Supplements

Anybody know of a protein supplement for cats? My 15yo is recovering from illness and lost most of his muscle. He is on high protein diet. Long road to recovery . Wondering if anyone can recommend good dietary supplement and esp protein supplement. We are feeding Puss primarily canned tuna and canned or home cooked chicken. Also his fave Fancy Feast.

sreese5 said:

We are feeding Puss primarily canned tuna 

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Hi sreese 5,

Not sure you know this, but please note that canned tuna for humans are not acceptable to feed as regular meals to cats. It often causes thiamine and vitamin E deficiencies, and has the potential to cause UTIs or kidney disease due to their high mineral content. Large fish such as tuna are also known for its heavy metal, PCBs and pesticide content, and fish is a high in histamine, which can cause inflammation in cats and or allergies. I've also heard hyperthyroidism may also be caused by too much fish in the diet as seafoods are high in iodine.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/can-i-feed-my-cat-a-fish-based-or-fish-flavored-diet

http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/

For high protein diet, I'd recommend feeding canned food like Weruva (chicken, duck), Tiki Cat (in chicken flavors only), Fancy Feast in classic flavors & Friskies Turkey and Giblets. EVO canned food may also be good, but it tends to be high in fat rather than the actual meat. (Fat is considered as meat in pet foods, fyi). However, fats are more easily digested and converted to energy than humans can, so it may be worth considering to add to your cat's diet.

High calorie supplement that are great for cats is NutriCal. High protein supplements are harder to come by. Cats need meat as a source of protein, so I'd probably look toward freeze dried foods (which are always much more expensive) like from Stella & Chewy where you can add water to their "pellets". Freeze dried meats are also sold in specialty smaller independent stores. I've seen beef and lamb livers which you could also crumble them on their wet food as a topper. 

Not sure what your kitty was diagnosed with, but sometimes coming straightforward can help us better, too. Hope you get more responses from others and sending healing wishes to you and your kitty!   

Thanks so much for the info. I am aware that you have to be careful with too much seafood. The vet only told us to feed Puss whatever he would eat bc of his wt loss etc. Not happy with follow up and info from vet, so going to another vet tomorrow . Hoping for more guidance for long term care- more bloodwork, diet,etc. Info very much appreciated - never had a sick pet before. Gonna check out your recommendations!