» Need to fatten up an Older Cat, Nutriton for elderly cat

[Candid]

I have a 17 year old cat who has both kidney disease and thyroid disease. Both these make her appetite diminished or cause her to be unable to keep food down. She does receive medication for these and IV fluids once a week.

She's gone from being 11 pounds and chubby to a 6 pound bag of bones, losing a pound each year or so. But she has had a recent episode of not being able to eat or keep food down for several days running.

I would like to add something to the remaining food that she can and will eat to add some extra calories to her diet and get her weight up as much as possible. I have been using about 1/4 cup of a feline liquid diet from my vet to do this, but I have concerns about this product as it must be refrigerated and she does not eat her food rapidly.

Does anyone have any ideas of what would be safe to use?

Thanks!

Candid

[SalemWitchChild]

hm.. Well first

Second. That is a bit hard. What I would normally recommend is to add meat into her diet. But with her age I'm not sure how well her digestive system would take it. My best advice here is to take her back to the vet. Certainly her going off her food for days is not normal. And perhaps he can give you a better idea of what her system can handle. I do hope all goes well. I know it's hard when your near the end of their days. I'm sure you will cherish each and every one.

[Trixie]

How well does kitty handle wet food? Wet food would be ideal since kitty has kidney issues. What are you currently feeding her? Have you ever tried giving her some yogart? Anything that is sugar-free and free of artificial coloring will do. One tablespoon a day is suffice. It helps promote a healthy digestive system and possibly she could keep that down. When my cat Osiris was suffering major urinary and digestive issues I gave him yogart and it helped alot.

I honestly would contact the vet to see if there are any safe additives you can put in her food. Does she seem to be stressed out alot?