Low protein diet for cats

[tigerlelly]

My poor cat has been diagnosed with kidney problems and has been put on a special diet of low-protein. There are special packets of food and only so many given per day according to the weight of the cat. Sixpence seems to be starving and I wondered if I could add a little boiled rice to the food to bulk it out a bit. Does anyone know as I can't get hold of my vet at the moment.
Thanks.

[ladybirder]

Hi tiger, if you're going to speak to your vet shortly I shouldn't imagine a bit of boiled rice is going to do any harm. My cat is now in her 19th year and has kidney problems and hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately she won't eat the special low protein food so I just give her what she likes as I'm not letting her starve. Good for Sixpence for eating the LP stuff.

[tigerlelly]

Thanks ladybirder. My cat also has an overactive thyroid and a heart murmur. We've no idea how old he is as he came to us as a beaten up (literally)and starving stray nearly 5 years ago. We're lucky that he likes the LP diet as he will only eat the most expensive cat food (can't mention the name but it features a white Persian cat) and chicken or tuna. This diet is a reprieve as if the blood test results are no better in 3 weeks time then Sixpence will be no more. We are following the vet's advice on this as we certainly don't want to lose Sixpence but don't want him to suffer either. It's hard being a lover of animals, isn't it

[jakep]

I was in the same situation with my old girl. She would not eat the LP food and, after about the first six weeks, did not want to take the tablets. I then let her eat what she wanted (including very special treats of smoked salmon) and also took her off the pills. I had her from about seven weeks of age and she was then 19. My theory was that I did not want to ruin our relationship at what was obviously going to be the end of her life. Her life was shorter but stress free. When the time was right I held her until long after her final breath and knew that I had made the correct choice for my girl.

[ladybirder]

It's very hard when they come to the end of their life and tiger and annie you can only do your best. Maggie is such a scrawny skinny thing now and won't take anything or eat anything to help herself and like you annie I'm not going to upset her. But she's had a new lease of life this week, rushing around in the wind, so she's not quite at the end yet. Tiger, please let us know how Sixpence gets on won't you. Good luck.

[boxtops]

Tigerlelly, let your cat eat exactly what she wants, as long as it's good quality senior food. My Rover was suffering from CKD and was given the disgusting kidney food which he hated. We made a conscious decision that he would have a happy rest of his life, rather than be healthier and miserable. He had Fortekor tablets which kept his kidney problems at bay - has the vet suggested these for your cat?

[Barmaid]

Have you tried her on the LP biscuits? My old girl wouldn't touch the meat, but would scoff the biscuits til the cows came home. They were made by Royal Canin and most vets stock them.

[boxtops]

If you have a Jollyes near you, they may have them on special offer at the moment - our Jollyes has Royal Canin 400g bags for £2.90 each at the moment, bargain!

[tigerlelly]

Thanks all.
Yes, the vet gave us the Fortekor tablets which puss cat tolerated well. Unfortunately we had to make the hard decision yesterday as he hadn't eaten for 3 days, not even his favourite chicken or tuna, and Thursday night and yesterday morning was crying off and on and being sick. He went peacefully and the vet was very kind. It was a year to the day that my parrot died so doubly sad. Our pets are unwanted strays or rescue animals so we always hope that their last few years are happy with us and do our best to make it so.

[rsvp]

cyberhug on it's way to you tigerlily - many of us really do understand how you feel today - chin up x

[boxtops]

Tigerleilly, my heart goes out to you - I am so sorry, but you did the right thing for your boy. The vet told me that kidney disease is really hard to diagnose, as the illness is far advanced before the physical symptoms start to show, and your poor fellow was obviously very poorly.

You have done the right thing by your cat - he's no longer suffering and sad - big hugs from us this morning ((♥))

[tigerlelly]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.