I have a question

I've ran into some problems ( was unable to get my fur babies fixed ) back in Feb. I've been having medical problems so I've had to put off getting them fixed ( their inside cats and they never go out ). The question I have is my cats have stopped eating their food they'd rather eat the dog's food ( which is by the same company Nutri ) the first ingredients on the bags are either chicken, beef, lamb and very little fillers that I can see. Is it ok for them to eat the dog's food and the only way I can get them to eat their food ( cat food from Nutri ) is if I mix it with tuna packed in water is this ok?


I have brought this attention to my vet and he has told me if they won't eat their food then don't feed them till there ready to eat their own food. Tiger and Tigress are very active fur babies. I just had them in to get dewormed again and asked my vet about why Tigress appears to be really thin. He ran test and all came back normal except for the worms he said that she has a high metabolism ( SP ) rate is why she is thin ( no bones showing or poking through the skin ). Tiger's test came back normal except for the worms and he's my hefty boy ( robust ) but the vet told me I wouldn't have to fix him for he is sterile ( all he'll do is shot blanks ). I'm at my wits end I don't know what to do is it ok to let them eat the dog's food or should I do what the vet said and hold off on thier food till their ready to eat it ( without the tuna being added ) any help would be great.

 

It is not alright to let them eat dog food. Dog food does not contain the right balance of protien/fat for cats. More importantly it does not contain taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that cats MUST have in thier diets. Taurine deficiency will lead to blindness, heart problems, and death.

On the other hand, you can't just let them go indefinately without eating. That could lead to fatty liver disease. No cat should be allowed to fast for longer than 2 days. I'd try adding some canned food that has been warmed. Warm food smells stronger than cold, and food that smells better is more likely to be eaten.

 

and for your boy..if you dont get him fixed..he will spray...and it is a very very pungent odor...and very hard to clean...i would recommend getting him fixed for that very reason.

 

I completely agree. I think the warmed canned food might do the trick.

Have you noticed any changes to their usual food? Sometimes even the slightest change (even just processing changes) will cause an animal to go off the food.

 

Thanks. I'll get some canned cat in the morning. I'll get them both fixed as soon as I can. Right now I'm waiting for my vet to get approved for a low cost spay/neuter program he's sent in his paper work to get a grant for it. As soon as he gets it their being fixed ( it a private company that grants vets the money to help low income people ). It's been a while since I've had to get canned cat food, now do I need to watch out for the low ash or is it the high ash count ( that can cause kidney cyrstels and UTI ). Can anyone give me the heads up on that ( ash in the canned cat food ).


Thanks.

 

Its high ash that you want to avoid.

 

Thanks nern we're on are way out to get some canned cat food. I'll keep you all informed on how it goes.

 

Like others have posted, don't feed them dog food. Dog food is made for dogs and cat food for cats. They may just have you fooled by not eating until you give them the yummy tuna (which is not very good for cats) If you must, try mixing their cat food with can cat food. Or you can try another brand of food. I use "Chicken Soap for the Cats Soul" its make by Diamond i believe and has no fillers or by-prouducts (bad for cats/dogs) My cat really seems to like it and its taste. Also, please consider still getting your male cat fixed even if he does shoot blanks. He will be happier and healthier overall!