Friend suggested Pumpkin for weight gain?

bex__

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I have heard of pumpkin for things like hardening stools but never for helping a cat to put on weight.

Our little TJ is 10 weeks old, we adopted him a week ago. He's a scrawny booger, has been dewormed again, and is on his way to getting healthy (wooo). The vet weighed him in at a bit over 3lbs but you can feel his ribs and I feel he's thin but the vet said nothing. Maybe I am just used to our two hunks. Will pumpkin help him? Anything else? They eat mostly wet but get TOTW once a day too.
 

ducman69

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Most cats like the taste of pumpkin, and yes its really just high in fiber and has some good vitamins.

It could help w/ weight gain by allowing proper digestion to occur in a kitty w/ loose stools, but otherwise I don't see how that would cause weight gain in and of itself.

If you go to Amazon.com they have Purina Fortiflora which you can sprinkle on food which I would think would help. It can help restore healthy bacteria in the gut to aid with digestion and according to my cats and others accounts it is VERY tasty and so encourages some serious chow-down action.

Don't get me wrong, wet is very good since its usually quality protein, plenty of fat, and has moisture kitties need, but it is mostly water and can't be left out. I would have a good dry food available 24x7 to nibble on at least until 8 months old. You don't have to worry about them getting fat before then.
 

kara_leigh

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Originally Posted by Ducman69

It could help w/ weight gain by allowing proper digestion to occur in a kitty w/ loose stools, but otherwise I don't see how that would cause weight gain in and of itself.

Sorry to butt in, but if you were to do this, how much pumpkin would you give? I've heard about mixing it with their wet food, but I don't know how much. Thanks!
 

sharky

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start with half a teaspoon to one teaspoon


And to gain wt that is one I have never heard... some use it to loose wt as the fiber fills them up without many calories
 

ducman69

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Originally Posted by sharky

start with half a teaspoon to one teaspoon
Yup, vet recommended 1 teaspoon mixed w/ 3oz of wet food once a day for loose stools, but also warned that not all diarrhea responds to a simple fiber increase.
 
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bex__

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The reason we do mainly wet is due to all of our cats not only being boys, but the fact that Louie has had previous issues with crystals/urine health and stays in shape on a mostly weight diet.

We keep dry hanging around until they finish it up, we'll usually put dry down if they finish it up and are still acting hungry but I feel they've had too many cans of food for the day.

Can I find the fortiflora anywhere other than on amazon? In any stores? I think I may try pumpkin just because they may like it. Anyone offer cooked chicken breast to their kitties ontop of their regular diet once in awhile?
 

kara_leigh

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Originally Posted by Ducman69

Yup, vet recommended 1 teaspoon mixed w/ 3oz of wet food once a day for loose stools, but also warned that not all diarrhea responds to a simple fiber increase.
I'll give it a try. I'm pretty sure the wormer they got gave them diarrhea b/c they both got runny SMELLY diarrhea at the same time right after they got the wormer, and then now the smell has gone away for both of them at the same time and it is firming up. Judging by the shape of the stools when I scoop, they are still soft. I've been giving both of them probiotics in their wet food, but it couldn't hurt to try a bit of pumpkin for a little extra help.
 

ducman69

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Originally Posted by Bex__

Can I find the fortiflora anywhere other than on amazon? In any stores?
Vets usually carry it or something similar, since its good to give after administering antibiotics. Everywhere local by me charges a fortune for it though.

If going local, I'd probably just swing by your local decent sized grocery store, and in the refrigerated section by the health food they should have acidophilus capsules for people, which are fine for cats too. I'd get the weakest or kid labeled one or cut it into halves/quarters. You can't reeeally overdose, but if going w/ a particularly potent one it can make your kitty gassy.
 
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