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

Feralvr said:

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?

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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
and with that in mind......... Will serve dinner for them!!

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

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  AND, by excited about it

BTW, does anyone know if the Halo freeze dried protein treats are raw?  I rec'd mine yesterday in the mail, and boy was I shocked.  They feel and look just like those styrafoam peanuts.  The jury is still out on whether or not my furbabies like them.  But my main concern is whether or not I need to really wash my hands good after touching them .  I can't find anything on the Halo website that says for sure, and I certainly can't tell by looking at them. 

mrsgreenjeens said:

 

  AND, by excited about it :lol3:

BTW, does anyone know if the Halo freeze dried protein treats are raw?  I rec'd mine yesterday in the mail, and boy was I shocked.  They feel and look just like those styrafoam peanuts.  The jury is still out on whether or not my furbabies like them.  But my main concern is whether or not I need to really wash my hands good after touching them :dk: .  I can't find anything on the Halo website that says for sure, and I certainly can't tell by looking at them. 

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Not sure if they are raw or not - but unlike the S&C - keep them in the Fridge after open -
I don't wash my hands after feeding them to my pets...... never even thought about it :dk:

on that note:
My hands are SO dry and peeling from all the washing and disinfecting from the raw diet.... suggestions?

Originally Posted by Carolina

Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens

...

BTW, does anyone know if the Halo freeze dried protein treats are raw?  I rec'd mine yesterday in the mail, and boy was I shocked.  They feel and look just like those styrafoam peanuts.  The jury is still out on whether or not my furbabies like them.  But my main concern is whether or not I need to really wash my hands good after touching them

.  I can't find anything on the Halo website that says for sure, and I certainly can't tell by looking at them. 

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Not sure if they are raw or not - but unlike the S&C - keep them in the Fridge after open -
I don't wash my hands after feeding them to my pets...... never even thought about it

on that note:
My hands are SO dry and peeling from all the washing and disinfecting from the raw diet....

suggestions?

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To the best of my knowledge, those treats are freeze-dried raw chicken, and I don't believe there are any pathogenic concerns as long as they're in their dry form.

All I can suggest, Carolina, is to keep a lotion available and use it after you've washed your hands at least once a day. When I first started, I went through a period where I felt like I constantly had my hands in blood, and then they were soooo dry and sore.

You get used to it, and completely stop thinking about it after a  while.

AC

I do a HEAP of hand washing every day even though I'm not feeding raw. I keep a bottle of lotion at the kitchen sink. Wash hands, dry hands, squirt lotion. :nod:

I also wonder if part of Lucky's issue is just getting used to the food? She did well on a small amount - maybe you just need to keep increasing slowly? :dk:

Fpr dry, chapped hand, a cream vs lotion is best, at least for me.

mrsgreenjeens said:

Fpr dry, chapped hand, a cream vs lotion is best, at least for me.

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Yep. :nod: But when I wash my hands about a zillion times a day, I don't have time to put cream on after each time I wash my hands. Having the lotion right next to the stuff I use to wash my hands, it becomes second nature... wash hands, dry, hit pump lotion. It helps at least lessen the chapping during the day so it's not SUCH an ordeal to get them back in order. ....and then you can use proper cream at night and in the morning.

Auntie Crazy said:

To the best of my knowledge, those treats are freeze-dried raw chicken, and I don't believe there are any pathogenic concerns as long as they're in their dry form.

All I can suggest, Carolina, is to keep a lotion available and use it after you've washed your hands at least once a day. When I first started, I went through a period where I felt like I constantly had my hands in blood, and then they were soooo dry and sore.

You get used to it, and completely stop thinking about it after a  while.

AC

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Can't stop thinking about them.... Don't want my hands that were so soft all rough like sand paper either and they hurt!

LDG said:

I do a HEAP of hand washing every day even though I'm not feeding raw. I keep a bottle of lotion at the kitchen sink. Wash hands, dry hands, squirt lotion. :nod:
I also wonder if part of Lucky's issue is just getting used to the food? She did well on a small amount - maybe you just need to keep increasing slowly? :dk:

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mrsgreenjeens said:

Fpr dry, chapped hand, a cream vs lotion is best, at least for me.

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LDG said:

Yep. :nod: But when I wash my hands about a zillion times a day, I don't have time to put cream on after each time I wash my hands. Having the lotion right next to the stuff I use to wash my hands, it becomes second nature... wash hands, dry, hit pump lotion. It helps at least lessen the chapping during the day so it's not SUCH an ordeal to get them back in order. ....and then you can use proper cream at night and in the morning.

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:lol3: Evidently I bought both
A vaseline lotion to put next to the soap so I can just use before leaving the kitchen every time I am done cleaning up and feeding.... and then a heavy Nivea cream :nod:

Hope it gets Better!

Bugsy and Hope had a GREAT meal tonight - Bugsy dove right in, and ate almost his whole meal before I even sprinkled Fortiflora on it
Hope took 2 tiny Sprinkles and DONE!
This, again, was Rad Cat 100% Turkey.
This meal was definitely a record time for them 20 minutes? how about 5? :lol3:

Now..... Lucky

Lucky did not have a good meal at all..... Actually, she had no meal - And I think I know why.... Well, I might know why.
I started the meal by giving her a little plate - very small QTY of raw with halo sprinkled on the top of it. She licked a little of the halo, but was put off of it. Then had none of the kibbles - not even sprinkled with Halo. She did NOT want to eat dinner.
I am starting to transition her to EVO, according to Dr. Pierson's advice - for 2 reasons:
1- Because I want her out of Purina PRONTO. She has been throwing up more and more recently, and I am just concerned. Coincidence or not, I want her out.
2- Because she is now on schedule and eating somewhat less, EVO is more caloric - and the calories are coming from the right place - meat. If she eats 1/4 cup from EVO, she is fine. But not from Purina.

Anyways - I tested a few kibbles and she ate right up - she likes it a lot.... But I am doing this slowly this time :nod:

I think what is going on, is that the smell of Rad Cat is too overpowering - It threw her off from eating her kibbles, just like the first time it happened with the first time she scented the smell of the rabbit - but now she is used to the rabbit.... It barely smells....

RadCat smells really strong - smells like meat. There is all the blood and fresh meat in there - turkey is a darker meat, stronger than the "bunny" :lol3:
I will definitely not make her treats with it for now, and will not be bringing it into her feeding room tonight - she needs to eat a full meal at late dinner :nod:

I did buy more Fortiflora, Halo and a small bag of Stella and Chewy Patties (for dogs) to give her as treats, to complement her caloric intake. The reason why I bought the dog one was because of the size - they only make larger bags for cats, and I did not want to spend a lot of $$$ not knowing if she was going to like it or not. The store lady called S&C, and the only difference is a couple of ingredients (not essential), and dogs have more veggies - no biggie, it's not going to be her exclusive diet anyways.....

Well... lets see how she does..... She better do well this next meal - she HAS to eat well :cross:

Day 12- Late night Dinner

Bugsy and Hope:
FANTASTIC Meal for Hope and Bugsy
I took Auntie's advice this time and put the meat into a ziplock bag, then into a container of warm - not hot water.... left it there to bring it to "mouse temperature and served.........
Hope never starts without her sprinkle of Fortiflora....
Bugsy dove right in......

I went out of the room to set Lucky up.....

A few minutes later (literally FEW - like 3-4) when I came back in, Hope's plate was already spotless clean and Bugsy's had a bite left
Hope was sitting down in front of it Burping I was SHOCKED :shock:
A touch of fortiflora on Bugsy's plate, and gone that bite was!

This is it - this is our food right here...... :nod:
Expensive, yep - but it will save me in fortiflora.... in treats, in vet bills.
I will buy the NV in Rabbit for Lucky, as she seems to accept it better - and will keep adding it to their food, but I am not sure how they will accept it now - they seem to be spoiled :nod:

Tomorrow I will return my cans of Ziwipeak for some more Rad Cat at Pet Supplies Plus - I will also get some Lamb as well. It is too bad they don't have other flavors I can try at the moment.....
One thing about the food though..... it takes a LONG time to defrost - I mean - a LONG time. It's been in the fridge for 24 hours, and it was nowhere close to being ready to be scooped out and served without being warmed out. Patties warm out quicker for sure. :nod:
On the plus side..... It must last longer in the fridge, since the majority of the meat is still frozen, but you can still remove the meat on top and warm it like I did, in ziplock bags :nod:

Lucky: Lucky had a decent meal and kept it down. She did not eat the whole thing, but she had more than 1/4 cup today - so she is doing better than last night.
I had to rely on sprinkling her kibbles with some halo for her to eat more - yep she is training me well I am not too concerned, as I am with her being on schedule and eating sufficiently each meal :nod: Definitely to switch a free-fed cat to schedule meals is a delicate process - throw a raw introduction on the top of it, and it is a double whammy :nod:

I defrosted a rabbit patty to make her raw treats later tonight - I want to give her a couple of hours to make sure she digests her meal in case she throws up :nod:

Hopefully she will eat several treats - I will warm the meat up, make them in advance, and feed her slowly - this way she might keep them up.

Ah, and she LOVES EVO I am mixing it very slowly to not upset her tummy....
Please send vibes for my girl...... Hopefully she will work with me and will be on track sooner than later :cross:

Tip to self and those transitioning a kibble addict to raw: Do NOT warm up the meat if you are presenting them as a treat or trying to trick them into eating it - It brings out the scent and flavor of the meat, and it will backfire big time.

That's what happened to me tonight when making my treats for Lucky....
She had been eating them consistently every night...... Last night she ate so many so fast she regurgitated But the point is, she had not trouble eating them.

Tonight I warmed them up - Hope and Bugsy were nuts - sure, the scent and flavor were everywhere..... But Lucky, the one we are interested in tricking into eating - let's remember - could care less for the scent and flavor :doh3:

She did not like it nor appreciate it..... She would eat, and spit it off :wife:
In the end, she ate one or two, with much....... much....... much trying. I hope this didn't put a bad taste on her mouth. I hope tomorrow is a better day overall for Lucky.

Lucky has not lost weight, she remains at 11.8lbs.
I really really need her to get going here.... she has to make a move on this transition..... She has to keep improving..... I know what the next step is - to cut one meal off and present raw instead, but she is nowhere stable enough on schedule feeding yet for me to take that plunge safely. She is totally on the fence.... Right now I am not feeling safe as it is......
Come on Lucky - help momma out!!

I've been following this Thread like a lot of other people, better than any reality show out there!

I don't know how probiotics work or floriflora (Ritz doesn't have stomach problems and if anything she needs an appetite suppressant), but for Lucky could you give her the probiotics a few minutes before giving her the food, to give it time to work.  I may be comparing apples to oranges, but my brother has to take Prilosac at least an hour before he can face his morning donut.

As the world turns:  I transitioned Ritz to raw in September 2011 because the only food she would eat was seafood flavored, low quality, too.  So yesterday in an attempt to give her Omega 3, I offered her a sardine, quite smelly.  She turned her nose up at it and wouldn't eat it !  (And yeah, she was hungry)

Question:  is the consistency of NV the same for all protein?  Ritz isn't crazy about NV Beef; it has a different consistency from, for example, RadCat, which Ritz loves.  She loves Furry Foodie commercial raw rabbit (local brand) but she is even more hungry when I fed her Rabbit than other protein sources.  NV is easier to get than FF.

Thanks and hang in there. It is SO hard to ignore your furbabies looks and meows.  I admire your fortitude and will power. 

Carolina said:

Tip to self and those transitioning a kibble addict to raw: Do NOT warm up the meat if you are presenting them as a treat or trying to trick them into eating it - It brings out the scent and flavor of the meat, and it will backfire big time.
That's what happened to me tonight when making my treats for Lucky....

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Oh Carolina! If it isn't one thing, it's another! (Again, I apologize. I couldn't help but laugh).

The great news is that Bugsy and Hope seem to be fully on board!

that this wasn't a set back for Lucky!

Here is the thing about feeding raw - no matter if you go to bed at 12am, 2am, or 4am, you HAVE to be up to feed them ON-THE-DOT. There is no snooze button anymore..... And oh, I needed that SO much today .... But there they were.... Lucky was desperate - jumping up and down from my bed - SCREAMING - MEOOOWWWWW!!!! MEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!
She does this thing where she circles me - my whole body -over and over again. And she is LOUD.

Ok....... time for Breakfast! I get it :lol3:

So, as yesterday, I warm up the food for Hope and Bugsy.
100% Turkey, Rad Cat. As Always, Bugsy jumps right in, and Hope needs her dash of Fortiflora. I always present it to her first without it hoping that she will eat regardless, but she doesn't..... She knows well the little package of junk goodness! It is like salt and pepper in a filet Mignon. :nod:

At this time Lucky is already in the other room meowing her throat off. :lol3:
I mixed in a little ziplock bag her food for today - 1/2 cup of dry, 1/4 of EVO and 3/4 of Proplan........ Did not use Halo or anything this time, as she was STARVING. My only worry was she eating too fast and throwing up :nod: Instead of putting the whole 1/4 cup on her plate, I kept putting some kibbles, she would eat, some more, she would eat more..... and eat she did Today she had quite a meal!!!
And so far so good - she has kept it down without a problem!!
I am so happy I am transitioning her to evo - Whew - noooo purina in about a week or so! Meat meat meat- in dry or wet, at least my girl is going to have meat

I did not push too much food on her as she did eat plenty - was afraid of coming back up - so when she was done, I pulled the plate and went to check on Bugsy and Hope......

Bugsy had eaten about 2/3 of his food but was away from his plate washing his mane..... Hope was done with hers and seriously considering attacking Bugsy's :lol3:
I took his plate and put a dash of fortiflora on it - Hope started some major case of stalking she is BAD
As soon as Bugsy stopped eating - which he literally left a bite or two, Hope jumped right in to polish his plate.
Now, keep in mind, that I am back to feeding Bugsy 2.25oz....... not 1.6-1.7oz...... He is really getting a FULL meal on Rad Cat - he LOVES this stuff
So Today I will go to the store and return the Venison that they won't touch and the Ziwi peak..... and get come Rad Cat........ After I catch up on some hours of sleep though - I am super tired :lol3:

Ritz said:

I've been following this Thread like a lot of other people, better than any reality show out there!
I don't know how probiotics work or floriflora (Ritz doesn't have stomach problems and if anything she needs an appetite suppressant), but for Lucky could you give her the probiotics a few minutes before giving her the food, to give it time to work.  I may be comparing apples to oranges, but my brother has to take Prilosac at least an hour before he can face his morning donut.
As the world turns:  I transitioned Ritz to raw in September 2011 because the only food she would eat was seafood flavored, low quality, too.  So yesterday in an attempt to give her Omega 3, I offered her a sardine, quite smelly.  She turned her nose up at it and wouldn't eat it !  (And yeah, she was hungry)
Question:  is the consistency of NV the same for all protein?  Ritz isn't crazy about NV Beef; it has a different consistency from, for example, RadCat, which Ritz loves.  She loves Furry Foodie commercial raw rabbit (local brand) but she is even more hungry when I fed her Rabbit than other protein sources.  NV is easier to get than FF.
Thanks and hang in there. It is SO hard to ignore your furbabies looks and meows.  I admire your fortitude and will power. 

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:lol3::lol3::lol3: That's funny - the Raw Transition Reality Show
I don't think proobiotics will do anything.... But an antiacid might.... I have been thinking about that - maybe I should get some pepcid in the marlet today and see....
She is having some hairball problems though.... and it might be that - one more reason I want her to be off dry so badly.... :nod: it makes it double hard because every time I give her vaseline, it prevents her from getting some nutrients too - so it is a huge balance.... I will give her some this afternoon, I think.
I believe you mean appetite stimulant? not suppressant? I actually have them here.... But I am not sure if they are necessary at this point. She DOES have an appetite - but she is still getting used to eat on a schedule.... for all these years she was free fed... I think I just need to train her and her tummy/ schedule her system to take bigger meals... I don't think it is as simple with dry food as it is with wet. SO I rather wait then to take that measure - she is not losing weight now, and she is hungry....
About NV: I have only tried the patties - the texture is pretty similar across the proteins; so different from Rad Cat. I hear that the Medallions are different though. They are chunkier.
I an starting to think that if they are in patties or medallions they will be dryer, creamier, if you will - not a juicy as Rad Cat and your local Brand (I suppose that's in a tub too?) simply because they need to hold a shape during processing - think about it.... How would you keep all that juice inside a patty? I just don't see it happening.... So... I think I will like raw meat that comes in a tub better from now on.... It just might be a silly assumption, but I do think it makes sense? :dk:

LDG said:

Oh Carolina! If it isn't one thing, it's another! (Again, I apologize. I couldn't help but laugh).
The great news is that Bugsy and Hope seem to be fully on board!
that this wasn't a set back for Lucky!

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:lol3::lol3::lol3: Hey, Living and learning We will do it again tonight - this time we will do it cold!
I am almost shipping this girl to AC..... Whatcha think AC? :lol3:

Carolina said:

M-O-M - WAKE UP :smshfrk:

Here is the thing about feeding raw - no matter if you go to bed at 12am, 2am, or 4am, you HAVE to be up to feed them ON-THE-DOT. There is no snooze button anymore..... And oh, I needed that SO much today .... But there they were.... Lucky was desperate - jumping up and down from my bed - SCREAMING - MEOOOWWWWW!!!! MEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!

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Um, yeah. :lol3: I'm not feeding raw - but I do feed timed meals. Sometimes on the weekend I pull the pillow over my head and TRY to get an extra hour of sleep... but as there are usually at least three cats STOMPING on me, it doesn't always work. :lol3:

THIS is why so many people let their cats free feed kibble.

LDG said:

Carolina said:

M-O-M - WAKE UP

Here is the thing about feeding raw - no matter if you go to bed at 12am, 2am, or 4am, you HAVE to be up to feed them ON-THE-DOT. There is no snooze button anymore..... And oh, I needed that SO much today

.... But there they were.... Lucky was desperate - jumping up and down from my bed - SCREAMING - MEOOOWWWWW!!!! MEEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!

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Um, yeah.

I'm not feeding raw - but I do feed timed meals. Sometimes on the weekend I pull the pillow over my head and TRY to get an extra hour of sleep... but as there are usually at least three cats STOMPING on me, it doesn't always work.

THIS is why so many people let their cats free feed kibble.

 

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I guess, depending on your daily schedules, maybe you could very gradually, move up their morning meals to a later time?  I've been thinking about that for my house.  Currently we free feed because, well, because we've always done it, and now we have Sven, who desperately needs to put on several pounds, and he's always been a "middle of the night" eater and I'm so afraid if we pull up all the food to try to put them on a schedule, he'll lose even more weight.  BUT, that's a whole other topic.  Anyway, DH doesn't get up until 2 p.m. on most days, so if by chance I'm not here for some reason, which happens on occasion, like a few weeks a year when my sister comes to visit and we both stay with my folks, what will my babies do???  DH sleeps like a rock, so I'm not sure even if all FOUR of them are pouncing on him that they would wake him up!! 

An another subject, talking about chapped hands, why don't you folks use latex gloves when handling the food so you don't have to wash up so much?  I swear by them!  I buy them by the big box fill and keep them in the kitchen so when I am trimming chicken or whatever, I just put on a pair, do my thing,pull them off so they are inside out, then toss in the trash.  Voila, my hands are still clean!

OK, one last question, I think.  Carolina, why are you switching Lucky to Evo?  I thought she was on Orijen and loved that. And that's a decent food.  Since your plan is to move her to raw anyway, I'm confused (I seem to live in a state of confusion )  

Oh...I DO have one more question.  I'm going to make taco's for dinner tomorrow night, and since  I'll have some ground turkey thawed, could I simply take a tiny bit and try giving to each of my cats just to see what they think of it?  Just to get an idea of what they think of raw meat?  Obviously this would be like a treat for them, not taking away any of their regular food.

I add water to NV to make it less pasty.  If I'm defrosting raw meat I sometimes add the juices from that.  I see Ritz drinking very little water, and (supposedly) adding water makes the cat eat slower, so it's a win-win situation. 

I tried rubber gloves but couldn't hold onto the food firmly enough.  So I just have lots of kitchen towels handy.  And paper towels.

Be really careful with the type of antacids-some I believe contain magnesium and sugar or antificial sweetners.  Though I think the principle is sound.

Someone on these Forums (LDG?)  knows a lot about alternative medicine and flower essences, that might be a possibility.  Have you tried acupuncture?  Ritz is a scarey cat, hates to be picked up.  But once we got over that hurdle, she had no fear of the needles.  For acupuncture to be most effective, you should have several sessions.  (My friend -- the one who rescued Ritz -- is an acupuncturist.)

mrsgreenjeens said:

I guess, depending on your daily schedules, maybe you could very gradually, move up their morning meals to a later time?  I've been thinking about that for my house.  Currently we free feed because, well, because we've always done it, and now we have Sven, who desperately needs to put on several pounds, and he's always been a "middle of the night" eater and I'm so afraid if we pull up all the food to try to put them on a schedule, he'll lose even more weight.  BUT, that's a whole other topic.  Anyway, DH doesn't get up until 2 p.m. on most days, so if by chance I'm not here for some reason, which happens on occasion, like a few weeks a year when my sister comes to visit and we both stay with my folks, what will my babies do???  DH sleeps like a rock, so I'm not sure even if all FOUR of them are pouncing on him that they would wake him up!! 

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That wont work with my pet sitter schedule, which is very very important.... My traveling will start very soon and I had to match their schedule to her schedule the best as possible.

mrsgreenjeens said:

An another subject, talking about chapped hands, why don't you folks use latex gloves when handling the food so you don't have to wash up so much?  I swear by them!  I buy them by the big box fill and keep them in the kitchen so when I am trimming chicken or whatever, I just put on a pair, do my thing,pull them off so they are inside out, then toss in the trash.  Voila, my hands are still clean!

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That could be a possibility, but one more expense.... and a lot of latex..... If I was doing this once a day, yes, but this is three times a day, plus cleaning up after they eat - so at least 6 times - then late night treats. I can give it a try though....

mrsgreenjeens said:

OK, one last question, I think.  Carolina, why are you switching Lucky to Evo?  I thought she was on Orijen and loved that. And that's a decent food.  Since your plan is to move her to raw anyway, I'm confused (I seem to live in a state of confusion )  

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While she Loves Orijen, and I LOVE it too, it did not love her so much. She threw up every single meal that day. Also, it has the same caloric content as Purina, pretty much. I am switching he to EVO for the meat and for the calorie content. Because she is on a schedule now and eating so much less per meal, she is not eating sufficient calories. Her system is also used to a lot of carbs, and no meat - EVO is going to get her system used to high protein.

mrsgreenjeens said:

Oh...I DO have one more question.  I'm going to make taco's for dinner tomorrow night, and since  I'll have some ground turkey thawed, could I simply take a tiny bit and try giving to each of my cats just to see what they think of it?  Just to get an idea of what they think of raw meat?  Obviously this would be like a treat for them, not taking away any of their regular food.

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Of course!!! That's what Auntie did with chicken....... only her cats ate a whole pound and half on the first day - forget about the tiny little piece

Ritz said:

I add water to NV to make it less pasty.  If I'm defrosting raw meat I sometimes add the juices from that.  I see Ritz drinking very little water, and (supposedly) adding water makes the cat eat slower, so it's a win-win situation. 

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There you go.... I think the juices from the meat probably work best - that's the beauty of Rad Cat, I think :nod:

Ritz said:

I tried rubber gloves but couldn't hold onto the food firmly enough.  So I just have lots of kitchen towels handy.  And paper towels.
Be really careful with the type of antacids-some I believe contain magnesium and sugar or antificial sweetners.  Though I think the principle is sound.

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Yep, I know that... and I know just what to get.... Pepcid AC (famotidine) 10 mg.... although.... I Don't think her problem is nausea either. Her problem is hairballs and eating too much too quickly. That's why I have not given to her yet - even though it can be given to nausea, I am on the fence. I have stronger meds here for nausea (yeah, for cats - no worries, from the vet, which I could give her, but I won't)

Ritz said:

Someone on these Forums (LDG?)  knows a lot about alternative medicine and flower essences, that might be a possibility.  Have you tried acupuncture?  Ritz is a scarey cat, hates to be picked up.  But once we got over that hurdle, she had no fear of the needles.  For acupuncture to be most effective, you should have several sessions.  (My friend -- the one who rescued Ritz -- is an acupuncturist.)

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I truly think her problem is diet related, which is why I am working hard o switching her to raw.... I have to believe that she will be better once she is on a better diet....
she is totally fine otherwise..... And besides that.... I need to make sure she eats well but slowly..... and keep her on track for a transition.....
I will try this before I try anything else....

Good updates! Glad to see Lucky's eating picking up again! Carolina, I've lost track - are you free-feeding her at all at this point?

A couple of corrections..... Carolina, when I mentioned "You get used to it." in reference to how dry our hands become after so much washing, I wasn't referring to getting used to having dry hands - not at all! I was referring to becoming accustomed to constantly handling meaty, bloody food and then washing, drying, and slapping on a lotion or other remedy as a matter of habit. I've been told I have pretty hands and, vain ole' woman that I am, I would never just accept they'd be dry and painful all the time.

Secondly - I've never given my cats ground meats purchased from the grocery store. Their first meal was whole chicken... chicken breast if I recall correctly (and, yeah, they made piggies out of themselves that night!). Ground supermarket foods contain, or at least have the potential to contain, substantially higher bacterial counts than whole meats AND the bacteria are mixed throughout the meat, not just confined to the surface. While there is zero doubt in my mind my cats could handle such meat today, a cat just coming off a commercial canned or kibble diet has a blunted defense system; although they *might* be able to handle the bacteria, it's better not to take the chance.

And, no, Carolina, Lucky - as gorgeous as he is - can NOT come stay with me. My cats have made it perfectly clear they will accept no more feline guests, permanent or otherwise.

Regards!

AC

I wanted to mention something else, too.

For everyone who's cat is waking them up to be fed, there are a few things you can do in prevention (quoting CatCentric.org)....

First, feed your cats at least three times a day, as close to the same time as you can every day – even on weekends! – and offer the last meal immediately before you retire for the night. Second, either hiss at or completely ignore any cat that bothers you while you are sleeping (these are communication signals cats understand to mean “leave me alone!”). As difficult as it may be, resist the urge to pet, feed, yell at or otherwise give attention to a pestering cat.

Finally, never, ever feed your cats immediately after waking, as it conveys that your waking up means breakfast, and it’s a simple thing for them to learn they can cause you to wake at whim. Instead, find some routine daily activity and feed your kitties right after that activity every morning. If you can ignore them beyond a casual greeting until that point, even better. The intent is to help them develop an association between the new activity and getting fed; like Pavlov’s dogs, you want them to respond to some action other than your rising as a signal that breakfast is imminent. Finishing your first cup of coffee, getting dressed, or brushing your teeth are all great choices.

Make this change to your daily routine today and in no time at all, your four-leggeds will associate the new activity with chow-time and will contentedly snuggle with you ’till your alarm calls you to duty (although you may have an audience while you’re nursing that coffee or gargling that mouthwash!).

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I feed right after I've showered and dressed. My kitties hardly even stir when I get up, and it's been years since anyone woke me. I do, however, have an escort from the shower to my bedroom and an audience while I dress. It seldom fails to amuse me, and that's a great way to start the day.

Regards!

AC

(Edited to change "I" to "It.")

Auntie Crazy said:

Good updates! Glad to see Lucky's eating picking up again! Carolina, I've lost track - are you free-feeding her at all at this point?

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No - she is 100% on schedule, has been for days.... which is the reason for EVO - she is not eating enough calories yet.

Auntie Crazy said:

A couple of corrections..... Carolina, when I mentioned "You get used to it." in reference to how dry our hands become after so much washing, I wasn't referring to getting used to having dry hands - not at all! I was referring to becoming accustomed to constantly handling meaty, bloody food and then washing, drying, and slapping on a lotion or other remedy as a matter of habit. I've been told I have pretty hands and, vain ole' woman that I am, I would never just accept they'd be dry and painful all the time. :lol3:

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Oh, ok! I thought you said I would get used to have them rough as a sand paper - no sir! :lol3:

Auntie Crazy said:

Secondly - I've never given my cats ground meats purchased from the grocery store. Their first meal was whole chicken... chicken breast if I recall correctly (and, yeah, they made piggies out of themselves that night!). Ground supermarket foods contain, or at least have the potential to contain, substantially higher bacterial counts than whole meats AND the bacteria are mixed throughout the meat, not just confined to the surface. While there is zero doubt in my mind my cats could handle such meat today, a cat just coming off a commercial canned or kibble diet has a blunted defense system; although they *might* be able to handle the bacteria, it's better not to take the chance.

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Oh, sorry - I thought Sally was going to be chopping the meat at home - my bad - yep - I know that..... nono for getting the store ground meat :nod: gotta rinse that meat at home then grind it there if serving ground :nod: I totally missed that she was serving tacos and tacos was ground meat :doh3:

Auntie Crazy said:

And, no, Carolina, Lucky - as gorgeous as he is - can NOT come stay with me. My cats have made it perfectly clear they will accept no more feline guests, permanent or otherwise. :lol3:

Regards!

AC

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Oh No! Her luggage was ready!