Hello, this is my first post on the site. I'd love to upload some photos of my babies, but that'll have to wait.
Long story short, my wife and I adopted two brothers from a local Ohio shelter, and have been having a blast with the two crazy, absolutely adorable cuties. Mars is the wild-tiger stripe kitty, the smaller of the two, and Juno is the lovey-dovey fatty that loves to eat and play.
Right off the bat, I fed them some meow mix wet food in congruence with some Purina kitty chow. Instantly, both kittens barely ate the chow. I thus began my search for the correct dietary choices, ranging from raw, cooked/raw, to commercial raw. Nature's Variety offered a coupon for their Instinct Raw Medallions, which I purchased and fed to my kitties to their own delight. However, being ridiculously priced, I decided it's not in my budget to keep buying medallions, and turned to Hare-Today for some whole carcass ground rabbit (10 lb), chicken hearts, and chicken livers. Also visited vitacost.com for the remaining supplementation (followed to a T). First batch of food, roughly three weeks ago: great success. The kitties were lively, enjoyed the food, their coats got ultra glossy and they generally seemed to not only crave the food, but also to be thriving on it until the next batch.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I made a fresh batch of the rabbit - but with one alteration: instead of using four egg yolks, I used three whole eggs. Which MAY be an issue, but I can't just base it on that alone.
Mars began rejecting the raw food, along with Juno having a tougher time eating - red flag. I did not notice any issues, but Mars in general began losing interest in food, along with losing some weight. For a young kitten (18mo) to lose a visible amount of weight is unacceptable. Earlier this week. I purchased EVO-grain free cans and fed at least Mars, who started enjoying a modest appetite. Figured he might be okay and he ravenously devoured the raw. Same evening, he completely threw up his meal with orange bile and chunk of meat. He did it once more the next day for dinner, and I have forgone feeding him the raw altogether, and he seems better with still some modest diarrhea (half-shaped, with a caramel-like interior - very stinky). Juno, however, after eating his last raw meal completely regurgitated the entire raw meal, to the point where it barely began digesting.
I'm guessing he either ate too fast, but I've been splitting up their meals to 1.5 - 2.0oz per feeding, four times per day, and mixing in plenty of water into their food. Mars has NOT thrown up and seems to be improving, and Juno is healthy like a beast with the occasional hiccup. There was NO hair in Juno's throw up.
I did notice that Mars also did a little dig and hide when I was in the bathroom (in the litterbox), and did a semi-yowl, which seemed like an attempt at pooping. He then dug in the tub and laid down, assuming for comfort from the cold tub on his tummy. He then passed his stool no issues and went on being playful.
That's my issue. They seem to be having issues with the raw food, but rarely, AND they are completely playful and loving without any signs of lethargy or disease. The are not dehydrated, and they do not seem to have any issues with energy. I was quoted $300 for a vet check up (just for Mars) and I can't quite afford that right now.
Does anyone have any idea as to what can be happening? I got some hairball medication and have applied it to Mars. The next step is buying a FURminator to help with their grooming. Outside of that, I'm at my wits end. Raw is supposed to be THE best diet. I can't have my babies rejecting it. I wonder if it has anything to do with the eggs, because that was the only factor that has changed.
Please let me know if you have encountered anything of the sort!
Long story short, my wife and I adopted two brothers from a local Ohio shelter, and have been having a blast with the two crazy, absolutely adorable cuties. Mars is the wild-tiger stripe kitty, the smaller of the two, and Juno is the lovey-dovey fatty that loves to eat and play.
Right off the bat, I fed them some meow mix wet food in congruence with some Purina kitty chow. Instantly, both kittens barely ate the chow. I thus began my search for the correct dietary choices, ranging from raw, cooked/raw, to commercial raw. Nature's Variety offered a coupon for their Instinct Raw Medallions, which I purchased and fed to my kitties to their own delight. However, being ridiculously priced, I decided it's not in my budget to keep buying medallions, and turned to Hare-Today for some whole carcass ground rabbit (10 lb), chicken hearts, and chicken livers. Also visited vitacost.com for the remaining supplementation (followed to a T). First batch of food, roughly three weeks ago: great success. The kitties were lively, enjoyed the food, their coats got ultra glossy and they generally seemed to not only crave the food, but also to be thriving on it until the next batch.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I made a fresh batch of the rabbit - but with one alteration: instead of using four egg yolks, I used three whole eggs. Which MAY be an issue, but I can't just base it on that alone.
Mars began rejecting the raw food, along with Juno having a tougher time eating - red flag. I did not notice any issues, but Mars in general began losing interest in food, along with losing some weight. For a young kitten (18mo) to lose a visible amount of weight is unacceptable. Earlier this week. I purchased EVO-grain free cans and fed at least Mars, who started enjoying a modest appetite. Figured he might be okay and he ravenously devoured the raw. Same evening, he completely threw up his meal with orange bile and chunk of meat. He did it once more the next day for dinner, and I have forgone feeding him the raw altogether, and he seems better with still some modest diarrhea (half-shaped, with a caramel-like interior - very stinky). Juno, however, after eating his last raw meal completely regurgitated the entire raw meal, to the point where it barely began digesting.
I'm guessing he either ate too fast, but I've been splitting up their meals to 1.5 - 2.0oz per feeding, four times per day, and mixing in plenty of water into their food. Mars has NOT thrown up and seems to be improving, and Juno is healthy like a beast with the occasional hiccup. There was NO hair in Juno's throw up.
I did notice that Mars also did a little dig and hide when I was in the bathroom (in the litterbox), and did a semi-yowl, which seemed like an attempt at pooping. He then dug in the tub and laid down, assuming for comfort from the cold tub on his tummy. He then passed his stool no issues and went on being playful.
That's my issue. They seem to be having issues with the raw food, but rarely, AND they are completely playful and loving without any signs of lethargy or disease. The are not dehydrated, and they do not seem to have any issues with energy. I was quoted $300 for a vet check up (just for Mars) and I can't quite afford that right now.
Does anyone have any idea as to what can be happening? I got some hairball medication and have applied it to Mars. The next step is buying a FURminator to help with their grooming. Outside of that, I'm at my wits end. Raw is supposed to be THE best diet. I can't have my babies rejecting it. I wonder if it has anything to do with the eggs, because that was the only factor that has changed.
Please let me know if you have encountered anything of the sort!
