I have a question for those who feed their cats raw food

[Grateful for Hope]

I purchased the Organic Chicken Diet medallions by Prairie from a local pet store.

Jake, the younger of my two kittens (they are both nearing a year old, although Jake won't be a year until the end of May), loves it, and would eat all the medallions I put in front of him.

I read on the bag that his size (he is about 7 lbs) requires 2-3 medallions per day. Well, he is eating at least 4 per day, and then supplements with Innova Evo and the canned food I try to feed Spidey.

He is definitely not fat by any means. His build, if anything, is very reminiscent of a young siamese...long and very lean.

Spidey will eat it rarely, and would prefer Sheba turkey or chicken flavors (geesh I wish he would be amenable to better canned food...but, so far, no). I have tried all the premium canned foods with Spidey, and, beyond a doubt, he will eat the Sheba, and not simply lick out the juices like he does with the more natural/premium brands.

My question is that I see Jake wanting to eat voraciously. Because of this, I am concerned that all might not be right with him. His coat has a beautiful sheen, he is very active, but, still, I wonder if maybe he has worms.

Can anyone tell me what the symptoms would be for worms?

Also, I need to rant a little. Spidey, who has been sick several times since I adopted him, is very, very finicky. It's like having a kid that refuses to eat his or her veggies. I try so hard with him, and, so far, (although he is warming up to Innova Evo), he just wants to eat, like I say to my son, sh&8.

Arghhhhh...

[demnan]

1. Jake sounds very healthy

You might notice the casings of dead worms in an area where your cat sleeps often. I remember when Lily had worms. I noticed them in the seat of a cushioned black office chair that she liked to sit on and manage the office (when I had a small business). I also saw them live coming out of her rear. So I got her in and treated. At no time did I see the worms affect her appetite in any way. She was treated immediately and recoverd from that most un-ladylike of afflictions.

So look to your vet for help with this one!

[Grateful for Hope]

2. Thanks, Demnan

I haven't noticed any signs of what you describe, but, I think it wouldn't hurt to have my vet look at him anyway.

I think it is probably more likely that he is very healthy with a healthy appetite.

Since I lost my Pushka in early November (she was 18), I think I am overly concerned about my little buddies. I hope this doesn't last.

[MsTryska]

3. maybe he's jsut got a high metabolism?

considering it's meat and not grains, i doubt he'll get fat off it.

roughly how many ounces are in a medallion?


with spidey, you might have to offer him medallions or nothing. after a few days of nothing, allegeldy he'll coem around.

i had a heck of a time with my old man, dolla tho. he wasn't giving up his kibble for nothing.

until he had to spend the night at the vets. he wouldn't eat there, and when he got home he wouldn't eat anything but mama's home cooking. and we've been doing well ever since.

[Grateful for Hope]

5. Yes, I think Jake has a high metabolism

Not sure how many ounces in a medallion, but, I would say they are about 1 oz each.

I WAS thinking of giving Spidey nothing but the raw food. I am such a softy, though, that I am not sure I could follow through with it.

Good suggestion!

[MsTryska]

9. 4 ozs doesn't seem over the top.....

that's a 1/3 of a cup per day.


my boys (onyx is around 12lbs, dolla, closer to 15) get a 1/3cup of raw per meal.


soem of the posts below re hyperthyroid are good to follow up on too. He would be awful young for it tho - as that's a middle-aged ot elderly cat disease.

what's the poo consistency like? (Dolla is hyper-t, and his poo is pretty darn liquidy, when his thyroid is running high, more like a tootsie roll when the meds are adequate)

[Lorien]

4. I'd have him checked for hyperthyroid just to be safe

and check for worms while he's there.

My Puck is very active, and she eats the freeze dried Prairie Nature's Variety chicken and turkey medallions-but only two to three a day (she doesn't like the frozen raw or canned). If I have a REALLY finicky foster, then I mix a little Solid Gold blended tuna into their meal. I don't like feeding too much tuna because of mercury poisoning, but a bit of the smell will get them to dive into their food.

Good luck!

[Grateful for Hope]

6. hyperthyroid might be an issue, Lorien

I think I am going to take him for a well visit in the next week or so. It certainly can't hurt.

I have the freeze dried Prairie lamb and neither like it. The chicken and turkey might be better. Also, I hate feeding Spidey Sheba as I know it's garbage, but, I wanted to get weight on him. What I have noticed is that he is eating a lot more of the Innova Evo these days...and, he looks so much better than he did even a month ago. As I said in another thread, I forgot that he liked the Prairie Nature's Variety largely because I can't get it at my local pet store anymore. I am glad I thought of it as I do want them both to eat a diet as natural (and as good) as possible.

Tried the tuna trick...wouldn't you know it? Spidey doesn't like tuna. Not even the tuna water juice which I have never known a cat not to like.

Do you give your cats filtered water? This is another thing I have given thought to, and I wondered if this would be wise (as opposed to tap water).

[Lorien]

7. Lamb isn't advised for cats, so I'm not surprised that they wouldn't

eat it.Puck will eat the venison in a pinch, but other than that she'll only eat the turkey and chicken.

Yes, I give my guys filtered Brita water in a pet fountain with an additional filter, except for Oberon, who will only drink from a cup in the bathroom sink (which he MUST do a stiff legged "water dance" around before he can take on lap from it. Such a bizarre beast).

[Grateful for Hope]

8. OMG you made me laugh!

Picturing Oberon doing the water dance! LOL!!!

I think you've convinced me that I need to switch to filtered water for my guys.

Thanks!

[MsTryska]

11. Dolla is the same way!

He's strictly a birder - chicken, turkey, quail, game hen (he'll tear a game hen up). Ostrich in a pinch. Sometimes i sneak some ground pork in. but he won't eat most mammals.

onyx, on the other hand, will eat whatever i put in front of him.

[MsTryska]

10. try parmesan cheese!

Dolla likes tuna - but he it was like he knew you were trying to trick him into eating soemthign he didn't like if you gave him tuna.

Back when he was grudgingly eating the homecookin' i used to top it with shake n'zyme (which gives enzymes cats don't naturally have, all in a base of parmesan).


now we've graduated to a romano in a shaker top. i jsut sprinkle it on his food, ad he eats it all up. (he was eating before, but for some reason, he decided he can eat it only with cheese now - mine is not to question).