Desperately seeking stinky food for kitty with FLUTD :-)

I'm afraid I've been woefully ignorant re: cat nutrition, and didn't realize how much until one of my cats recently developed FLUTD. *iz so embarrassed*

My vet recommended that I start Buddy on Hill's Prescription Diet c/d, but is cool with the idea of me feeding him pretty much anything I want as long as it will meet his needs.  So I've been doing a ton of research these past few days, and thought I'd start with some stuff I can buy at Petsmart until I can work up the nerve to give this home-cooked cat food thingy a try. ;-)

Unfortunately, trying to transition Buddy over to something else is going to be a little tricky.  He was a stray in really bad shape when I took him in, and his sense of smell had apparently been severely compromised from frequent upper respiratory infections (he's FIV+).  And if he can't smell something, he flat refuses to eat it.  So since fish flavored canned food seems to be the only thing he can smell, that's what I've been feeding him -- mostly Fancy Feast, Wellness, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness.  Oops.  Guess a steady diet of fishy food isn't such a great idea. :/

Does anyone know of any non-fish flavored food that would be suitable for his needs that he might actually be able to smell?  Or if not, is there some mystical and magical ingredient I could add that might do the trick?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Heating up food in the microwave may help.  :-)  I had an old cat who didn't eat much and the vet told me that heating up the food made it smell more and she would eat more.  It worked.  

That's a very good idea, and it has helped.  Just not with the non-fishy flavors, at least not yet. ;-)

I also feed him with a spoon to try to make sure he gets a good whiff.  Of course, it's a bit of challenge trying to keep the spoon under his nose while I'm chasing him all over the place, but at least we're both getting plenty of exercise.  

I can understand your frustration. I made the same realization about 6 months ago. I feel my FLUTD kitty Hills C/D, but also other higher quality wet. 

I've found sardines to me my savior. You can find complete sardine cat food (Tiki Cat), or even human grade sardines (packed in water, no salt or seasonings). I give him whatever food I'm trying, then mix in about 1tsp to tbsp of sardines. Seems like that gets him interested in a food he otherwise wouldn't want. 

Regarding fish food for FLUTD kitties, it is a theory that the high mineral content in fish can make their problems worse. Not all agree on this point. But from what I've read on here & elsewhere, sardines are rather low on the list. Fish like tuna are very high & should be stayed away from, if you can. 

If sardines don't work, what about the juice from a can of tuna? It gives them the flavor & smell, but they're not actually eating the fish. 

Sometimes, I'll take a tiny dot of food & put it on his lips. When he licks it off, he realizes it's tasty! Then he's willing to eat it. I feed him in the bathroom, that way he can't just walk away if he doesn't like it. 

 I've found sardines to me my savior. You can find complete sardine cat food (Tiki Cat), or even human grade sardines (packed in water, no salt or seasonings). I give him whatever food I'm trying, then mix in about 1tsp to tbsp of sardines. Seems like that gets him interested in a food he otherwise wouldn't want. 

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Cool!  I'll definitely give that a try.  Thanks bunches!

Personally, I think that Pride by Instinct Rockstar Rabbit is very stinky. I almost throw up every time I open a can. Maybe it could work?

 Personally, I think that Pride by Instinct Rockstar Rabbit is very stinky. I almost throw up every time I open a can. Maybe it could work?

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Hee!  Sounds like that could be a winner.  I'll go pick up a can first thing in the morning.  Thanks ever so much! :-)

Stella & Chewy freeze dry has strong smell and my cats just love it.

I also sprinkle a little bit of bonito flakes (find at a Japanese grocery store) on canned food and it works very well with one of my cats. 

 Stella & Chewy freeze dry has strong smell and my cats just love it.

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Thanks!

Which non-fish flavor do you think has the strongest smell?  Or are they all pretty strong?

 I also sprinkle a little bit of bonito flakes (find at a Japanese grocery store) on canned food and it works very well with one of my cats.

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Awesome!  I had no idea what in the heck that was, and had to go look it up. :-)

Are they pretty salty?  Or do you use them so sparingly that it's not an issue?

cheeser said:

 
Which non-fish flavor do you think has the strongest smell?  Or are they all pretty strong?

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I think they are all smelly. I only tried chicken, and duck. 

cheeser said:

 
Awesome!  I had no idea what in the heck that was, and had to go look it up. :-)

Are they pretty salty?  Or do you use them so sparingly that it's not an issue?

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It's just dried bonito, no salt, but check the ingredients to make sure. I just sprinkle very small amount on his food. 

Also, if you can, get the ones that say "Product of Japan", in small packages. 

I had one cat who loved bonito but also ate them to vomit hairballs, just like eating grass.  So, try and if it doesn't work, you can sprinkle on your pizza or something. 

Gross!

Tabbysia said:

Gross!

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What are you referring to? 

The bonito flakes on the pizza!

Tabbysia said:

The bonito flakes on the pizza!

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You don't know what you're missing. 

Google "bonito flakes on pizza" images. It's good especially with BBQ chicken or teriyaki source.

By the way, I'm talking about bonito flakes for human consumption, not the ones you get from pet stores. 

Most cats love raw liver and it is super nutritious.  Just cut it small and put it on a plate for him. Also for herpes I give my cat raw apple cider vinegar by mixing a 50- 50 solution with water, wetting a cotton ball and rubbing it between his shoulder blades once a day.  Since I started this he has never had a herpes episode in 6 months

I had a cat who sank into deep depression after her sister died. A vet suggested Fancy Feast ocean whitefish and tuna. "It's very aromatic and nutritious". It worked. She began eating again. That was in the early 2000's. She ate that and Iams dry until her passing in 2009 at 16.

ankitty said:

 
I think they are all smelly. I only tried chicken, and duck. 

It's just dried bonito, no salt, but check the ingredients to make sure. I just sprinkle very small amount on his food. 

Also, if you can, get the ones that say "Product of Japan", in small packages. 

I had one cat who loved bonito but also ate them to vomit hairballs, just like eating grass.  So, try and if it doesn't work, you can sprinkle on your pizza or something. 

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*hugs you tight*

Thanks oodles for the info!

wittens mom said:

 
Most cats love raw liver and it is super nutritious.  Just cut it small and put it on a plate for him. Also for herpes I give my cat raw apple cider vinegar by mixing a 50- 50 solution with water, wetting a cotton ball and rubbing it between his shoulder blades once a day.  Since I started this he has never had a herpes episode in 6 months

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Raw liver, huh?  That might tickle his fancy.  Sure beats having to smell cooked liver.  Ack!

How much could I safely give him on a regular basis?  I read somewhere that there can be too much of a good thing (maybe catinfo.org?), and I don't want to create another problem while I'm still trying to solve this one. ;-)

angels4mom said:

I had a cat who sank into deep depression after her sister died. A vet suggested Fancy Feast ocean whitefish and tuna. "It's very aromatic and nutritious". It worked. She began eating again. That was in the early 2000's. She ate that and Iams dry until her passing in 2009 at 16.

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Sorry about your kitty.

But I'm glad y'all were able to have so many wonderful years together.

You're sure right about the ocean whitefish and tuna being aromatic!  That's what I've been using to mix with his L-Lysine powder every day.  It seems to disguise the taste more than any other flavor I've tried. :-)

I just wish some of the non-fishy Fancy Feast options were as aromatic.  I know there's some debate as to whether or not the fish flavors can contribute to FLUTD.  However, since he has so many other health problems, I thought I'd try to err on the side of caution and transition him over to something else -- if I can get him to eat it! ;-)

I've found that a lot of foods without fish as the main ingredient still have fish or fish broth in them. My senior Mandie really likes the fish food. The ones with fish as main ingredient.