Favorite food, toys, and other fun Savannah knowledge

[WitchyWoman]

I usually do the chicken breast boil

White meat lacks sufficient amount of taurine for cats. Legs and thighs and hearts contain a lot of taurine. Best to use thigh and leg meat.

Both the dogs and cats need calcium which they won't get if you aren't giving them edible raw bone or a calcium supplement. I usually recommend Mazuri for slab meat if you aren't feeding bone http://www.mazuri.com/MazuriCarnivoreSupplementforSlabMeat.aspx

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Even if feeding legs and thighs, I would add taurine...or Mazuri supplements. It's hard to know when you have added enough organs for taurine and it's just safer to add more as you can't so easily overdose that but it is so essential to them...

 

[Kristin]

I forgot to ask Kristin do yours have an outdoor enclosure? I am debating building one or just getting a nice enclosed gazebo/kennel.

I don't have an outdoor enclosure...we just don't have the space for that. I do have a backyard, though, and I put harnesses on them, as well as 30 ft leashes so they can wander around. I am able to grab them from any funky situations. Today Zeddie thought it would be a good idea to hop up the 6 ft fence and walk along it. I went over and grabbed her, but when she kept showing interest in doing it again she got tied away from the fence. Problem solved (for her. If it had been Jimmy it would have been much more work)

 

[MM3]

Sure. They're carnivores with intestines and digestive processes made especially for eating raw. No cooked bones for cats and dogs -- they can splinter and cause great harm.

Have you ever run across a situation where not one type of food gets them excited? I've tried so many Stella, Rad cat( not sure if that's the name...raw (chicken in plastic container like potato salad would come in) grass fed raw buffalo, grass feed beef, grass fed lamb multiple cans of different makers. And she turns her nose up at it all.
I did the mistake you mentioned but I learned about it too late. Giving her fancy feast medleys, they also had a breakfast line. She liked the breakfast choices. Then just as you mentioned they were gone off the market. For months I've been trying all types of different canned and will give her raw meats at different times the ones I mentioned before and she walks away.
She will lick the gravy and eat small portions ( a teaspoon ) of the other fancy feast choices. And I mix orijen( fish omega 3 ) with science diet ( both dry) . She eats about one half cup a day. I know that's not enough. When she licks the wet food it does have the bone meal and or probiotics on it. I tired making her home made chicken with home made broth and she won't touch it.
She plays and goes about her daily routine as she always has. Never acting for is not vocal asking for food. I'm stumped! I want to order the mice and etc you mentioned that cone frozen but wanted to reach out first before I order. She's not lost weight I weigh her. Help!

 

[Patti]

I'm not sure what the answer for you is. Does she like freeze dried treats at all? If so, you could try crumbling freeze dried chicken (or similar) over her the food you are trying to get her to eat. You can also try the same with (human) baby food, just be sure it's stage one - only meat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc.) and broth, no additives such as onion or garlic.

 

[MM3]

I'm not sure what the answer for you is. Does she like freeze dried treats at all? If so, you could try crumbling freeze dried chicken (or similar) over her the food you are trying to get her to eat. You can also try the same with (human) baby food, just be sure it's stage one - only meat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc.) and broth, no additives such as onion or garlic.

I've tried the baby food, she did like it at one point. But now she won't touch it. Freeze dried I've tried no results. I took in to her vet a fecal sample to do a fecal floatation. I don't know if that will tell anything but I'm pulling out my hair. One thing I'm thankful for is I know she's not dehydrated. She accepts water given to her by way of a syringe. Since I'm home I give her water all day long and that's in addition to what she drinks on her own. Thanks for the response.

 

[WitchyWoman]

She accepts water given to her by way of a syringe. Since I'm home I give her water all day long and that's in addition to what she drinks on her own. Thanks for the response.

If she's drinking on her own, why are you syringing her? She may be filled up with water which would cause inappetence. Too much water can have an adverse affect on her health. If she's eating 1/2 cup per day and maintaining her weight, you have to assume that is the amount she needs.

Picky eating habits can be an indication of illness/disease. Has she had a complete workup by your vet?

You mentioned elsewhere that she has pica. Was she tested for anemia which can cause pica? How about inflammatory bowel syndrome?

Try giving her 1/4 to 1/2 a Pepcid once per day for a week and see if that has any affect on her appetite.

When I hear of extreme cases of picky eaters, I wonder whether there is something amiss with their olfactory systems or ability to taste.

 

[MM3]

If she's drinking on her own, why are you syringing her? She may be filled up with water which would cause inappetence. Too much water can have an adverse affect on her health. If she's eating 1/2 cup per day and maintaining her weight, you have to assume that is the amount she needs.

Picky eating habits can be an indication of illness/disease. Has she had a complete workup by your vet?

You mentioned elsewhere that she has pica. Was she tested for anemia which can cause pica? How about inflammatory bowel syndrome?

Try giving her 1/4 to 1/2 a Pepcid once per day for a week and see if that has any affect on her appetite.

When I hear of extreme cases of picky eaters, I wonder whether there is something amiss with their olfactory systems or ability to taste.

Never thought of the water filling her up. Guess it is due to her eating dry food and being worried that she isn't getting enough water and possible constipation. (Which has happened before)
Today her doctor took blood to do a complete blood work up. The steroid shot worked with in an hour. She was eating.

 

[WitchyWoman]

The steroid shot worked with in an hour.

Sounds as though there is an inflammatory process going on. I hope you get an answer soon.

 

[MM3]

Sounds as though there is an inflammatory process going on. I hope you get an answer soon.

Yes, inflammatory bowel. On prednisone for the next 5 days. High dose now then less each day moving into every other day. If she still isn't eating much next week then next is taking X-rays.
I asked the doctor about me giving Emma Mae water and it filling her up so she isn't hungry. Dr. Said that cannot happen. Cats systems are set up that way for that to happen. Also added her about Pepcid, she said it works on dogs but wouldn't recommend it for a cat. Emma Mae is not Anemic, blood work came back all in good standing.