Food suggestions for picky cat

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dwidget

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Hello,

My 12 year old cat, Lucy, is giving me some trouble when it comes to food.  In the last year or so, she has lost a little weight.  I think some of this is bc it is harder for her to eat the crunchy food and the other part is we have a third cat now that keeps her more active.  Last November, I switched their hard food to the Taste of the Wild Salmon and Venison.  I was worried that she was not eating enough, or it was too hard for her to eat so I decided to start giving her wet food once a day as well.  I've tried a few different kinds, and it seems like either she doesn't like them or they mess with her tummy.  So then I started giving her a mixture of chicken and rice twice a day.  She does eat it, but I just worry it's not enough or too bland for her.  Does anyone have any good suggestions of wet cat food that is good for sensitive stomachs and older cats that would also help her maintain or put on a little weight?  Or any other "human" foods I can give her or mix with the chicken and rice?  I just worry about her and what her to be getting enough food.
 
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dwidget said:
 
Hello,

My 12 year old cat, Lucy, is giving me some trouble when it comes to food.  In the last year or so, she has lost a little weight.  I think some of this is bc it is harder for her to eat the crunchy food and the other part is we have a third cat now that keeps her more active.  Last November, I switched their hard food to the Taste of the Wild Salmon and Venison.  I was worried that she was not eating enough, or it was too hard for her to eat so I decided to start giving her wet food once a day as well.  I've tried a few different kinds, and it seems like either she doesn't like them or they mess with her tummy.  So then I started giving her a mixture of chicken and rice twice a day.  She does eat it, but I just worry it's not enough or too bland for her.  Does anyone have any good suggestions of wet cat food that is good for sensitive stomachs and older cats that would also help her maintain or put on a little weight?  Or any other "human" foods I can give her or mix with the chicken and rice?  I just worry about her and what her to be getting enough food
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when was the last time she was at the vet? 12 year old cats are prone to both kidney and thyroid issues. Weight lose is a key symptom of both, if she hasn't had a work up in the last 6 months you need to rule out a medical issue first. I would cut out the kibble entirely. If she's having a hard time eating the kibble it may be dental issues. Try simple ingredient wet foods like fancy feast classic, tikicat, weruva, or Merrick LID, those shouldn't give her tummy issues. Don't give rice, rice is not appropriate for cats. If you're interested in cooking for her look at buying some Ezcomplete, you mix it with boneless meat and you have a complete food. Most cats love EZ. 

http://www.foodfurlife.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
 
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I should mention-here is some of what I have tried this last year.  I have probably tried a couple of others, but these are the main ones.  I have also tried giving her canned pumpkin but she REFUSES to eat it.  Like, that is the first thing I have ever seen her NOT want to eat or try which is odd....

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Platefulls Chicken & Pumpkin Formula in Gravy Cat Food-this made her violently ill. 

Purina Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food, Classic, Poultry & Beef Feast Variety Pack, 3-Ounce Can, Pack of 24 -this is OK, but she seems to have cycles where it doesn't agree with her.

Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food, Kitten, Tender Turkey Feast, 3-Ounce Can, Pack of 24 -nope, did not work.  Gave her diarrhea.  I tried this bc I was told kitten food is high calorie and could help with weight.

Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food, Gravy Lovers, Poultry & Beef Variety Pack, 3-Ounce Can, Pack of 24-she loves gravy, but this was a bit too much for her.

Sheba Wet Cat Food Tray - Seafood Pate Multipack (24 Twin Packs) -this seems to be OK, but she gets bored with them..

SHEBA PERFECT PORTIONS Multipack Salmon and Whitefish & Tuna Wet Cat Food 2.6-same as above; gets bored with them.

Her dry food is the Taste of the Wild-she does eat it, but I don't think she likes eating it as much because the hard kibbles bother her teeth.  Maybe if there were a hard food I can try for her that is very very small kibbles that would work too? 
 
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We took her to the vet about 9 months ago because I was worried about her mouth-it looked like she had a sore.  My vet basically said it was fine, just a minor irritation and didn't even charge me for the visit because he said I was just being overly concerned :)  At the time, he said she was in good health.  I am planning on taking her in this week-she just gets so anxious and worked up going into the vet that it's hard and I feel stresses her out so much.  But that is definitely in the plan this week to take her in. 

Thank you for all those suggestions!  I actually just made a reply to this that is being moderated that included the wet foods I have tried.  I have tried the classic fancy feasts-they seem to be OK, but she goes through cycles where I feel they bother her tummy.  I will definitely look into the EZcomplete-she loves the chicken I give her!  I also saw Muse by Purina Natural and Wellness Complete Health Natural-any idea if those are any good?  I've read good things about the Wellness brand, though Purina I see hit and miss reviews.

Thank you again!
 
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missmimz

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dwidget said:
 
We took her to the vet about 9 months ago because I was worried about her mouth-it looked like she had a sore.  My vet basically said it was fine, just a minor irritation and didn't even charge me for the visit because he said I was just being overly concerned :)  At the time, he said she was in good health.  I am planning on taking her in this week-she just gets so anxious and worked up going into the vet that it's hard and I feel stresses her out so much.  But that is definitely in the plan this week to take her in. 

Thank you for all those suggestions!  I actually just made a reply to this that is being moderated that included the wet foods I have tried.  I have tried the classic fancy feasts-they seem to be OK, but she goes through cycles where I feel they bother her tummy.  I will definitely look into the EZcomplete-she loves the chicken I give her!  I also saw Muse by Purina Natural and Wellness Complete Health Natural-any idea if those are any good?  I've read good things about the Wellness brand, though Purina I see hit and miss reviews.

Thank you again!
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Make sure they do a full senior blood panel including T4 for thyroid and kidneys. I'm not a fan of any purina foods. This is a good list of decent kibbles, but really with a 12 year old you should try and avoid kibble, they really need moisture from their food. Here's a list of good wet foods too. Sometimes tummy issues are just from food changes and it settles down. I use EZcomplete in my cats rotation and most of my cats like it. I know a lot of people that use it and its well liked.

http://www.naturalcatcareblog.com/2010/12/the-7-best-natural-commercial-cat-foods-so-far/

http://www.naturalcatcareblog.com/2011/08/best-dry-cat-foods-so-far/
 
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