Natural appetiete stimulants?

Hi folks, you all were so kind when I posted on here back in December. By the grace of God, my little tuxedo Cassidy Cleo is still with me after a bout with e-coli and kidney failure. The vet thinks her kidneys sustained permanent damage but she said her levels are at a point that many cats can adapt over time as long as they can keep weight on. She's a little one so she didn't have much to lose to begin with. My biggest issue- getting her to eat and eat the same thing more than once. Vet says the kidney issue makes her nauseous and if she associates the food with nausea she won't eat it again. She's very sensitive to medication and ironically, the anti-nausea medication actually made her nauseous.

I've tried every food under the sun and she still gets a 1/4 tablet of appetite stimulant every three days and 100ml of fluids daily. She has become very fond of Black Forest ham and I have gotten her to eat the Whiskas filet mignon pate. She's maintaining her weight at this point and is comfortable and happy even though not the spritely 3 1/2 year old she was before all this started in November.

Has anyone had any experience with natural appetite stimulants or other foods I might try for her? I've sprinkled fresh catnip around and that has gotten some response. She could stay with us for weeks, months or years at this point so just wanting to try everything I can to get her back to a routine that preferably doesn't involve $9.99 per LB ham (though if that's what it shall be, so it shall be).

This is a great site and a great community of kitty lovers. Any advice, experience, or input anyone has on this is welcome and appreciated.

Thank you! CC's Mom

I know some people have had luck sprinkling fortiflora, bonita flakes or crumbled cheese on their cat's food to get them to eat. 

Have you tried warming up the food a bit? I do this with Sara, she loves it. I also add water to it to make it more gruel-like since she really prefers that. Not sure if your baby is picky regarding texture or not.

I saw someone mention on a FB group I'm on for CKD that they made chicken in a slow-cooker. Made it fall apart and the kitty loved it. So you may want to experiment with things like that.

Have you considered kibble? It's a great source of caloies if you need to supplement. I just add it to Sara's gruel.

Oh, yes, we've tried a variety of kibbles. I wish I could get her back on kibble because that would really help with her weight. She's off her Max Cat and I've gotten her on some cheapo brands that she'll nibble hear and there but she seems off kibble for the most part. I have thought about trying some chicken and will do that and someone also mentioned scrambled eggs. I've started putting her wet food near the fireplace so it stays warm and fragrant and she does seem to enjoy that. Thank you!

Thanks! I will look for it

B-12 tends to increase appetite. I think the other B's might too. Some people with CKD cats give their cats extra vitamin B anyway, to replace what's flushed out by the constant peeing.

This site on assist feeding cats has tips on increasing appetite and calories:
http://assistfeed.com/Enticing.htm
http://www.assistfeed.com/ExtraCalories.htm

Note that injectable B complex might sting, so if you give it with fluids it is better to do it at the end. I think B-12 alone doesn't though.

Tanya's CRF site has a lot of info, too, if you haven't looked at it yet.
http://felinecrf.org/nausea_vomiting_stomach_acid.htm

Slippery elm could help. I use it with my cat that has some vomiting/nausea issues. It's give it to my cat via a syringe as he won't eat anything mixed in his food, but he doesn't mind the taste. 

http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/slippery-elm/

Thank you!

What is the 1/4 tablet appetite stimulate you give her every 3 days? Just wondering if it's Pepcid, like my vet has me give my CKD cat. It doesn't seem to help his appetite, but it helps with the nausea. Tuna sparks his appetite. I fed him tuna for humans for a couple days after a dental cleaning/extractions in September when he wouldn't eat the Rx food we'd been given or even his old food. Now I sometimes spike his Rx food with cat food tuna. I feel your struggle! I've also bought just every CKD Rx food out there and a lot of other high quality regular foods to try and get him eating like he used to.

CatMinionJess said:

What is the 1/4 tablet appetite stimulate you give her every 3 days? Just wondering if it's Pepcid, like my vet has me give my CKD cat. It doesn't seem to help his appetite, but it helps with the nausea. Tuna sparks his appetite. I fed him tuna for humans for a couple days after a dental cleaning/extractions in September when he wouldn't eat the Rx food we'd been given or even his old food. Now I sometimes spike his Rx food with cat food tuna. I feel your struggle! I've also bought just every CKD Rx food out there and a lot of other high quality regular foods to try and get him eating like he used to.

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Sounds like it's probably mirtazepine, going by the "every three days" part. Pepcid will not increase appetite, it is an acid reducer, which can have an anti-nausea effect. But sometimes CKD kitties need even a regular anti-nausea drug like Cerenia. Mirtazepine and cyproheptadine (among others) are appetite stimulants.

Thankfully Sara eats the k/d, I just have to give her half an hour or more to finish it. No more finishing up meals in 10 minutes like everyone else.

We have done the Pepcid but frankly, little boo is so sensitive to medications that even a 1/2 tablet made her gack. She has been doing really well on, believe it or not, Whiskas Filet Mignon pate food. Judging by her affinity for black forest ham and now filet mignon. I am questioning if she isn't a descendant of Henry VIII with her love of rich food. She's slowly getting back into her kibble and treats also. Vet said they don't like the kidney diet foods because "frankly, they taste like crap". On the current regimen, she has gained almost a 1/2 pound so that's great. I don't know the actual name of the appetite stimulant because it's at home but I will find out and let you know!

treacyducks said:

We have done the Pepcid but frankly, little boo is so sensitive to medications that even a 1/2 tablet made her gack. She has been doing really well on, believe it or not, Whiskas Filet Mignon pate food. Judging by her affinity for black forest ham and now filet mignon. I am questioning if she isn't a descendant of Henry VIII with her love of rich food. She's slowly getting back into her kibble and treats also. Vet said they don't like the kidney diet foods because "frankly, they taste like crap". On the current regimen, she has gained almost a 1/2 pound so that's great. I don't know the actual name of the appetite stimulant because it's at home but I will find out and let you know!

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Funny, my cats (all of them, even the kittens) go bonkers for the k/d! The kittens don't eat it but they eat the crumbs Sara sometimes leaves behind. You should see them bolt in there! I'm happy to hear she is eating though! Phos binders do exist so they can be used if her phos gets too high.

I think mirt is the only appetite stimulant given at a rate of 1/4 pill every three days, so pretty sure it's that one. Oh, and regarding Pepcid, 1/2 tab is actually on the high side! 1/4 is the norm, but yes, I had to give Lucky 1/2 tab also. I'm surprised to hear she yacked from that though!

Well, this is a cat whose anti-nausea medication made her nauseous so there ya go!

What anti-nausea meds was she on? And how was it delivered (pill, injection etc)? Just curious. Poor kitty, can't catch a break!

I think it was Convena. And a few others we tried.

Mirt is what she's on for the stimulant

treacyducks said:

We have done the Pepcid but frankly, little boo is so sensitive to medications that even a 1/2 tablet made her gack.

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If she's gagging from the flavor, you could get empty size 4 or 5 gelatin capsules, stuff it with the Pepcid, and pill her with that. It also means there's no sharp edges on the pill to scratch the throat.