Fat that cat!
June 29, 2023 4:29 AM Subscribe
I have two cats that need to put on some weight. What extra foods can I give them?
I have two cats, both fourteen, who have lost weight due to health issues (one a food allergy, one hyper thyroidism). They would both benefit from putting some weight back on, but their current diet doesn't seem to be doing the job and they don't want to eat more than they currently are.
Difficulties:
- Food allergy cat is allergic to chicken, and has a tricky stomach generally. She is not picky though and will eat most things, and has no obvious issue with turkey or other birds.
- Hyperthyroid cat IS picky, and has rejected many, many wet foods.
- In the UK so a lot of internet recommended cat food brands are not available
They are currently eating MAC's mono turkey wet food and AATU dry food for snacks in between, and I've started adding some Encore fish steaks and chicken broth (him) in the evenings because it's tempting enough they'll eat it on top of their regular dinner. I'm worried about giving them too much fish because of the mercury though.
What else can I do? My one thought was adding some duck fat to their existing food? I don't fancy the "bulking" food available because it seems very low quality ingredients.
I have two cats, both fourteen, who have lost weight due to health issues (one a food allergy, one hyper thyroidism). They would both benefit from putting some weight back on, but their current diet doesn't seem to be doing the job and they don't want to eat more than they currently are.
Difficulties:
- Food allergy cat is allergic to chicken, and has a tricky stomach generally. She is not picky though and will eat most things, and has no obvious issue with turkey or other birds.
- Hyperthyroid cat IS picky, and has rejected many, many wet foods.
- In the UK so a lot of internet recommended cat food brands are not available
They are currently eating MAC's mono turkey wet food and AATU dry food for snacks in between, and I've started adding some Encore fish steaks and chicken broth (him) in the evenings because it's tempting enough they'll eat it on top of their regular dinner. I'm worried about giving them too much fish because of the mercury though.
What else can I do? My one thought was adding some duck fat to their existing food? I don't fancy the "bulking" food available because it seems very low quality ingredients.
Our elderly cat will eat a raw egg happily and also gets canned tuna with olive oil mixed in (will probably switch him to tuna in oil) . Loves a bit of raw minced beef or turkey too.
posted by Iteki at 5:07 AM on June 29, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 5:07 AM on June 29, 2023 [5 favorites]
Discuss with your vet, obviously, and I assume hyperthyroid cat is on medication and dose has been adjusted to suit - if not properly medicated, that cat isn’t going to put on weight no matter what. I also assume you’re asking because cost (of vet visits, or special diets that you can only get from the vet) is maybe partially an issue?
If cost is not (too limiting of) an issue, or if you can swing one consultation with the vet to get permission for using recovery formula or a prescription: I keep a couple cans of recovery formula (usually for use after major surgeries or more extended vet hospital stays and such, is extra palatable to the animal and also helps them bulk back up) on hand for when my hyperthyroid + advanced heart disease + kidney disease cat who has some anorexia as symptom from all the other issues goes through a dip and needs to eat more. My cat is also on regular mirtazapine for appetite stimulant and cerenia for anti-nausea, which both seem important in maintaining his appetite, and which my vet is ok keeping him on because no one expected him to live half as long as he has since his heart disease diagnosis (caught very, very late), and now he’s stable so we’re just not messing up the balance of the seven or so meds that he’s on that seem to be working and helping him maintain a good quality of life. But your vet will prescribe mirtazapine only as a short term measure. And the recovery formula is also only for short-term use (even for my cat, who gets the bland kidney diet in general). But if you can get your cats up to a better weight and then find something that will let them maintain that weight, that’s all you need really. Cerenia is pretty expensive, but mirtazapine is reasonably priced.
The other thing that helps my cat is mixing some FortiFlora powder into his wet food. This may vary by cat, however: this helped the other cat in the household (who sounds like your other cat: not a picky eater in general but has a sensitive stomach, though we haven’t determined anything specific that she’s allergic to) eat for a couple days after she had a stomach upset of some sort, but once she started feeling better she didn’t like the FortiFlora-enhanced food. If allergy cat does like the FortiFlora, that would probably also be beneficial for her digestion though?
I have also anecdotally heard (and seen the resulting more rotund cat) that kitten formula will definitely bulk up an adult cat. If the cost is equivalent to recovery formula, I would (not actually knowing anything one way or the other) suspect that the recovery formula is more likely to not set off any of allergic cat’s allergies?
With the hyperthyroid cat, you will also, in the long run (eg. five+ years), want to be on the lookout for kidney disease, since the hyperthyroid medication will eventually be hard on the cat’s kidneys. Unfortunately, kidney diets don’t include as much salt, so are more bland, so cats tend not to like them as much. But something to be thinking ahead to and to consult your vet about at some point within the next five years or so.
posted by eviemath at 5:08 AM on June 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
If cost is not (too limiting of) an issue, or if you can swing one consultation with the vet to get permission for using recovery formula or a prescription: I keep a couple cans of recovery formula (usually for use after major surgeries or more extended vet hospital stays and such, is extra palatable to the animal and also helps them bulk back up) on hand for when my hyperthyroid + advanced heart disease + kidney disease cat who has some anorexia as symptom from all the other issues goes through a dip and needs to eat more. My cat is also on regular mirtazapine for appetite stimulant and cerenia for anti-nausea, which both seem important in maintaining his appetite, and which my vet is ok keeping him on because no one expected him to live half as long as he has since his heart disease diagnosis (caught very, very late), and now he’s stable so we’re just not messing up the balance of the seven or so meds that he’s on that seem to be working and helping him maintain a good quality of life. But your vet will prescribe mirtazapine only as a short term measure. And the recovery formula is also only for short-term use (even for my cat, who gets the bland kidney diet in general). But if you can get your cats up to a better weight and then find something that will let them maintain that weight, that’s all you need really. Cerenia is pretty expensive, but mirtazapine is reasonably priced.
The other thing that helps my cat is mixing some FortiFlora powder into his wet food. This may vary by cat, however: this helped the other cat in the household (who sounds like your other cat: not a picky eater in general but has a sensitive stomach, though we haven’t determined anything specific that she’s allergic to) eat for a couple days after she had a stomach upset of some sort, but once she started feeling better she didn’t like the FortiFlora-enhanced food. If allergy cat does like the FortiFlora, that would probably also be beneficial for her digestion though?
I have also anecdotally heard (and seen the resulting more rotund cat) that kitten formula will definitely bulk up an adult cat. If the cost is equivalent to recovery formula, I would (not actually knowing anything one way or the other) suspect that the recovery formula is more likely to not set off any of allergic cat’s allergies?
With the hyperthyroid cat, you will also, in the long run (eg. five+ years), want to be on the lookout for kidney disease, since the hyperthyroid medication will eventually be hard on the cat’s kidneys. Unfortunately, kidney diets don’t include as much salt, so are more bland, so cats tend not to like them as much. But something to be thinking ahead to and to consult your vet about at some point within the next five years or so.
posted by eviemath at 5:08 AM on June 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
Of the better ones, Cosma Asia In Jelly is always popular with my cats. Save for making sure it's chicken-free, you might be better off going downmarket - Whiskas, Felix, Sheba, Gourmet. They all pack their food with additives, plants and sugar that means it's much more likely to result in weight gain.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 5:13 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 5:13 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Most cats love a dab of coconut oil or butter.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:42 AM on June 29, 2023
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:42 AM on June 29, 2023
A friend of mine who struggled with keeping weight on her elderly kitty said that Churu Nourish was a game changer. I haven't tried those specifically myself, but Churu treats in general are the thing my picky kitty will eat during bouts of Irritable Bowel Disorder.
Has your vet given you an appetite stimulant? There's a kind that can be administered by smearing inside their ear, and it's been helpful when we're trying to get our girl back to eating regularly once she's been medicated for the IBD.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:10 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Has your vet given you an appetite stimulant? There's a kind that can be administered by smearing inside their ear, and it's been helpful when we're trying to get our girl back to eating regularly once she's been medicated for the IBD.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:10 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
My previously hyperthyroid cat gained her weight back pretty quickly once the hyperthyroidism was brought under control - first via Hill's Y/D hyperthyroid foods (I gave her both wet and dry, and she definitely gains weight quickly with dry food) and then ultimately with radioiodine treatment, which cured her condition, so I'm able to feed her normal food now and she weighs her normal weight.
My cat was allergic to the hyperthyroid medication methimazole, so those were my only treatment options for her, but they worked.
It's unclear from your question if you're able to feed your cats separately, but they might do best on different foods for each of them. I hope your vet is able to make recommendations.
posted by bananana at 9:20 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
My cat was allergic to the hyperthyroid medication methimazole, so those were my only treatment options for her, but they worked.
It's unclear from your question if you're able to feed your cats separately, but they might do best on different foods for each of them. I hope your vet is able to make recommendations.
posted by bananana at 9:20 AM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Our kitty likes olive oil - and it has helped with hairballs too! Just a drizzle on her food twice a day. I’m guessing it would boost those fat calories a bit.
posted by hilaryjade at 9:58 AM on June 29, 2023
posted by hilaryjade at 9:58 AM on June 29, 2023
There are times when them not eating at all is less risky than feeding them whatever they'll eat. I've kept cats with kidney issues alive longer than most through just getting them to eat every day, and adding water to their food to discourage dehydration. To "prime the pump" I used smelly, tasty items like baby food meats, dehydrated liver, nutritional yeast, ground up chicken nuggets or bonito added to the vet food that they hate, to encourage them to eat it. If they prefer the dry version of any vet food, you can add water to it to soften it up and better disperse the smell.
Also talk to your vet. There are meds to increase appetite that sometimes work. Most vets also stock some kind of high-calorie "replenish" type food used to encourage cats and dogs to eat after surgery or cancer treatment like this one. It's very palatable, but it's high protein, so it's likely not be suitable for long-term use.
posted by answergrape at 10:19 AM on June 29, 2023
Also talk to your vet. There are meds to increase appetite that sometimes work. Most vets also stock some kind of high-calorie "replenish" type food used to encourage cats and dogs to eat after surgery or cancer treatment like this one. It's very palatable, but it's high protein, so it's likely not be suitable for long-term use.
posted by answergrape at 10:19 AM on June 29, 2023
Response by poster: Hey all!
Hyperthyroid cat is indeed on medication, and the vet is currently happy with his blood levels. They said he still wasn't putting on weight as they hoped but didn't give me any specific advice. He is at least no longer losing. I'll ask for more advice at his next check up. His appetite is still OK, I think he just needs something more calorie dense.
Cost is a concern in that I don't have infinite money, but probably not the limiting factor. I did see Hills did a bulking high calorie food, but it wasn't advised for long term use and the ingredients looked very poor quality, so I wasn't convinced - plus, they all seem to contain some chicken, and allergy cat reacted even to even the special "hypoallergenic" processed chicken vet food so that's out for her.
I CAN feed the cats separately, it's a hassle but doable if it's worth it.
I like the idea of kitten and baby food!
posted by stillnocturnal at 10:45 AM on June 29, 2023
Hyperthyroid cat is indeed on medication, and the vet is currently happy with his blood levels. They said he still wasn't putting on weight as they hoped but didn't give me any specific advice. He is at least no longer losing. I'll ask for more advice at his next check up. His appetite is still OK, I think he just needs something more calorie dense.
Cost is a concern in that I don't have infinite money, but probably not the limiting factor. I did see Hills did a bulking high calorie food, but it wasn't advised for long term use and the ingredients looked very poor quality, so I wasn't convinced - plus, they all seem to contain some chicken, and allergy cat reacted even to even the special "hypoallergenic" processed chicken vet food so that's out for her.
I CAN feed the cats separately, it's a hassle but doable if it's worth it.
I like the idea of kitten and baby food!
posted by stillnocturnal at 10:45 AM on June 29, 2023
- probiotics. Prescription strength is available. Sprinkle on food.
- kitten food? It can be pretty fatty, but it's an option.
- activity! Increases appetite, not least because of how fun it is. Clicker training?
posted by amtho at 12:01 PM on June 29, 2023
- kitten food? It can be pretty fatty, but it's an option.
- activity! Increases appetite, not least because of how fun it is. Clicker training?
posted by amtho at 12:01 PM on June 29, 2023
What else can I do? My one thought was adding some duck fat to their existing food? I don't fancy the "bulking" food available because it seems very low quality ingredients.
Hmmm, our vet was recently talking about high fat being bad for the thyroid and liver. Maybe run this by your vet?
posted by oneirodynia at 4:29 PM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hmmm, our vet was recently talking about high fat being bad for the thyroid and liver. Maybe run this by your vet?
posted by oneirodynia at 4:29 PM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Butter and olive oil are popular with my cats. If you're worried about the tiny trace of lactose possibly present in butter, use ghee.
I've read that olive oil smells to some cats like Catnip. My pickiest cat goes crazy for it and will try to lick it off my pasta, for example. Although not an animal product, it is safe for cats and in fact can be used in kitten formula in a pinch, if you have goat milk to use as a base (which needs extra fat added).
I'd start with just a daub and increase gradually to say, half a teaspoon a day?
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 6:39 PM on June 29, 2023
I've read that olive oil smells to some cats like Catnip. My pickiest cat goes crazy for it and will try to lick it off my pasta, for example. Although not an animal product, it is safe for cats and in fact can be used in kitten formula in a pinch, if you have goat milk to use as a base (which needs extra fat added).
I'd start with just a daub and increase gradually to say, half a teaspoon a day?
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 6:39 PM on June 29, 2023
If you put a bit of oil, cream or butter on their paws, the cats will lick it off. Means that you can use different fats for different cats and it helps with their grooming behaviour, and hairballs.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:39 PM on June 29, 2023
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:39 PM on June 29, 2023
When I had to fatten up a cat, the vet recommended a high-calorie paste that came in a tube like toothpaste. Kitty loved it. Wish I could remember what it was called.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:11 AM on June 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:11 AM on June 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
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Also, if there are kitten versions of cat foods they will eat, try switching to the kitten versions. Kitten food is calorie-dense since kittens burn SO many calories by growing and being adorably feral little monsters.
posted by Stacey at 4:42 AM on June 29, 2023 [5 favorites]