Kaylee Needs to Gain Some Weight

fromthevalley

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So Kaylee is 3 years old, and a few years ago she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She gets 3/4 of a 25mg atenolol everyday, and everything is under control. However, when we went to her vet today, the vet said Kaylee had lost some weight, borderline underweight. She gone from 7.8lbs in January to 7.1lbs. I feed both her and her sister dry food free fed (aka food is out all the time) and I see her eat a decent amount each time I do so I know she eats. They eat: 

A bowel of 1/2 Nature's Variety Raw Boost Chicken, 1/2 Orijen Cat & Kitten

A bowel of Orijen

They also get a bowel of wet food every other day (as they only really like fish, and since it's bad for them to gave too much fish...). I rotate between Weruva's line, Earthborn, and Nutro. Neither can handle beef very well if top ingredient (don't ask me why...??). She also gets a handful of Orijen cat treats everyday.

I cannot do scheduled feedings because sometimes I have to work 12/14 hour shifts without warning. 

Orijen:

Crude Protein (min): 42%

Crude Fat (min): 20% 

Crude Fiber (max): 3%

Moisture (max): 10%

Calcium (min/max): 1.4/1.7%
Phosphorus (min/max): 1.1/1.4%
Omega-6 (min): 3.5%
Omega-3 (min): 1.2%
DHA (min): 0.7%
EPA (min): 0.4%
Taurine (min): 0.25%
Magnesium (max): 0.09%
pH: 5
Ash (max): 8%

Nature's Variety:

Crude Protein (min): 44.5 %

Crude Fat (min): 19.5 %

Crude Fiber (max):  4 %

Moisture (max): 8 %

Vitamin E (min): 100 IU/kg

*Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (min): 85 mg/kg

*Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min): 2 %

*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min): 0.25 %
 
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kayleemarie90

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Do you know the sodium levels of the food you're giving? I heard low sodium diets are good for cats with heart problems. Since you work the 12-14 hour shifts a lot I would definately increase their wet food intake in the mornings or whenever you get back home. Water is very key in their diets and unfortunately the dry food only offers around 10% water content vs. wet food with 78% water content. I am not completely sold on keeping all dry food out of the picture since I am struggling to feed all my babies as much wet food as I can. I also purchased a water filter that you can place in any bowl and keep it plugged in through out the day which will get them to be more interested in drinking water. It wasn't a bad price you can find some online on amazon for cheap as well but you have to replace water filters every 2-4 weeks but this would be very beneficial to keep your cats hydrated during the day. My other question is has your vet reccomended that type of food? Because I am hoping to steer my cat who has HCM away from prescription diets if I can help it but he has that and urinary problems so I fear of switching.
 
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fromthevalley

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Do you know the sodium levels of the food you're giving? I heard low sodium diets are good for cats with heart problems. Since you work the 12-14 hour shifts a lot I would definately increase their wet food intake in the mornings or whenever you get back home. Water is very key in their diets and unfortunately the dry food only offers around 10% water content vs. wet food with 78% water content. I am not completely sold on keeping all dry food out of the picture since I am struggling to feed all my babies as much wet food as I can. I also purchased a water filter that you can place in any bowl and keep it plugged in through out the day which will get them to be more interested in drinking water. It wasn't a bad price you can find some online on amazon for cheap as well but you have to replace water filters every 2-4 weeks but this would be very beneficial to keep your cats hydrated during the day. My other question is has your vet reccomended that type of food? Because I am hoping to steer my cat who has HCM away from prescription diets if I can help it but he has that and urinary problems so I fear of switching.
I'm too bothered to look up the actual content but both my regular vet and cardio vet told me to keep her on NV and Orijen so they must be okay in that wise. Her health is fine, her heart looks better than when she got first diagnosed. She just needs to gain weight is all. And as stated above, Kaylee only really likes fish moist food which cannot be given a lot (unless someone knows the exact amount I can safely give), so if there is anything not listed above that is gain-free and non-fish feel free to let me know.
 

kayleemarie90

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I will keep this in mind when I look into more food options and let you know if I come across anything. I hope she gains some weight soon hang in there you are a great and caring pet owner.
 
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