Starting Cold Turkey

Uh oh   Somebody puked.  I fed the Rad Cat lamb to the kittens and Stellas Turkey to Cricket.

I know it wasn't Cricket who hurled.  He was in bed.  Rufus and Clancy didn't take to the lamb like they did to the turkey.  I have what's left of an entire 16 oz tub left. One or the other threw up the fresh meal, it almost looked as if were two piles of fresh rad cat lamb.  Of course, this had to happen on the rug and not the floor.  What is it with that anyway?

Cricket did not eat enough tonight to maintain his weight.  And now as I write i see it's Rufus puking his guts out.  

PS The hurling is over but there was a lot. This his very first puke, they'r going to need to eat later.  I think they might have both thrown up for the very first time.

I think others will come along with better experience with puking cats, but I'm here now, so here's the info I have:

For their next meal give them something they've had successfully before.  Try the other, original rad cat flavor.  Hopefully, they will not be wary of it.  Be prepared to add enticements if they are 

I came to this site when one of our kittens started throwing up, and we weren't sure why.  He threw up a couple meals in a row, then became distrustful of all food for a few days.  Scary!

Possible reasons for throwing up:

1. They can't handle that particular meat

2. Or they can't handle it YET, or from that maker

3. Food chunks were too big

4. Food was too cold--most cats prefer "mouse temperature" although some like it chilly

5. They may need digestive enzymes

6. Sometimes it's the presence of a hairball, but that's quite unlikely with both kittens puking

we used digestive enzymes (bought at petco) for the one puker for awhile, but stopped after a couple of weeks.  

I hope that helps, and I hope they eat well later!

Thank you thank you!  I wondered if it was too cold.   I just got the tub and it wasn't defrosted, so I scraped some of the unfrozen off and heated in water.   I didn't test the temp like I should have. Unfortunately the turkey that they took to so well is frozen solid.  Since the lamb is still mainly frozen I will refreeze.   They got in an extra meal at noon of Stellas.  I think that later after his stomach has settled a bit I will feed all three the Stellas.  

SLOW INTROS - If there is one advice I can give you, it is this one.
Treat raw like you treat kibbles. I know it IS wet, It LOOKS wet...... But it takes a while for the kitties to build up all the enzymes to break down that meat.

I always did slow introductions to my cats - and if I didn't I would get exactly what you got, if I didn't I would sure get diarrhea.

When I first got them into raw, I started with 1 TSP, mixed in their wet food. Every meal for day one they got that TSP. Day 2 they got 2 TSP per meal. Day 3, 3 TSP, and removed one of wet...... So one and so forth until they were eating 100% raw.

This was for the FIRST flavor/Brand.

When they were on 100% raw in one flavor, I introduced the second:

Day one:
25% of the new raw food/75% of the old food
day two: 50/50
day 3: 25% of the old food, 75 of the new
Day 4: 100% of the new food

I did this for every flavor, every brand - trust me, it makes a difference in brands too. I was Feeding NV rabbit and didn't do a slow intro into Hare today Rabbit - BIG trouble! Same thing from Rad Cat Lamb to Nature's Menu lamb.

New meats, new brands..... Introduce slowly -

****Red meats - lamb, pork, beef........ SPECIALLY slowly :nod:

I got them all to eat a bit of Stella's along with mostly canned food. They didn't lick their plates clean.   I kept almost a case of Wellness, mostly for Cricket. 

The Rad Cat lamb is back in the freezer and the turkey is thawing in the fridge for breakfast  

So far everything is staying down   Awwww, Rufus' first hurl.

Rufus is on Zithromax and I gave him a dose right before the meal, which I usually do.  I ended up giving him another dose since presumably he lost that dose?   And I also picked up some FortiFlora,only because it was convenient from the vet.  Haven't used it, do you just sprinkle it on and do they like it, or do you usually have to mix it? 

TobyTyler said:

I got them all to eat a bit of Stella's along with mostly canned food. They didn't lick their plates clean.   I kept almost a case of Wellness, mostly for Cricket. :Lifesaver:
The Rad Cat lamb is back in the freezer and the turkey is thawing in the fridge for breakfast  

So far everything is staying down :cross:   Awwww, Rufus' first hurl.

Rufus is on Zithromax and I gave him a dose right before the meal, which I usually do.  I ended up giving him another dose since presumably he lost that dose?   And I also picked up some FortiFlora,only because it was convenient from the vet.  Haven't used it, do you just sprinkle it on and do they like it, or do you usually have to mix it? 

Click to expand...

Ohhh..... Don't use Fortiflora as a probiotic

Use for your finicky one - is that Cricket? Sorry - your thread grew so much in like a minute

You dust lightly over the food - as a topping, to make it - If they love it ....... you will probably have a fortiflora addict
It's ok though - all of us went through it....... and survived Detox

Carolina said:

Ohhh..... Don't use Fortiflora as a probiotic

Use for your finicky one - is that Cricket? Sorry - your thread grew so much in like a

minute 

You dust lightly over the food - as a topping, to make it

- If they love it ....... you will probably have a fortiflora addict

It's ok though - all of us went through it....... and survived Detox

Click to expand...

Yep, Cricket loves the Fortiflora, I just sprinkled it on his breakfast and he gobbled it up.  Rufus was more interesed in Cricket's food with the Fortiflora and tried to crowd him away from his bowl.  Since Rufus is on an antibiotic, shouldn't he be having the FortiFlora too?

The good news is, Cricket is completely kibble free as of yesterday, day 2.  This house is KIBBLE FREE, yippee!

This morning it was Cricket who got up first and was waiting in the kitchen for breakfast.  I have seldom had him hang around while I'm getting everything prepared.  Today he was right there circling my legs.   He was hungry.  

The Rad Cat was still frozen solid in the fridge, so I made up the Stellas and served it along with the canned food.  All three including CRICKET, ate the Stella and Chewy's first before the canned!

No more tummy issues last night.  BTW, I think Cricket is getting along better with the little brats- as he views them!  

Holy Crap!....I just saw Clancy scratching the living room floor, and noticed there was a big hard piece of poop he was trying to cover up.  He is meticulous about the litter box, this had to be sticking to him.  It was rather firm, maybe too firm, it looked kind of grainy.  I have since disposed of it.  He has not had kibble since Sunday night now.  I am noticing far less poop in the litterbox, absolutely no loose stools.  I might mix some pumpkin into their lunch.

TobyTyler said:

Yep, Cricket loves the Fortiflora, I just sprinkled it on his breakfast and he gobbled it up.  Rufus was more interesed in Cricket's food with the Fortiflora and tried to crowd him away from his bowl.  Since Rufus is on an antibiotic, shouldn't he be having the FortiFlora too?

The good news is, Cricket is completely kibble free as of yesterday, day 2.  This house is KIBBLE FREE, yippee!

This morning it was Cricket who got up first and was waiting in the kitchen for breakfast.  I have seldom had him hang around while I'm getting everything prepared.  Today he was right there circling my legs.   He was hungry.  

The Rad Cat was still frozen solid in the fridge, so I made up the Stellas and served it along with the canned food.  All three including CRICKET, ate the Stella and Chewy's first before the canned!

No more tummy issues last night.  BTW, I think Cricket is getting along better with the little brats- as he views them!  

Click to expand...

Honestly, Fortiflora is too expensive and not good enough IMHO as a probiotic..... but EXCELLENT as a topping for finnicky cats!
Get a better probiotic for the kitties...... You can get it in your natural food store, or online..... I use this one: Natural Factors Probiotic

Carolina said:

Honestly, Fortiflora is too expensive and not good enough IMHO as a probiotic..... but EXCELLENT as a topping for finnicky cats!
Get a better probiotic for the kitties...... You can get it in your natural food store, or online..... I use this one: Natural Factors Probiotic

Click to expand...

The thing is, they all change bowls through out the meal, you know, just in case one got what the other didn't!  

I had heard on these threads the same thing about Fortiflora, but I was at the vets and picked it up for convenience.  I need to make a trip to the health food store, there isn't one in my little town.  I have to agree on the expense! $36 for thirty sachets!  Had I known the cost I woudln't have gotten it but now I need to use up what I have.

I always keep FortiFlora on hand for emergencies (topper emergencies ), but buy it on Amazon for $19. 

As to that hard stool that was probably a cling-on, we get those here too.  Raw made stools are harder than what you're used to seeing, and will look a little "grainy", so not sure you need to rush to add any pumpkin to their diet.  Let me see if I can find a picture of stools "before and after" raw.  I think they are in Carolina's extremely long raw thread.  I'll hunt for them and try to post them in a sec.

Well, figures...I can't find those pictures.  But as you are already finding out, raw stools are much smaller, and they really are firm.  I wouldn't worry, though, about adding pumpkin to their diet just yet unless you are seeing one of them straining without having any success.  Are you rehydrating the Stella and Chewy's before adding it to their canned food?  (I don't rehydrate it when giving it to my little beasties, and it doesn't cause issues, but since yours are so new to it, is could be a factor, I suppose)

BTW, sorry about the kittens throwing up the lamb.  Mine never had any problems switching proteins, stomach wise.  I guess some have more sensitive stomachs than others, poor babies. 

I also get the Fortiflora on-line from Amazon. Pay the same as Sally. I have to use it for two of mine, still.

Hope Sally finds the poop picture! :lol3: Raw poops are much, much smaller and can be very hard. That is totally normal.

Well, I see we can't find that picture :lol3: I will try to look too.

mrsgreenjeens said:

 


I always keep FortiFlora on hand for emergencies (topper emergencies

), but buy it on Amazon for $19. 

As to that hard stool that was probably a cling-on, we get those here too.  Raw made stools are harder than what you're used to seeing, and will look a little "grainy", so not sure you need to rush to add any pumpkin to their diet.  Let me see if I can find a picture of stools "before and after" raw.  I think they are in Carolina's extremely long raw thread.  I'll hunt for them and try to post them in a sec.

Click to expand...

That's helpful.  I will do that, I figured any pro-biotic was better than none, especially with the antibiotics,  Vet said it was more for diarrhea than anything and I was shocked at the price.  I am dividing one sachet between all three for now.

I did feed the pumpkin at lunch along with Stella's  before I read your post.  Rad cat still hadn't defrosted, and since Cricket is taking to the Stella's I'm OK with that.  I'm feeding 4 x per day now.   Interesting, only Clancy ate all his pumpkin.  Maybe when they're that little they know instinctively what they need?  

Yep, it was a cling-on or as I call them, dingle berries.  But it was a bit bigger than a normal berry.   BTW, in light of this most scintillating conversation, I cant' wait to see the poop pictures

 

PS: I see we are all posting at the same time so sorry for any redundancy.

TobyTyler said:

That's helpful.  I will do that, I figured any pro-biotic was better than none, especially with the antibiotics,  Vet said it was more for diarrhea than anything and I was shocked at the price.  I am dividing one sachet between all three for now.

I did feed the pumpkin at lunch along with Stella's  before I read your post.  Rad cat still hadn't defrosted, and since Cricket is taking to the Stella's I'm OK with that.  I'm feeding 4 x per day now.   Interesting, only Clancy ate all his pumpkin.  Maybe when they're that little they know instinctively what they need?  

Yep, it was a cling-on or as I call them, dingle berries.  But it was a bit bigger than a normal berry.   BTW, in light of this most scintillating conversation, I cant' wait to see the poop pictures  

PS: I see we are all posting at the same time so sorry for any redundancy.

Click to expand...

Cant's wait to see pictures? oh boy...... here you go!

Bugsy's one of first solid poops after 14 months of daily diarrhea - this was his fith day on 100% raw
I wanted to frame this on GOLD

I really think I hadn't warmed the lamb enough.  For now I'm sticking with Rad turkey and will reintroduce lamb later.  It was still mostly frozen so I put it back in the freezer. Yes, I am reconstituting the Stella's.  Yesterday and this morning, I served it along side the canned.  All three ate the Stella's first!  So at lunch it was just Stella's and pumpkin, but only Clancy ate the pumpkin.  The Rad turkey will be defrosted enough to use by dinner.

If anyone can locate those poop pictures, please send them right around dinner time   I would love to see them while I'm eating supper, lol!!!!!

TobyTyler said:

I really think I hadn't warmed the lamb enough.  For now I'm sticking with Rad turkey and will reintroduce lamb later.  It was still mostly frozen so I put it back in the freezer. Yes, I am reconstituting the Stella's.  Yesterday and this morning, I served it along side the canned.  All three ate the Stella's first!  So at lunch it was just Stella's and pumpkin, but only Clancy ate the pumpkin.  The Rad turkey will be defrosted enough to use by dinner.

If anyone can locate those poop pictures, please send them right around dinner time   I would love to see them while I'm eating supper, lol!!!!!

Click to expand...

Look at the post above this one....... you asked

I am literally lauging so hard I nearly peed my pants.  I should be taking pictures!   What a baaaaaaaaaaaad mom I am for not capturing this important milestone

Congratulations on your transition. I do not warm the rad cat. Be careful using hot water, because hot water will cook it and that depletes the nutrients.

Mazy threw up lamb every time I tried to give it to her and finally refused to eat it at all. She also regurgitates beef. Some cats have trouble with red meat.

Mazy was the hold out in my house, it took several weeks before she would eat Rad Cat at all, and then, only heavily dusted with Vets-Best hairball relief. (forti flora is a no-go here )

However Mazy now eats her Rad Cat turkey or Rad Cat chicken with great enthusiasm even if there are a few ice crystals in it. She is also starting to really enjoy chunks of meat. Cornish hen and turkey thigh are her favorite.

Jennie and Queen Eva love raw and eat anything I put in front of them.

otto said:

Congratulations on your transition. I do not warm the rad cat. Be careful using hot water, because hot water will cook it and that depletes the nutrients.
 

Click to expand...

I wondered that very same thing, so I try to get it just about body temp.  I do put hot water in their metal bowls to warm them while it's hydrating, mine like things warm, mmmmmmm.  Actually they are usually hot, so that is something to consider.

I can't wait to be able to do more research, It really did happen cold turkey with the Rad Cat turkey the kittens went wild for.  But between sniffles, snot and everything else, I planned to wait to start this diet.  I am so happy I did. 

I spoke with the vet yesterday because Rufus' test results were in.  I told him what I was doing and asked for his support.  He told me as long as I was feeding commercial (I will probably venture into homemade in the future) due to the dietary balance required, I should be good.  I asked him if he has seen and improvement in health in the raw kitties he treats, he told me he hasn't seen that so much as their teeth and gums are healthier.  To which I replied 'There you go"!  He did caution about the major Vet organizations stance, and said that was why he couldn't outright recommend it.  He also said we might want to check for parasites at some time, which frankly I'm not all that concerned about if things are handled properly.