Running out of options with Buddy

I know I've posted about Buddy's picky eating before...and the thing is, it's gotten no better. I just don't know what to do anymore and neither does my roommate.

We have tried literally almost every single kind of food from the crappy department store brands all the way up to the most expensive holistic brands. He will eat them once, then not touch it again. There are just no more brands around here to try. The wasting of cat food is ridiculous. I could have fed 10 ferals, 3 meals a day for months on the amount of food we've had to throw out. 

I know he loves the cheap dry food but it was giving him runny stools. I thought MAYBE a high quality dry food would fair better, so we went to the specialty store and the gentleman gave us a big sample bag for him to get started on. My roommate added just a few pieces at a time to work him up to eating that food alone but after a few days, sure enough runny stool.

His unwillingness to stick to any one brand of wet food is frustrating beyond belief. He just doesn't seem to like ANYTHING for more than one meal. 

I think she's debating giving him up. Not that she wants to but she doesn't know what to do anymore and frankly, even I am running thin on patience and have no more suggestions to offer.

As a last ditch effort, I am seeing if anyone else has an idea on what to do. Anything at all. He is eating just enough to stay alive at this point and its so old now. 

I wish he was more like Parker. Parker eats anything I put in front of him, bless his kitty heart.

Have you tried grain free food?  Reason I ask is b/c one of my cats is terribly allergic to anything with grains, wet or dry.    Also have you talked to a vet about this?

What high quality food was he switched to and high quickly was he switched to it.  I'm a littled confused because if what he WAS on gave him runny stools, and then the new food gave him runny stools, when did he NOT have runny stools?  

As to the wet food, most cats don't really stick to the same brand of wet.  Most people switch it up between different brands and types of wet, just to keep it interesting for their cats, and also in case of recalls, etc. 

All that said, it sounds like Buddy may definitely be allergic to something in his food.  This could be a slow process in trying to discover which food.  I'm hoping some of the "nutrition gurus" will pop on here soon and share some of their advise.  In the meantime there are literally thousands of postings here relating to food allergies, if you want to do some "light reading"

Have you tried an appetite stimulant? What does the vet say? Is he under weight?

I have some picky eaters too and yes, it does get frustrating. What I have found though is that if they aren't eating, something is wrong. I'm interested to hear what the vet has said about this.

Originally Posted by LuvMyParker

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His unwillingness to stick to any one brand of wet food is frustrating beyond belief. He just doesn't seem to like ANYTHING for more than one meal. 
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No problem, just feed him a rotation of wet foods. It's a highly recommended practice, anyway, and will keep your cats from becoming fixated on any one product (a problem if they change or stop producing it) and protect them from potential quality control issues by diluting their impact. Since cats can develop hypersensitivity when continually exposed to the same proteins or ingredients for extended periods, it will also help prevent food intolerance issues (and the associated diarrhea and vomiting). Prior to switching to raw, my cats were eating 21 different brands of foods... enough so they never ate the same product twice in one week. You can use all the foods you've already bought him, even... just keep rotating between them.

Dr. Hofve has a great article with even more reasons for rotating foods: Switching Foods.

Regards.

AC

mrsgreenjeens said:

What high quality food was he switched to and high quickly was he switched to it.  I'm a littled confused because if what he WAS on gave him runny stools, and then the new food gave him runny stools, when did he NOT have runny stools?  

As to the wet food, most cats don't really stick to the same brand of wet.  Most people switch it up between different brands and types of wet, just to keep it interesting for their cats, and also in case of recalls, etc. 

All that said, it sounds like Buddy may definitely be allergic to something in his food.  This could be a slow process in trying to discover which food.  I'm hoping some of the "nutrition gurus" will pop on here soon and share some of their advise.  In the meantime there are literally thousands of postings here relating to food allergies, if you want to do some "light reading"

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The dry food gives him runny stool. We try to keep him on a mostly wet diet for that reason.

I tried Wellness, Felidae, Chicken Soup, Go, Merrick...and a few other brands the specialty store sold. He literally will only eat any brand of food once then never again.(Or very, very little).. So like I gave him Wellness pouches and he gobbled it up, then I went to a different brand after, he'd eat that and so on...by the time those foods go around a second time, he won't eat them anymore. I had like 6 of the Wellness pouches, he only ever ended up eating not even one whole packages. That's how I managed to try every single freakin' brand, flavor and consistency I can find. lol. 

I tried to get him on grain free foods but with him only wanting to eat it once, I cant keep him on it.

Honestly, I don't think its a health issue because he LOVES dry food and will eat a ton of it if I let him. I had been trying to mix a bit in his food to get him to eat and of course, he picks out the dry stuff...and leaves a mushy mess of wet food that he wont touch. However, since I stopped giving him the dry, that's when this wet food fiasco started. But if even the high quality dry gives him runny stool, its obvious he can't handle it. He is protesting..and is not bending...he is doing everything he can to get dry. its pointless to give it to him if its going to end up a sloppy, stinky mess in the litter box. (Sorry to be gross, lol)

I figured after a couple weeks, he'd give up and just start eating what I gave him...but nope. He might eat a bite or two, if that...then walk away. He has lost a little weight but not enough to concern me...YET. I can't believe how stubborn he's been. 

OK, have you tried a grain free DRY?  Sorry, I can't quite tell from your posting ,think you have tried grain free canned, but not sure about dry.  Also, what about dry specifically made for sensitive stomachs, or a prescription dry for IBD, something of that sort, since he's a dry food addict

Have you read this article on transitioning your cat from dry to wet?  http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Tips for Transitioning PDF 1-14-11.pdf

My FurFur was a kibble head for all her life.  But I wanted everybody on canned food because I knew that was a lot better for them.  FurFur wouldn't touch it.  First I would put a small bit of canned in her mouth every morning to get her used to the taste before she got her dry.  Then I started sprinkling FortiFlora on top of the canned.  I don't use the entire packet, just a sprinkle at a time.  She would then immediately eat the top layer of canned food.  I just kept doing this.  Now she eats canned with some encouragement and FortiFlora.  No dry.  Every once in a while she will eat canned without FortiFlora on it!  It's been weeks of progress. 

mrsgreenjeens said:

OK, have you tried a grain free DRY?  Sorry, I can't quite tell from your posting ,think you have tried grain free canned, but not sure about dry.  Also, what about dry specifically made for sensitive stomachs, or a prescription dry for IBD, something of that sort, since he's a dry food addict

Have you read this article on transitioning your cat from dry to wet?  http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Tips for Transitioning PDF 1-14-11.pdf

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The food that the gentleman at the specialty store gave us was a grain free dry. Still runny stool.
What dry foods are there for sensitive tummies? Is that something I'd have to get through a vet?

This isn't a transitioning issue because he has been eating wet food since he arrived 2 years ago. He just suddenly started protesting against wet the last couple months. It's really weird.

Where do you get FortiFlora? I don't think I have seen it around here (In Nova Scotia). I'll sprinkle anything on the wet food if I can get him to eat it! lol

Feeding a "special" kibble to a cat who has exhibited IBD-like symptoms is rather like giving a low-fat big mac to an obese man.

Have you tried Nature's Logic canned? It contains no synthetic vitamins, minerals or additives and is a good option for cats who can't handle foods with lots of extra stuff.

If Buddy will eat it, use the different flavors to help entice him eat the foods he's eaten previously (mix the foods so he can smell the NL). For example, breakfast = NL canned, lunch = half a different flavor NL / half something he's had before, dinner = half another flavor of NL / half something else he's had before.... eventually transitioning him to eating a different food at every meal.

Good luck!

AC

I don't think I've we have it here...but I will look around just to be sure. Thanks!

What about ordering online? I don't know what online vendors there are that ship to Canada, but I'd check for pet foods. And fortiflora is usually available from a vet or for less money at amazon. :nod:

LDG said:

What about ordering online? I don't know what online vendors there are that ship to Canada, but I'd check for pet foods. And fortiflora is usually available from a vet or for less money at amazon. :nod:

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Just read through this thread and this is what I was going to suggest - online ordering if possible. I also agree with AC about trying the Nature's Logic canned food. It is a really excellent wet food and I just happened to find it as well :lol3: I am excited about trying it on my finicky girl, Perla. I just ordered some online :nod:.... I also just bought the Fortiflora online from Amazon for about $20.00. It really does work.

for Buddy

How much does he weigh, how much is he eating, and how active is he? Was he previously overweight? Are you giving in and feeding him kibble or is he just eating nothing all day?

If he is eating some of this and some of that, is IS totally possible that he is eating enough for his age, but that it just doesn't seem like enough to you. His weight loss may be extra fat that you didn't even know he had.

Also, have you tried turning the kibble into powder and sprinkling it on his food?

My DLH, Panda, is as picky as your Parker. My "method" for feeding this extremely picky cat is as follows: feed half a cup of dry food and then a quarter cup of dry food mixed with wet food, every twenty four hours. Now, I am sure your thinking, my cat will not go for it. Let me explain, every night, I give her a different sample of dry food. The way I do this is, I get boxes of different samples, then I use a different one every night for her dry food. Now, for the wet food/dry food mix, I use as many different wet foods as she will eat. Then, I add a quarter of a can, to another dry food (different then the one in the dry food dish) for that nights meal.

Here are some examples of her feeding sceduale this week:

Wellness Turkey wet food mixed with Evo dry food. Along with, Taste Of The Wild Dry Food.

Wellness Turkey wet food mixed with Taste Of the Wild Dry Food. Along with, L.I.D  Green Pea and Duck dry food.

Wellness Turkey wet food mixed with L.I.D. Green Pea and Chicken dry food. Along, with Evo Dry.

*Please note, the only reason, I use Wellness so much is, A) she will eat and B) I get it a great deal with coupons.

Have you tried feeding Raw?

Can't be anymore expensive than throwing away food.

And I second Minka's post/question.  If Buddy is at a good-for-him weight, then I wouldn't worry about how much he is eating. 

Minka said:

How much does he weigh, how much is he eating, and how active is he? Was he previously overweight? Are you giving in and feeding him kibble or is he just eating nothing all day?
If he is eating some of this and some of that, is IS totally possible that he is eating enough for his age, but that it just doesn't seem like enough to you. His weight loss may be extra fat that you didn't even know he had.
Also, have you tried turning the kibble into powder and sprinkling it on his food?

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I'm not sure exactly how much he weighs, until he gets to the vet, I don't have a way to weigh him. He is as active as he should be for his age, I suppose. I don't think he was ever overweight...he's always been a lean cat..he's just gotten leaner. 

And yes, I do give in and give him kibble...mostly when 2 days have gone by and he hasn't eaten.

I mean, I look at Parker who is 8, and eats 2 whole meals a day, every single bite, no matter what I give him..and he's pretty lazy. So its weird to see a 2.5 year old cat eat MAYBE a bite of food in 2 days. Sometimes he doesn't touch it at all. Knowing its not healthy for them to go too long without food, I feel I have to give in just so he will eat. His protests work...plain and simple. I just can't see him not eat. So seeing him finally chow down is a relief...it's just the raunchy smelling, runny stool that follows a few hours later that kind of sucks lol.

We're gonna get him a good check up anyway...so if there is something wrong, we can fix it. But I honestly think he just wants dry food only.

I have thought about raw but it seems there is sooooo much to learn to get it right. The price of meat here is totally outrageous, so I don't even eat much of. (You'd think farm animals were going extinct). However, if that's what it comes down to, I guess I won't have a choice. 

 

Originally Posted by LuvMyParker

I'm not sure exactly how much he weighs, until he gets to the vet, I don't have a way to weigh him. He is as active as he should be for his age, I suppose. I don't think he was ever overweight...he's always been a lean cat..he's just gotten leaner. 
And yes, I do give in and give him kibble...mostly when 2 days have gone by and he hasn't eaten.

I mean, I look at Parker who is 8, and eats 2 whole meals a day, every single bite, no matter what I give him..and he's pretty lazy. So its weird to see a 2.5 year old cat eat MAYBE a bite of food in 2 days. Sometimes he doesn't touch it at all. Knowing its not healthy for them to go too long without food, I feel I have to give in just so he will eat. His protests work...plain and simple. I just can't see him not eat. So seeing him finally chow down is a relief...it's just the raunchy smelling, runny stool that follows a few hours later that kind of sucks lol.

We're gonna get him a good check up anyway...so if there is something wrong, we can fix it. But I honestly think he just wants dry food only.

I have thought about raw but it seems there is sooooo much to learn to get it right. The price of meat here is totally outrageous, so I don't even eat much of. (You'd think farm animals were going extinct). However, if that's what it comes down to, I guess I won't have a choice.

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You don't have to learn anything if you don't want to - just feed commercial raw.

There are a few TCS members who are right now in the process of transitioning their cats to commercial raw, and benefits have already been seen. In one case, a kitty had diarrhea for 18 months... and within a few days of eating raw, began to have solid stools.

I urge you to give it a try. You can review this thread for commercial raw information: Questions about commercial raw.

Best regards.

AC

Actually I have been pricing out raw versus wet. The raw is actually a bit cheaper for me to feed my six as opposed to all of the cans I go through a day. I would check out the thread AC just posted above. Excellent information on raw feeding I just started incorporating raw meat into my cats diet each day. More vibes for Buddy And for you. I know how difficutl this can be and the worry over a picky eater......

LuvMyParker said:

I'm not sure exactly how much he weighs, until he gets to the vet, I don't have a way to weigh him. He is as active as he should be for his age, I suppose. I don't think he was ever overweight...he's always been a lean cat..he's just gotten leaner. 
And yes, I do give in and give him kibble...mostly when 2 days have gone by and he hasn't eaten.

I mean, I look at Parker who is 8, and eats 2 whole meals a day, every single bite, no matter what I give him..and he's pretty lazy. So its weird to see a 2.5 year old cat eat MAYBE a bite of food in 2 days. Sometimes he doesn't touch it at all. Knowing its not healthy for them to go too long without food, I feel I have to give in just so he will eat. His protests work...plain and simple. I just can't see him not eat. So seeing him finally chow down is a relief...it's just the raunchy smelling, runny stool that follows a few hours later that kind of sucks lol.

We're gonna get him a good check up anyway...so if there is something wrong, we can fix it. But I honestly think he just wants dry food only.

I have thought about raw but it seems there is sooooo much to learn to get it right. The price of meat here is totally outrageous, so I don't even eat much of. (You'd think farm animals were going extinct). However, if that's what it comes down to, I guess I won't have a choice. 


 

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Different cats have different metabolisms. My 16lb cat only needs one 5.5oz can a day while a cat of much smaller size may need 1 1/2. If he eats Nothing, not a single bite, then yes, it is important to feed him some dry, but if he is just holding out because he knows in two days you will give some dry.. well, stubborness can be cured. I know it's easier to say 'dont give in' than it is to actually not give in, but I urge you to try raw or tuna or something to get him through a longer period of time without dry and see if he changes his mind about wet.

With his age, I would get him to the vet though, maybe he's got something else going on that is bothering him...

(sorry for any spelling errors, i typed from my work comp)