from the animal shelter 5 ago, and he's around 9 weeks new. I switched his food pretty quickly becuase I didn't even know what he was on at the shelter, and put him on Wellness.

However, for the past two days he's thrown up in the morning and had diarrhea. He also ignored his food this morning. Is this something to be concerned about? He has a vet appt tm to be neutered, and I don't want him going into it sick and weak. His energy seems normal, but I don't know...What do you think could be causing this? I'm just concerned about the poor little guy as a first time cat person :( ]]> Fiera http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135489-kitten-vomiting-having-diarrhea.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135476-how-cold-too-cold.html Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:23:14 GMT It's finally starting to get cool here (after a horrible heat wave, so it's very very welcome). This time of year I like to keep the windows open at night when it's not too cold, to keep my apartment comfortable.

I just put up a window seat for Vala. She loves it. I swear she spends more time on it than off. I'm wondering, how cold is too cold to leave the window open? Obviously when it gets down into the 40s or 30s I don't keep it open. Tonight is supposed to get down into the 50s, which is borderline for me.

At what temperature do I really need to worry, especially since she spends so much time sitting right by it? She's a short hair, if that makes a difference. ]]> karate0kat http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135476-how-cold-too-cold.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135471-duralactin.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:01:54 GMT My vet said that Duralactin may be good for my FeLV+ and FIV+ cats that have chronic tooth problems and gum inflation. From what I am reading about... My vet said that Duralactin may be good for my FeLV+ and FIV+ cats that have chronic tooth problems and gum inflation. From what I am reading about it, my IBD cat may also benefit from this supplement. Veterinary Products Laboratories makes it and it seems that the only animals that have problems with it are ones that are allergic to milk.
Has anyone heard about the product? ]]> katlover13 http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135471-duralactin.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135460-nanna-midget.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:06:42 GMT Well we finally found a name for our new kitty. She is so tiny but is about 3 years old. She just lost half a kilo between yesterday and today so now... Well we finally found a name for our new kitty. She is so tiny but is about 3 years old. She just lost half a kilo between yesterday and today so now she is weighing 1.5 kilos. (about 3 pounds) She has finally eaten after the vet gave her something to stimulate her apatite which he says is a good sign, because animals with kidney, liver, or gastric problems even with the shot won't eat. So her not eating is probably just a lot of stress. She just got a blood test done and I am to feed her ever 2 hours only a small portion of wet food. I asked if I could feed her some chicken hearts and liver (I eat them normally at home so I have some) but he said they will be to hard on her atm.

Soooo...hopefully her blood tests come out clean. next step is getting rid of the sinus infection THEN her vaccinations. Only thing I'm worried about is my other cat catching it but I've been washing washing washing anything of the other cat that touches me when I leave the quarantine room (aka the second bedroom)

I hope she eats while I'm at home otherwise I have to bring her back to the vet tomorrow (which is a national holiday but he said if she doesn't eat bring her in and he will come he is such a sweet vet)

I worry about her weight, shes 1.5 kilos and 3 years old, while my other cat (oliver) is 9.5 kilos and 1.5 years old. Is that normal at all? ]]> Olivers-Slave http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135460-nanna-midget.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135435-please-help-cat-not-eating-lethargic.html Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:14:52 GMT First off, we head to the emergency vet's in 50 minutes. The vet's on a call right now.

Sickey hasn't eaten anything, less one or two temptation treats in at least 24 hours. He's turned to skin and bones overnight. He's fed a canned diet that he simply licks the moisture out of. His favourite treats that he'll do anything for, yucky Temptation treats still hold interest (he hears the bag and comes running, conditioned behaviour no doubt) but he can't eat them, or like just now, simply has no interest once they're in front of him.

He's still drinking.

He's been hiding in a back bedroom in one of our dog's beds, which is not a usual behaviour for him.

After some reading I'm praying that this is not kidney failure. He's only 3 years old. He has the herpes virus and recently was on antibiotics for another type of virus that causes mouth ulcers?

What could this be? What type of testing should the vet be doing?

Please, any type of advice or information is greatly appreciated! ]]> RescueKitties http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135435-please-help-cat-not-eating-lethargic.html http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135392-my-cats-eating-enough.html Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:36:11 GMT I’m currently transitioning my two cats from dry to wet and doing so has caused me to pay more attention to how much they’re eating. (I didn’t pay... I’m currently transitioning my two cats from dry to wet and doing so has caused me to pay more attention to how much they’re eating. (I didn’t pay much attention before, in part because they were being free-fed.) Anyway, both of my two seem to be eating WAY less than what is recommended on the can/bag. Both cats are young, healthy and reasonably active. They are currently being fed Weruva grain-free wet. Immediately before the transition, they were eating grain-free dry, either Blue Wilderness or Wellness.

For example, Muffin is 17 months old and weighs 10 lbs. The recommended daily dry food amount (as per the bag and given her weight) is ¾ cup to 1 cup per day. When she was eating dry only, she would eat about 1/3 of a cup per day. The recommended daily wet food amount is 8-10 ounces. She’s now been successfully transitioned to wet, but she only eats about 3-4 oz per day (and no dry). Abby is 14 months and weighs 8 lbs. When she was eating dry, she would consume less than ¼ cup per day. She’s being rather stubborn when it comes to eating wet food, although she’s starting to come around and, right now, she’s eating about 1-2 oz of wet per day (again no dry).

In short, they’re eating less than half of the minimum recommended amounts. I serve them more than they’re currently eating, but they never finish everything in their bowls. Since they don’t eat everything I put out, I can only assume that their tummies are full when they stop eating. A few questions: Can the manufacturer’s recommended daily feeding amounts really be that far off? How do the amounts my two are eating (given their weight, etc.) compare to what you see in your cats? Finally, since they choose not to eat everything I give them, should I just not worry about this issue, on the basis that they’re the best judge as to how hungry they are? ]]> Susan http://www.catforum.com/forum/38-health-nutrition/135392-my-cats-eating-enough.html