New here

Hello!  I have recently begun posting in Cat Nutrition threads & thought I should introduce myself.  3 weeks ago we lost our 18-year old Ginger to chronic renal failure.  We also have a 2-year old part Maine Coon, Fiona.  I was a dry-only feeder until I started reading online about crf (and learned how much the lovely dry prescription renal food probably exacerbated things).  I don't know when she ordered it, but my mom bought me a t-shirt for Christmas that says "It's my cat's world, I'm just here to open the cans" and it's perfect - well, if you include "research" and "purchase"!  If I had a nickel for every hour of online reading or standing in a pet store reading labels over the past 3 or 4 months!

So anyway, I am wiser and so far have found one canned food I and Fiona are happy with, but still learning.  Trying a little frozen raw and still feeding a little low-carb dry.  Looks like a great community and while I'm involved in others more socially (a scrapbooking site) I appreciate the knowledge and experience here for cat nutrition!

Oh I'm so sorry about Ginger. It probably doesn"t seem like long enough :-( but 18 is a good long life. I lost my Skittles to the same disease at 17-1/2. I hear you about the research--we inherited some older, ill, kitties this year and I've learned more about cat food and supplements in the past 10 months than I ever thought possible. And still--I know only a fraction of what some of the folks on this site do!!

Again, I'm sorry about your baby, it's so hard to lose them. You've come to the right place for support and information. Welcome to you and Fiona!

Thank you - I'm sure being diagnosed at a younger age helped, but yes, 18 is a long life.  As you probably know I'd say low phosphorous & high moisture are the biggest things for older cats!

I'm so sorry to hear about Ginger.

Condolences for the loss of Ginger. I am with you on the hours of research. Today alone, I've spend probably six or seven hours researching frozen ground and PMR diet options. Countless hours on previous days researching everything from food to nail clipping to toys. Anyway, welcome to TCS!

Hello, and welcome. I too am new here .. Lots of nice people and great information!

Very sorry to hear about Ginger, but pleased to read that she lived a nice, long life despite having CRF. 18 with a history of CRF is quite amazing! Obviously you must have done many things right.  

Thanks.  She was just diagnosed in the summer & the first couple months she was on dry prescription food only; who's to say if we would've had any longer if I'd fed her differently.  But, forward from here with the rest!   Yes we only have one now, but...

Welcome, so sorry for the loss of Ginger.  Yes you will learn lots here.  I spend hours and hours researching stuff on the internet.  You never know how long they might have lived, my dad had a kitty live 3 years after diagnoses with CRF, he fed fancy feast and friskies cause his kitty wouldn't eat the prescription diets.

Hi, welcome to TCS.  I am very sorry for your loss.