This is going to be one for the books! Transitioning Lucky, Bugsy and Hope to Raw.... Challenges Gal

carolina · Jan 6, 2012

Auntie Crazy said:
Nature's Variety doesn't recommend freeze-dried raw for daily feeding, and from everything I've seen and read so far - dehydrated raw is great for treats and for the occasional meal (such as when you're traveling!), but not as the primary diet.

Oh..... which was going to bring to a question I had for you as m freezer gave me a scare the other day :lol3:
What does one do in case of emergency? :nod: I suppose having a small stock bag of freeze-dry food in a flavor they all can eat (and like it) isn't a bad idea at all :nod: I saw that Dr. Pierson has a canning machine or something like that - for her own raw canned food..... but that is not going to happen here LOL

ldg · Jan 6, 2012

Auntie Crazy said:
Nature's Variety doesn't recommend freeze-dried raw for daily feeding, and from everything I've seen and read so far - dehydrated raw is great for treats and for the occasional meal (such as when you're traveling!), but not as the primary diet....

AC

Stella & Chewy's, which doesn't say anything about not making it their entire diet, but....

Besides, S&C says one bag (12 oz) should feed one adult 10 pound cat (I think I'm remembering that correctly - it might be an 8 lb cat) for a week. They cost about $26 per bag. That's approximately $208 per week (wiht 8 cats) vs. my current approximately $70.

NV costs about the same when adjusted for ounces (they sell theirs in 7 oz bags). They don't provide a feeding guide, because it's not meant to be fed full time. But it'd cost about the same.

ldg · Jan 6, 2012

Carolina said:
Oh..... which was going to bring to a question I had for you as m freezer gave me a scare the other day :lol3:
What does one do in case of emergency? :nod: I suppose having a small stock bag of freeze-dry food in a flavor they all can eat (and like it) isn't a bad idea at all :nod: I saw that Dr. Pierson has a canning machine or something like that - for her own raw canned food..... but that is not going to happen here LOL

Well, the dethawed food should last about the same time as people meat from the supermarket, so 3-4 days, depending upon your fridge. Most companies advise 3 days. But I'd make friends with the manager of the PSP, in case you need to do some short-term storage.

That was one of the things I was thinking about for storage... talking to the owner of the local health food store, with whom we're friends. :nod: I was thinking if I could buy bi-weekly or monthly supplies of frozen commercial, I could store it in their freezer, and bring weekly "packets" home for our freezer. Some of that would go in the fridge directly for dethawing anyway, as I wouldn't want to feed the same food all day.

carolina · Jan 6, 2012

Poop-o-meter correction

I was wrong!!!!!! That poop must been Hope's :thud:

Sorry you guys!!!!!!:lol3:

But...... Bugsy just pooped in front of me.......... so I will warn you..... proceed at your own risk to the next post -

Picture of Bugsy's poop Ahead :hide:

carolina · Jan 6, 2012

The proof is in the poop

The visual Proof!

Ok.... keep in mind..... 1yr and two months of trying EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING........... and Bugsy always had soft poop...... at the best formed, but NEVER EVER solid...... Otherwise was like a soft pudin/like ice-cream....

Here you go you guys - 11 days and only a what - 5 days or so on 100% raw? :thud:

[/URL

This is not only formed, but it is SOLID.
It has far more volume than Hope's but he is taking quite a bit of fiber too.....

He did not strain to poop..... Did not cry..... His poop doesn't stink nearly as much either.

WOW......... I am SOLD -

Sorry for the gross factor :lol3:
and with that in mind......... Will serve dinner for them!!

auntie crazy · Jan 6, 2012

Carolina, your excitement is infectious!!!

Even expecting the changes you've been encountering, I still get all excited and happy reading your updates.

Keep up the good work, all!!!!!!!!

AC

ldg · Jan 6, 2012

AC's right - your excitement is infectious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo:

carolina · Jan 6, 2012

I just can't help it - it is too much! :lol3:
I am on the top of the World right now.... God.... Bugsy :heart3: and I went through SO much together..... So so SO much.... So many vet visits.... so many pills.... so many nights crying... worrying.... emergencies.... blood tests.... x-rays.... he took SO-MANY-MEDS, tried so many diets..... And he never felt 100% well....

I had given up hope of him ever been well already.... And I am sure some here will remember.... but I was always so afraid of raw, and so IN-the-BOX, I always advocated against it.....
So.... now I see all of the sudden ahead of me this whole World of health for Bugsy, where he will be able to enjoy life free of pain! He will lose weight, so he will probably not have arthritis, have lower chances for diabetes and heart disease.... And I will enjoy much much more time with my baby on this earth :touch:
I am just glad I am doing this now... I am glad I finally took my head from up my :censor: :clap:

feralvr · Jan 6, 2012

Auntie Crazy said:
Nature's Variety doesn't recommend freeze-dried raw for daily feeding, and from everything I've seen and read so far - dehydrated raw is great for treats and for the occasional meal (such as when you're traveling!), but not as the primary diet.

Although I've read several articles that rave about it, I haven't seen anything that I could positively get behind and say, yeah, it's ok to feed full time. Until I do, I won't recommend the practice.

Not a very definitive answer, I know, but I hope it helps a bit!

AC

I am so glad to know this...... OMgosh. Perla is practically eating S&C freeze-dried raw solely. It is either that OR Fancy Feast - yeah, go figure LOL. I am having a real problem with this girl now. It is either Fancy Feast and kibble OR S&C freeze-dried diet's. Her poop's are extremely hard too (other then her intestinal virus issues a couple of week's back). That is why I am waiting on pins and needles to get the Fortiflora - I am counting on that to get my girl back to eating the better wet food and raw meat's..... :cross:

feralvr · Jan 6, 2012

mrsgreenjeens said:
Amazon has them...too bad you didn't know about it...they could be on their way along with the Forti-flora. I just ordered some thru Healthypets.com, since I was ordering some other stuff thru them too, and had a coupon.

No problem - we are always ordering from Amazon. Will get some right away!!!!!!! :hugs:

carolina · Jan 6, 2012

Day 11 Dinner -

It is official, Hope is a Carnivore :clap:

Hope and Lucky:
Again, they had NV Rabbit with RadCat Turkey 50/50 - For Bugsy, I added a bit of fiber, again, 1/16th tsp and a bit of water, and for Hope juts plain :nod:

Bugsy for some reason kept going to Hope's food - I think either because of the fiber.... or because I mixed Hope's less - the chunks of RadCat were more visible - they could smell more of the Turkey? A Sprinkle of Fortiflora on each plate, and off I went to feed Lucky in the other room -

Lucky:
I decided to push her a little today:
in a little plate, I put a bit of raw food and some Halo on top..... and didn't feed her kibbles for quite a while :lol3: Oh bad momma - torturing the kid :lol3:
She was SO desperate you guys should see it :lol3:
She was walking from side to side.... Looking at my face.... scream scream scream.... beg beg beg... "MOM - PLEASE - THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS HALOOOOOO" :lol3::lol3::lol3: But..... at least she licked the treat dust from it :nod: so she did get a taste from the raw, and was not completely disgusted from it :bigthumb:
After she completely cleaned the treats from it, and would not do it anymore, I fed her the kibbles :nod:
At the begging she did not eat well.... So I got up, and left the room to check on Hope and Bugsy.....

Back to Hope and Bugsy:
For the first time ever, I come back to the room, and Hope's plate was completely empty, and Bugsy's was more than 1/2 eaten. One more sprinkle of Fortiflora and he ate all he could...... Then Hope polished it up :lol3::lol3::lol3:
I have no doubt Bugsy ate over 2oz - so no need for the calorie count today :clap:

The best part is, mostly on his own, with very little fortiflora!!! :woohoo:

At this point,
Lucky was waiting for me in the bathroom, where she eats - it was noticeable- she was hungry :lol3: Since this was within her 30 minutes window.... I went back and fed her - she ate a great meal! :clap:

We had an excellent dinner tonight for all of them - I really really hope Lucky makes this transition successfully, because I feel she is missing out.... I will keep pushing her/working with her diligently so we can get there :nod:

I can't wait for the day when I set their plates and the three of them eat a raw meal with gusto :nod:

feralvr · Jan 6, 2012

Carolina said:
I just can't help it - it is too much! :lol3:
I am on the top of the World right now.... God.... Bugsy :heart3: and I went through SO much together..... So so SO much.... So many vet visits.... so many pills.... so many nights crying... worrying.... emergencies.... blood tests.... x-rays.... he took SO-MANY-MEDS, tried so many diets..... And he never felt 100% well....
I had given up hope of him ever been well already.... And I am sure some here will remember.... but I was always so afraid of raw, and so IN-the-BOX, I always advocated against it.....
So.... now I see all of the sudden ahead of me this whole World of health for Bugsy, where he will be able to enjoy life free of pain! He will lose weight, so he will probably not have arthritis, have lower chances for diabetes and heart disease.... And I will enjoy much much more time with my baby on this earth :touch:
I am just glad I am doing this now... I am glad I finally took my head from up my :censor:

AWWWWW Carolina :hugs:

YOU DESERVE this SO much - this joy and happiness you are feeling!!!!! AND for Bugsy TOO. I am on TOP OF THE WORLD with you on this. You seriously ARE the happiest MEOWMY on the planet tonight :clap:

It really is a miracle and I know Bugsy WILL be with you for many, many more years. I really think that most of us WANT to go raw - but are just a bit worried about making the commitment to it. With commercially made raw I think it makes it much easier now for us to try :nod:!!!!! I am just BEAMING with smiles for you and your three babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hyper:

I think we all are caught up in all of this excitement right along with you :hyper:

feralvr · Jan 6, 2012

Carolina said:
The proof is in the poop
The visual Proof!
Ok.... keep in mind..... 1yr and two months of trying EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING........... and Bugsy always had soft poop...... at the best formed, but NEVER EVER solid...... Otherwise was like a soft pudin/like ice-cream....
Here you go you guys - 11 days and only a what - 5 days or so on 100% raw?
[/URL
This is not only formed, but it is SOLID.
It has far more volume than Hope's but he is taking quite a bit of fiber too.....
He did not strain to poop..... Did not cry..... His poop doesn't stink nearly as much either.
WOW......... I am SOLD -
Sorry for the gross factor :lol3:
and with that in mind......... Will serve dinner for them!!

:spit: ONLY ON TCS WOULD WE SEE A PICTURE OF PERFECTLY PRODUCED RAW POOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana1:

ambermay · Jan 6, 2012

Carolina! This thread and your journal is amazing!

Just finished reading it.

I'm so happy for you and your kitties!

Very well done including picture of the poop! That's a real proof!

I had my kitties on raw since they were babies, and their stool was always like this - what can be better indication of good health and benefits of raw feeding?!!!

Even though - I have commercial food available for them as well as raw, but RAW is still their main diet by their choice.

Thank you everyone from this thread too, because I also kept most of the links from here, even though we are not in transaction, but so valuable information!

I saved all that in my favorites and still reading.

carolina · Jan 7, 2012

Ambermay said:
Carolina! This thread and your journal is amazing!
Just finished reading it.
I'm so happy for you and your kitties!

Very well done including picture of the poop! That's a real proof!
I had my kitties on raw since they were babies, and their stool was always like this - what can be better indication of good health and benefits of raw feeding?!!!

Even though - I have commercial food available for them as well as raw, but RAW is still their main diet by their choice.

Thank you everyone from this thread too, because I also kept most of the links from here, even though we are not in transaction, but so valuable information!
I saved all that in my favorites and still reading.

Thank you for your support Ambermay.... Hoping Little May is ok :hugs:

carolina · Jan 7, 2012

Day 11 - 3rd meal - late dinner
Another good news bad news kind of thread.....

Well, all good for Hope and Bugsy.... I mixed the Rad Cat less this time, so they could really taste it, and it does work - they love that food! I really need to find an alternative for that, as it is too expensive, and it will be hard to afford it..... But for now it is going to be on the rotation. Tomorrow they will be on it 100%.
Maybe I test their flavors then move to Feline Pride? Will see how much shipping costs and think about it :nod:
Funny to watch Hope to eat - I think I need to be careful - she might be eating too fast? Is it normal for a cat to burp after eating :flail:

Hope has this little burps and yesterday she had the hiccups :lol3: It just freaks me out that she is going to throw up :nausea:

I removed the fiber from Bugsy's dinner, and will not be adding it anymore to see how he makes it up on his own :nod:

Lucky - That's where the bad news comes in - Lucky barely touched dinner

And I mean barely

She did, however, eat a total of 1/4 cup of her food..... Then she ate the Halo treat in the afternoon,which I am hoping it amounts to something :nod:

At night, I was hoping to get some nutrition into her with some raw burgers..... and I did - she ate plenty of them. I made them nice and fat too.... I was so happy at her progress....... Then BOOM :nausea: she regurgitates the entire thing.... So sad.....
I am really worried.... I don't know if I am putting her in danger here - I will never, ever forgive myself if she gets sick :bawling:

I just pray to God that what I am doing is the right thing for her, and she IS having the calories she needs.... Because I will not be able to deal with it if she gets sick.... And she needs this diet so badly.... that I need to keep going too....
Well.... It's late... so I gotta go - I will hydrate a nice and fat halo treat and give it to her - will see if she keeps that in :cross:

carolina · Jan 7, 2012

Update on Lucky:
I did feed her a couple of big and fat hydrated Halo treats and she kept them up - I feel better in several different levels :nod:
She did get some nutrition in, she is getting used to chewing on soft foods/raw meat.... Ate a whole bunch of raw meat today - even though she regurgitated it.... she ate it :nod: and I made them fatter and bigger than before - now I need to get her to eat slower so she keeps them in :nod:

And I weighed her..... she has not lost weight.... on the contrary - apparently she has gained? I think there is something wrong with my scale :scratch:
I think actually she is right on the dot - 11.8lbs.
This had been her weight for a while.... then on the day I started this thread I weighed her and it read 11 - but I think that was wrong - I think the correct one is 11.8. That's more consistent with her history :nod:

Anyways - this thread comes quite handy for me on times like this - I can refer back and forth to all they ate, their weights, history, what happened, and put it all into perspective in the end of the day. It has truly been a great tool on this transition :bigthumb:
I feel I can sleep better now -whew!

auntie crazy · Jan 7, 2012

Another good day!!

Something to keep in mind - some kitties take a while to become accustomed to eating cold foods, so if you're feeding the raw product to Lucky straight from the fridge, you might think about sealing it in a baggie and submerging it in warm water for a few minutes first to take the chill off.

Can wait to see what today brings!!

AC

carolina · Jan 7, 2012

Day 12 Report

Hi all - I will not give you a proper poop-o-meter report this morning.... there was more than one poop in the box, and I wouldn't have a clue of the respective bottoms :lol3:

Anyways - My concern with Lucky continues...... Her meal starts with bad news then ends with good news, thank goodness! She ate some of her food, not much, only to.... you guessed it - regurgitate it. I let her go..... And went to feed the other two.

Bugsy and Hope had Rad Cat Turkey 100% - They LOVE it - it took them soooo little fortiflora.... Ate every bit of it. As I suspected, it is in fact much, much easier on Bugsy.... This is his food - this is the food he loves, no doubt in my mind. The texture, the flavor...... The moisture content..... For momma, not the price :lol3:
Today I will check Feline's Pride and see if it turns out to be cheaper....
Again, no Fiber for Bugsy - the only thing they are both getting is a capsule of Proviable-DC each.

Back to Lucky - Decided to try to feed her again after her tummy settled down - got the halo treat out, and sprinkled them on the top of the kibbles - THERE we go :nod: now we are talking :nod: The girl ate a full meal and thank goodness kept it down like a good girl!

I am afraid of what is going on with Purina, and that being breaking havoc on her digestive system..... she is clearly not blocked..... as she eats and keeps it down...... but then she is regurgitating way too often, which did NOT happen before this issue with the food came around..... I want her out of it, and I want her on raw.
It might be paranoia, it might be coincidence.... I don't know.....

I am headed to run some errands now - pick up some more Halo, some more Rad Cat.... and of course some more essential Fortiflora - can't be out of that stuff!

AC- got the note about warming up her raw meat before making the treats.... do you think cold meat can make them throw up?

feralvr · Jan 7, 2012

For your sweet Lucky lady :heart3:..... Good news that she has actually put on a few ounces

. You are doing great, Carolina..... I am very impressed with this whole plan of action. The transition IS the hardest part - just getting there is not an easy journey but SO well worth it. I will send EXTRA vibes today for Lucky ....... and EXTRA hugs to you for your love and devotion to your furbabies AND!!!!!!! Sharing this journal with all of us - so important and appreciated!!!!! :heart4: :vibes:

This is going to be one for the books! Transitioning Lucky, Bugsy and Hope to Raw.... Challenges Gal

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I hold your heart close to my chest.

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